Abstract: Use of a homogeneous blend of a metallocene-catalysed medium density polyethylene (mMDPE) with low density polyethylene (LDPE), to produce blown films, this composition essentially consisting of from 0.5 to 99.5 % by weight of mMDPE and from 99.5 to 0.5 % by weight of LDPE, based on the total weight of the blend. The blend is optionally coextruded between layers of LDPE. The compositions of this invention have good processability and are used to make blown films which have the good optical properties of LDPE and the good mechancial and processing properties of MDPE.

Abstract: Process for the production of fibers formed from an ethylene-propylene copolymer characterized as a random copolymer of ethylene and isotactic polypropylene having a random ethylene content within the range of 2-12 mole %. The propylene content of the copolymer can have an isotacticity of at least 90% meso diads. The copolymer is heated to a molten state and then extruded to form a fiber preform. The fiber preform is subject to a spinning speed of at least 500 meters per minute. This is followed by drawing the spun fiber preform at a draw ratio within the range of 1:1-6:1 to produce a continuous fiber of the ethylene-propylene copolymer. A specific ethylene-propylene copolymer has an ethylene content within the range of 6-8%.

Abstract: Use of compositions prepared with organic coupling agents carrying epoxy groups for preparing applications requiring simultaneously improved mechanical properties and low viscosity.

Abstract: The present invention is for the improvement of inter-layer bonding strength in polypropylene films through the addition of ethylene as a mini-random copolymer in an amount of no more than about 1 weight percent, more preferably no more than about 0.7 weight percent, and most preferably between about 0.3 weight percent to about 0.5 weight percent or even amounts less than about 0.2 weight percent. The invention allows the improvement of inter-layer bond strength in multi-layer films resulting specifically in improved heat seal strength. The invention encompasses both the resulting films with enhanced heat seal strength and the process for producing such films.

Abstract: A process for the disproportionation of toluene over a mordenite catalyst with a feedstock of a lower than normal toluene content and having a significant content of non-aromatic hydrocarbons, having from 6-8 carbon atoms. A toluene feedstock and a hydrogen co-feed are supplied to reaction zone containing a mordenite disproportionation catalyst. The feedstock has a toluene content of 80-90 wt. % and a C6-C8 non-aromatic content of 10-20 wt. %. The reaction zone is at temperature and pressure effective to cause a disproportionation of the toluene to benzene and xylene with the concomitant cracking of the non-aromatic hydrocarbons to lower molecular weight hydrocarbons. A product stream comprising toluene, benzene, xylene and C2-C4 aliphatic hydrocarbons is recovered from the reaction zone. The mordenite catalyst is promoted with a metal such as nickel, palladium or platinum to enhance the hydrogenation activity of the catalyst.

Abstract: Use of metallocene catalyst component for the preparation of a syndiotactic polyolefin having a monomer length of up to C10, which component has the general formula: R″(CpR1R2)(Cp′R1′R2′)MQ2 wherein Cp is a cyclopentadienyl ring; Cp′ is a 3,6 disubstituted fluorenyl ring; R1 and R2 are each independently H or a substituent on the cyclopentadienyl ring which is proximal to the bridge, which proximal substituent is linear hydrocarbyl of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms or a group of the formula XR*3 containing up to 7 carbon atoms in which X is chosen from Group IVA, and R* is the same or different and chosen from hydrogen or alkyl; R1′ and R2′ are each independently substituent groups on the fluorenyl ring, each of which is a group of the formula AR′″3, in which A is chosen from Group IVA, and each R′″ is independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; M is a Group IVB transition metal or vanadium; each Q is hydrocarbyl having 1 to

Abstract: Process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of a C2 or C3 alkyl aromatic in which a feedstock containing the alkyl aromatic and steam is supplied into the inlet of a tubular reactor containing a dehydrogenation catalyst. Within the reactor, the feedstock flows through at least a portion of the reactor along a spiral flow path extending longitudinally of the reactor. The resulting vinyl aromatic product is then recovered from a downstream or outlet section of the reactor. The spiral flow path through which the feedstock is passed is located at least adjacent the inlet side of the reactor and at least a portion of the spiral flow path contains a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst. The spiral flow path may extend throughout a major portion of the elongated tubular reactor and may contain a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst in a substantial portion there.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a supported metallocene catalyst incorporating metallocene and co-catalysts components on a support. There is provided a particulate catalyst support material in which an alumoxane co-catalyst is incorporated onto the support particles and contacted with a dispersion of a metallocene catalyst in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. The metallocene solvent dispersion and the alumoxane-containing support are mixed at a temperature of about 10° C. or less for a period sufficient to enable the metallocene to become reactively supported on the alumoxane support material. The supported catalyst is recovered from the aromatic solvent and then washed optionally with an aromatic hydrocarbon and then sequentially with a paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature of about 10° C. or less. The washed catalyst is dispersed in a viscous mineral oil having a viscosity which is substantially greater that the viscosity of the paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: Process of preparing silica-supported catalysts. A support material comprising silica particles impregnated with an alumoxane co-catalyst with at least one-half of the co-catalyst disposed within the internal pore volume of the silica is contacted with a dispersion of a metallocene catalyst in an aromatic solvent. The dispersion and support are mixed at a temperature of about 10° C. or less to enable the metallocene to become reactively supported on and impregnated within the alumoxane-impregnated silica particles. The supported catalyst is recovered from the aromatic solvent and washed with an aromatic hydrocarbon and then a paraffinic hydrocarbon at a temperature of about 10° C. or less. The washed catalyst is dispersed in a viscous mineral oil.

Abstract: A process for producing a propylene copolymer having increased melt strength, the process comprising irradiating a copolymer of propylene and ethylene which has been polymerised using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst with an electron beam having an energy of at least 5 MeV and a radiation dose of at least 10 kGray and melting and mechanically processing the melt of the irradiated ethylene propylene copolymer to form long chain branches on the ethylene propylene copolymer molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making polymer tapes utilizing metallocene catalysts. An isotactic propylene polymer is prepared by polymerizing propylene in the presence of an isospecific metallocene catalyst. The resulting polypropylene is heated, extruded and withdrawn as a sheet. The sheet is then slit longitudinally into tape segments and drawn in the longitudinal direction to a draw ratio of at least about 4.5:1 to produce an oriented tape. It has been found that these polypropylene tapes have different characteristics than those polypropylene tapes produced using Ziegler-Natta catalyst drawn at the same draw ratios.

Abstract: A process for the removal of trace metals from a hydrocarbon stream includes contacting the hydrocarbon stream with an absorbent material comprising antimony pentoxide supported on an absorbent substrate. The hydrocarbon product is then withdrawn from the absorbent material to provide a purified product in which 99.5 wt. % of the trace metal has been removed. Preparation of the antimony pentoxide-promoted absorbent entails treating a particulate porous substrate with an aqueous solution of antimony pentoxide. The absorbent substrate has an average particle size within the range of 1-5 mm and an average pore volume within the range of 0.7-0.85 cubic centimeters per gram. At least 80% of the surface area of the support is contained within the internal pore volume of the absorbent. The absorbent support is contacted with the antimony pentoxide solution.

Abstract: A polypropylene fiber including greater than 50% by weight of a first isotactic polypropylene produced by a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, from 5 to less than 50% by weight of a second isotactic polypropylene produced by a metallocene catalyst and up to 15% by weight of a syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP).

Abstract: Use of a multimodal polypropylene blend in melt processing wherein for enhancing a compromise between melt strength and drawability the blend has a dispersion index of at least 8 and a ratio Mz/Mn of at least 10.

Abstract: A process for the production and treatment of a stereoregular propylene polymer such as isotactic polypropylene. The isotactic polypropylene can be produced by catalysis employing a metallocene catalyst or employing a Ziegler-Natta catalyst. A polymerization reactor is operated to provide for the reaction of propylene supplied to the reactor to produce a stereoregular propylene polymer fluff. A product stream containing unreacted propylene and the propylene polymer fluff is withdrawn from the polymerization reactor. The product stream is treated to separate at least a portion of the unreacted propylene from the product stream. The polymer fluff is heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the propylene polymer. Incorporated into the propylene polymer fluff in an amount within the range of 0.01-0.08 wt.

Abstract: A polypropylene blend including from 0.5 to 50% by weight of a syndiotactic polypropylene having a multimodal molecular weight distribution and at least 50% by weight of an isotactic polypropylene.

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 polypropylene fibre including at least 80% by weight of a first isotactic polypropylene produced by a metallocene catalyst, and from 5 to 20 by weight of a second isotactic polypropylene produced by a Ziegler-Natta catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the transalkylation of an aromatic feedstock containing a benzene component and a polyalkylated aromatic component comprising at least one polyalkyl aromatic compound of at least nine carbon atoms. The feedstock is supplied to a reaction zone containing a metal modified zeolite transalkylation catalyst. The reaction zone is operated under conditions providing an equivalent conversion of pure toluene in the presence of the catalyst within the range of 40-55%, resulting in a transalkylated product with a reduced polyalkyl benzene content and an enhance monoalkyl benzene content relative to the transalkylation feedstock. In continued operation of the transalkylation reaction zone, at least one of the reaction conditions of temperature, pressure, and space velocity is adjusted in order to maintain a constant reaction severity to provide a desired equivalent conversion of toluene within a tolerance range of ±2%.

Abstract: Polypropylene having improved long chain branching increased melt strength obtained by irradiating polypropylene with an electron beam having an energy of at least 5 MeV and with a radiation dose of from 5 to 100 kGray in the presence of a grafting agent, the branching index of the obtained polypropylene being lower than 0.7.