Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: Process for recycling an article based on at least one vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride polymer, according to which: (a) the article is cut up into fragments with a mean size of 1 cm to 50 cm in the case where it would exceed these sizes; (b) the article fragments are brought into contact with an azeotropic or quasiazeotropic mixture of water and of a solvent capable of dissolving the polymer, at a temperature of at least 120° C.; (c) the polymer dissolved in the solvent is precipitated by a reduction in pressure and by injection of steam into the solution thus obtained, which additionally results in the entrainment of the solvent-water azeotrope and thus leaves a mixture remaining which is essentially composed of water and of solid polymer particles; (d) the polymer particles are collected.

Abstract: A method of transferring an aqueous polymer dispersion with a temperature ?50° C. from a vessel 1 via a connecting line to a vessel 2 is described.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of preparing an EP(D)M elastomer, which includes pre-cooling a reactive solvent to ?80 to ?100° C.; and polymerizing ethylene, at least one higher ?-olefin having 3 to 18 carbons, and selectively, at least one conjugated or non-conjugated diene having 5 to 15 carbons, in the presence of the reactive solvent. According to the method of the current invention, the yield of the EP(D)M elastomer is drastically increased even though a conventional preparation device is used unchanged. Further, methods of controlling the yield of the EP(D)M elastomer and of recovering the EP(D)M elastomer are provided.

Abstract: A process for working up a liquid reaction discharge of the cationic polymerization of isobutene, which substantially comprises polyisobutene, unconverted isobutene and an inert diluent, in which the reaction discharge is heated and is let down into a flash container, is described, the reaction discharge separating, as a result of the flashing, into a polyisobutene-containing liquid phase and a gas phase containing the main amount of the isobutene contained in the reaction discharge and of the diluent.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a solid polymer electrolyte which is excellent in durability and of low cost, and membranes, solutions for electrode catalyst coating, membrane/electrode assemblies and fuel cells which use the electrolyte. According to this invention, there can be provided a fuel cell which comprises an electrode assembly having an electrode catalyst membrane formed therein, said catalyst membrane comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane held between an anode on one side of the principal plane of the electrolyte membrane and a cathode on the other side of the principal lane thereof, current collecting plates provided each independently in close contact, to the anode side and the cathode side of the electrode assembly, and electroconductive separators having gas supply passages to the anode and to the cathode provided on the outside surfaces of the current collecting plates.

Abstract: A diene rubber (A) having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 100,000 to 3,000,000, an Mw/number average molecular weight (Mn) ratio of 1.30 to 2.50, and an Mw/peak top molecular weight (Mp) ratio 0.70 to 1.30. A rubber composition comprising the diene rubber (A) and a diene rubber (B) having an Mw of 2,000 to 90,0000 and/or an oil extender for rubber has good processability and can give a rubber vulcanizate having high tensile strength and good abrasion resistance. The diene rubber (A) is produced by conducting a living polymerization of diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent; adding a polymerization stopper to a polymerization mixture at a conversion of 5 to 98% to deactivate 10 to 90% by mole of active terminals present as of the initiation of polymerization; and finally adding a polymerization stopper to completely terminate the polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of at least one of an organic acid or an organic acid amide, such as a heat stable lactic acid or lactamide, from a feed stream which contains the organic acid and/or organic acid amide. The feed stream is mixed with at least one azeotroping agent. The azeotroping agent is a hydrocarbon capable of forming at least one heteroazeotrope with the organic acid or the organic acid amide in the feed stream. The mixture of the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream. The heteroazeotrope is a component of that vapor stream. The vapor stream can be heated further to separate components or it can be condensed into a liquid stream. The liquid stream is capable of being separated into a first phase and a second phase. The first phase contains the highest concentration of the organic acid and/or the organic acid amide and the azeotroping agent is part of the second phase.

Abstract: Process and installation for extracting a monomer from an aqueous broth of a polymer, in which, after the broth has been heated, the broth is subjected to a depressurization in a depressurization chamber and is then introduced into a vertical column, divided into several chambers, on which are superimposed perforated plates, where the broth is flushed with an ascending stream of inert gas.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising as upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: Process for producing polyolefins, comprising the following steps: a) grafting of acid groups onto polyolefins by means of a graftable monomer bearing at least one functional group chosen from a carbonyl and an acid anhydride, optionally in the presence of another graftable monomer bearing a vinyl unsaturated group and, optionally, one or more aromatic rings; b) purification, consisting in removing at least some of the graftable monomer bearing at least one functional group chosen from a carbonyl and an acid anhydride that has not reacted with the polyolefins; c) neutralization of the acid groups by at least one neutralizing agent. Polyolefin obtained.

Abstract: A melt-processable fluorine-containing polymer is melt kneaded with a kneader which has a residence time of at least 10 minutes, a usable volume ratio (usable space in a container/space in a container) of larger than 0.3, and a power factor K of less than 8000, the power factor K being represented by the formula: K=Pv/&mgr;/n2 in which Pv is a power requirement per unit volume (W/m3), &mgr; is a melt viscosity (Pa.s), and n is a rotation speed (rps), to effectively remove terminal groups and bonds in the backbones, which are unstable during melt kneading, from the melt-processable fluorine-containing polymer, and obtain a colorless fluorine-containing polymer.

Abstract: Aromatic polyethers are prepared by displacement polymerization reaction in the presence of a water-immiscible solvent with boiling point at atmospheric pressure of greater than 110° C. and a density ratio to water of greater than 1.1:1 at 20-25° C. The polyethers are purified by processes comprising aqueous extraction, or filtration, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A process for treating an aqueous polymer latex/dispersion of synthetic polymers prepared by polymerizing one or more monomeric materials for at least 80%, involving: A. adding to the polymer latex/dispersion a sufficient amount of at least one reducing agent in one or more portions followed by adding at least one free radical generator in such a way that at least the bulk of the reducing agent has been added before addition of free radical generator is started and maintaining the mixture at a suitable temperature for a period of time which is sufficient to reduce the VOC-level of the latex/dispersion to decrease to below 1,500 ppm, preferably to below 1,000 ppm after which B. water vapor and/or gas is/are sparged into the latex/dispersion while the temperature of the latex/dispersion is maintained at a suitable temperature for a period of time which is sufficient to decrease the VOC-level to below 200 ppm, preferably to below 50 ppm, most preferably to below 15 ppm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for decontaminating polycondensates, such as RPET or similar polymeric materials, in particular comminuted PET bottles. The object is to simplify existing recycling processes. This is achieved by comminuting used PET products to give flakes, and cleaning these flakes. The flakes are further decontaminated immediately and continuously in a hot gas stream.

Abstract: Process for producing polyolefins, comprising the following steps: a) grafting of acid groups onto polyolefins by means of a graftable monomer bearing at least one functional group chosen from a carbonyl and an acid anhydride, optionally in the presence of another graftable monomer bearing a vinyl unsaturated group and, optionally, one or more aromatic rings; b) purification, consisting in removing at least some of the graftable monomer bearing at least one functional group chosen from a carbonyl and an acid anhydride that has not reacted with the polyolefins; c) neutralization of the acid groups by at least one neutralizing agent. Polyolefin obtained.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyphenylene ether, which comprises contacting, with an aqueous solution of a chelating agent, a polyphenylene ether solution and adding a water-soluble poor solvent for the polyphenylene ether to precipitate the polyphenylene ether; and recovering the thus precipitated polyphenylene ether. A mixture remaining after the recovery of the polyphenylene ether is brought into contact with water to extract the water-soluble poor solvent, and a water phase containing the thus extracted water-soluble poor solvent is recovered by separation. The water-soluble poor solvent is separated and removed from the water phase by distillation, and the whole or a part of the remaining water phase is recycled as water to be brought into contact with the mixture, the remaining water phase having a content of a high-boiling-point organic substance of 1 wt. % or less.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive emulsion comprises a disperse silicone phase emulsified in a continuous water phase in the presence of a surfactant. The disperse silicone phase comprises 40-80 percent by weight of a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive, which is the product of mixing a silanol-terminated polydiorganosiloxane of Tg below −20° C. with a silanol-containing silicone resin of Tg above 0° C., dispersed in 60-20 percent by weight of a volatile silicone fluid having a boiling point below 300° C. The emulsion is substantially free of any non-silicon atom containing volatile organic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of polyamide-6 by polymerization of &egr;-caprolactam with full re-use of extracted caprolactam and oligomers. The extract is not subjected to a pretreatment for reduction of the cyclic dimer content. By carrying out the polymerization in two steps, the first at an elevated pressure, but lower than the vapor pressure of the reaction mixture supplied, and the second at approximately atmospheric or reduced pressure, the cyclic dimer content of the polymerizate leaving the second polymerization step is kept at a constant level. The process offers a high degree of flexibility in terms of production capacity and composition and proportion of recycled lactam in the lactam feed for the polymerization.

Abstract: Stripped porous polymer film and a method for making such film from substantially heterogeneous porous polymer film are described. The heterogeneous film has surface characteristics that are different from the characteristics of the interior bulk material, and the method comprises mechanically stripping at least a portion of at least one surface layer from the heterogeneous film. The stripped porous polymer film may be incorporated into composite membranes. Such composite membranes are particularly suitable for incorporation into membrane electrode assemblies for use in electrochemical cells, including electrochemical fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reduction of the polymer content in the wastewater from dewatering of two-phase liquid mixtures comprising a thermoplastic plastic melt and an aqueous phase by coagulating the plastic melt and pressing the water out of the melt cake in an extruder system, characterized in that superheated steam with a temperature of at least 280° C. is injected immediately after introduction of the two-phase liquid mixture into the extruder system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polymers stabilized with protective colloids in the form of water-redispersible powders or aqueous dispersions thereof having a reduced content of volatile components, by

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition based on (co)polymers of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid and/or derivatives thereof which has an at least two-phase domain structure and also an outgassing level of less than 10 &mgr;g/g, based on the weight of the composition, when measured by the tesa method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing a hydrocarbon solvent from a hydrocarbon solvent solution of a hydrogenated block copolymer which is obtained by hydrogenating a block copolymer comprising a polymer block composed mainly of vinyl aromatic monomer units and a polymer block composed mainly of conjugated diene monomer units, wherein the weight ratio of the vinyl aromatic monomer units to the conjugated diene monomer units is from 5/95 to 95/5, wherein the hydrogenated block copolymer has a degree of hydrogenation of 30% or more with respect to double bonds in the conjugated diene monomer units, and wherein the method comprises: (1) mixing a hydrocarbon solvent solution of the hydrogenated block copolymer with heated water to obtain a dispersion of the solution in the heated water, and (2) introducing the dispersion into a steam stripping vessel containing heated water, wherein the dispersion is spouted into the gaseous phase in the vessel toward the surface of the heated water in the vessel under conditions wh

Abstract: A process for producing a vinyl chloride polymer, including the steps of (a) subjecting a vinyl chloride monomer alone or a monomer mixture containing a vinyl chloride, to suspension polymerization in water; (b) subjecting the resultant vinyl chloride polymer slurry to stripping to remove an unreacted monomer remaining therein; and (c) dehydrating the polymer slurry having been subjected to stripping. In the polymerization step (a), the ratio of water/monomer is set in a weight ratio of from 0.80 to 1.50, and the viscosity at 20° C. of the polymer slurry to be fed to the stripping step is previously kept adjusted to 0.30 Pa·s or lower. In the stripping step (c), the residual unreacted monomer in the polymer slurry can efficiently be removed using steam in a smaller quantity, thus the vinyl chloride polymer can be produced at a high productivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating plastic polymers to reduce or remove organic contaminants. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of treating, by continuous means, a flowable polymer mass with a solvating fluid in an environment at which the solvating fluid is in a supercritical state and is subject to conditions sufficient to preferentially solvate and extract organic, and especially non-volatile, contaminants from the polymer mass.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes and apparatus for the production of a virgin polymer substitute from cured scrap rubber, such as automobile tires, which does not involve the use of solvents or other chemicals and which substantially maintains the physical properties of the virgin material in the substitute. The process and apparatus may perform an initial analysis of the scrap material to be treated and determination of the process parameters for that particular material. Actual treatment of the material comprises grinding of the scrap rubber and preconditioning the ground material by subjecting it to warm dry air prior to subsequent treatment in a high temperature and pressure environment. The high temperature and pressure environment is created by means of a pressure vessel into which the preconditioned material is introduced, thereafter exposing the material to a variable high pressure and temperature environment which is controlled to optimize devulcanization of the material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for stripping polymer reaction compositions. The process reduces gel in the polymer reaction composition by adjusting the pH of the polymer to from 7 to 11 prior to stripping and maintaining the adjusted pH during stripping, maintaining the temperature of the polymer at from 30° C. to 70° C. during stripping, utilizing a continuous stripping operation, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for removing VOCs from an aqueous polymer dispersion (e.g., an SBR latex) in which the dispersion is contacted with a stripping medium in the presence of a particulate adsorbent such as activated carbon. This process results in the rapid and economical removal of VOCs from polymer dispersions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing residual monomers from a slurry containing a polyvinyl chloride. The apparatus has a cylindrical tower with plural perforated plates provided in a vertical direction in the tower, plural chambers formed on the perforated plates serving as their bottom surface, slurry introducing portions provided at two or more of the chambers, flow-down sections provided between the perforated plates to allow the slurry to sequentially flow down from the perforated plate of an upper chamber to the perforated plate of a lower chamber, a steam introducing port at a bottom portion of the tower, a deaerating port at a top portion of the tower, a slurry discharging port at a chamber below a chamber having the slurry introducing port, and hot water ejectors directly under the perforated plates directed at least toward the lower surface of the perforated plates.

Abstract: A process for continuous extraction of polyamide particles using a recirculating extractant in a vertical extraction column that is divided into two zones comprises treating the polyamide with an aqueous extractant comprising from 40 to 95% by weight of &egr;-caprolactam in a first zone at from 100 to 140° C., and then effecting an aftertreatment with water in a second zone. The caprolactam can then be extracted in a conventional manner. The process provides for economical production of polyamide having a low dimer content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for closely linking a process for producing 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid (2,6-NDA) with a process for producing polyethylene naphthalate, thus eliminating the need for drying 2,6-NDA, handling solid 2,6-NDA, and optimizing particle size of 2,6-NDA which comprises: a) Adding an aqueous slurry of polymer grade 2,6-NDA directly into a process for making PEN, either by directly adding a stream from a 2,6 NDA process into a PEN process, or by adding water to polymer grade 2-6-NDA prior to adding the resulting slurry to a PEN process. b) Removing the slurry water during the first esterification reaction at the same time the water of reaction is removed.

Abstract: As a method of vacuum recovery of residual monomers from PVC paste resin latex by heating the latex, the present invention is capable of breaking foam derived from foamable PVC paste resin latex after polymerization by utilizing the methods: using a residual monomer vacuum recovery apparatus having a foam separator and transferring the foam which overflows from the vacuum recovery vessel to the foam separator so that the foam makes direct contact with steam causing a breakdown of the foam. This is done without reducing operability, without lowering stable operation, without degrading product quality, and without reducing the solid concentration of the latex.

Abstract: A method for continuously stripping an unreacted monomer from a vinyl chloride paste resin latex, comprising the steps of continuously supplying the latex to a vacuum recovery vessel, wherein the latex is boiling with generation of foam, under the condition that the temperature of the latex to be supplied is higher than that of the latex in the recovery vessel, withdrawing a monomer gas generated in the recovery vessel through an exhaust line provided with a foam separator, contacting the foam entrained into the exhaust line with steam introduced to the exhaust line and/or the foam separator, thereby destroying the foam, and returning the resulting latex in the separator to the recovery vessel. The unreacted monomer can be efficiently recovered from the latex by a continuous operation, and defoaming can be achieved without deteriorating the quality and without lowering the productivity.

Abstract: Provided are processes by which an ethylenimine polymer and an aqueous solution thereof can advantageously be produced at low costs in an industrial scale. The ethylenimine polymer can be produced by polymerizing crude ethylenimine obtained by a simple distilling operation from an ethylenimine-containing reaction mixture produced by subjecting ethanolamine to intermolecular dehydration reaction, preferably crude ethylenimine having impurity contents which are controlled in the specific ranges. When the above crude ethylenimine is polymerized in an aqueous medium, capable of being obtained is an aqueous solution of an ethylenimine polymer having a higher molecular weight than that produced by non-solvent polymerization. The ethylenimine polymer can be purified by, for example, adding water thereto, mixing them and then vaporizing and removing water under heating. The aqueous solution of an ethylenimine polymer can be purified by heating and condensing it.

Abstract: An apparatus for the intensive degassing of polyvinyl chloride-containing dispersions comprising a polymerization reactor (1), a cooling device (2), and a vacuum unit (3), where the polymerization reactor (1) contains a steam inlet (4) in the lower half, and the polymerization reactor (1), the cooling device (2) and the vacuum unit (3) are connected to one another via a connector (5). The invention also relates to the use of this apparatus and to a process for intensive degassing using this apparatus.

Abstract: A gaseous mixture of steam and air, a gaseous mixture of steam and nitrogen, or pure steam are passed around polyolefin granules in a deodorizing apparatus. The result is that the polyolefin granules have markedly improved properties with respect to odor and taste, and these are retained in moldings produced from the granules.

Abstract: Devolatilization of molten polymer is carried out using a vertical static mixer which opens directly into a flash tank. Expansion of a stripping agent injected at an inlet of the static mixer occurs in the static mixer and the continued shearing causes disengagement of the vapor from the polymer, so that expansion is complete before the polymer enters the flash tank and stripper and volatiles are removed by a pump and condenser arrangement which holds the flash tank at a reduced pressure. Polymer outlets are in the floor of the flash tank and have metering pumps at their bottom end.

Abstract: Process for recycling an article based on at least one vinyl chloride polymer, in which: (a) the article is shredded into fragments having an average dimension of 1 cm to 50 cm, should it exceed these dimensions; (b) the fragments of the article, which are substantially dry, are brought into contact with a substantially anhydrous solvent capable of dissolving the vinyl chloride polymer, forming an azeotrope with water; (c) the polymer dissolved in the solvent is precipitated by injecting steam in the solution thus obtained, which moreover leads to the stripping of the water-solvent azeotrope and so leaves behind a mixture essentially consisting of water and of solid polymer particles; (d) the polymer particles are recovered.

Abstract: Methods for devolatilizing polymer solutions have been invented which include, in certain aspects, dissolving a viscous polymer in a solvent forming a polymer-solvent solution, introducing the polymer-solvent solution into a thermal dryer, heating or cooling the polymer-solvent solution in the thermal dryer forming product polymer with solvent removed and separated solvent (which may include other residuals), the separated solvent with other residuals if present vaporizing in the thermal dryer forming a vapor, removing the vapor from the thermal dryer, and discharging product polymer from the thermal dryer.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of a polyester polymer or polyester copolymer under superatmospheric pressure conditions in a pipe or tubular reaction under turbannular flow conditions. Reaction material having a glycol equivalents to carboxylic acid equivalents mole ratio of from 1.0:1 to 1.2:1, together with a superatmospheric dense gaseous medium are fed co-currently to the reactor. Dicarboxylic acid and/or diol raw materials may be injected into any of the reaction zones in the process during operation to achieve the overall desired mole ratio balance. The process operates at temperatures of from about 220.degree. C. to about 320.degree. C., with turbannular flow achieved before the polymer product and gas exit the reactor process. The pressure in the reaction zones can be in the range from 15 psia to 2500 psia.

Abstract: A process and a device for continuous production of polyamides from a monomer starting material consisting (up to 100%) of adipic acid hexamethylene diamine and water are described. The process is characterized by completing of the first step under pressure at temperatures between 180 and 280.degree. C. in a closed reactor, after which the polyamide is subjected to further steps at the start of each of which vaporized water is removed or driven out by an inert gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the chlorosulfonation of polyarylene sulfide in which the polyarylene sulfide is completely dissolved in chlorosulfonic acid at a temperature of -10 to +20 C., then agitated at reaction temperatures in the +5 to +20 C. range for a reaction time of 180 min at the most, possibly with the addition of oleum or acetic anhydride and the precipitated in an aqueous medium. The polyarylene sulfide is preferably poly-p-phenylene sulfide. The invention also relates to chlorosulfonated polyarylene sulfide produced by this process, which dissolves in a quantity of 10 to 50 wt % in N-methyl pyrrolidone and has a mean molecular weight Mw of >50,000 g/mol. Finally, the invention also relates to the use of chlorosulfonated polyarylene sulfide for the production of molding, foils, fibres or diaphragms with a proton conductivity in the 2 to 200 mS/cm range.

Abstract: In a process for recovering low-boiling point substances wherein a low-boiling point substance-containing polymer latex is atomized from a nozzle equipped at the upper part of an evaporator to evaporate the low-boiling point substances, the polymer latex is atomized over the surface of a polymer latex retained in a first evaporator maintained at a pressure of 50 to 130 torr, and then, the polymer latex is atomized over the surface of a polymer latex retained in a second evaporator maintained at a pressure of 100 to 240 torr which is higher than that of the first evaporator; each of the polymer latexes to be atomized in the first and second evaporators is maintained at a temperature of 10 to 30.degree. C. higher than the saturated steam temperature in the respective evaporator. By this process, low-boiling point substances such as unreacted monomer can be recovered with high efficiency from the polymer latex.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved solid state polymer devolatilization process which comprises heating a wet feed mixture comprising polymer, residual monomer(s), process solvents and active catalyst residues in the presence of an inert gas, wherein the improvement comprises replacing the inert gas with a catalyst deactivating gas.

Abstract: To provide a polytetrafluoroethylene granular powder for molding and a process for preparing the granular powder, in which the granular powder contains only a small number of coarse particles, is obtained with good tumbling efficiency and further no organic liquid is required to be used.

Abstract: An adhesive, which contains olefinic polymers and less than 1% by weight of free monomers, is manufactured via catalytic hydrogenation. It is preferably used in the area of cosmetics, in the foods sector, in medicinal plasters and transdermal systems.

Abstract: In a method for the depolymerization and reprocessing of material which consists of polyamide 6 waste and/or oligomer-containing polyamide 6 waste and/or oligomer-containing lactam residues and/or oligomer-containing lactam by hydrolysis in a pressure reactor with the addition of water, the material is melted and the melt is conducted continuously at predetermined temperature through the pressure reactor the inside pressure of which is controlled by the dosaged feeding of water or steam.