Abstract: A continuous process for preparing insulation panels having thick (0.2 mm to 1 mm) metal facing panels and a fiber-reinforced polymer foam core is disclosed. In the process, a bottom metal facing panel (2) is continuously supplied. A mat (10) of reinforcing fibers and a foamable resin composition (19) are applied to the bottom facing panel. A flexible barrier layer (5) is applied atop the foamable resin composition, and the assembly is passed through nip rolls (12,13) to compress the assembly and force the resin composition into the fiber mat. An adhesive layer (4) and top metallic facing layer (1) are then applied on top of the flexible barrier layer, and the resulting assembly is gauged and cured by passing it through a double band laminator (11).

Abstract: A method of purifying crude organometallic compounds using a plurality of distillation columns is provided. This method effectively removes both relatively more volatile impurities and relatively less volatile impurities as compared to the organometallic compound.

Abstract: The invention provides an ethylene-based polymer formed from reacting at least the following: ethylene and at least one asymmetrical polyene, comprising an “alpha, beta unsaturated end” and a “C—C double bond end,” and wherein the reaction takes place in the presence of at least one free-radical initiator.

Abstract: Porous composites of mullite and cordierite are formed by firing an acicular mullite body in the presence of a magnesium source and a silicon source. In some variations of the process, the magnesium and silicon sources are present when the acicular mullite body is formed. In other variations, the magnesium source and the silicon source are applied to a previously-formed acicular mullite body. Surprisingly, the composites have coefficients of linear thermal expansion that are intermediate to those of mullite and cordierite alone, and have higher fracture strengths than cordierite at a similar porosity. Some of the cordierite forms at grain boundaries and/or points of intersection between mullite needles, rather than merely coating the needles. The presence of magnesium and silicon sources during acicular mullite formation does not significantly affect the ability to produce a highly porous network of mullite needles.

Abstract: Halogen-free, thermoplastic polyurethane-based compositions having good mechanical and flame-retardant properties are provided. The compositions include flame-retardant aromatic organic phosphate compounds that do not exhibit migration in molded products, such as cable and wire jacketing and insulation. The compositions include a continuous resin phase comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, at least one aromatic organic phosphate flame retardant having a melting point of at least 50.

Abstract: A compound having formula (I), wherein G1 represents a C4-C22 alkyl or alkenyl group, a C8-C20 aralkyl group or formula (II) wherein G3 is a difunctional C2-C18 alkyl or alkenyl group, a difunctional C6-C20 aryl group or G3 is absent; provided that G1 is not 2-butyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, n-dodecyl, n-hexadecyl or 2-phenylethyl.

Abstract: Methods of forming olyurethane foams that are the reaction product of at least one polyisocyanate and a polyol composition are provided. The polyol composition includes at least one natural oil based polyol and at least one poly(propylene oxide) polyol and is desirably free of non-natural oil based polyols made from alkylene oxide units, other than propylene oxide units. The natural oil based polyol is present in a quantity sufficient to increase the processing window for the foam relative to a foam made using the same process and the same components, absent the natural oil based polyol. As a result, the present foams can provide very open-cellular structures with the superior performance properties of a poly(propylene oxide) polyol-based foam.

Abstract: The instant invention provides crosslinkable compositions, and method of producing the same. The non-aqueous single phase crosslinkable composition comprises: (a) a polyol having an average of 2 or more hydroxyl functional groups; (b) polyaldehyde, or acetal or hemiacetal thereof; and (c) an acid catalyst having pK of less than 6; and (d) optionally one or more organic solvents.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process and apparatus for the production of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) isomer mixtures with a low 2,2?-MDI isomer content and a high 2,4?-MDI isomer content. The resulting mixtures have an increased reactivity and are acceptable in food grade application due to the reduction in primary aromatic amines formed during the curing process. The process and apparatus also include controlling the amount of 4,4?-MDI, which is the most reactive isomer in the mixture allowing use in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: Apply a one component spray polyurethane foam formulation through a dispensing accessory that has a removable nozzle by independently feeding the one component spray polyurethane foam formulation and a supplementary propellant into the dispensing accessory so that they combine in the removable nozzle and are expelled from the removable nozzle at a flow rate that is greater than 40 grams of foam formulation per 15 seconds.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing a diaryl ether compound through the dehydration of an aromatic alcohol compound in the presence of a dehydration catalyst. The dehydration catalyst is an oxide of a medium rare earth element, wherein the medium rare earth element is samarium, europium, gadolinium, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Polyether polyols having equivalent weights of up to 500 are continuously prepared in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst. A first step of the reaction is performed at a temperature of at least 150° C., while controlling the hydroxyl content and unreacted alkylene oxide content of the reaction mixture to within certain ranges. A portion of that reaction mixture is withdrawn and permitted to react non-isothermally to consume the unreacted alkylene oxide. This process is highly efficient, does not result in catalyst deactivation, as is commonly seen in previous processes, and does not produce a significant ultra high molecular weight tail.

Abstract: Conversion of synthesis gas to propylene is enhanced via a stepped process wherein a Fischer-Tropsch reaction is first carried out, followed by recovery of propylene produced thereby and then use of product ethylene and unreacted syngas in a hydroformylation reaction to produce propanol, which is then dehydrated to form additional propylene. The process enables significant enhancement of propylene yield that is efficient and makes use of ethylene that is a byproduct of Fischer-Tropsch processes that are employed primarily for production of higher olefins, such as hexene and octene. Thus, it can be carried out in conjunction with already on-line Fischer-Tropsch facilities.

Abstract: A method for making a composite polyamide membrane including the steps of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and polyfunctional acyl halide monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method is includes at least one of the following steps: i) conducting the interfacial polymerization in the presence of a subject monomer comprising at least one carboxylic acid group linked to an aromatic moiety and wherein the aromatic moiety is further substituted with at least one of an acyl halide or anhydride functional group and ii) applying the subject monomer to the thin film polyamide layer. The invention includes many additional embodiments.

Abstract: A sterilization, sanitization and/or decontamination device (1) comprising a main body (10) and a detachable control panel, preferably in the form of a lectern (12), the main body having a discharge outlet (16) and containing a humidifier unit, an ozone discharge unit and a controller for controlling the humidifier and ozone discharge units, the detachable control panel including a user interface (40) for wireless remote control of the controller.

Abstract: A composition comprising the following: A) a cure catalyst selected from Formula A: [NR1?R2?R3?R4?]+X???(Formula A), R1?, R2?, R3?, R4? are each independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl; X is a monovalent anion, and wherein at least one of R1?, R2?, R3? or R4? is a methyl; and B) a prepolymer formed from a first composition comprising: Ra comprises one or more multiple bonds, provided that, if Ra comprises more than one multiple bond, these multiple bonds are not in a conjugated configuration; R1, R2, R3 are described herein; Rb is selected from H or a saturated group comprising alkyl, alkylene, or alkylidene; R4, R5, R6 are described herein; Rc comprises more than one multiple bond, and these multiple bonds are in a conjugated configuration; R7, R8, R9 are described herein; and R10, R11, R12, R13 described herein.

Abstract: A method for recovering nickel and cobalt from a PLS: (a) passing the PLS through an ion exchange bed to load nickel onto the ion exchange resin and produce a cobalt-containing raffinate solution, (b) passing sulfuric acid through the loaded bed to strip nickel from the resin and produce a nickel-containing eluate, (c) rinsing the stripped ion exchange bed, (d) adjusting the pH of the cobalt-containing raffinate solution to a pH of at least 2.3, (e) passing the cobalt-containing raffinate solution through an ion exchange bed to pre-load cobalt on the ion exchange resin, (f) repeating step (a) though (e) until the cobalt concentration of the cobalt-containing raffinate solution increases to >2× of the PLS, (g) removing a portion of the cobalt-containing raffinate solution of step (d) from the nickel recovery circuit, and (h) passing a portion of the cobalt-containing raffinate solution from step (d) to step (e).

Abstract: Processes for the production of chlorinated alkanes are provided. The present processes comprise reacting one or more mono- and/or dichloroalkanes to form tri-, tetra- and/or pentachloroalkanes, with high regioselectivity. In those embodiments wherein a dichloroalkane is desirably utilized, it may advantageously be a vicinal dichloroalkane. Further, only one catalyst is utilized. The present processes make use of sulfuryl chloride as a chlorinating agent, rather than a gaseous chlorinating agent such as chlorine gas. Finally, the process uses lower intensity process conditions than at least some conventional processes, and thus, operating costs are saved.

Abstract: A thermosettable (curable) epoxy resin composition including (A) a residual oligomeric product; wherein the residual oligomeric product comprises a polyfunctional aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin which has been isolated from an epoxy resin product formed as a result of an epoxidation process comprising the reaction of (i) an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydroxyl-containing material with (ii) an epihalohydrin, (iii) a basic-acting substance, (iv) a non-Lewis acid catalyst, and (V) optionally one or more solvents; (B) an epoxy curing material comprising (i) an epoxy resin curing agent, (ii) an epoxy resin catalyst, or both an epoxy resin curing agent (i) and an epoxy resin catalyst (ii); and (C) optionally, an epoxy resin compound other than the aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyfunctional epoxy resin (A). A thermoset may also be made from the above thermosettable composition.