Abstract: Insoluble polymer powders which are only slightly swellable and are based on N-vinylpyrrolidone are prepared by polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone or a mixture of this with copolymerizable monomers and from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of monomers, of a crosslinking agent in a powder bed in the presence of a heat-transfer medium, which is inert to the reactants, and in the absence of oxygen and polymerization initiators, at from 90.degree. to 220.degree. C., while maintaining the powder state, circulating the reaction mass and evaporating the heat-transfer medium from the polymerization zone. The resulting insoluble polymers which are only slightly swellable are used as adsorbents or formulation assistants for fertilizers and crop protection agents.

Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating the gases resulting from the decomposition of industrial process gases, such as ethylene, contained in a vessel under high pressure is adjacent to the vessel. The apparatus comprises:(1) at least one safety means separating the apparatus from the vessel;(2) a reservoir with a volume which is 2 to 100 times that of the vessel;(3) at least one connecting pipe between the vessel and the reservoir; and(4) at least one chimney between the reservoir and the atmosphere.The apparatus is useful for the recovery of decomposition gases for the purpose of preventing atmospheric pollution. The risk of explosion is reduced by evacuating decomposition gases through the apparatus.

Abstract: Nylons are prepared by a continuous process in which, in a precondensation zone, an aqueous solution of a salt of a dicarboxylic acid of 6 to 18 carbon atoms and a diamine of 6 to 18 carbon atoms is heated to 250.degree.-300.degree. C. under superatmospheric pressure, with simultaneous vaporization of water and formation of a prepolymer, the prepolymer and the vapor are separated, and the former is fed into a polycondensation zone and condensed under superatmospheric pressure of from 1 to 10 bar and at from 250.degree. to 300.degree. C., wherein the aqueous salt solution is condensed under superatomspheric pressure of from 1 to 10 bar in the first third of the tubular precondensation zone provided with baffles, until the degree of conversion is not less than 93%, and the prepolymer and the vapor phase are brought into intimate contact with one another in the remaining two thirds of the precondensation zone.

Abstract: Polylactams are prepared continuously by a process in which a lactam containing from 1 to 25% by weight of water is heated in a prepolymerization zone under a pressure of from 1 to 10 bar at from 220.degree. to 280.degree. C. for 1 to 10 minutes, water being vaporized at the same time, with the proviso that the degree of conversion on emergence from the prepolymerization zone is not less than 85%, the prepolymer and the vapor are separated continuously, and the prepolymer is passed into a polymerization zone and is polymerized further under superatmospheric pressure at from 240.degree. to 290.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating the gases resulting from the decomposition of industrial process gases, such as ethylene, contained in a vessel under high pressure is adjacent to the vessel. The apparatus comprises:(1) at least one safety means separating the apparatus from the vessel;(2) a reservoir with a volume which is 2 to 100 times that of the vessel;(3) at least one connecting pipe between the vessel and the reservoir; and(4) at least one chimney between the reservoir and the atmosphere.The apparatus is useful for the recovery of decomposition gases for the purpose of preventing atmospheric pollution. The risk of explosion is reduced by evacuating decomposition gases through the apparatus.

Abstract: It is possible to remove quantities of heat from exothermically running polymerization reactions of vinyl monomers in heterogeneous phase, in a sophisticated manner by adding liquids to the reaction medium for the removal of heat and to regulate the reaction temperature, which liquids do not dissolve the polymer under the reaction conditions and the boiling temperatures of which are lower than or are identical to the technically predetermined reaction temperatures under the polymerization conditions which are applied, and the heat which is released in the reaction system is removed by evaporating these liquids.

Abstract: Homo- and copolymers of quaternary ammonium monomers are prepared directly in dry form by a process which comprises forming a solution of the monomer(s), solvent and a free-radical initiator and simultaneously polymerizing the monomers and drying the solution at a temperature above the boiling point of the solvent.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polyamide is provided. The polyamide is prepared by causing a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine to polycondensate directly under an atmosphere of an inert gas at atmospheric pressure. The polycondensation reaction is mainly carried out in two diamine component-adding steps, one step comprising adding part of the diamine to the molten dicarboxylic acid until the molar ratio of the diamine to the dicarboxylic acid is brought to within the range of from 0.900 to 0.990 while raising continuously the temperature of the reaction mixture to a temperature not exceeding about 5.degree. C. above the melting point of the object polyamide and the other step comprising adding the remainder of the diamine to the reaction mixture maintained at a temperature higher than about 10.degree. C., but not exceeding about 35.degree. C. above the melting point of the object polyamide until the overall molar ratio of the diamine to the dicarboxylic acid is brought to within the range of from 0.995 to 1.005.

Abstract: Production of spinnable polyhexamethylene adipamide of high molecular weight from adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine, water and additives, preferably continuously in a reaction cascade and in a finisher as the final stage, catalytically accelerated by catalysts as disclosed.It has now been discovered that polyamides can be produced from dinitriles, diamines and excess water in the presence of catalysts selected from the group consisting of: (1) oxygen-containing phosphorous compounds; (2) oxygen-containing boron compounds; (3) acidic oxygen-containing sulfur compounds; and (4) hydrogen halide and ammonium or ammonium alkyl salt thereof.

Abstract: Live polyethylene slurry is treated with small amounts of ethylene in the absence of hydrogen, for example in the drier. By using this procedure it is possible to prepare polymers with very high, controllable levels of swell. In contrast to previous procedures reported for dual stage polymerizations, the melt flow ratios are not appreciably altered.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyphenols, including oxidative polycondensation of a phenol in an aqueous medium in the presence of an oxidizer as well as a subsequent separation of the end product. The starting phenol is mixed with an aqueous solution of an alkali of 5 to 56% concentration in a molar ratio between 1:2.4 and 1:0.25 and heated to a temperature between 70.degree. and 170.degree. C., while air, which furnishes oxygen as the oxidizer, is passed through the reaction mixture.An apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention comprises a kettle equipped with a heater, a shaft with blades mounted within said kettle and connected to a drive for revolving the shaft, a perforated pipe assembled at the bottom portion of the kettle and communicating with an air blower. The perforated pipe communicates with the air blower through an air treatment chamber.

Abstract: The efficiency of a rectifying zone for the recovery of diamine vapor from water vapor being separated from a reaction zone in which a polyamide-forming salt is being heated to form a prepolymer is improved by adding a dicarboxylic acid to the reflux water at the top of the rectifying zone.

Abstract: Polycarbonates are prepared in homogeneous solutions from dihydric phenols and phosgene wherein the stoichiometric end point for the addition of phosgene is accurately controlled by using 4-(p-nitrobenzyl) pyridine as a colorometric indicator for the end point in a series of samples of the reaction solution.

Abstract: A mixer mixes at least two fluid components of the type which when mixed together undergo chemical reaction to form a solid or semi-solid reaction product. The components are separately introduced into the mixer, whereat they are mixed, and the reaction mixture is discharged from the mixer prior to the completion of the chemical reaction and while still in a fluid state. When desired, for example when it is necessary to shut down the operation of the mixer, the chemical reaction in the mixer is arrested by selectively cooling the reaction mixture down to a temperature at which the chemical reaction will not occur or will at least be retarded. This prevents the formation of the reaction product within the final mixer. Thereafter, for example when the operation of the mixer is again commenced, the reaction mixture is reheated to an increased temperature at which the chemical reaction will continue.

Abstract: The danger of explosion due to decomposition of high-pressure industrial process gases, such as ethylene, is reduced by maintaining in an inert atmosphere at least part of an evacuation system included between a pressurized vessel within which the decomposition may take place, on the one hand, and the atmosphere, on the other.

Abstract: Cationic polyelectrolytes in water-soluble powder form, applicable to the flocculation of municipal sludge comprise copolymers of acrylamide and of quaternized or salified dimethylamino-ethyl acrylate, containing in molar proportions 10 to 50% of cationic units distributed regularly along the copolymer chains. They have an intrinsic viscosity higher than 6 and a measured cationicity higher than 90% of the theoretical cationicity.

Abstract: A two-stage hydrolysis process for polymerizing epsilon-caprolactam is disclosed comprising a first stage from a temperature of about 180.degree. C.-260.degree. C., a pressure of 20 to 150 psig, for a period of about 0.5 to 4 hours, then before equilibrium conditions are reached a second stage at a temperature of about 200.degree. C.-260.degree. C., a pressure of about 100-900 Torr for a period of about 2 to 15 hours, while continuously removing most of the water so that water is removed both during hydrolyzation and during the subsequent polycondensation, whereby the cyclic dimer content of the shaped polymer article is below 0.2 percent by weight.

Abstract: Methods of preparing polyimides and polyimide precursors from liquid resins containing tetracarboxylic acid esters and primary diamines which involve spray drying the resin.

Abstract: A method of recovering and recycling quaternary ammonium accelerators for the polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone is disclosed. The method consists of removing the quaternary ammonium compound together with unpolymerized 2-pyrrolidone by washing the polymer with a solvent for both, such as water or methanol, neutralizing the solution immediately after washing and then removing the solvent at a sufficiently low temperature so that the quaternary ammonium compound is not decomposed.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel liquid polymer/polyol compositions consisting essentially of (1) a major amount of a polyol and (2) a minor amount of an acrylonitrile-vinylidene chloride polymer consisting essentially of (a) from 45 to 5 weight percent of polymerized vinylidene chloride and (b) from 55 to 95 weight percent of another polymerized monomer of monomers of which at least 20 weight percent is polymerized acrylonitrile, said weight percents being based on the weight of the polymer, and said polymer being in the form of particles that are stably dispersed in the polyol. The polymer/polyol compositions are prepared by a free radical catalyst initiated continuous process carried out at a temperature of 100.degree. C. or higher. The novel polymer/polyols are convertible to novel polyurethane products such as high resilience polyurethane foams having improved flammability characteristics.

Abstract: A process for removing volatile constituents which are evolved from plastic melts when extruding the latter and are drawn off together with the surrounding air. The volatile constituents are drawn off immediately as they are evolved by the plastic melt and the air containing such volatile constituents is heated immediately after entering the suction orifice, and an apparatus for carrying out this process.

Abstract: An alpha-methylstyrene polymerization reaction mass is cooled by including therein a component which is readily vaporizable under the conditions of polymerization thereby to remove undesirable or excess heat, thus controlling the reaction temperature to a desired value. In one embodiment a living polymer is produced followed by addition of a second monomer to the living polymer still in solution followed by polymerization onto the living polymer, forming a living block copolymer which is coupled with a linking agent.

Abstract: In the oxidation-polycondensation of a monohydric phenol in a reaction vessel equipped with a reflux condenser, in the presence of a complex catalyst comprising a copper compound and an amine, while passing an oxygen-containing gas thereinto, an improvement is provided wherein the temperature of the oxygen-containing gas to be discharged through the reflux condenser is adjusted to a range of 10.degree.-25.degree. C. to adequately maintain the balance of an amine and water during the course of the reaction. According to this improvement, the reaction advances well although a small amount of the amine escapes outside the reaction system along with a part of water resulting from the reaction. Further, the polymerization reaction can be repeated in a very stabilized state without any fluctuation of reaction time unlike the conventional method wherein the discharged gas through the reflux condenser is deeply cooled down to a temperature lower than 0.degree.C.

Abstract: A novel melt polymerization process is disclosed for increasing the molecular weight of poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate). This process comprises adding a compound containing at least two aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydroxyl groups to a low molecular weight poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) and thereafter melting the polymer in a vacuum until the desired molecular weight is reached.

Abstract: A process for the production of thermoplastically processible moulding materials based on vinyl polymers of high chemical and molecular uniformity and having residual monomer contents of less than 0.1 mol % which comprises the steps of:(i) mass homogeneous phase polymerization of at least one vinyl monomer in a stirred continuously charged tank reactor to a conversion of from 25 to 60 mol %;(ii) directly concentrating the syrup consisting of residual monomers and vinyl polymer dissolved therein obtained from step (i) in a spiral tube evaporator at a temperature of from 60.degree. to 250.degree. C. and at a pressure of 100 m bar to 35 bar to obtain a solid content of vinyl polymer of from 40 to 90 mol %;(iii) directly charging the concentrate obtained from step (ii) to the inlet zone of a screw evaporator which consists of at least two sequential zones in order to effect further concentration, in which a first zone at a pressure of from 10 to 300 m bar and at a temperature of from 100.degree. to 250.degree. C.

Abstract: Terephthalic acid and a diamine, always including 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine, and a lower fatty acid, e.g., acetic acid, are admixed with water, the water is evaporated, the concentrated mixture is heated (100.degree.-200.degree. C., 1/2-2 hrs.); then heated further (125.degree.-295.degree. C., 1/2-3 hrs., autogenous pressure up to 150-600 psig) with venting as needed; decompressed to atmospheric pressure (1/4-2 hrs., 245.degree.-295.degree. C.); and heated (270.degree.-295.degree. C., 1/2-2 hrs.) to produce a polyamide having good acid and basic dye receptivity, inherent viscosity, melt spinning and drawing characteristics. An isomeric mixture of diamines containing 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine, and 2,4-dimethyl-1,8-octanediamine, 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,7-heptanediamine and/or 4-isopropyl-1,7-heptanediamine can be the starting 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine-furnishing material. The diamine-furnishing material contains at least one principal diamine component having the formula H.sub.2 NRNH.sub.

Abstract: A process for preparing a poly-(alkylpentamethyleneterephthalamide) which comprises heating an aqueous solution of the corresponding nylon salt and still water soluble low molecular weight oligomer, the mixture of nylon salt and oligomer having 20 to 50 mole percent carbonamide groups and 50 to 80 mole percent salt groups, from a temperature at least as low as 150.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure up to a polycondensation temperature of at least 250.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a water-soluble bead polymer by dispersing drops of an aqueous solution of water-soluble vinyl monomer in a dispersing medium in the presence of a dispersion stabilizer, and polymerizing the monomer by using monomer selected from the following A and B(a) a compound of the general formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 may be the same or different and each is linear or branched alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 is hydrogen, linear or branched alkyl of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, hydroxy alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or benzyl, Y is alkylene or hydroxyalkylene each of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and X.sup.- is an anion, or(B) a mixture of the compound of the formula I and a water-soluble vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the compound (I), and a cellulose ester or a cellulose ether insoluble in water but soluble in the dispersing medium is used as the dispersion stabilizer.

Abstract: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-complexed heavy metals alone or together with free EDTA salts are removed from solution in a mixture comprising a solvent for a polyphenylene ether resin, an antisolvent for a polyphenylene ether resin and water, by contacting the mixture with alumina for a time at least sufficient to selectively adsorb the metal-EDTA complex and free EDTA salts and recover the mixture of solvent, antisolvent and water substantially free of the metal-EDTA complex and EDTA salts. The alumina can be regenerated to nearly its full original adsorption capacity by contacting with water at a neutral or nearly neutral pH, to give an aqueous solution of the metal-EDTA complex and free EDTA salts.

Abstract: Polymers in powder form are manufactured by polymerizing water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers, which form hydrophilic polymers, in a powder bed of polymers of water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated compounds in the presence of polymerization initiators and water as an auxiliary liquid, the water being entirely or partially removed from the polymerization zone by evaporation during the polymerization.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of vinyl halides and/or vinylidene halides which comprising contacting the vinyl halide and/or vinylidene halide in gaseous form with a catalyst composition comprising(a) at least one compound of a transition metal of Groups IVA to VIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements, as hereinbefore defined, and(b) at least one compound having the structure ##STR1## WHERE M is aluminum or zinc, n and m each is an integer not greater than one less than the valency of M, at least one of the groups R is a hydrocarbon group, R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group, and X is hydrogen or a monovalent organic group.

Abstract: A method for removing unreacted monomer (or monomers) from an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene and at least one monomer copolymerizable with ethylene during the course of pelletization by use of an extruder, said polymer having been formed by high-pressure polymerization by use of a radiation or a radical initiator, discharged from the reactor by way of a separator, and fed to said extruder to be pelletized, which method comprises injecting into said extruder 0.1 to 10% by weight (based on said polymer) of water or steam intermixing the polymer and the water or steam in the mixing section of the extruder screw, and subjecting the resulting mix to a subatmospheric pressure of 500 mmHg (absolute) or less in the venting zone provided in the extruder. This method permits efficient removal of the unreacted ethylene or the unreacted ethylene and comonomer contained in a homopolymer or copolymer of ethylene.

Abstract: Monoethylenically unsaturated monomers including an amide monomer are copolymerized in organic solvent solution to provide an amide copolymer solution, and volatile nitrogen-containing materials are removed from the solution without removing more than 15% of the solvent, based on the weight of the solution, and then the amide copolymer is reacted in the solution with formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst, to methylolate the same.

Abstract: A method is herein disclosed by which a polymerizable monomer or a mixture thereof can be economically and efficiently converted to polymeric substances with a high yield catalyst in a vapor phase polymerization process using a stirred-bed, quench-cooled, horizontaL reactor together with essentially total reactor off-gas recycle and melt finishing. The method is further characterized by being essentially isobaric at least up to the polymer finishing steps.

Abstract: A two-vessel continuous reactor system is used to make a uniform acrylonitrile copolymer containing 65 to 85% by weight acrylonitrile polymerized units and 35 to 15% by weight of styrene polymerized units. Into a first reactor are fed a free radical initiator together with an emulsified feed containing acrylonitrile, styrene and a chain transfer agent. Formation of polymer seed particles takes place in the first reactor and an outlet stream is continuously introduced into a second reactor together with added free radical initiator and a second aqueous emulsified feed containing acrylonitrile, styrene, and a chain transfer agent to continue growth of the seed particles. Conditions of particle initiation in the first reactor as opposed to particle growth in the second reactor are carefully separated to obtain noncyclical operation with low levels of coagulum formation in both reactors together with a final low emulsifier content in the polymer.