Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for improving the catalyst life and efficiency in a gas flow catalyst bed reactor assembly. The reactor comprises an outer reaction vessel, an inner displacement cylinder, and an annular catalyst bed surrounding the displacement cylinder having a top half and a bottom half. Fluid flow improvement is achieved by adding at least one baffle to the top half of the displacement cylinder to improve uniformity of fluid flow in the reaction vessel and across the catalyst bed. Also disclosed is a process for improving fluid flow uniformity in a gas phase reactor comprising an outer reaction vessel, an inner displacement vessel having a top half and a bottom half and a reaction outer surface and an inert inner space, and an annular catalyst bed. The process comprises conducting fluid flow simulations using actual reactor conditions. During simulation, baffles are added on the outer reaction surface of the displacement reactor to improve simulated fluid flow.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a hydroperoxide functionalized rubber compound by the conversion of triplet state oxygen to singlet state oxygen in the presence of oxygen and a light-induced photoreductant. A dispersion of an unsaturated rubber component in a carrier solvent is introduced into a reactor containing a permeable catalyst bed comprising a light-induced photoreductant component supported on a particulate substrate component and passed through the catalyst bed. A gaseous oxidizing agent is passed through the catalyst bed in contact with the rubber-containing dispersion. The catalyst bed is irradiated with electromagnetic light radiation in the ultraviolet or visible light range at an intensity sufficient to convert triplet oxygen in the oxygenated rubber component to singlet oxygen. The oxygenated rubber component is then recovered from the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention includes an end use article (i.e., an article of manufacture) and a process for making the same, wherein the end use article has a relatively high gloss and exhibits excellent processability over a wide range of processing conditions. The end use article can be formed with glossy polyethylene having an “a” parameter less than or equal to about 0.40, and the glossy polyethylene can be a Metallocene polyethylene. The end use article can have a 60° specular gloss of at least about 40%, or from about 40% to about 80%, or from about 60% to about 80%. The end use article may be pigmented or unpigmented.

Abstract: A metal-modified alkylation catalyst including a metalizeolite is provided where the metal is one or two selected from the group consisting of yttrium and a rare earth of the lanthanide series other than cerium. Where two metals are used, one may be Ce or La. The metal-promoted zeolite is useful as a molecular sieve aromatic alkylation catalyst for the production of ethylbenzene by the ethylation of benzene in the liquid phase or critical phase. An alkylation product is produced containing ethylbenzene as a primary product with the attendant production of heavier alkylated by-products of no more than 10-60 wt % of the ethylbenzene.

Abstract: Disclosed is process for producing polyethylene using a slurry loop reactor. The process includes using a mathematical model to predict a plurality of process control parameters based on the desired product properties and reactor characteristics and controlling the process using the predicted process control parameters. Also disclosed is a process controller programmed with the model and a method for optimizing the configuration of a loop reactor using the model.

Abstract: Process for the hydrotreatment of a mixture of C4 to C8 hydrocarbon-based compounds, rich in olefins and monoaromatic compounds, by hydrogenation in the presence of a solid catalyst, characterized in that an ammonia precursor is introduced into the charge of hydrocarbon-based compounds and in that the catalyst comprises at least one transition metal supported on at least one refractory oxide.

Abstract: Residual monomer in a polymer matrix may be reduced by a method including admixing a polymer matrix comprising an amount of residual monomer and a conjugated diene. This method can be carried out under reaction conditions such that the amount of residual monomer is reduced. The monomer comprises at least one electron withdrawing substituent and the conjugated diene comprises at least one electron donating substituent. This method is particularly useful for reducing the amount of residual styrene monomer in polystyrene homopolymer and copolymer compositions.

Abstract: A process for producing a catalyst for olefin cracking, the process comprising the steps of providing an MFI-type crystalline silicate catalyst, heating the catalyst in steam to remove aluminum from the crystalline silicate framework and extracting aluminum from the catalyst by contacting the catalyst with a complexing agent for aluminum to remove from pores of the framework aluminum deposited therein during the steaming step thereby to increase the silicon/aluminum atomic ratio of the catalyst; and calcining the catalyst at elevated temperature.

Abstract: A process for cracking an olefin containing hydrocarbon feedstock which is selective towards light olefins in the effluent, the process comprising passing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing one or more olefins through a moving bed reactor containing a crystalline silicate catalyst selected from an MFI-type crystalline silicate having a silicon/aluminium atomic ratio of at least 180 and an MEL-type crystalline silicate having a silicon/aluminium atomic ration of from 150 to 800 which has been subjected to a steaming step, at an inlet temperature of from 500 to 600° C., at an olefin partial pressure of from 0.

Abstract: A process for the production of ethylbenzene by the ethylation of benzene in the critical phase in a reaction zone containing a molecular sieve aromatic alkylation catalyst comprising cerium-promoted zeolite beta. A polyethylbenzene is supplied into the reaction zone and into contact with the cerium-promoted zeolite beta having a silica/alumina mole ratio within the range of 20-500. The reaction zone is operated at temperature and pressure conditions in which benzene is in the supercritical phase to cause ethylation of the benzene and the transalkylation of polyethylbenzene and benzene in the presence of the zeolite beta catalyst. An alkylation product is produced containing ethylbenzene as a primary product with the attendant production of heavier alkylated byproducts of no more than 60 wt. % of the ethylbenzene.

Abstract: In methods of preparing asphalt and elastomeric polymer compositions crosslinked with phenol aldehyde resins and sulfur, such as polymer modified asphalt (PMA), it has been discovered that the MP1 compatibility may be improved by adding certain ionic metal oxides. Suitable ionic metal oxides include, but are not necessarily limited to, zinc oxide, cadmium oxide, and the like. Acceptable elastomeric polymers include, but are not necessarily limited to, styrene-butadiene copolymers. Additional sulfur-containing crosslinkers may also be used.

Abstract: Asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are described herein. The asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are generally adapted to enable open air processing while producing asphalt compositions that exhibit properties capable of meeting SUPERPAVE™ specifications.

Abstract: In methods of preparing asphalt and elastomeric polymer compositions, it has been discovered that for a given crosslinker or vulcanizing agent there is an optimum crosslinking temperature to give a composition that has top and bottom softening points that are close. That is, rubber/asphalt compatibility is improved, where the crosslinking is performed within the optimum temperature range.

Abstract: A branched aromatic ionomer is prepared by co-polymerizing a first monomer having an aromatic moiety and an unsaturated alkyl moiety and a second monomer having an ionic moiety and at least one unsaturated moiety. The ionic moiety may have a cationic group having a valence of +1 or greater. Styrene is among the useful first monomers and sodium methacrylate and zinc dimethacrylate are among the useful second monomers. The branched aromatic ionomers may be used to prepare articles including foamed polystyrene and microwave save dishes and utensils.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon streams are heated uniformly and directly using one or more flameless oxidation burners. Flameless oxidation burners may control the temperature within a range of about 50° C. to reduce the tendency to coking due to localized “hot spots”. The hydrocarbon streams, which may be monomer streams, may pass cross-current (perpendicular) to burners having a longitudinal design or configuration, or may pass parallel to such burners.

Abstract: Polyolefins may be prepared using a cocatalyst conforming to the formula: AIRz(Xz)nLzm wherein Rz is a linear or branched organic moiety having at least 5 carbons and Xz is a linear or branched organic moiety having at least 5 carbons or a heterocyclic moiety having at least 4 atoms and can be anionic or di-anionic. The aluminum complex may also be in the form of an adduct complex where Lz is a Lewis base and m=1-3. The cocatalyst Rz components are selected such that they do not react with water under polymerization conditions to form a species that is highly soluble in the polymerization diluent. Use of the specified cocatalyst reduces fouling during metallocene-catalyzed runs and “post-metallocene hangover” when the same production equipment is transitioned to non-metallocene catalyst runs using catalysts such as chromium.

Abstract: The present invention includes a bimodal polyethylene polymerization process wherein metallocene catalyst to is used to adjust the hydrogen response of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The polymerization may be carried out in a single reactor or in two or more reactors in series, preferably two or more continuously stirred tank reactors in series. In an embodiment having two or more reactors, the Zeigler-Natta catalyst is added to a first reactor and the metallocene catalyst is added to a downstream reactor. In another embodiment having two or more reactors, the Zeigler-Natta catalyst and metallocene catalyst are added to the same reactor, preferably an upstream reactor. A preferred Zeigler-Natta catalyst comprises TiCl4, and a preferred metallocene catalyst comprises bis(cyclopentadienyl) titanium dichloride.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an asphalt and thermoplastic elastomer composition. The process comprises heating an asphalt cut in a stirred tank to a temperature sufficient to allow the stirring of the asphalt in the tank. A thermoplastic elastomer or rubber is added to the asphalt while continuing to stir the asphalt. The mixture is stirred at a speed and for a period of time sufficient to increase the distribution of the elastomer into the asphalt. The stirring speed is reduced and the temperature is increased to add crosslinking agents to the tank. Stirring is continued for a period of time sufficient to improve the distribution of the crosslinking agent dispersion in the asphalt. Crosslinking agents include compositions of mercaptobenzothiazole, zinc oxide and elemental sulfur; compositions of mercaptobenzothiazole, zinc oxide, and mixed polythiomorpholine; and compositions of zinc 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and dithiodimorpholine.

Abstract: A branched aromatic ionomer is prepared by co-polymerizing a first monomer having an aromatic moiety and an unsaturated alkyl moiety and a second monomer having an ionic moiety and at least one unsaturated moiety. The ionic moiety may have a cationic group having a valence of +1 or greater. Styrene is among the useful first monomers and sodium methacrylate and zinc dimethacrylate are among the useful second monomers. The branched aromatic ionomers may be used to prepare articles including foamed polystyrene and microwave save dishes and utensils.