Abstract: A halogen-containing alumina catalyst for the polymerization of olefins to liquid polymers containing a major proportion of polymers having a molecular weight higher than the trimers, said catalyst selectively polymerizing isobutene from a mixture of butenes to produce liquid polyisobutene having a molecular weight higher than about 280; said catalyst containing from about 2 to about 20 wt. % chlorine, bromine or a mixture thereof, and being prepared from an alumina having a purity of at least 99% and a surface area greater than about 150 m.sup.2 /g with at least 10% of the pores having a diameter higher than about 200 .ANG.; said preparation being effected by contacting the alumina with a dry gaseous stream comprising a halogenation agent consisting essentially of volatile chlorinated and/or brominated saturated oliphatic organic compound having a vapor pressure of at least 100 mm of Hg at a temperature of 200.degree.-230.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for converting a gaseous feed material including an olefinic mixture comprising primarily ethylene and propylene to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons such as gasoline range products including aromatics. The process comprises passing the feed material under conversion conditions through a reaction zone containing an unmodified crystalline silica polymorph silicalite catalyst. The feed material also contains catalytic poisons such as water, oxides of carbon or sulfur-containing compounds which are commonly encountered in refinery off-gas streams such as those coming from a fluidized catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for modifying accumulated cross-linked polymer in an apparatus used for the production of a vinylaromatic compound, comprising optionally softening the polymer with an organic solvent; precipitating the polymer with a light, polar non-solvent for the polymer and expanding the softened polymer by bringing the softened polymer in contact with steam whereby the polymer is converted into a state which enables it to be more easily removed from the apparatus.

Abstract: A process for producing isobutene, comprising contacting, at elevated temperatures, a feed containing propylene with a catalyst comprising a crystalline silica polymorph of the silicalite type in the presence of steam to recover a stream containing isobutene. The reaction can be carried out in either liquid or vapor phase.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers. The process comprises the steps of continuously introducing a feed comprising a predetermined ratio of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers into a reaction vessel to produce a reaction mixture; subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions of temperature and pressure under which said monomers copolymerize to produce a styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer; subjecting the reaction mixture to agitation; continuously withdrawing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer from the reaction vessel; and by withdrawing vapor phase from the reaction vessel in a controlled amount by varying the amount of cooled surface available for condensing the vapors, condensing the vapors by contact with the cooled surface and returning the condensate to the reaction vessel. The process and apparatus also include a novel means for devolatilizing the product copolymer.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers. The process comprises the steps of continuously introducing a feed comprising a predetermined ratio of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers into a reaction vessel to produce a reaction mixture; subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions of temperature and pressure under which said monomers copolymerize to produce a styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer; subjecting the reaction mixture to sufficient agitation; continuously withdrawing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer from the reaction vessel; and devolatilizing the styrenic/alkenylnitrile withdrawn from the reaction vessel by a two-stage procedure including first adjusting the ratio of styrenic to alkenylnitrile monomer therein followed by heating to volatilize the volatile components and then separation of volatile components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers. The process comprises the steps of continuously introducing a feed comprising a predetermined ratio of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers into a reaction vessel to produce a reaction mixture; subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions of temperature and pressure under which said monomers copolymerize to produce a styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer; subjecting the reaction mixture to sufficient agitation; continuously withdrawing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer from the reaction vessel; and devolatilizing the styrenic/alkenylnitrile withdrawn from the reaction vessel by a two-stage procedure including first adjusting the ratio of styrenic to alkenylnitrile monomer therein followed by heating to volatilize the volatile components and then separation of volatile components.

Abstract: An expandable polymeric styrene particle is provided from which molded foamed articles can be produced exhibiting reduced flammability characteristics. The expandable polymeric styrene particle contains a blowing agent, a minor amount of pentaerythritol tetrastearate and a minor amount of hexabromocyclododecane. The additives can be incorporated during impregnation with the blowing agent or by blending with the expandable particles after impregnation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers. The process comprises the steps of continuously introducing a feed comprising a predetermined ratio of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers into a reaction vessel to produce a reaction mixture; subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions of temperature and pressure under which said monomers copolymerize to produce a styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer; subjecting the reaction mixture to agitation; continuously withdrawing styrenic/alkenylnitrile copolymer from the reaction vessel; and by withdrawing vapor phase from the reaction vessel in a controlled amount by varying the amount of cooled surface available for condensing the vapors, condensing the vapors by contact with the cooled surface and returning the condensate to the reaction vessel. The process and apparatus also include a novel means for devolatilizing the product copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for the continuous mass polymerization of styrenic and alkenylnitrile monomers.

Abstract: A process for producing aromatic compounds from a paraffin containing feedstock in which the feedstock is passed to a reaction zone into contact with a multi-component catalyst system. The catalyst system comprises a discreet physical mixture of a silicalite homologation catalyst and a metal or metal oxide dehydrogenation catalyst. The process is carried out to cause the dehydrogenation of paraffins to olefins, the oligomerization of olefins to cyclic napthenes and the aromatization of the napthenes. Reaction conditions and relative catalyst concentrations to provide a relationship between the thermodynamic constraint for the dehydrogenation of the paraffins and the balancing of the kinetics of the dehydrogenation and oligomerization reactions to limit the olefin concentration to a value which does not result in substantial coking of the catalyst system.

Abstract: A polymer composition is disclosed which comprises polystyrene, polypropylene and a sequenced copolymer of conjugated diene and vinylaromatic compound such as styrene which has a radial structure. The polymer composition has improved migration properties.

Abstract: A process for alkylating aromatic substrates is disclosed which includes contacting the aromatic substrate with an alkylating agent in a reaction zone at temperatures of from about 350.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C. in the presence of a crystalline silica polymorph silicalite catalyst material.

Abstract: An expandable polymeric styrene particle is provided from which molded foamed articles can be produced exhibiting reduced flammability characteristics. The expandable polymeric styrene particle contains a blowing agent, a minor amount of pentaerythritol tetrastearate and a minor amount of hexabromocyclododecane. The additives can be incorporated during impregnation with the blowing agent or by blending with the expandable particles after impregnation.

Abstract: Compositions for treating oil slicks on seawater said dispersing compositions containing at least one surface-active agent, at least one solvent, and a nitrogen-containing compound which is a nutrient for the micro-organisms which are active in oil metabolism. The nitrogen-containing compound is a monoalkylguanidinium salt ##STR1## wherein R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, saturated or unsaturated, containing from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen or an acid anion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for increasing the density of thermoplastic resin foam waste material having apparent density as low as 5 kg/m.sup.3. The waste material in particle form is uniformly dispersed onto at least one vibrating plate of a furnace, and then heated to a temperature ranging between about 120.degree. C. and about 210.degree. C. The waste material is then compacted at the outlet end of the furnace and ground into particles of uniform size to be reused as thermoplastic resin material.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing vinyltoluene comprising passing ethyltoluene through a dehydrogenation zone to form vaporous crude vinyltoluene, adding from about 50 to about 100 parts per million by weight of a polymerization inhibitor such as a nitrated phenol to the vaporous crude vinyltoluene at a temperature between about 200.degree. and about 300.degree. C., condensing the vaporous crude vinyltoluene, maintaining the pH of the aqueous phase of the condensed crude vinyltoluene at a value between about 5.5 and about 6.

Abstract: A process for the selective alkylation of a monoalkyl benzene in which the alkyl substituent is either methyl or ethyl, to yield a dialkylbenzene product in which the para isomer of the disubstituted product is present in a concentration greater than in a thermodynamic equilibrium is provided. The method essentially comprises passing the monoalkyl benzene and an alkylating agent capable of methylation or ethylation through a reaction zone containing a crystalline silica polymorph silicalite catalyst. Water, in the form of steam, can be co-fed as an option.

Abstract: A process for suppressing production of ortho isomers during catalytic alkylation of monoalkylbenzenes which comprises contacting the aromatic substrate with an alkylating agent in the presence of a crystalline silica polymorph silicalite catalyst material.