Abstract: This invention relates to a secondary battery comprised of three polymer films, the third containing an electrolyte and the first and second containing an electrochemical species which may be in an anodic or a cathodic state depending upon whether the battery is discharging or is being recharged. The third polymer sheet is substantially not electrically conductive under battery discharge voltages, but is electrically conductive under battery recharge voltages. The first and second sheets are electrically conductive under both the discharge and recharge voltages. In a preferred form, the electrolyte and the electrochemical species are uniformly distributed within their respective films by dissolving the electrolyte and the species in a plasticizer which is incorporated within the polymer films.

Abstract: A method for accelerating the dehydration of aqueous dispersions and bonding the solids contained therein characterized by the addition of fly ash to the aqueous polymeric composition. The fly ash is added in an amount sufficient to significantly reduce the dehydration time of the composition and generally comprises at least a partial substitution of the mineral filler content of the aqueous polymeric dispersion.

Abstract: A modular coextrusion feedblock suitable for use in conjunction with melt processing vinyl polymers without excessive extruder head pressure is provided. The feedblock is designed for rapid disassembly and reassembly to minimize downtime.

Abstract: A process is provided for metallating crystalline ethylene polymers which have polymerized therein a minor amount of at least one nonconjugated diene and, optionally, a minor amount of at least one 1-olefin. Metallation is accomplished with an alkyllithium compound and at least one activating reagent after a slurry of the copolymer in a nonreactive, saturated, nonpolar hydrocarbon solvent is first heated to a temperature greater than 80.degree. Centigrade to provide the polymer with an expanded settling volume greater than its original settling volume. Metallation may be accomplished either at that temperature or at a lower temperature following cooling of the slurry. The activating reagents include potassium alkoxides, and chelating tertiary diamines. The metallated polymers so prepared may be reacted with (a) one or more anionically polymerizable monomers to form graft polymers or (b) a reagent such as carbon dioxide to form a functionalized polymer.

Abstract: Chlorinated polyethylene resins which are semicrystalline yet of sufficiently low viscosity to be processible on conventional extrusion equipment are provided. The resins may be used in a variety of applications such as membranes, either theromplastic or thermoset, wire and cable jackets and the like. Plasticizers and other viscosity-reducing aids need not be used in conjunction with these resins.

Abstract: A porous polymer article for use as a filter medium or battery separator is prepared by admixing a cellulosic compound and a thermoplastic polymer, both usually in powder form, forming the article under pressure and heat to melt and flow the thermoplastic polymer into a continuous phase and after cooling to set the polymer matrix, contacting the set admixture with a solvent, e.g. water, for the cellulosic compound which will not also dissolve the polymer matrix to produce a porous polymer which has a predetermined degree of porosity and is free from residual salt. The article so produced is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a two-fluid nozzle which is adjustable to provide a substantially constant mixing energy. Adjustment of the two-fluid nozzle is made in accordance with the pressure and mass flow values of the liquid and gas fed to the nozzle. A microprocessor calculates the mixing energy from these values and provides an output to the nozzle to adjust it should its mixing energy be in variance with a pre-selected mixing energy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of an aqueous calcium chloride solution, which process comprises: locating a charge of calcium carbonate within a reaction vessel; and contacting an aqueous solution containing hydrochloric acid with the calcium carbonate charge to produce carbon dioxide and the aqueous calcium chloride solution. The carbon dioxide produces a foam at the top of the aqueous calcium chloride solution and entrains therewithin at least a portion of any fines contained in such solution. In one embodiment, the fines are removed from the reaction system by allowing the foam and its entrained fines to overflow the reaction vessel. In another embodiment, removal of the fines is achieved by providing a foam reservoir into which the foam and its entrained fines continuously enter and a defoaming mechanism for breaking down the entering foam.

Abstract: As novel compounds, ethane tetraphosphonate esters, including octaalkyl and trimethylsilyl esters, and ethylene tetraphosphonic acid, as well as new compositions including a mixture of the acid with tetramethyl methylene diphosphonic acid, and a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: A flow-through electrochemical cell for sequentially oxidizing and reducing an aryl compound. The cell includes a cell body forming a compartment to hold an aqueous electrolyte solution, a porous anodic electrode, and a porous cathodic electrode. The anodic electrode includes a first porous layer of a hydrophobic material, a second porous layer with an oxidation catalyst dispersed therein, and a current collector in electrical contact with the second layer. The cathodic electrode comprises a block of a porous, electrically-conductive material impregnated with lead particles. The cell is particularly useful for the preparation of aryl hydroquinones at very high current efficiencies, high current densities, and low voltages.

Abstract: Substituted bis-ethers, such as .alpha.,107 -bis-(4-aminophenoxy)-alkyls, are prepared in process which involves sequential addition of reactants, reagents or neutralizing compounds without recovery of intermediate products such as diamides and diamine acid salts. When water is used as the solvent, the process is simplified and product yields in excess of about 70% are obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to a two-fluid nozzle for atomizing a liquid-solid slurry. The nozzle provides for the discharge of the atomized liquid-solid slurry which is oblique to the direction of flow of the liquid-solid slurry in the nozzle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new uniformly crosslinked polymer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkylene, a cycloalkylene, an alkenylene, an alkynlene or a p-arylene and n is a whole integer greater than 1 and less than 100,000.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of a tetraalkyl 1,1,2,2-ethenetetracarboxylate by the electrolysis of a liquid electrolysis medium containing diethyl malonate, an iodide ion electrolyte, and methanol. The electrolysis is run with a current density within the range of about 15 mA/cm.sup.2 to about 80 mA/cm.sup.2 and at a temperature within the range of about 25.degree. to about 60.degree. C.

Abstract: A composition having utility as a plasticizer for halogen-containing resins is a mixture of (a) at least two diesters of terephthalic acid or (b) at least two triesters of trimellitic acid. The diesters of terephthalic acid are represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a phenyl radical or an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.m, wherein n is an integer of 1 through 8 inclusive and m is equal to 2n+1; R.sub.2 is either hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon having one, two, three or four carbon atoms; x is an integer of 2 to 4 inclusive; y is an integer of 2 to 4 inclusive.The trialkyl esters of trimellitic acid are represented by the general formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is a phenyl radical or an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.m wherein n is an integer of 1 through 8 inclusive and m is equal to 2n+1; R.sub.

Abstract: This invention is a novel high void volume fiber-reinforced resin composite having a continuous matrix of a thermoplastic resin and from about 10 to 50 percent by weight of randomly oriented short reinforcing fibers. A process for making such low density composites is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an impressed current anode bed. The anode bed has a housing which is a truncated, four-sided pyramid having a rectangular base. The housing has a cavity extending from its base to its apex. At least one anode is mounted to the housing and located within the cavity. The anode is connected to a source of DC electrical current. At least one channel extends from one exterior side to an opposite exterior side of the housing and through the cavity. The channel is closer to the base than the anode.

Abstract: Chlorosulfonated polyethylene materials having (a) weight average molecular weight of from about 40,000 to about 300,000, (b) a chemically combined chlorine content of from about 20 to about 50 percent by weight of polymer, (c) a chemically combined sulfur content of from about 0.8 to about 2.5 percent by weight of polymer and (d) a 100 percent modulus of from about 0.6 to about 4.8 megapascals are prepared in an anhydrous process wherein an amorphous chlorinated polyethylene starting material is first fluidized and then exposed to a gaseous mixture of sulfur dioxide and chlorine having a ratio of sulfur dioxide to chlorine of from about 1:1 to about 16:1 in the presence of a chlorine free radical generator such as ultraviolet light, at a temperature of from about 25.degree. to about 100.degree. Centigrade, for a period of two hours or less.

Abstract: A blend of chlorinated polyethylene with two or more different ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers is provided. The blend produces a membrane which is suitable for use in single-ply roofing applications. One ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer has a polymerized vinyl acetate content of from about 38 to about 60 percent by weight of copolymer. A second ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer has a polymerized vinyl acetate content of from about 13 to about 27 percent of weight of copolymer.

Abstract: 1,3-pentadiene is polymerized from a mixture of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, the compounds having primarily 5 carbon atoms per molecule, with an anionic polymerization initiator. The mixture of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds is contacted, in an inert atmosphere, with an anionic polymerization initiator to form a reaction mixture. The anionic polymerization initiator is present in an amount sufficient to inactivate polymerization-terminating compounds present in the mixture and to initiate polymerization of 1,3-pentadiene from the mixture. The reaction mixture is heated with stirring to a temperature sufficient to inactivate the polymerization terminating compounds. After inactivation of the polymerization terminating compounds, the reaction mixture is then heated with stirring to a temperature sufficient to initiate polymerization of 1,3-pentadiene from the reaction mixture. Polymer recovery and subsequent functionalization, if any, follow thereafter.