Abstract: This invention relates to methods for spraying liquid compositions containing volatile solvent by using compressed fluids, such as carbon dioxide or ethane, to form solid particulates, coating powders, and catalyst materials, which can be produced with narrow particle size distributions and can be sprayed at higher solids levels, in ambient air or with heated air applied to just the spray instead of a spray chamber. Novel catalyst supports can be produced having a beneficial morphology such as for olefin catalysis. Drier water-borne coatings can be applied to substrates by using compressed fluids to spray water-borne coating compositions having conventional water levels, thereby reducing runs and sags and shortening dry times.

Abstract: The present invention relates to precursor coating compositions which are particularly suitable for being admixed with at least one supercritical fluid used as a viscosity reduction diluent and then spraying this resultant liquid mixture of supercritical fluid and precursor coating composition onto a substrate to be coated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for effectively proportioning a mixture of compressible and non-compressible fluids, wherein the resulting mixture has an almost constant density. The present invention is particularly useful for admixing supercritical fluids with polymeric coating compositions for various spray applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to precursor coating compositions containing water and at least one organic solvent which are particularly suitable for being admixed with at least one supercritical fluid used as a viscosity reduction diluent and then spraying this resultant liquid mixture of supercritical fluid and precursor coating composition onto a substrate to be coated. Processes for spraying this precursor mixture are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for spraying polymeric compositions with supercritical or subcritical compressed fluids such as carbon dioxide or ethane over a wider range of spray conditions to provide improved spray application quality with reduced emission of solvent. The methods are accomplished by using an elongated spray orifice to transform narrow, fishtail, liquid-film sprays to wider, feathered, decompressive sprays.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for effectively proportioning a mixture of compressible and non-compressible fluids, wherein the resulting mixture has an almost constant density. The present invention is particularly useful for admixing supercritical fluids with polymeric coating compositions for various spray applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for spraying water-borne coating compositions having at least about thirty five percent by weight of the solvent fraction by using compressed fluids such as carbon dioxide and ethane, so as to decrease runs, sags and drying time in the application of coatings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for effectively proportionating a mixture of compressible and non-compressible fluids and in particular, the present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for forming a coating composition mixture containing a substantially accurate proportionated amount of at least one supercritical fluid used as a viscosity reduction diluent.

Abstract: Gas phase polymerization processes are disclosed which utilize unsupported soluble transition metal coordination catalysts. The catalysts are introduced into the reactor as a solution.

Abstract: An electrostatic liquid coatings application process and apparatus is provided in which supercritical fluids, such as supercritical carbon dioxide fluid, are used to reduce to application consistency viscous coatings compositions to allow for their application as liquid sprays. The coatings compositions are sprayed by passing the composition under pressure through an orifice into the environment of the substrate. The liquid spray is electrically charged by applying a high electrical voltage relative to the substrate and electric current.

Abstract: A coating composition low in volatile organic solvents comprising a monodispersed acrylic polymer solutions containing supercritical, near supercritical or subcritical fluids as a diluent therein. Desirably, the monodispersed acrylic polymer has a molecular weight such that it is, as such, a polymeric coating vehicle.

Abstract: A liquid coatings application process and apparatus is provided in which supercritical fluids, such as supercritical carbon dioxide fluid, are used to reduce to application consistency viscous coatings compositions to allow for their application as liquid sprays. The coatings compositions are sprayed by passing the composition under pressure through an orifice into the environment of the substrate.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved spray apparatus and corresponding methods for coating substrates with a coating material and a supercritical fluid or a subcritical compressed fluid, which apparatus is provided with an airless spray nozzle that produces a spray with reduced average velocity thereby minimizing the undesirable excessive momentum of the spray as well as the sideways deflection of the spray that occurs as it impacts of substrate. The spray nozzle is comprised of an elongated orifice passageway having a length sufficiently long in relation to the equivalent diameter so as to reduce the average spray velocity of the coating material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for effectively supplying, feeding, measuring, proportioning, mixing, pressurizing, and heating on a semi-continuous basis, a plurality of fluids. Preferably, the fluids comprise at least one substantially non-compressible fluid, such as coating formulation, and at least one substantially compressible fluid, such as carbon dioxide, to form a substantially accurately proportionated coating admixture in the supercritical state of the compressible fluid for spraying the combined mixture through a spraying means onto a substrate to produce a coating. The process employs vessels having a known displacement volume to feed and proportion the fluids. The pressurization, mixing and heating is accomplished in an oscillation loop wherein the mixture is pressurized and heated while in such oscillation loop. A spray gun connected to the oscillation loop is used to spray the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes and apparatus in which supercritical fluids are used as viscosity reduction diluents for liquid fuels or waste materials which are then spray atomized into a combustion chamber. The addition of supercritical fluid to the liquid fuel and/or waste material allows viscous petroleum fractions and other liquids such as viscous waste materials that are too viscous to be atomized (or to be atomized well) to now be atomized by this invention by achieving viscosity reduction and allowing the fuel to produce a combustible spray and improved combustion efficiency. Moreover, the present invention also allows liquid fuels that have suitable viscosities to be better utilized as a fuel by achieving further viscosity reduction that improves atomization still further by reducing droplet size which enhances evaporation of the fuel from the droplets.

Abstract: A bubble cap tray enabling efficient mass transfer over a wide range of vapor-liquid flowrates comprising bubble caps having triangular-shaped openings of substantially equal total area disposed in rows distant from the inlet and proximate the inlet wherein the bubble caps in rows distant from the inlet experience a substantially equal liquid head across the tray and the bubble caps in rows proximate the inlet experience a lesser liquid head than the bubble caps in the rows distant from the inlet.

Abstract: Controlled growth atmosphere process for titanium doped tunable laser material to enhance lasing efficiency using carbon monoxide during melt formation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved process for the removal of acid gases from gas mixtures which significantly decreases the consumption of heat needed for regenerating the rich alkaline scrubbing solution which is used to remove the acid gases from the gas mixtures. The process comprises passing one portion of the scrubbing solution through a steam stripping section and another portion of the scrubbing solution through a flashing section for regeneration wherein the overhead vapors from the steam stripping section are used to heat and strip the scrubbing solution in the flashing section and heat contained within the regenerated scrubbing solution coming from the steam stripping section is utilized to aid in the regeneration of the scrubbing solution in the flashing section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically controlling product purity in a pressure swing adsorption process without risking unacceptable impurity breakthrough as the feedstock changes, yet providing rapid response and high stability. The process comprises sensing a characteristic of the effluent from cocurrent depressurization, and taking corrective action responsive thereto. Any action can be taken which is effective to vary the impurity concentration in the product gas in the direction necessary to obtain desired product purity. Among the suitable corrective actions are the following: (1) adjusting the adsorption step time to control the impurity loading of each adsorbent bed; (2) adjusting the cocurrent depressurization termination pressure to control the impurity breakthrough at the product end of each adsorbent bed; and/or (3) adjusting the amount of purging gas received by each adsorbent bed to control the extent of regeneration.

Abstract: In a solvent extraction/steam distillation process for the recovery of aromatic hydrocarbons wherein stripping water is obtained from the distillation column, the improvement comprising(a) dividing the stripping water into two streams;(b) passing one stream to a motive steam generator wherein the stripping water is vaporized and passed to a steam ejector;(c) passing the other stream to a heat exchanger wherein the stripping water is vaporized by lean solvent from the distillation column, the lean solvent is cooled, and the stripping water vapor passes to the steam ejector;(d) passing the stripping water vapor from steps (b) and (c) to the distillation column; and(e) passing the lean solvent from step (c) to the extractor.