Abstract: A continuous process for preparing a polyester shrinkable film includes: pumping an amorphous PET-based polyester melt having a melt viscosity ?1 directly from a polymerization reactor into a first cooling zone; cooling the polyester melt to increase the melt viscosity thereof to a melt viscosity ?2 such that a difference between ?2 and ?1 ranges from 1500 poise to 3500 poise; feeding the polyester melt into a second cooling zone; cooling the polyester melt to increase the melt viscosity thereof to a melt viscosity ?3 ranging from 5000 poise to 12000 poise such that a difference between ?3 and ?2 ranges from 1000 poise to 5500 poise; and pumping the polyester melt from the second cooling zone into a zone for film-forming treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible insulating material based on a high temperature resistant rubber mixture. The insulation material for use at temperatures of more than 130° C., which is easy to apply to complex components to be insulated and also fills in undercuts, is an insulation material in which at least a portion of the rubber mixture is not crosslinked and can be plastically deformed, wherein the Mooney viscosity ML(1+4) of the mixture, determined at 23° C. according to DIN 53523 Part 3, is 5 to 20 MU.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing aqueous polyurethane-polyurea dispersions, aqueous polyurethane-polyurea dispersions produced by this method and their use to produce coating agents and adhesives.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to aqueous polyurethane-polyurea dispersions which are prepared by the acetone process using methyl acetate instead of ketones and are chain-extended using hydrazine or derivatives thereof, these dispersions having an improved stability towards thermal yellowing and a relatively low residual hydrazine/hydrazine derivative content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the production of a superabsorbent polymer comprising providing an acidic liquid aqueous monomer mixture containing dissolved oxygen; continuously feeding the aqueous monomer mixture to a reactor; introducing a source of carbonate or hydrogen carbonate into the aqueous monomer mixture prior to entry into the reactor thereby forming a gas phase comprising carbon dioxide and at least a part of the dissolved oxygen, the gas phase being dispersed in the liquid phase; subjecting the gas/liquid mixture to at least partial phase separation immediately prior to or after entry into the reactor and at least partially removing the separated gaseous phase; subjecting the liquid phase in the reactor to free-radical polymerization to obtain the superabsorbent polymer, and continuously removing the superabsorbent polymer from the reactor.

Abstract: Accordingly, the invention provides a process for the preparation of an artificial latex, comprising the steps: (a) emulsification of a cement comprising a rubber dissolved in a suitable organic solvent, together with an aqueous surfactant solution, thus forming an oil-in-water emulsion; (b) step-wise reduction of the solvent content of the oil-in-water emulsion in two or more stages resulting in an artificial latex. In addition, the invention provides a continuous stirred vessel for removing an organic solvent from an oil-in-water emulsion comprising rubber dissolved in an organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the polymerization of vinyl-containing monomers such as, for example, monomeric vinyl halides, in a reaction mixture, in which process less waste is generated.

Abstract: An organic polymer is transferred from one solvent to another. In a first step, a solution of the polymer in a first solvent is divided into droplets, dispersed into a liquid phase such as water bath, and the first solvent is removed from the droplets to produce a slurry in the liquid phase. Then, the second solvent is contacted with the slurry to dissolve the organic polymer and produce a second solution. The second solution is removed from the liquid phase. The process is especially suitable for transferring a butadiene polymer from a hydrocarbon solvent into a halogenated solvent for bromination.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for separating a product comprising a super absorbent polymer, a fiber and a plastic to separate the product into components thereof, the method comprising adding water to the product, and pressing the product in order to separate the product into components comprising a plastics component and a super absorbent polymer and fiber component. Other methods of the present disclosure include a method for producing a reusable plastic, reusable paper fiber stream and a reusable super absorbent polymer from the treatment of a product comprising a super absorbent polymer, a fiber and a plastic. Still other embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for the treatment of wet super absorbent polymer, comprising salt assisted dehydration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the production of a superabsorbent polymer comprising providing an acidic liquid aqueous monomer mixture containing dissolved oxygen; continuously feeding the aqueous monomer mixture to a reactor; introducing a source of carbonate or hydrogen carbonate into the aqueous monomer mixture prior to entry into the reactor thereby forming a gas phase comprising carbon dioxide and at least a part of the dissolved oxygen, the gas phase being dispersed in the liquid phase; subjecting the gas/liquid mixture to at least partial phase separation immediately prior to or after entry into the reactor and at least partially removing the separated gaseous phase; subjecting the liquid phase in the reactor to free-radical polymerization to obtain the superabsorbent polymer, and continuously removing the superabsorbent polymer from the reactor.

Abstract: A process of producing an artificial latex, comprising the steps: (a) cement formation, wherein a rubber is dissolved in a suitable hydrocarbon solvent; (b) emulsification of the cement formed in step (a), together with an aqueous soap solution, thus forming an oil-in-water emulsion; (c) hydrocarbon solvent removal, resulting in a latex of the rubber having particles of a median particle size in the range of from about 0.5 to 2.0 ?m, and optionally (d) latex concentration, forming an artificial latex with a higher solids content, characterized in that in step (b) a premix is formed first, which is subsequently homogenized into an oil-in-water emulsion, and wherein the premix is formed by mixing the cement with the aqueous soap solution at a volume ratio of 1:1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of protective colloid-stabilized polymer products by means of emulsion polymerization in a reactor having an external cooling circuit, which is equipped with a pump and a heat exchanger, characterized in that the reaction mixture present in the reactor is delivered to a cooled static mixer-heat exchanger having stationary fixtures and is subsequently returned to the reactor. The invention further relates to a device for the production of protective colloid-stabilized polymer products by means of emulsion polymerization, comprising a reactor and an external cooling circuit, characterized in that the external cooling circuit is equipped with a pump and a cooled static mixer-heat exchanger having stationary fixtures.

Abstract: The present invention provides energetically and economically efficient methods for separating polyamide polymer(s) from commingled materials. The methods generally involve precipitating a polyamide polymer dissolved in a solvent (e.g., formic acid) using dimethyl ether (DME) as an antisolvent. The methods comprise dissolving the polyamide polymer in a solvent that (i) selectively dissolves the polyamide polymer relative to the other materials and (ii) has a higher solubility for DME relative to the polyamide polymer; and then contacting the mixture of the solvent with the dissolved polyamide polymer with DME, thereby precipitating the polyamide polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a superabsorbent polymer comprising preparing an aqueous mixture of monomers selected to provide after polymerization a superabsorbent polymer; feeding said monomer mixture to a reactor; subjecting the aqueous monomer mixture in the reactor to free-radical polymerization to obtain a superabsorbent polymer gel; removing the superabsorbent polymer gel from the reactor; and drying the superabsorbent polymer gel. Where at least one off-gas stream removed from any stage of the process is subjected to scrubbing with a basic aqueous solution prior to venting to obtain an aqueous scrubber solution that is at least partially recycled to any of the above steps of the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a superabsorbent polymer comprising preparing an aqueous mixture of monomers selected to provide after polymerization a superabsorbent polymer; feeding said monomer mixture to a reactor; subjecting the aqueous monomer mixture in the reactor to free-radical polymerization to obtain a superabsorbent polymer gel; removing the superabsorbent polymer from the reactor; and working-up the superabsorbent polymer removed from the reactor to obtain a final product, whereby a basic aqueous medium comprising carbonate and/or hydrogen carbonate is fed to the superabsorbent polymer gel.

Abstract: Accordingly, the invention provides a process for the preparation of an artificial latex, comprising the steps: (a) emulsification of a cement comprising a rubber dissolved in a suitable organic solvent, together with an aqueous surfactant solution, thus forming an oil-in-water emulsion; (b) step-wise reduction of the solvent content of the oil-in-water emulsion in two or more stages resulting in an artificial latex. In addition, the invention provides a continuous stirred vessel for removing an organic solvent from an oil-in-water emulsion comprising rubber dissolved in an organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of protective colloid-stabilized polymer products by means of emulsion polymerization in a reactor having an external cooling circuit, which is equipped with a pump and a heat exchanger, characterized in that the reaction mixture present in the reactor is delivered to a cooled static mixer-heat exchanger having stationary fixtures and is subsequently returned to the reactor. The invention further relates to a device for the production of protective colloid-stabilized polymer products by means of emulsion polymerization, comprising a reactor and an external cooling circuit, characterized in that the external cooling circuit is equipped with a pump and a cooled static mixer-heat exchanger having stationary fixtures.

Abstract: A process for in-line blending of plasticizers and polymers is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of silicon resins, particularly polymethylvinylsiloxane resins. The invention more specifically relates to a method for the production of polymethylvinylsiloxane resins comprising at least two different types of siloxy motifs R3SiO1/2 (motif M) and SiO4/2 (motif Q, optionally QOH), said method comprising the following steps: a) producing a siloxane resin comprising motifs Q by acidic hydrolysis of a siloxane resin precursor, preferably an alkaline silicate; b) functionalizing the siloxane resin obtained in step a) with halogenosilanes in the presence of an apolar solvent, the functionalizing generating sub-products including volatile oligosiloxanes (silox); c) recovering silox produced in step b) in a solution in the apolar solvent; and d) subjecting the resin functionalized in step b) to rearrangement with the aid of a strong base in order to eliminate the silanols, wherein at least a part of the silox produced during step b) and recovered in step c) is recycled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the production of a superabsorbent polymer comprising providing an acidic liquid aqueous monomer mixture containing dissolved oxygen; continuously feeding the aqueous monomer mixture to a reactor; introducing a source of carbonate or hydrogen carbonate into the aqueous monomer mixture prior to entry into the reactor thereby forming a gas phase comprising carbon dioxide and at least a part of the dissolved oxygen, the gas phase being dispersed in the liquid phase; subjecting the gas/liquid mixture to at least partial phase separation immediately prior to or after entry into the reactor and at least partially removing the separated gaseous phase; subjecting the liquid phase in the reactor to free-radical polymerization to obtain the superabsorbent polymer, and continuously removing the superabsorbent polymer from the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a superabsorbent polymer comprising preparing an aqueous mixture of monomers selected to provide after polymerization a superabsorbent polymer; feeding said monomer mixture to a reactor; subjecting the aqueous monomer mixture in the reactor to free-radical polymerization to obtain a superabsorbent polymer gel; removing the superabsorbent polymer gel from the reactor; and drying the superabsorbent polymer gel. Where at least one off-gas stream removed from any stage of the process is subjected to scrubbing with a basic aqueous solution prior to venting to obtain an aqueous scrubber solution that is at least partially recycled to any of the above steps of the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a styrene-butadiene latex, more particularly to a method for preparing a styrene-butadiene latex comprising the steps of adding a transition boosting agent to a styrene-butadiene copolymer, stirring the mixture and deodorizing the product. Since unreacted residual monomers and volatile organic compounds are reduced significantly, foul smell during drying at high temperature, irritation to skin and eyes and foul smell of the final product can be prevented.

Abstract: TAC and additives are mixed in a mixture solvent of dichloromethane, methanol and n-butanol to obtain a dispersion solution. The dispersion solution is heated to become a low concentration dope whose concentration is 19.3 wt. %. The low concentration dope is fed with a pump, and supplied through a flash nozzle to a concentrating apparatus to performing flash evaporation of the solvent in the concentrating apparatus. Thus part of the solvent in the low concentration dope evaporates to obtain a condensed dope. The part of the solvent is condensed on a condensation surface to obtain a condensed solvent. The condensed solvent flows through a pipe out of the concentrating apparatus. The high concentration dope has a solid content of 22.3 wt. %, and drawn through a pump. As the solid content of the high concentration dope is high, a polymer film having the self-supporting property can be easily formed of the high concentration dope in a film production line.

Abstract: Elastomeric polymers are combined with chemical agents in the presence of supercritical fluids such as supercritical carbon dioxide by swelling the polymer with the supercritical fluid, and impregnating the swollen polymer with the chemical agent. The process can be conducted at relatively low temperatures and pressures such that degradation of the polymer or the chemical agent is avoided. The chemical agent is preferably a curing agent which includes functional groups that interact with functional groups on the polymer to create an association therebetween. The process is enhanced by pre-dissolving the chemical agent in a solvent which does not solubilize the polymer to a great extent, but which is itself soluble in the supercritical fluid. In addition, during combining, mechanical mastication is performed to create a free flowing powder.

Abstract: A method of reducing vulcanized rubber is provided. The method comprises the steps of heating the rubber, wherein the rubber includes synthetic rubber, in the presence of a solvent, wherein the solvent includes water to a temperature below a critical temperature of the solvent, providing a pressure that is at least equal to a saturated vapour pressure of the solvent at the temperature and maintaining the temperature and the pressure for a time sufficient to devulcanize the rubber and produce a reaction product that is primarily a solid phase and includes rubber hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A regenerated resin composition comprising (I) a molded article pulverized material (Component A) that satisfies conditions (1) that the molded article pulverized material is a pulverized material of a molded article having an aromatic polycarbonate resin content of 30 to 98% by weight, (2) that the pulverized material has a viscosity average molecular weight of 17,000 to 30,000, and (3) that the pulverized material has a wet heat retention ratio of at least 60%, and (II) an aromatic polycarbonate resin (Component B). According to the present invention, there is provided a regenerated resin composition that comprises a pulverized material from a molded article made of an aromatic polycarbonate resin and that is excellent in the property of retaining physical properties for a long period of time and excellent in mechanical strength.

Abstract: Method and device for reprocessing a thermoplastic polycondensate, in particular for the recycling of thermoplastic polycondensates, such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyester or polyamide is provided. The polycondensate is introduced into an extruder in a solid state. The polycondensate is then heated to a temperature below melting temperature and degassed or dried at below atmospheric pressure or with an inert gas added. Preferably, to prevent the polycondensate flakes from escaping through a degassing opening, a conveying device is used to convey the escaping flakes back into the extruder. The dried flakes are then melted.

Abstract: In the method for preparing a nanocomposite by intercalating a smectite clay with a quaternary ammonium ion, and exfoliating the intercalated clay into a polymer matrix; an improvement is disclosed which augments exfoliation. The smectite clay is edge treated with negatively charged organic molecules prior to the exfoliation. For these purposes a high charge density anionic polymer such as a polyacrylate may be used.

Abstract: TAC and additives are mixed in a mixture solvent of dichloromethane, methanol and n-butanol to obtain a dispersion solution. The dispersion solution is heated to become a low concentration dope whose concentration is 19.3 wt. %. The low concentration dope is fed with a pump, and supplied through a flash nozzle to a concentrating apparatus to performing flash evaporation of the solvent in the concentrating apparatus. Thus part of the solvent in the low concentration dope evaporates to obtain a condensed dope. The part of the solvent is condensed on a condensation surface to obtain a condensed solvent. The condensed solvent flows through a pipe out of the concentrating apparatus. The high concentration dope has a solid content of 22.3 wt. %, and drawn through a pump. As the solid content of the high concentration dope is high, a polymer film having the self-supporting property can be easily formed of the high concentration dope in a film production line.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for preparing high concentration polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aqueous mixtures, wherein the PVA solid concentration is at least 14% in the mixture.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of reclaiming crosslinked rubber, which can reclaim various kinds of crosslinked rubbers whose reclamation is difficult. The method of reclaiming crosslinked rubber 10 of the present invention includes a step of reclaiming crosslinked rubber by applying shear stress to the crosslinked rubber 10, wherein the maximum pressure in the reclaiming step is 1.5 MPa or more.

Abstract: The method of decreasing unreacted monomer in vinyl polymer of the present invention is a method comprising adding a water-soluble inorganic salt that is able to solubilize unreacted monomer contained in vinyl polymer to an aqueous dispersion in which particles of vinyl polymer are dispersed in an aqueous medium, followed by solubilizing the unreacted monomer and removing the unreacted monomer together with the aqueous medium. According to this method, the amount of unreacted monomer present in a polymer can be efficiently and reliably decreased at low cost without requiring a special apparatus or thermal energy, etc. In addition, the toner resin of the present invention has for its constituent component a vinyl polymer in which the amount of unreacted monomer has been decreased by the method described above.

Abstract: A continuous bulk polymerization and esterification process includes continuously charging into a reaction zone at least one ethylenically unsaturated acid-functional monomer and at least one linear or branched chain alkanol having greater than 11 carbon atoms. The process includes maintaining a flow rate through the reaction zone sufficient to provide an average residence time of less than 60 minutes and maintaining a temperature in the reaction zone sufficient to produce a polymeric product incorporating at least some of the alkanol as an ester of the polymerized ethylenically unsaturated acid-functional monomer. The polymeric product is used in various processes to produce water-based compositions including emulsions and dispersions such as oil emulsions, wax dispersions, pigment dispersions, surfactants and coatings which contain the polymeric product.

Abstract: A continuous bulk polymerization and esterification process includes continuously charging into a reaction zone at least one ethylenically unsaturated acid-functional monomer and at least one linear or branched chain alkanol having greater than 11 carbon atoms. The process includes including maintaining a flow rate through the reaction zone sufficient to provide an average residence time of less than 60 minutes and maintaining a temperature in the reaction zone sufficient to produce a polymeric product incorporating at least some of the alkanol as an ester of the polymerized ethylenically unsaturated acid-functional monomer. The polymeric product is used in various processes to produce water-based compositions including emulsions and dispersions such as oil emulsions, wax dispersions, pigment dispersions, surfactants and coatings which contain the polymeric product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of finely divided rubbers (rubber powders) by precipitation from aqueous mixtures, which comprise filler in the form of suspensions, water-soluble salts of a metal of groups IIa, IIb, IIIa and VIII of the periodic table of the elements arid a rubber latex (polymer latex), aqueous emulsions of a rubber or rubber solution, in which one or more organosilicon compound(s) containing at least one alkoxy group is or are dissolved or emulsified, optionally in the presence of a surface-active substance, in water, or the compounds mentioned are mixed directly, optionally with a surface-active substance, with an aqueous suspension of an oxidic or silicatic finely divided filler or a mixture of these fillers at a temperature of 10 to 60° C., preferably at room temperature, while stirring, the amount of this mixture envisaged for incoporation in the rubber, based on the filler content, in general being divided into two batches.

Abstract: In a continuous process for producing filler-containing silicone compositions (P), a silicone composition (E) comprising filler (F1) is mixed with filler (F2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for mixing additives into a polymer melt steam, wherein a substream is removed from the polymer melt stream, mixed with additives, and then fed back into the polymer melt stream. In this process, the unmixed substream is sent as a single substream or in a maximum number of n−1 additional substreams directly to one up to a maximum number (n−1) of pump gear wheels of a planet wheel pump with n pump gear wheels. The additives are simultaneously supplied directly without mixing to at least one pump gear wheel of the planet wheel pump, and the substream mixed with the additives is removed from the planet wheel pump centrally at the inlet of the planet wheel pump and fed into the polymer melt stream.

Abstract: In the method for preparing a nanocomposite by intercalating a smectite clay with a quaternary ammonium ion, and exfoliating the intercalated clay into a polymer matrix; an improvement is disclosed which augments exfoliation. The smectite clay is edge treated with negatively charged organic molecules prior to the exfoliation. For these purposes a high charge density anionic polymer such as a polyacrylate may be used.

Abstract: A process for introducing additives into a polymer melt comprising dispersing at least one additive in an at least partially volatile liquid vehicle with a dispersant and a stabilizer for the dispersion; feeding the resulting dispersion to a vented extruder which is extruding a polymer; and removing the fed volatiles through the extruder vent to achieve a substantially homogeneous system containing the polymer and at least one additive is disclosed.

Abstract: The use of falling-film evaporation and a concentration means such as centrifugal separation to dehydrate and concentrate a water-in-oil polymer emulsion or suspension is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a water-in-oil polymer composition containing less than about 25% active polymer solids is dehydrated in falling-film evaporator to produce an evaporator concentrate containing less than about 5.0% water. The evaporator concentrate then flows to a separation device such as a centrifuge, wherein oil is removed to produce a composition that is substantially a polymer and emulsifying surfactant-in-oil composition containing in excess of about 60 weight % polymer solids. The centrifuge raffinate may optionally be treated in a second separation means to capture additional polymer solids, with optional recycle of the oil-rich raffinate. The concentrated polymer composition is preferably stabilized with a steric stabilizer to produce a free flowing liquid product.

Abstract: An improved process for the continuous production of poly(vinyl alcohol) which involves purifying poly(vinyl acetate) paste exiting from a polymerization reactor and dissolving the substantially pure poly(vinyl acetate) in a hydrolytic alcohol-containing solvent for subsequent saponification to produce poly(vinyl alcohol). Poly(vinyl acetate) paste, containing poly(vinyl acetate), vinyl acetate, and solvent, is heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature but below a temperature which will degrade the poly(vinyl acetate) and is fed into a flashing area of an extruding devolatilization device. Vinyl acetate and solvent are flashed through vent ports in the flashing area of the devolatilization device and can then be recycled to a polymerization reactor, if desired.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of continuously producing polyamide 6 using recycled lactam from extraction and melt-demonomerizing stages. According to the invention, the cyclic oligomers present in the recycled lactam owing to the addition of .epsilon.-caprolactam (fresh lactam) are dissolved in the lactam as a function of the concentration of the oligomers in the product in use, at a dissolution temperature of between 120.degree. C. and 180.degree. C. The solution is then passed to a treatment, the solution preferably being introduced into a closed system and hydrolyzed in the fusible phase under pressure, at water contents of between 3 and 15% and temperatures ranging from 220 to 280.degree. C. With a constant low water content being set, the melt is then fed to the polymerization process in a further pressure stage incorporating a gas chamber (polymerizator).

Abstract: Processes for spray drying water-soluble and water-swellable vinyl-addition polymer-containing dispersions, emulsions and microemulsions to obtain substantially dry water-soluble or water-swellable polymer particles, compositions of substantially dry water-soluble or water-swellable polymer particles, methods of agglomerating spray-dried polymer particles, and methods of using spray-dried polymer particles and agglomerates in water-treating, mining, paper, food processing, soil conditioning, solution thickening, biotechnological, and oil recovery applications are disclosed.

Abstract: A process and a high pressure apparatus are disclosed which are useful in preparing magnetic dispersions and other dispersions of hard, non-compliant particulates. The apparatus can be monitored for clogs and wear and allows for relatively quick and inexpensive replacement of orifices. The apparatus includes a high pressure pump and a series of impingement chambers comprising an input manifold where the process stream is split into two or more streams and an output manifold where the streams are recombined after passing through restrictive orifices configured in such a manner that the streams impinge on each other at high velocities. The orifices in each succeeding impingement zone are the same size or smaller than the orifices in the preceding impingement zone, and the orifices in the final impingement zone must be smaller than the orifices in the first impingement zone.

Abstract: An improvement in a continuous process for making high internal phase emulsions that are typically polymerized to provide microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials capable of absorbing aqueous fluids, especially aqueous body fluids such as urine. The improvement involves recirculating a portion (about 50% or less) of the emulsion withdrawn from the dynamic mixing zone of this continuous process. This increases the uniformity of the emulsion ultimately obtained from this continuous process in terms of having the water droplets homogeneously dispersed in the oil phase. This also improves the stability of the HIPE and expands the temperature range for pouring and curing this HIPE during subsequent emulsion polymerization. The improvement also eliminates the need for a static mixer outside the dynamic mixing zone, and allows for processing where relatively low pressure drops are required across the mixing zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously separating polymer from a plastic, and the resulting separated polymer. The plastic is made flowable into a stream through melting or solubilizing. A critical fluid, such as supercritical carbon dioxide, is added to the plastic stream to promote mechanical or thermodynamic separation of the polymer from contaminants and other components of the plastic.

Abstract: The use of falling-film evaporation and a concentration means such as centrifugal separation to dehydrate and concentrate a water-in-oil polymer emulsion or suspension is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a water-in-oil polymer composition containing less than about 25% active polymer solids is dehydrated in falling-film evaporator to produce an evaporator concentrate containing less than about 5.0% water. The evaporator concentrate then flows to a separation device such as a centrifuge, wherein oil is removed to produce a composition that is substantially a polymer and emulsifying surfactant-in-oil composition containing in excess of about 60 weight % polymer solids. The centrifuge raffinate may optionally be treated in a second separation means to capture additional polymer solids, with optional recycle of the oil-rich raffinate. The concentrated polymer composition is preferably stabilized with a steric stabilizer to produce a free flowing liquid product.

Abstract: Aqueous emulsions, at least 80% of which have been polymerized, are treated by a process which comprises the separate steps of: a) initially treating the emulsion with a sufficient amount of a free radical generator in an amount and for a time sufficient to reduce the residual monomer content to from about 1500 to about 6000 part per million, and b) subsequently subjecting the emulsion to steam stripping under vacuum, without significantly degrading or destabilizing the emulsion, to thereby reduce the residual monomer content to from about 5 to about 500 parts per million.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the recovery of a polymer from a solution thereof in a process wherein the polymer solution is contacted with hot water and steam to yield a slurry in water of polymer particles and a vapor stream comprising water vapor and the solvent, the slurry in water of polymer particles is passed to means to grossly separate the polymer particles and the water and the polymer particles are dried, wherein the water contains small particles of polymer and a portion thereof is mixed with the original polymer solution and the remaining portion is passed to the vessel wherein the polymer solution is first contacted with hot water and steam.

Abstract: A composition including an oil and particles of a solid, water soluble flocculant polymer substantially immiscible with the oil provides ready dispersibility of the polymer in aqueous fluids. Desirably, the composition is substantially free of surfactants, the polymer particles have a mean particle size less than about 100 microns and preferably less than about 20 microns and the polymer particles are substantially dry.