Abstract: A solution process, and a catalyst therefor, for the preparation of high molecular weight polymers of alpha-olefins viz. homopolymers of ethylene and copolymers of ethylene and C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 alpha-olefins, is disclosed. The process is operated under solution polymerization conditions at 105.degree.-320.degree. C. The catalyst is obtained from titanium tetrahalides, vanadium oxytrihalides and organoaluminum compounds, in which an admixture of catalyst components is heat-treated at 180.degree.-250.degree. C. and subsequently cooled to a temperature of less than 150.degree. C. Additional vanadium oxytrihalide is then added. The resultant catalyst solution is activated with an aluminum compound. The catalyst has good activity, showing superior activity to catalysts in which additional vanadium oxytrihalide is not added or added at temperatures above 150.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyolefin composition, having good extrusion characteristics. The composition comprises a fluoropolymer; one or more of a low molecular weight C.sub.1-4 alkyl ethers of a poly C.sub.2-4 alkylene oxide; and a metal oxide the weight ratio of the ether to fluoropolymer being less than 1:1. The blend is suitable for making blown film.

Abstract: A water soluble laminate may be prepared comprising one or more relatively water insoluble layers of polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol or crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol and one or more relatively more water soluble layers such as linear uncrosslinked sulphonated vinylaromatic polymers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for separating two fluids having different specific gravities. The invention also relates to a method for using the separating apparatus of the present invention. This invention particularly relates to the skimming of molten lithium metal from the surface of a fused salt electrolyte in the electrolytic production of lithium metal from a mixed fused salt.

Abstract: Polyethylene has a number of desirable properties. However for some thin film applications it is desirable to increase the stiffness of the film. This may be accomplished by incorporating a polymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer into the alloy. Such two component blends have a low impact resistance. The impact resistance of the alloy may be significantly increased, without any significant loss of stiffness by further incorporating into the alloy a polymer based on butylene-1.

Abstract: There is a need for degradable films, particularily in agricultural mulch applications. The present invention provides for films having a controlled life from 30 to 160 days. The film comprises photodegradable sheet material having a thickness from 0.1 to 10, preferably, from 0.2 to 5, most preferably from 0.3 to 1.0, mils and comprising a polyolefin sheet and from 50 to 1,000 parts per million of cerium salt of a C.sub.16-20 fatty acid and from 1,000 to 20,000 parts per million of titanium dioxide having a particle size less than 0.05 microns.

Abstract: A polymer melt may be devolatilized to less than 500, preferably less than 150 ppm of residual volatile material by injecting into the melt an amount of water greater than the amount of residual volatile material in the melt, typically not more than about 10 weight % and passing the melt through a flash chamber devolatilizer at a pressure of 8 mm of Hg or less at a temperature of from 200.degree. to 350.degree. C.

Abstract: High molecular weight polylactic acid is generally produced by the polymerization of lactide. Lactide is prepared by the depolymerization of low molecular weight polylactic acid. There are difficulties in the preparation of high molecular weight polylactic acid and high purity lactide isomers due to the equilibrium between lactic acid, low molecular weight polylactic acid, high molecular weight polylactic acid, lactide and water. Further it has never been proposed to provide a continuous process to produce high molecular weight polylactic acid from lactic acid. The present invention overcomes the equilibrium problem and provides a continuous process.

Abstract: A polymer melt may be devolatilized to less than 500, preferably less than 150 ppm of residual volatile material by injecting into the melt an amount of fluid which will condense but not freeze at pressures of less than about 20 mm Hg, in an amount greater than the amount of residual volatile material in the polymer melt, typically not more than about 10 weight % and passing the melt through a zone of pressure of 8 mm of Hg or less at a temperature of from 200.degree. to 350.degree. C.

Abstract: There is a demand for very clear tough polymers or polymer blends, particularly in the packaging industry. Crystal polystyrene is clear but lacks toughness. HIPS is tough but lacks the required clarity. Blends of styrene-ester polymers with a very small amount of HIPS do provide a very clear tough polymer alloy.

Abstract: A rotary fluid machine suitable for transferring energy between a fluid and a rotor assembly is disclosed. The rotor assembly contains a shaft carrying one or more impellers which are located between axially spaced radial bearings in a beam-type arrangement. The rotary fluid machine is of the beam type--i.e. it has one end of the shaft extending beyond one end wall of the housing and one end of the shaft terminating within the housing. Two passages are formed in the housing to allow fluid to flow in and out of the machine. One passage is formed in the housing parallel to and coaxial with the rotational axis of the rotor assembly. Fluid moving between the passage parallel to and coaxial with the rotational axis does not have to be redirected thus reducing fluid turbulence and improving machine efficiency.

Abstract: An asphalt blend used for paving is described. The blend contains polyethylene which has been modified by shearing action in the presence of an O-containing gas (such as oxygen or ozone). The blend has improved viscosity at high temperatures and reduced stiffness at low temperatures. A paving mix prepared using the asphalt blend has an improved Marshall Test Value (ASTM DI559), indicating that the paving mix should have a reduced tendency to become rutted under the load of traffic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cleaning of recyclable plastic. More particularly the recyclable plastic is treated at a frequency from 20 to 60 KHz, optionally in the presence of an antiseptic agent and in the absence of a surfactant. This treatment cleans waste, and particularly waste containing protein, such as medical or food waste so it is suitable for recycling.

Abstract: Generally, polylactic acid is prepared by the ring opening polymerization of lactide. However, to obtain a high molecular weight polylactic acid it is necessary to start with a lactide having a high degree of purity. Lactide may be economically brought to the required degree of purity using melt recrystallization techniques.

Abstract: A tough transparent polymer alloy comprises from 98 to 85 weight % of a styrene acrylic polymer and from 2 to 15 weight % of a blend comprising from 70 to 90 weight % of a high styrene styrene-butadiene polymer and from 30 to 10 weight % of a high butadiene styrene-butadiene polymer. The resulting alloy has good clarity and impact properties.

Abstract: A recovery pan for use in unloading rail hopper cars comprises a bracket and retaining means to fix the pan to the track. This keeps the pan in place to catch any spillage during loading, unloading or cleaning of the hopper car.

Abstract: This invention relates to water-based coating remover compositions and concentrates from which those compositions are made and processes for preparing said compositions and concentrates where said concentrates comprise a substantially stable and homogenous mixture of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, a mononuclear aromatic hydrocarbon, a glycol ether, an alkanolamine and a hydroxypropyl cellulose thickener.

Abstract: The setting time of cationic emulsions of asphalt, bitumen, coal tar or a mixture thereof may be shortened by incorporating into such emulsion at least 0.001 parts by weight per 100 parts by dry weight of said emulsion of a polycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A generally open support ring is mounted onto the internal surface of a distillation tower. The support ring includes a seat rim and a plurality of mechanical elements which secure the seat rim to the internal surface of the tower. The plurality of mechanical elements are attached to both the inner surface and the seat rim. Each mechanical element protrudes from the inner surface and is spaced apart from the other mechanical elements. The plurality of mechanical elements enable the seat rim to be mounted along a substantially horizontal plane around the internal surface of the tower. The support ring is adapted to support an open container of liquid thereon in such a manner that vapor below the support ring is in fluid communication with vapor above the support ring through a series of vent openings in the support ring.