Abstract: This invention is a continuous process for spinning and drawing polycarbonamide filaments as a continuous running length comprising spinning the filaments Y from the molten polymer through a spinnerette 3 into a quench stack 4 and immediately quenching the freshly spun filaments in a quench stack with a flowing quench medium and immediately applying a yarn finish so that after quenching and applying finish, the surface temperature of the filaments is below the second order transition temperature for the filaments at the ambient conditions, and immediately applying steam in a chamber 15 around the continuous running length of filaments at a temperature at from about 60.degree. C. to 95.degree. C. for periods from about 0.03 to 3 seconds and immediately drawing the filaments; and the apparatus to accomplish that process.

Abstract: A multiple package thread transfer alignment guide system for continuously feeding thread from multiple supply sources to a processing location under controlled tension conditions is disclosed. A thread transfer alignment guide device, including first and second eyelet openings interconnected by a tortuous path, is positioned in close proximity to the generally horizontally mounted supply packages and aligns the thread to enter a trumpet guide. Each eyelet opening is substantially aligned with the longitudinal feed axis of a corresponding supply package. The tortuous path means includes first and second rod portions spaced apart from each other and in overlapping relation to define a path inlet opening communicating with each of the eyelets. When the thread transfer is to occur from the first eyelet opening to the second eyelet opening, a momentary loss of balloon thread tension is experienced, together with a growing effect of tension along the new thread path vector angle.

Abstract: A process for preparing an improved cobalt oxide catalyst for ammonia oxidation comprising decomposing a cobalt compound such as basic cobalt carbonate by heating to form cobalt oxide, then saturating the cobalt oxide with cobalt nitrate solution and reheating to give an active, durable cobalt oxide catalyst. In ammonia oxidation processes, the durable catalyst of this invention has a long catalyst life and gives improved conversion of ammonia to nitric oxide. Additionally, the catalyst of this invention is capable of performing at higher operating rates than known catalysts. Optimum yields are obtained when the catalyst is prepared from compounds derived from electrolytic grade cobalt.

Abstract: There is provided by this invention a process for the production of high molecular weight linear polyethylene terephthalate condensation polyesters which are useful especially for preparing specialty fibers which have excellent resistance to degradation so that they can be used in such commercial articles as paper making machine fabric, industrial belting, etc. The improved high molecular weight linear polyethylene terephthalate condensation polyester specialty fibers are characterized by improved hydrolytic stability and by reduction in the free carboxyl content so as to have a carboxyl concentration of less than about 6 gram equivalents per 10.sup.6 grams of the polyester.

Abstract: This invention is a method of manufacturing heat-stable polyesters, characterized in that phosphonic acid compounds are added, when heat-stable polyesters with decreased terminal carboxyl groups are manufactured by reacting polyesters and cyclic carbonate compounds in the presence of an alkali halide compound catalyst.

Abstract: This invention is a method for manufacturing polyester fibers with good adhesion to rubber, characterized in that in the process of making the filaments, a filament-making oil (spin finish) containing epoxy, blocked isocyanate, and polyoxyalkylene amine compounds is added to the polyester fibers, and they are then heat-treated.

Abstract: This invention is an improved process to remove volatiles from molten synthetic, preferably fiber forming relatively high viscosity polymers which comprises passing molten polymer through a rotary disk polymer processor at a temperature of between 260.degree. C. and 300.degree. C. at a rate of between about 10 and 75 pounds (4.5 and 34 kg) per hour per square foot (0.093 m.sup.2) of processor filming area, at a rotational rate of between about 5 and 75 rpm for the disks, and a processor having between 1 and 20 stages.

Abstract: High molecular weight linear condensation polyesters are stabilized against deterioration by heat by reacting the polyester in molten form with alkylene carbonates in the presence of a catalytic amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of sodium thiocyanate and potassium thiocyanate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to purify crude phenol containing acetol and alpha-methyl styrene prior to hydrogenation to cyclohexanone comprisingcontacting the crude phenol with a catalyst whileheating the crude phenol and catalyst to a temperature between about 140.degree. C. and 190.degree. C.at a pressure between about atmospheric and about 70 psigin an inert atmosphereso that the catalyst causes a reaction between the impurities acetol and alpha-methyl styrene to form cumene and pyruvic aldehyde, thenheating the resultant compounds for a period of 0.1 to about 6 hours under an inert gas sweep at a temperature of from about 150.degree. C. to about 190.degree. C. until the pyruvic aldehyde has decomposed and its decomposition products are swept away in the gas sweep.

Abstract: Preparation of a fluorocarbon compound used to make a soil-resistant yarn is improved by removing most of the impurities from the fluoro-carbon compound mass with heat and vacuum after the final washing step and then adding an emulsifier to the fluorocarbon compound mass so that the mass can be handled as a liquid concentrate rather than a tacky solid.

Abstract: This invention is a method to reduce pressure drop in polyamide process piping comprising injecting linear polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight above 10,000 around the periphery of the piping and forming a coating of the polyethylene glycol on the internal surface of the piping where it lubricates the flowing polyamide.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus to intermittently apply a treating fluid to a wad of yarn in a texturing device comprising intermittently injecting the fluid under pressure into at least one port at the texturing device and impregnating the yarn with the fluid for a period long enough for the fluid to coat, react, or bond with the yarn. Continuous injection can be used for chemically reactive agents, which do not affect yarn coloration.

Abstract: This invention is the method to recover caprolactam from a concentrated nylon 6 chip wash water containing water, cyclic oligomer, and caprolactam. The method comprises feeding the concentrated wash water to a wiped-film evaporator operated at a temperature of from about 200.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. and a pressure from about 10 to about 250 Torr, thereby separating the wash water into (a) an overhead stream of water and caprolactam and (b) a bottom stream of caprolactam and cyclic oligomers, then recovering the caprolactam from the overhead stream. The caprolactam in the bottom stream can also be recovered, and the cyclic oligomers depolymerized to caprolactam for recovery.

Abstract: In this invention yarn finish is supplied to the yarn applicator supply pan with the level controlled by intermittent admission of air to the top of a distribution tank through an air tube which is intermittently submerged and sealed with yarn finish at the same level as the supply pan. The tube opening is located within another tube connected to the bottom of the distribution tank with a tee which also connects to the supply pan. As the level of yarn finish in the supply pan drops due to use by the finish applicator, the level in the bottom tube also drops, uncovering the opening at the end of the top tube, permitting flow of air into the top of the distribution tank, releasing an equal amount of yarn finish through the tee and conduit to the supply pan, raising the level in the supply pan and the bottom tube until the opening of the top tube is covered and sealed preventing further flow of air until the level drops again due to use by the finish applicator, repeating the same intermittent supply process.

Abstract: A controlled, two-position lash point is used to maintain tension during tail formation while winding yarn. During winder string-up the lash point is in the lower "reachable" position. As the yarn is caught up on the winder to form a tail, the lash point is controlled to quickly move up to the upper winding position, thereby taking up slack during tail formation and maintaining tension to prevent breaking yarn.

Abstract: A two-stage hydrolysis process for polymerizing epsilon-caprolactam is disclosed comprising a first stage from a temperature of about 180.degree. C.-260.degree. C., a pressure of 20 to 150 psig, for a period of about 0.5 to 4 hours, then before equilibrium conditions are reached a second stage at a temperature of about 200.degree. C.-260.degree. C., a pressure of about 100-900 Torr for a period of about 2 to 15 hours, while continuously removing most of the water so that water is removed both during hydrolyzation and during the subsequent polycondensation, whereby the cyclic dimer content of the shaped polymer article is below 0.2 percent by weight.

Abstract: High molecular weight linear condensation polyesters are stabilized against deterioration by heat with a stabilizer comprising 2-(phenoxy methyl)-3-phenyl oxirane.

Abstract: Phenol (10) produced by the cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide is chemically treated with a base (12) such as a polyamine, is optionally then treated with an acid or acid anhydride (15) such as phthalic anhydride, is then steamed distilled (12) to remove a lites fraction as a water azeotrope (21) and the bottoms (34) of the steam distillation are vacuum distilled (35) to recover high purity phenol (36) as an overhead. The overheads (21) of the steam distillation are condensed (22) and may be phase separated (23) into an aqueous phase (25) and organic phase (24), with the aqueous phase (25) mixed (26) with an organic solvent (27) which preferentially dissolves benzofuran impurities. This mixture is phase separated into an organic solvent phase (30, 130) and a recycle aqueous phase (31). Alternatively, the entire condensed overheads (21) may be extracted (146-151 and 153) with organic solvent.

Abstract: The improvement of passing an inert, preferably vaporizable and condensible, liquid material through or over a polyester molten mass in a polymer reactor to further increase surface area-to-volume ratio and/or lower the partial pressure of vaporous products of condensation so that viscosity of the polymer is increased at a substantially greater rate in the same residence time is taught for the prior art condensation process in a film-forming reactor at temperatures of 275.degree. C. to 300.degree. C., pressures of 0.1 to 760 Torr, and residence times of 0.1 to 6 hours. A polymer having an intrinsic viscosity above 0.65, preferably over 0.7, is produced.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed to count and control crimps in a moving tow of yarn. The apparatus comprises a target (the tow of yarn), a stroboscopic light, condenser lens, mirror, transparent support for the target, focusing lens, diode array to sense variations in light intensity from the striations in the target, electronic board circuit with terminal board, programmable calculator, and read-out means, such as a light emitting diode display. When used to control the crimping apparatus it also comprises a controller, exit control gate of the crimper and means to exert pressure on the exit control gate. The method for use of this apparatus is to cause an intense light pulse to issue from the stroboscopic light, passing the pulse of light through the condenser lens against the mirror through the transparent support to reflect from the striations in the yarn tow back through the focusing lens into the diode array which counts the variations in light intensity caused by the striations.