Abstract: An adhesive composition is provided comprising at least one copolymer comprising repeating units from ethylene and at least one ?-olefin, at least one tackifier resin, and at least one grafted polyolefin; wherein said adhesive composition has an onset of fiber tear of less than about 35° F. Articles and processes for producing the adhesive composition is also provided.

Abstract: Energy savings are realized during the commercial production of polyethylene terephthalate by partially cooling polyethylene terephthalate pellets exiting a solid stating reactor by contact with water, and using the residual heat stored in the pellets to vaporize associated water to form dry pellets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly enantiomerically pure lactam-substituted propanoic acid derivatives and methods of making and using therefor. The invention involves a multi-step synthesis to produce the lactam compounds. In one step of the reaction sequence, asymmetric hydrogenation of a lactam-enamide was performed to produce an intermediate that can ultimately be converted to a series of pharmaceutical compounds. The invention also contemplates the in situ synthesis of an intermediate of the multi-step synthesis, which provides economic advantages to the overall synthesis of the lactam compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the re-compression of process generated steam to create a higher pressure steam that is useful as a heating medium in other parts of a carboxylic acid production process or, in general utilized in another process. The invention comprises the following basic steps: (a) recovering thermal energy from at least a portion of the high temperature process stream resulting from an aromatic carboxylic acid production process in a first heat transfer zone to produce a low pressure stream; (b) subjecting the low pressure steam to a compression zone to generate an intermediate pressure steam; (c) utilizing the intermediate pressure steam as a heating medium, specifically within other parts of the carboxylic acid process or generally in another process thereby generating steam condensate; and (d) optionally, recycling all or part of the steam condensate to the second heat transfer zone for low pressure steam generation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture is obtained from a slurry or cake carboxylic acid product without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture suitable as a starting material for polyester or co-polyester production is obtained from a slurry or cake terephthalic acid product without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of high molecular weight polyesters by reacting one or more dicarboxylic acids directly with 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and, optionally, one or more diols. The process uses an overall diol to dicarboxylic acid molar ratio of about 0.97 to about 1.2 and an incremental addition of either the diacid or diol components. The process provides a shorter total reaction time and, thus, lessens the thermal degradation of polyester which may result in high color and reduced molecular weight.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polyester processes that utilizes a pipe reactor in the esterification, polycondensation, or both esterification and polycondensation processes. Pipe reactor processes of the present invention have a multitude of advantages over prior art processes including improved heat transfer, volume control, agitation and disengagement functions.

Abstract: Strands of molten polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from a PET polycondensation reactor are solidified, pelletized, and cooled only to a temperature in the range of 50° C. to a temperature near the polymer Tg by contact with water. The still hot pellets are conveyed, optionally followed by drying to remove water, to a PET crystallizer. By avoiding cooling the amorphous pellets to room temperature with water and cool air, significant savings of energy are realized.

Abstract: A modified asphalt composition is provided comprising at least one plastomer, at least one elastomer, at least one crosslinking agent and asphalt. More specifically, a modified asphalt composition is provided comprising an oxidized polyethylene, a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, sulfur, and asphalt. A hot mix asphalt composition is also provided comprising the modified asphalt composition and aggregate. Processes for producing the modified asphalt composition and the hot mix asphalt composition are also provided as well as articles produced from these inventive compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process wherein a first olefin selected from certain ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates is reacted with a second olefin reactant to produce an olefin metathesis product. When the first olefin reactant is an optically enriched or enantiomerically pure ?,?-dihydroxyalkene, cross metathesis reactions produce products possessing the same optical purity. The ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylene carbonates may be converted to hydrogenated products, and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates may be decarboxylated to provide the corresponding epoxides. The products of the disclosure may be used as monomers for the preparation of specialty polyesters and as intermediates in the manufacture pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of terephthalic acid by a plurality of process steps including the catalyst oxidation of a dialkylbenzene compound, a second oxidation, a hydrogenation of the product of the second oxidation, and crystallization of the hydrogenation terephthalic acid using a plurality of series-connected crystallizers.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for stabilizing the activity of an enzyme, comprising mixing a phosphine or phosphite with an oxidoreductase enzyme.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the recovery of phosphorus and/or iodine containing catalyst components, present as an organophosphorus compound such as trihydrocarbylphosphine compounds and tetrahydrocarbylphosphonium compounds, from a solution of at least one such organophosphorus compound in an organic solvent by the steps comprising (1) converting the organophosphorus compound to an iodide complex of a organophosphonium compound which is insoluble in the organic solvent; and (2) separating the insoluble iodide complex of the organophosphonium compound from the solution. The process also results in the recovery of iodine values present in the solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture is obtained from a carboxylic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture is obtained from a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.

Abstract: A process for crystallizing a polyester polymer by introducing a molten polyester polymer, such as a polyethylene terephthalate polymer, into a liquid medium at a liquid medium temperature greater than the Tg of the polyester polymer, such as at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 190° C., and allowing the molten polyester polymer to reside in the liquid medium for a time sufficient to crystallize the polymer under a pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid medium. A process flow, underwater cutting process, crystallization in a pipe, and a separator are also described.

Abstract: A polyester composition, a preform, and a bottle, containing a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate and activated carbon to enhance the rate for reheating the composition is provided. Activated carbon may be added in the presence of active phosphorus containing compounds, or at any stage in the melt phase after prepolymerization and after the polyester polymer is solidified. Polyester concentrates containing activated carbon may be added to bulk polyesters to make preforms suitable for blowing into bottles.

Abstract: This invention relates to new cyclodextrin derivatives, processes for producing these cyclodextrin derivatives, and inclusion complexes comprised of the new cyclodextrin derivatives and guest molecules, as well as methods of making such materials and related materials and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for monitoring the viscoelastic properties, of a liquid film (e.g. coating). The apparatus comprises a substrate supporting a liquid film, a probe to contact the liquid film, means for effecting relative movement between the probe and the substrate and means for monitoring the resistance to movement of the probe in contact with the film to obtain a measurement of the solidification properties of the liquid film. This apparatus and method are particularly useful in comparing the effects of film formers, viscosity modifiers, solvents, and minerals on the drying rate of coatings at the early stage of film formation.

Abstract: This invention pertains to certain novel colorant compounds containing one or more ethylenically-unsaturated, photopolymerizable radicals that may be copolymerized (or cured) with ethylenically-unsaturated monomers to produce colored compositions such as colored acrylic polymers. Suitable compositions having the present colorants copolymerized therein include, e.g., polymers produced from acrylate and methacrylate esters, colored polystyrenes, and similar colored polymeric materials derived from other ethylenically-unsaturated monomers. The present invention also pertains to processes for preparing the photopolymerizable colorant compounds. The ethylenically unsaturated colorant compounds may be suitable for use in coatings that are applied to wood, glass, metal, thermoplastics and the like.

Abstract: Considerable energy savings may be realized by recovering heat from hot PET pellets exiting a solid state polymerization reactor, and using this heat to heat cool pellets entering the crystallizer or solid state polymerization reactor. The heat may be transferred from hot to cool pellets employing a heat exchanger.