Abstract: A process for disposing of oil slicks on seawater comprises treating the polluted seawater with a liquid dispersing composition and a nitrogen-containing nutrient for the seawater micro-organisms which are active in oil metabolization. The nutrient is a diguanidinium salt having the general formula:XH.H.sub.2 N--C(.dbd.NH)--NH--R--NH--C(.dbd.NH)--NH.sub.2 HXwherein R is preferably an alkyl radical containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms and X is a halogen or an acid anion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the bonding together of two similarly shaped articles of similar thermoplastic material utilizing oscillatory motion between the two articles to generate frictional heat therein sufficient to form an hermetic seal therebetween.

Abstract: Block copolymers having a first sequence formed with a conjugated diene or a vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon other than alpha-methylstyrene, a second sequence formed with an acrylic ester, and a linking intermediate sequence formed with alpha-methylstyrene. An anionic polymerization process is used to form these block copolymers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for modifying accumulated cross-linked polymer in an apparatus used for the production of a vinylaromatic compound, comprising optionally softening the polymer with an organic solvent; precipitating the polymer with a light, polar non-solvent for the polymer and expanding the softened polymer by bringing the softened polymer in contact with steam whereby the polymer is converted into a state which enables it to be more easily removed from the apparatus.

Abstract: Catalytic dehydrogenation of alkyl- or dialkyl- aromatic hydrocarbons such as ethylbenzene or ethyltoluene to vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons is achieved by passing the aromatic hydrocarbons on a crystalline silica which has been calcined under an inert atmosphere and which contains from about 0.05 to about 1 weight percent of an alkali metal oxide such as sodium oxide. In the preparation of the crystalline silica, limited washing of the crystalline silica precursor is performed to obtain an amount of alkali metal oxide remaining in the crystalline silica between about 0.05 and about 1 weight %.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are disclosed for manufacturing foamed articles such as tubes used as pipe insulation, which tubes are of a high impermeability and flexibility and are formed of a polymer, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, containing up to about 25% of an elastomer.

Abstract: A composition and process for reducing the adhesion of expandable polystyrene beads impregnated with a blowing agent such as pentane. The composition comprises effective amounts of magnesium stearate and zinc stearate respectively. The composition is added to the polystyrene in an apparatus such as a tumble blender prior to pre-expansion of the impregnated polystyrene beads.

Abstract: A composition and process for reducing the adhesion of expandable polystyrene beads impregnated with a blowing agent such as pentane. The composition comprises effective amounts of magnesium stearate and zinc stearate respectively. The composition is added to the polystyrene in an apparatus such as a tumble blender prior to pre-expansion of the impregnated polystyrene beads.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for the production of multiple-layer film or sheeting having desirable surface characteristics, especially including uniformity of layer thickness and width. The apparatus includes a feedblock which selectively splits the coextruded streams, controls the flow thereof and applies the layers in a manner such that the thickness of the various layers can be more easily and accurately controlled across the width of the sheeting.

Abstract: A process for the production of styrene wherein ethylene oxide and benzene are added to a reactor at a temperature between about 600.degree. F. and about 825.degree. F. in the presence of an aluminosilicate type catalyst. The reaction proceeds directly to form styrene within the reactor.

Abstract: A method for controlling the formation of polymer accumulations in a distillation column comprising accumulating liquid phase material containing a polymerization inhibitor in a seal pan; providing the seal pan with liquid-pervious weep hole means through the bottom of the pan and allowing a controlled quantity of polymerization inhibitor-containing liquid phase material to seep through the weep hole means to the underside of the seal pan; and apparatus useful for practicing the disclosed method.

Abstract: A process for increasing recovery of oil from oil-bearing earth formations wherein H.sub.2 S from sour wellhead gas is oxidized to SO.sub.3 which in turn is reacted with a petroleum hydrocarbon mixture to produce a petroleum sulfonate. The petroleum sulfonate is incorporated into an oil recovery enhancing fluid and introduced through an injection well into an oil-bearing earth formation to displace oil toward a production well.

Abstract: An improved expandable polymeric styrene particle is provided containing a blowing agent, a minor amount of pentaerythritol tetrastearate, overcoated with a minor amount of glyceryl monostearate. The improved particle results in a significantly reduced final mold cooling cycle in producing the finished molded article. Pentaerythritol tetrastearate is preferably incorporated during impregnation with the blowing agent and glyceryl monostearate overcoated by blending with the expandable particles after impregnation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple-stage flash devolatilization process, and apparatus for use therein, for recovering volatiles from mass processable polymers, which enables optimally low pressures to be employed without the necessity for refrigeration to condense the volatiles recovered thereby, comprising separating the volatiles from the polymeric material by flashing in a first flash devolatilization zone to remove the majority of the volatiles and then flashing in at least one additional flash devolatilization zone maintained at a lower pressure, preferably as low as practically possible, to remove residual volatiles, and then recovering the volatiles for further use by feeding the volatiles recovered from the additional flash zones back into the stream of volatiles leaving the first flash zone, the higher pressure of which allows the combined free volatiles present therein to then be condensed in a conventional non-refrigeration cooling process.

Abstract: An improved expandable polymeric styrene particle is provided containing a blowing agent, a minor amount of pentaerythritol tetrastearate, overcoated with a minor amount of glyceryl monostearate. The improved particle results in a significantly reduced final mold cooling cycle in producing the finished molded article. Pentaerythritol tetrastearate is preferably incorporated during impregnation with the blowing agent and glyceryl monostearate overcoated by blending with the expandable particles after impregnation.

Abstract: Aromatic hydrocarbons are separated from a mixture thereof with paraffinic hydrocarbons by solvent extraction with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone containing a minor amount of water at specified elevated temperatures and pressures. Temperature variations within the specified range have little effect on the loading capacity and selectivity of the solvent thus greatly simplifying process control.

Abstract: A process for the production of vinyltoluene, comprising the steps of: producing a crude vinyltoluene product by the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethyltoluene; removing compounds from the crude vinyltoluene product which have a higher molecular weight than vinyltoluene to form a prepurified crude vinyltoluene product; and fractionally distilling the prepurified crude vinyltoluene product in a distillation apparatus to recover purified vinyltoluene. The higher molecular weight compounds removed are compounds which foster the conversion of vinyltoluene into cross-linked polymer. The compounds removed preferably have more than 11 carbon atoms. In one embodiment, the step of removing higher molecular weight compounds comprises condensing a vaporous crude vinyltoluene product to form a crude vinyltoluene solution, and subjecting the crude vinyltoluene solution to flash distillation to form a vaporous prepurified crude vinyltoluene product.

Abstract: An expandable polymeric styrene particle is provided from which molded foamed articles can be produced exhibiting reduced flammability characteristics. The expandable polymeric styrene particle contains a blowing agent, a minor amount of bis(allyl ether) of tetrabromobisphenol A and a minor amount of dibromoethyldibromocyclohexane. The additives can be incorporated during impregnation with the blowing agent or by blending with the expandable particles after impregnation.

Abstract: A method of dehydrogenating alkylaromatic compounds to produce vinylaromatic monomers wherein an alkylaromatic compound feed stream is preheated by passing it in indirect heat exchange relation with steam, the preheated feed stream is then flash vaporized by injecting superheated steam therein, the feed vapors are then passed in indirect heat exchange relation with hot effluent vapors withdrawn from the dehydrogenation reaction zone, after which the hot alkylaromatic compound vapors are introduced, together with superheated steam into a dehydrogenation reaction zone containing a bed of alkylaromatic compound dehydrogenation catalyst and reacted to produce a vinylaromatic compound containing effluent stream which is withdrawn from the reaction zone, passed in heat exchange relation with the incoming alkylaromatic compound feed and condensed.