Abstract: In-mold labels comprise a printed sheet and a “cover stock” layer that covers the printed sheet and also provides adhesion of the label to the mold prior to the molding procedure. The cover stock is prepared from a blend of a major portion of polymer composition having a high melting point and a lesser amount of a polyolefin having a low melting point. The high melting point polymer composition must contain an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer having a melting point of greater than 85° C. The cover stock is characterized by having a non-homogeneous morphology in which discrete “islands” of the high melting point polymer are present in a continuous “sea” of the polyolefin. The labels of this invention are especially suitable for applying labels to a rotomolded part. The cover stock melts during the rotomolding process to provide a protective cover for the label graphics.

Abstract: Fouling in a dispersed phase reactor in the presence of a phosphinimine catalyst and MAO may be reduced by reducing the loading of the phosphinimine catalyst to provide from 0.02 to 0.031 mmol of transition M per g of catalyst while still maintaining a productivity of not less than 2500 g of polymer/gram of catalyst. The catalyst may optionally be used in the presence of an antistatic agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to the polymerization of ethylene polymers using a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) that is connected in series to a tubular reactor. The tubular reactor receives a polymer solution from the CSTR. Further polymerization in the tubular reactor improves production efficiencies, particularly with respect to lowering the amount of energy required to recover the polymer and residual comonomer from the solution. The use of tempered i.e. (heated) ethylene in the tubular reactor has been discovered to mitigate gel problems and lower/reduce levels of hexane extractables.

Abstract: The PENT value for a resin may be estimated within ±10% by determining the % of heat flow to melt a fraction of a polymer above or below a set point and comparing it to a graph or algorithm of PENT values related to the % of heat flow to melt entire sample for a number of resins made using the same catalyst system. In a similar manner one may estimate the process conditions to prepare a polymer having a target PENT value based on the conditions used to prepare the samples for the graph or algorithms. The invention provides a simple procedure that may be used at a manufacturing site to estimate PENT values.

Abstract: A process for transitioning between Ziegler Natta (Z/N) polymerization catalysts and Second Polymerization catalysts in a polymerization system which includes at least two polymerization reactors. During the transition, the Z/N catalyst is used in the “downstream” reactor, thereby providing a flow of polymer to finishing operations. This eliminates the need for lengthy shutdowns of finishing equipment and thereby improves the efficiency of the plant operations.

Abstract: A blend of ethylene homopolymers contains at least one blend component having a very low molecular weight and a narrow molecular weight distribution. The blend has surprisingly high density and low hexane extractables. The blend is suitable for the manufacture of a wide variety of plastic goods including extruded goods and molded goods. Plastic film prepared from the blends of this invention have a low Water Vapor Transmission Rate (“WVTR”).

Abstract: Alkadienes may be telomerized in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising an alumina or titania support which is modified with one or more ionic complexes of Pd or Pt and activated at a temperature from 450° C. to 850° C. for a time not less than two hours. The resulting telomere may be useful in a number of applications.

Abstract: A blend of polymers comprising from 5 to 95 weight % of a polymer having a high molecular weight made using a single site type catalyst and from 95 to 5 weight % of a polymer having a lower molecular weight made using a catalyst containing a phenoxide, preferably a salicylaldimine ligand, has an excellent toughness and would be suitable for use in applications such as polyolefin pipes.

Abstract: Less conventional sources of hydrocarbon feedstocks such as oil sands, tar sands and shale oils are being exploited. These feedstocks generate a larger amount of heavy oil, gas oil, asphaltene products and the like containing multiple fused aromatic ring compounds. These multiple fused aromatic ring compounds can be converted into feed for a hydrocarbon cracker by first hydrogenating at least one ring in the compounds and subjecting the resulting compound to a ring opening and cleavage reaction. The resulting product comprises lower paraffins suitable for feed to a cracker, higher paraffins suitable for example as a gasoline fraction and mono aromatic ring compounds (e.g. BTX) that may be further treated.

Abstract: A stainless steel comprising at least 20 weight % of chromium and at least 1.0 weight % of manganese is adapted to support an overcoating having a thickness from 1 to 10 microns of a spinel of the formula MnxCr3?xO4 wherein x is from 0.5 to 2. Preferably the overcoating is on chromia and has stability against chemical reaction at temperatures at least 25° C. higher than the uncoated chromia.

Abstract: The use of high activity “Single Site” polymerization catalysts often causes the fouling of polymerization reactors. The problem is particularly acute with gas phase polymerizations. While not wishing to be bound by theory it is believed that the fouling is initiated by the buildup of static charges in the reactor. The use of anti-static agents mitigates this problem, but typical antistatic agents contain polar species, which can deactivate the polymerization catalyst. We have now discovered that the use of a porous metal oxide support allows large levels of a selected antistatic agent to be used in a manner that reduces static/fouling problems in highly active polymerization catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst and a process for its preparation and its use in cracking heavy feedstocks. The catalyst comprises one or more zeolites having a controlled silica to alumina ratio and preferably treated with alkali in the presence of a matrix component selected from the group consisting of clays, synthetic matrix other than pillared clay, and mixtures thereof. The catalyst are particularly useful in treating heavy feedstock such as residues from oil sands processing.

Abstract: Ethers are cracked to olefins using a gamma-alumina catalyst in the presence of ammonia. The use of ammonia improves the selectivity to linear alpha olefins in comparison to cracking reactions in the absence of ammonia. The use of ammonia is convenient in comparison to known processes which employ alumina which as been treated with an amine. A preferred process produces octene-1 from 1-methoxyoctane.

Abstract: A combination pressure relief and vacuum relief valve for mounting on a storage tank is disclosed as having two vertical mounting connections of different elevations; a pressure relief valve mounted on one connection; and a vacuum relief valve mounted on the other connection such that said vacuum relief valve is higher in elevation than said pressure relief valve. The valve is sanitary for use in food and pharmaceutical production and storage and has highly polished surfaces to prevent processed material from sticking. The valve also includes special sloping surfaces in the body and connections to prevent processed material from standing in the valves. The pressure valve and vacuum valve may be removed separately or rotated separately for mounting. The combination valve may be attached on storage tanks or other vessels or conduits.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the stabilization of thermoplastic polyolefins during melt processing operations. The stabilizer package of this invention is “phenol free” and must contain at least one aryl monophosphite and at least one diphosphite. The process of this invention is especially suitable for the manufacture of polyethylene film.

Abstract: Properties of a polymer produced in gas phase or slurry phase using a dual catalyst such as polydispersity and comonomer incorporation, may be controlled by controlling reaction parameters such as temperature, (co)monomer pressure, hydrogen partial pressure and the presence of non-polymerizable hydrocarbon. This provides an easy method to control the bimodality of a polymer as well as comonomer incorporation.

Abstract: Properties of a polymer produced using a dual catalyst on the same support, such as polydispersity and comonomer incorporation, may be controlled by controlling reaction parameters such as temperature, monomer pressure, hydrogen partial pressure and the presence of non-polymerizable hydrocarbon. This provides an easy method to control the bimodality of a polymer as well as comonomer incorporation.

Abstract: A new tray configuration for a distillation column that utilizes the entire column cross section area as active tray area for vapor/liquid contact. The new tray configuration has no downcomers and utilizes a liquid/vapor seal pan(s) located in the vapor space of the adjoining tray to collect liquid from the tray, provide entrained vapor disengaging, distribute liquid from one active tray to another and provide a liquid and vapor seal between contact trays.

Abstract: A process for the production of propylene from the metathesis of ethylene and 2-butene is disclosed wherein a mixed C4 stream is first treated to enrich and separate the 2-butene from 1-butene and isobutene by isomerization of 1-butene and concurrent fractional distillation of the 2-butene and isobutene to provide the 2-butene feed the metathesis with ethylene. In addition the mixed C4 stream may be treated to remove mercaptans and dienes prior to 2-butene enrichment.

Abstract: A catalyst system comprising (i) a bulky ligand catalyst compound; and (ii) a novel borate activator is active for olefin polymerization. The novel borate contains at least one chelating (divalent) ligand and contains at least one fluorine atom. Preferred borate activators are provided as anilinium or carbonium salts. Highly preferred borate salts contain two perfluorinated alkoxy chelating ligands. The catalyst system may be used to produce polyethylene for “end use” applications such as polyethylene film and molded polyethylene goods.