Abstract: Separation of oxygen from air is performed in a continuous, cyclic manner using vanadium bronze liquid slurries as reversible chemical absorbents, absorbing at elevated temperature and desorbing at lowered temperature.

Abstract: Poly(alkylene carbonates) of controlled molecular weight are made by copolymerizing carbon dioxide and one or more oxirane compounds using zinc polycarboxylate catalyst in the presence of a sterically hindered organic proton donor. The acidity of the donor is in the range of 3 to 20 pK.sub.a and the steric quality of the donor is such that it has a steric parameter (E.sub.s) of -0.38 or less. The molecular weight of the polymer can be regulated by altering the level of proton donor over a range which does not adversely affect catalyst productivity. Benzoic acid and phenol are examples of suitable proton donors. The preferred catalyst is one made from zinc oxide and a dicarboxylic acid, such as glutaric acid or adipic acid.

Abstract: A process for absorbing olefinically-unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds from feedstreams containing such compounds by contacting said feed streams with metal-diketone absorbents of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is trichloroemthyl or R.sub.F ; R.sub.F is C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 and n is 1-8; R.sub.2 is H or hydrocarbyl of 2-20 carbon atoms having at least one olefinic unsaturated bond; M.sup.I is Cu.sup.I or Ag.sup.I and R.sub.3 is hydrocarbyl of 2-20 carbon atoms having at least one olefinic unsaturated bond.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of cyanoalkyl lactams by the reaction of an unsaturated nitrile with a lactam, said cyanoalkyl lactam of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is H, or methyl, R.sub.1 is H, methyl or ethyl and n is a number ranging from 2-11 and wherein each of the methylene groups may carry a lower alkyl substituent as shown. The improvement comprises: reacting said lactam with an alpha-beta unsaturated nitrile having from 3-6 carbon atoms in the presence of a catalytic amount of a diazabicycloalkene of the formula ##STR2## wherein R, R.sub.1 and n have the above meaning. Typically, acrylonitrile is reacted with .epsilon.-caprolactam in the presence of diazabicycloundecene.

Abstract: Poly(N-vinylformamide) is thermolytically reacted to yield poly(N-vinylamine).

Abstract: A process is provided for the selective adsorption of one or more minor constituents from a bulk gas stream using a chabazite in which the bulk gas is size excluded from the pore structure of the chabazite or the minor constituent to be separated has a heat of adsorption greater than that of the bulk gas and the process is carried out under conditions such that the partial pressure of the minor constituent is in the linear low pressure region of the isotherm for the minor constituent and the adsorbent is a dehydrated divalent cation-containing chabazite having a Si/Al ratio of 1.8 to 2.7, a cation sitting, f.sub.s, of 0.7 to 1, and a cation distribution, f.sub.d, of 0.62 to 1.

Abstract: N-vinyl amides having the general structural formula:CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--NHCOR.sup.1wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl group or C.sub.6 -C.sub.9 aryl or substituted aryl group, are formed by cracking carboxylic acid amides having the general structure formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is as described above, and R.sup.2 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.9 alkoxy, carboxy or carboxamide group. Said carboxylic acid amides are cracked by heating, to a temperature of about 150.degree.-350.degree. C., in the presence of a porous, hydrogen-abstracting catalyst.

Abstract: Pattern material, such as wax, is removed from an investment casting mold by vapor phase-condensation heating with a fluorochemical boiling at a temperature above the melting point of the pattern material.

Abstract: A process for producing cellular foamed articles from high temperature engineering polymers wherein polymeric blowing agents are utilized to expand the polymers. The process comprises mixing a first polymer capable of being foamed with a second polymer comprising at least one poly(alkylene carbonate) to provide a polymer blend; heating the polymer blend to a temperature sufficient to melt the polymer to be foamed and to decompose the second polymer to form gas inclusions within the first polymer; expanding the melted first polymer containing the gas inclusions to form a foamed article; and cooling the foamed article to a temperature below the melting or softening point of the foamed article. Polymers which may be foamed according to the process include those polymers which can tolerate processing temperatures in excess of 260.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a composite component. For making a non-cylindrical composite component such as a nozzle, a longitudinal winding of at least one fiber strand impregnated with resin is applied onto a generally cylindrical mandrel at a predetermined angle relative to a line parallel to the mandrel rotational axis. A transverse tape is then spirally cut from the layer and wound onto a component mandrel. The wound transverse tape is then compacted and cured and the mandrel removed. A nozzle exit cone is also disclosed made from such transverse tape so that the fiber strand portions are short enough that they do not follow the curvature of the nozzle and thereby peel. The windings are shingled onto the nozzle exit cone so that only one end of each of the fiber strand portions is exposed to the nozzle surface. The fiber strand portions are oriented at a predetermined angle which may be optimized for erosion resistance and stress requirements.

Abstract: The incorporation of a poly(siloxane-glycol) surfactant having a cloud point ranging from 25.degree.-50.degree. C. into a water-based mold release composition comprising an aqueous emulsion or dispersion of at least one release effective substance and desirably at least one emulsifying agent provides for improved surface quality of the foam product.Also disclosed is a method for preparing a polyurethane foam article in a mold by applying to a mold surface a water-based mold release composition which comprises a release effective system which is in a solid (hardened) state at the mold pour temperature and a liquid state at the demold temperature, pouring a polyurethane foam composition into the mold, curing the foam composition and demolding the foam article. The use of such release effective system in the aqueous mold release composition provides for a reduction in surface defects of the polyurethane foam article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polyurethanes wherein a tertiary amine functionality is incorporated into the side chain of an aromatic diamine, preferably a diaminobenzamide, to form a catalytic polyurethane chain extender. These chain extenders are polyurethane catalysts that provide adequate cure without residual odor and safety hazards associated with the more traditional tertiary amine catalysts. When reacted with the isocyanate reactive group the non-tertiary amine portion of the chain extender is bound to the polymeric network. Diffusion of the catalyst species from the polyurethane has been prevented, thus negating odor and toxicity as problems. The aromatic diamine provides enhanced polyurethane physical properties.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement to a two distillation column, cryogenic air separation process which produces nitrogen-rich and oxygen-rich products. The improvement to the process is condensing at least a portion of the nitrogen overhead from the high pressure column in a reboiler/condenser against a crude liquid oxygen stream and in an intermediate reboiler/condenser located in the low pressure column against internal low pressure column streams. The condensed nitrogen overhead is fed either to the low pressure or high pressure columns as reflux. The vaporized portion of the crude liquid oxygen stream is work expanded to provide some or all of the refrigeration required for the process.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are described for the cooling and condensing of sulfur and water vapors from a Claus gas below the sulfur freezing point (248.degree. F.) at low pressure (<30 psia), so that solid sulfur and condensed water are simultaneously removed from the Claus gas without solid sulfur plugging of the separation equipment and with efficient separation of the sulfur from water.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of a mixture of nitroaromatic compositions, particularly a mixture of mononitrobenzene and dinitrotoluene. The conitration of a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons is accomplished by contacting the mixture of hydrocarbons with nitric acid, in the absence of sulfuric acid, at temperatures of from about 40.degree. to 70.degree. C. By the use of nitric acid alone, one avoids the heterogeneous nitration associated with the use of sulfuric acid and thereby one can effectively produce a reaction mixture containing mononitrobenzene and dinitrotoluene.

Abstract: Alkylated aromatic primary amines undergo disproportionation and transalkylation in the presence of a catalyst comprising activated carbon or unmodified graphite and a Group VIIIA metal at a temperature between 200.degree. C. and 500.degree. C. Suitable Group VIIIA metals are selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, nickel, cobalt or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Compounds having utility as herbicides for the premergement treatment and control of grasses and weeds in crops such as rice and having the general structural formula: ##STR1## wherein each R.sup.1 is independently H or a straight chain or branched C.sub.1-10 alkyl or alkoxy group; R.sup.2 is a straight chain or branched C.sub.1-10 alkylene group; R.sup.3 is --CH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.m O(CH.sub.2).sub.n CH.sub.3 or ##STR2## where both m and n are integers from 1 to 4; and X is a halogen.

Abstract: A non-aqueous despersion polymer having high solids content and substantial adhesives properties is prepared by copolymerizing a selected monomer with a polymeric monomer and a polar monomer in an organic diluent to produce an insoluble polymer dispersed in the organic phase.

Abstract: The present invention is a class of polyimide membranes containing copolymerizable, surface modifiable units containing both aromatic diamines and alkenylated diamines having a vinyl or vinylaryl group preferably positioned ortho to an amine functionality. The polyimide membranes can be crosslinked by treatment with an activating force such as high energy electromagnetic irradiation or with a free radical source to impart high selectivity to the membrane without causing a large decrease in composite permeance.

Abstract: The recovery of oil or gas from underground porous formations bearing such hydrocarbons is enhanced by using an injection fluid containing a viscosifying amount of a poly(vinylamine) formed in-situ by hydrolysis of a high molecular weight poly(N-vinylamide). The hydrolysis conditions are strongly acidic or highly alkaline and include the elevated temperature of the formation.The poly(N-vinylamide), such as poly(N-vinylformamide), can be made by inverse emulsion polymerization and the high solids emulsion mixed directly with the acidic or basic solutions to form the injection fluid.The process is applicable to enhanced oil recovery using fluids for water-flooding, well completion or workover, and acidifying or fracturing.