Abstract: The invention comprises an improved recycling and recovery process for rugs, flooring, carpeting, carpeting materials, and other textiles particular from waste carpet containing at least some synthetic fiber backing materials, and at least some nylon as well, and more particularly for the separation and recovery of the nylon polymers in purified and reusable condition and also recovery of other polymeric fibers and materials which may be present and can be recycled and reused.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the polymer growth inhibition ability of a compound or compounds is disclosed wherein the method comprises:A) weighing a dry seed of insoluble polymer capable of growing via a living polymerization mechanism;B) subjecting the seed of insoluble polymer to conditions capable of causing a living polymer to grow via a living polymerization mechanism;C) drying the seed; andD) weighing the seed a second time to determine any increase in weight;wherein the polymer growth inhibition ability of the compound or compounds is inversely proportional to any increase found in weight of the seed.

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 to recycle diluent while capturing such other compounds is provided.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus combinations and methods for producing a powder coating are provided wherein a stream of a powder coating precursor including at least one resin and at least one additional powder coating ingredient is contacted with a process fluid effective to reduce the viscosity of the powder coating precursor to allow processing of the powder coating precursor at a lower temperature.

Abstract: A process of controlling the molecular weight and dispersity of poly(p-ethylphenol) and poly(m-cresol) synthesized enzymatically by varying the composition of the reaction medium. Polymers with low dispersities and molecular weights from 1000 to 3000 are synthesized in reversed micelles and biphasic systems. In comparison, reactions in bulk solvents resulted in a narrow range of molecular weights (281 to 675 with poly(p-ethylphenol) in a DMF/water system and 1,400 to 25,000 with poly(m-cresol) in an ethanol/water system). Poly(p-ethylphenol) was functionalized at hydroxyl positions with palmitoyl, cinnamoyl, and biotin groups.

Abstract: Monovinyl aromatic polymer compositions with high melt strength, good flow and good heat properties which are suitable for fast injection molding, blow molding and thermoforming applications, comprising non-linear monovinyl aromatic polymers and copolymers having comb-type structures with 3 branches, star type structures with 4 to 6 branches, and/or dendritic structures in which the branches themselves have attached branched units. These compositions possess inherent melt strength and can be blow molded or thermoformed without sagging or molded into articles in shorter cycle times using less material than linear monovinyl aromatic polymers and copolymers with the same flow and heat distortion temperatures.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus combinations and methods for producing a coating powder are provided wherein a stream of a powder coating precursor including at least one resin and at least one additional powder coating ingredient is contacted with a process fluid effective to reduce the viscosity of the powder coating precursor to allow processing of the powder coating precursor at a lower temperature.

Abstract: By utilizing the vapor phase polymerization techniques of the present invention, numerous distinct and highly beneficial advantages are realized. For instance, cis-1,4-polyisoprene rubber and high cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber having a consistent and controllable molecular weight can be easily and practically prepared without utilizing a solvent. The subject invention more specifically discloses a method for vapor phase polymerizing isoprene into cis-1,4-polyisoprene in a process comprising the steps of:(1) charging into a reaction zone said isoprene and a preformed catalyst system which is made by reacting an organoaluminum compound with titanium tetrachloride, preferably in the presence of at least one ether; wherein the isoprene is maintained in the vapor phase in said reaction zone by a suitable combination of temperature and pressure;(2) allowing said isoprene to polymerize into cis-1,4-polyisoprene at a temperature within the range of about 35.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C.

Abstract: A novel process for the production of degraded polyolefin is described. The process involves introducing polyolefin into one end of a vented multi-screw extruder, in the substantial absence of free radical initiator and oxidizing agent, and removing degraded polyolefin from the opposite end of the extruder.

Abstract: Fluoromonomer is polymerized to obtain a fluoropolymer with the polymerization being carried out in a pressurized polymerization reactor containing a polymerization medium comprising liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2. The polymerization medium is withdrawn from the reactor together with the fluoropolymer and flash decompressed to thereby recover the fluoropolymer from the medium.

Abstract: A method of producing elastomers or elastomeric mixtures, in which independent flows of N.sub.2, of a solution of elastomers in organic solvents and, possibly, of forming and nucleation additives, are processed mechanically and thermally in a turbo-drier so as to produce elastomers or elastomeric mixtures, respectively, in solvent-free, granulated form.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for recovering diluent, unreacted monomer, and unreacted comonomer from a polymerization reactor effluent. The comonomer has a boiling point higher than the boiling point of the monomer and the diluent has a boiling point between the boiling points of the monomer and comonomer. The process and apparatus employ at least one flash tank, a first fractionation stage including a first column and operating at a first fractionation pressure, and a second fraction stage including a second column and operating at a higher second fractionation pressure. Comonomer is withdrawn from the first column as a fractionation product, and overhead vapor containing diluent and monomer is substantially condensed to yield a substantially condensed overhead stream. Liquid and vapor from the stream are separated in an accumulator.

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polyester is extracted from biomass by dissolving the PHA in a non-halogenated solvent which comprises a PHA-good solvent or a mixture thereof. Suitable PHA-good solvents can be selected from the disclosed alcohols, esters, amides and ketones. The PHA can be recovered, for example, by cooling, by solvent evaporation, or by addition of a PHA-poor solvent, wherein the PHA-poor solvent preferably dissolves less than about 1% (w/v) of the PHA at a temperature below the solvent boiling point. Preferred PHA types for use in the invention are poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate), and polymers/copolymers of hydroxyterminated polyhydroxybutyrate.

Abstract: The presently claimed process for the production of a solid pigment/resin dispersion comprises the steps of mixing together a particulate pigment, a solid resin carrier, a water-immiscible organic solvent in which the carrier is at least partially soluble, water, and, optionally, a water miscible solvent until the mixture separates into an aqueous phase and a coherent phase comprising resin, pigment and organic solvent; separating water from the coherent phase; and continuing to mix the coherent phase while removing the organic solvent under the action of heat and/or reduced pressure until a dry particulate material comprising a pigment and resin is formed.

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: A process is provided for the preparation of powder compositions, containing organosilicon compounds and redispersible in water, by spray drying of an aqueous mixture containing one or a plurality of organosilicon compounds and one or a plurality of water-soluble organopolymers in the presence of antiblocking agents. The invention is characterized in that a portion of the antiblocking agent is conveyed to the dried powder stream, as long as it is still suspended in the stream of gas, or the remainder of the antiblocking agent is added to the dried powder.

Abstract: Acetals are produced from the reaction of aldehydes and alcohols, e.g. methylal by the reaction of methanol and formaldehyde, by the reaction in a reaction distillation column of the alcohol and aldehyde in the presence of a catalyst and the concurrent fractional distillation of the reaction mixture to separate the reaction products, water and acetal.

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: The specification discloses a method for the manufacture of a fluorescent polyphenolic product with high UV absorbance, its subsequent epoxidation as well as polyphenolic products and epoxidized derivatives and compositions thereof. The polyphenolic products are prepared by heating glyoxal at a temperature of about 80.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. with a molar excess of a phenol in the presence of an acidic catalyst which is eliminated from the reaction mixture at a temperature below about 170.degree. C. The total mole ratio of glyoxal to phenol charged to the reaction mixture is about 0.15 to 0.22 moles of glyoxal for each mole of phenol. The glyoxal is added continuously or by stepwise additions to the phenol so as to keep the aldehyde units in the reaction mixture to less than about 70% of the aldehyde units in the total quantity of glyoxal to be charged for making the polyphenol. Water is distilled stepwise or continuously from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method for preparing a thermosetting powder coating material comprising: dispersing and mixing a base resin and a crosslinking agent in a dispersing and/or mixing machine equipped with a decompression device at a temperature in the range of 40 to 200.degree. C., to form a dispersed mixture, the dispersed mixture optionally containing a solvent and a pigment; optionally eliminating at least a portion of the solvent under reduced pressure; adding water to the dispersed mixture; reducing the pressure and lowering the temperature of the dispersed mixture to a temperature equal to or less than the softening point of the dispersed mixture; and bringing the dispersed mixture into a powder state or a granule state by dispersion force of the dispersing and/or mixing machine.

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: The invention concerns a process for preparing coating powder compositions in which one or a plurality of base resins and one or a plurality of hardeners, each of which is in solid form, is dissolved with a low-molecular compound above its critical pressure and critical temperature. This low-molecular compound is inert with respect to the base resins and hardeners and is in gaseous form under normal operating conditions with respect to pressure and temperature. The pressure of the resultant solution is then reduced, for example, by spraying. The resultant coating powder composition can be sprayed directly onto a substrate to be coated. Coating powders can also be recycled according to the process of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for molding of polyester articles having low acetaldehyde content directly from a melt without intermediate solidification of the molten polyester. A melt to mold process is used wherein an acetaldehyde stripping agent is mixed into a polyester melt before devolatilization in a flash tank. The devolatilized polyester is pumped out of the flash tank and injected into a mold, thus forming a shaped article. The apparatus may include one or more flash tanks in one devolatilization line, or multiple devolatilization lines may be used stemming from one main polymerization reactor. The final shaped article should contain less than 10 ppm of acetaldehyde.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resol phenolic thermosetting resin made by preparing a composition of formaldehyde and a phenol in a molar ratio of about 1:1 to about 3:1, about 1 to about 20 wt %, based on the weight of said composition, of a phenol-formaldehyde polymerization catalyst, and about 0.5 to about 10 wt %, based on the weight of said phenol, of a polyvinyl alcoholic compound. The phenol can be benzophenol, an alkyl from C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 phenol, a bisphenol, or a mixture thereof. The bisphenol can be bisphenol A, bisphenol F, or bisphenol S. The polyvinyl alcoholic compound can be polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, an acetal derived from polyvinyl alcohol, or a mixture thereof. The composition is heated at about 50 to about 120.degree. C. to form the resin.

Abstract: An improved method for increasing the relative viscosity and molecular weight of a polyamide polymer (such as nylon 6,6, nylon 6, and the like) while in the solid state involving the use of a phosphorus-containing catalyst (such as 2(2'-pyridyl) ethyl phosphonic acid or the like) in combination with an oxygen free gas characterized by a low dew point (typically below 30.degree. C. and preferably below -30.degree. C.). The combination of affording commercial operation at greater through put at lower temperature. Such a process is of particular value during the production of terpolyamide and multipolyamide polymer intended for use in colored nylon fiber manufacture.

Abstract: A process for the devolatilization of a thermoplastic polymer containing gaseous impurities in an apparatus having a melting zone, a mixing zone, and a reduced pressure zone, comprising:(a) (i) adding a granular blowing agent directly or via a masterbatch to the polymer prior to the introduction of the polymer into the melting zone, said blowing agent being added in an amount of about 1 to about 4 percent by weight based on the weight of the polymer or (ii) adding a gaseous blowing agent to the mixing zone;(b) melting the polymer in the melting zone;(c) mixing the molten polymer and blowing agent in the mixing zone under sufficient pressure to maintain the blowing agent in the mixture;(d) at a temperature sufficient for decomposition or expansion, (i) decomposing the granular blowing agent in the mixing zone and/or in the reduced pressure zone or (ii) expanding the gaseous blowing agent in the reduced pressure zone wherein the blowing agent in its decomposed or expanded state develops froth cells in the molte

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a film forming, fractionated novolak resin copolymer exhibiting fast photospeed and superior performance in a photoresist composition. A method is also provided for producing photoresist composition from such a fractionated novolak resin copolymer and for producing semiconductor devices using such a photoresist composition.

Abstract: The latex is treated by passage through a heat exchanger consisting of a closed chamber 1 divided into two distinct superposed parts, the unobstructed upper part 3 being placed under reduced pressure and communicating with a plant for recovery of the residual monomer or monomers, and the lower part 4 being equipped with a partitioning 9 bounding two separate extended and adjoining circuits 10 and 11, one of the circuits 10 being traversed by the latex to be treated and being maintained in communication, via its top and over its entire path, with the upper part 3 of the chamber, and the other circuit 11, isolated from the upper part 3 of the chamber, being traversed by a heat-transfer fluid maintained at a temperature of 40 to 100.degree. C.Preferably, the two circuits 10 and 11 are bounded by a partitioning 9 arranged in the form of a double spiral.

Abstract: Impurities dissolved in a solid polymer and/or trapped in the spacial volume of the polymer can be removed quickly and efficiently in one or more relatively short pressurization/depressurization cycles, using a penetrant fluid (e.g. carbon dioxide) having at least some solubility in the polymer. Polymers with inherently slow or delayed elastic recovery at the temperature or temperatures at which the cycle is carried out (e.g. within the range of 20 to 200.degree. C.) or polymers with a high T.sub.g are the ones most efficiently treated. The penetrant is used to expand the polymer matrix, increasing its spacial volume. The pressure is then decreased rapidly, so that the impurities will migrate out of the polymer matrix before the matrix has a chance to relax or return to substantially its original volume. Each complete cycle should last seconds or minutes rather than hours.

Abstract: A liquid aliphatic polyamine material, sealed in a container, has an ammonia concentration of at most about 100 ppm, and can be made by removing volatile odor forming components from a liquid comprised of aliphatic polyamine, and enclosing it in an air-tight container, with substantially no oxygen present, whereby the odor of the liquid aliphatic polyamine is reduced to a very low level even after extended storage.

Abstract: Micropowders having spherical particles possessing an essentially smooth surface structure contain, as essential components, polyarylene ether sulfones or polyarylene ether ketones and are obtainable by prilling melts thereof or spray-drying solutions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing sulfur-containing polymers from at least one sulfide and at least one aromatic dihalo compound in a solvent, which comprisesa) reacting the sulfide with a stoichiometric excess of aromatic dihalo compound,b) largely removing the excess aromatic dihalo compound andc) further polymerizing the mixture.

Abstract: Thermoplastic or thermosetting resin particles having a narrow particle size distribution are produced by suspending a liquid resinous composition in an aqueous solution of an anionic or cationic polyelectrolyte as primary particles of oil droplets, adjustion the suspension at a pH at which the polyelectrolyte is insolubilized to agglomerate into secondary particles of larger particle size, and allowing the secondary particles in the suspension to solidify.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a methyl methacrylate polymer, wherein monomers containing methyl methacrylate as a main component are bulk-polymerized or solution-polymerized in the presence of a polymerization initiator and mercaptan compound as a chain transfer agent to form a liquid polymer composition containing unreacted monomers and then a volatile content is separated from the liquid polymer composition, the method comprising the steps of: distilling the volatile content to recover unreacted monomers, (1) subjecting the residue to a contact treatment with hydrazine compound or (2) subjecting the residue to an azeotropic distillation with water to remove impurities, distilling the resultant to recover the mercaptan compound and reusing the mercaptan compound as the chain transfer agent of raw materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a dispersion of high grade polyester copolymer resin in water comprising 1) combining a crude polyester copolymer resin, having particles of various sizes, with water; 2) heating and agitating the resin/water mixture; 3) cooling the mixture; 4) continuously filtering the mixture to remove the largest size resin particles; 5) allowing the mixture to stand undisturbed so that any undispersed particles settle out as a sediment; and 6) removing the sediment, leaving a dispersion of the smallest resin particles in water. By using a plurality of filters and sequentially finer filter mesh sizes, a high grade product is attained.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a solid state devolatilization finishing process for a wet feed material of syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer containing volatiles, including at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein the improvement comprises: rapidly heating the wet feed material, such that the temperature of the wet feed material is increased at a rate of at least 10.degree. C./min., to a temperature between about 150.degree. C. and the melting point temperature of the syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, while concurrently removing evolved volatiles.

Abstract: Polymer powders which are redispersible in an aqueous medium are prepared by drying an aqueous polymer dispersion whose polymer particles dispersed in the aqueous medium have a positive or a negative electric surface charge, with the addition of a water-soluble polyelectrolyte as a drying assistant, the electric charge of the polyion being opposite to the electric surface charge of the disperse polymer particles.

Abstract: The residual level of monomer in a polymer may be reduced by passing a melt of the polymer through a devolatilizer column which contains an array of two or more trays having voids comprising from 15 to 50% of the surface of the tray which are offset so the voids in the upper tray are spaced over the solid areas of the tray below.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for synthesizing polyethylene terephthalate from waste polyethylene terephthalate by cleavage with ethylene glycol and separation of bis(hydroxyethylene) terephthalate from the cleavage mixture with a specific temperature program, recrystallization from water, and esterification and polycondensation with the addition of terephthalic acid.The invention further comprises a method for synthesis of polyethylene naphthalate from waste polyethylene naphthalate in a similar manner.

Abstract: A conductive composite composition consisting essentially of about 10 to 90 parts of the conducting form of polyaniline, balance an aromatic benzobisthiazole, benzobisoxazole or benzobisimidazole rigid-rod polymer, and a process for making a conductive benzobisazole polymer film.

Abstract: A process has been invented for removing contaminants (including solvent) from a flowing polymer, the process, in one aspect, including dissolving a sparingly soluble stripping agent into a flowing polymer, the sparingly soluble stripping agent stripping contaminants from the flowing polymer creating a mixture of contaminants and sparingly soluble stripping agent, which flows out from the flowing polymer, and separating the mixture from the polymer. In one aspect, recyclable sparingly soluble stripping agent is recovered and re-used.

Abstract: A copolycarbonate and a copolycarbonate composition having oustanding hardness and a method for their manufacture.A copolycarbonate containing the component units shown in Formula ?I!below in the amount of 50-99 mole %: ##STR1## X is ##STR2## R1 and R2 are hydrogen atoms or monovalent hydrocarbon groups, and R3 is a bivalent hydrocarbon group.) The Rockwell hardness (M scale) of this polycarbonate should preferably be 45-90.

Abstract: A styrene base random copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 200,000 to 1,000,000, a monovinylbenzene unit and a divinylbenzene unit in an amount of 50 to 500 ppm by weight based on the weight of the monovinylbenzene unit, the divinylbenzene unit consisting of p-divinylbenzene unit and m-divinylbenzene unit, wherein the weight ratio between the p-divinylbenzene unit and the m-divinylbenzene unit is in the range of 100:0 to 75:25, which is superior in impact strength, melt tension, heat resistance and fluidity, and which is capable of being molded within a short molding cycle, is industrially advantageously produced by a continuous bulk polymerization without troubles such as undesirable deposits of polymeric gel material on reactor walls.

Abstract: A process for activating double metal cyanide catalysts is disclosed. A polyol starter or starter/catalyst mixture is heated under vacuum under conditions effective to achieve improved stripping compared with that which can be achieved through conventional vacuum stripping. Coupling vacuum stripping with inert gas sparging or stripping in the presence of an organic solvent gives a starter/catalyst mixture that activates rapidly in an epoxide polymerization process. Rapid activation makes process start-ups reliable and reduces cycle time. The process gives polyols with lower viscosity, lower polydispersity, and lower unsaturation for better polyurethanes.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a crystalline microporous polymer and process for preparing a low density microporous polymer comprising, providing a mixture of a polymer and a polymer solvent, the mixture capable of achieving a supercritical condition; applying pressure, at a temperature sufficient for the mixture to attain a super critical condition; cooling the supercritical solution that results and precipitating a microporous crystalline polymer product.

Abstract: A method for separating hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane that does not require the use of a distillation set up adapted for use with solids and that collects the hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane in the form of an easy-to-handle solution. The method comprising inducing the ascent in the gaseous state of a hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane-containing mixture of polydimethylcyclosiloxanes in a distillation column provided with a sidestream element in the middle region of the column so as to induce the ascent of gaseous hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane to at least the level of the sidestream element, supplying into said distillation column solvent having a boiling point below that of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane and capable of dissolving hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, so as to form a liquid mixture of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane and said solvent in the vicinity of the sidestream element, and withdrawing the said liquid mixture from the sidestream element.

Abstract: An electrically conductive rubber roller for electrophotography which does not exhibit touch memory or bleed out of remnant siloxanes, even after 18 days of storage without use, and, in a preferred form, exhibits little change in electric resistance with changes in environment. This roller is made by making a rubber molding material composition containing a raw polysiloxane rubber which does not contain more than 5,000 ppm of low molecular weight polysiloxanes, cyclic siloxanes and non-functional silicone oils (remnant siloxanes); molding this composition into a roller; at least primarily crosslinking the rubber in the roller; and then subjecting the crosslinked rubber roller to heating under a vacuum.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of toner additive wax particles which comprises the micronization of said particles from a supercritical solution.