Abstract: A process for making styrene is disclosed that includes providing toluene, a co-feed, and a C1 source to a reactor containing a catalyst, reacting toluene with the C1 source in the presence of the catalyst and the co-feed to form a product stream containing ethylbenzene and styrene. The co-feed can be selected from the group of water, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polystyrene based polymer/layered compound nanocomposite for injection blow molding or injection stretch blow molding of articles. The nanocomposite can reduce shrinkage and warpage to the preform during the reheating process compared to neat polystyrene. The incorporation of layered compounds can increase the processability of PS preforms, help improve heating efficiency, and improve bottle mechanical properties. The layered compound can be treated with chemicals or compounds having an affinity with the styrene monomer or polystyrene, thus producing a treated layered compound having an affinity with the styrene monomer or polystyrene. The monomer and the layered compound can be combined prior to polymerization. The polymer and layered compound can be combined by solution mixing in a solvent.

Abstract: A process for the coupling of hydrocarbons and utilizing the heat energy produced by the reaction is disclosed. In one embodiment the process can include reacting methane with oxygen to form a product stream containing ethane and further processing the ethane to ethylene in an existing ethylene production facility while using the heat energy produced by the reaction within the facility.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include multi-component catalyst systems, polymerization processes and heterophasic copolymers formed by the processes. The multi-component catalyst system generally includes a first catalyst component selected from Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems including a diether internal electron donor and a metallocene catalyst represented by the general formula XCpACpBMAn, wherein X is a structural bridge, CpA and CpB each denote a cyclopentadienyl group or derivatives thereof, each being the same or different and which may be either substituted or unsubstituted, M is a transition metal and A is an alkyl, hydrocarbyl or halogen group and n is an integer between 0 and 4.

Abstract: A composition comprising a blend of a polyolefin, polylactic acid, and a reactive modifier. A method of producing an oriented film comprising reactive extrusion compounding a mixture comprising polypropylene, polylactic acid, a reactive modifier to form a compatibilized polymeric blend, casting the compatibilized polymeric blend into a film, and orienting the film. A method of preparing a reactive modifier comprising contacting a polyolefin, a multifunctional acrylate comonomer, and an initiator under conditions suitable for the formation of an epoxy-functionalized polyolefin wherein the epoxy-functionalized polyolefin has a grafting yield of from 0.2 wt. % to 15 wt. %.

Abstract: Methods of forming ethylbenzene are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes contacting dilute ethylene with benzene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to form ethylbenzene, wherein such contact occurs in a liquid phase reaction zone and recovering ethylbenzene from the reaction zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vaporizing and transporting an alkali metal salt is shown. The apparatus has a first conduit capable of transporting an alkali metal salt solution and a second conduit in fluid communication with the first conduit, the second conduit capable of transporting steam so that the alkali metal salt is dissipated into the steam forming a solution that can be transported, such as to a remote reaction zone. The solution can be transported via a third conduit that is capable of being heated by a heat source. The method can be used to add a promoter to a dehydrogenation catalyst during a dehydrogenation reaction.

Abstract: Methods of forming ethylbenzene are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes contacting dilute ethylene with benzene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to form ethylbenzene, wherein such contact occurs in a reaction zone containing a gaseous phase and recovering ethylbenzene from the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for making ethylbenzene and/or styrene by reacting toluene with methane is disclosed. In one embodiment the process can include reacting toluene with methane to form a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and further processing the ethylbenzene to form styrene in an existing styrene production facility.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a metallocene catalyst system and a process for preparing the system. The metallocene catalyst system comprises a support and metallocene bound substantially throughout the support. The selection of certain supports facilitates the production of metallocene catalyst systems having increased catalytic activity than previously recognized.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing plastic materials by providing a biology based feedstock and reacting the biology based feedstock to form a feedstock capable of reaction to form the plastic material, wherein the plastic material is selected from polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Abstract: Injection stretch blow molded (ISBM) articles containing a bio-based polymers and methods of forming the same are described herein. The method generally includes providing a propylene-based polymer; contacting the propylene-based polymer with polylactic acid to form a polymeric blend; injection molding the blend into a preform; and stretch-blowing the preform into an article.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered that certain polyethylene (PE) homopolymers or copolymers of ethylene and C3 to C10 alpha-olefin monomers are more suitable for oriented processes than other polyethylene resins. In an aspect, the PE has a MFI of 0.3 g/10 min. to 5.0 g/10 min., a melting point of from 110° C. to 140° C., a density of from 0.912 g/cm3 to 0.965 g/cm3(%), a haze of 10% or less, a clarity of at least 90, and a gloss of at least 60. The polyethylene is heated and formed into an article, cooled, and then the article is stretch oriented. In an embodiment, the film, tape, the melt extruded, injection blow molded, injection stretch blow molded, cast, and thermoformed articles that can be produced with this polyethylene has a thickness of 0.1 mil to 100 mils. The polyethylene exhibits excellent elasticity, toughness, stretch and optical properties for such applications.

Abstract: A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons, such as the oxidative coupling of methane to toluene, includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor, and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The oxidative catalyst includes (A) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Lanthanoid group, Mg, Ca, and the elements of Group 4 of the periodic table (Ti, Zr, and Hf); (B) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements of Group 3 (including La and Ac) and Groups 5-15 of the periodic table; (C) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements Ca, Sr, and Ba; and (D) oxygen.

Abstract: A process for making styrene including providing a C1 source to a reactor containing a catalyst and reacting toluene with the C1 source in the presence of the catalyst to form a product stream comprising ethylbenzene and styrene. The C1 source can be selected from the group of methanol, formaldehyde, formalin, trioxane, methylformcel, paraformaldehyde, methylal, dimethyl ether, and combinations thereof, and wherein the catalyst contains a nitrogen-substituted zeolite.

Abstract: Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are described herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a zeolite catalyst having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of less than about 25. The alkylation systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.

Abstract: Polymerization processes in a bulk loop reactor are described herein. In particular, a method of contacting a flow of metallocene with a flow of propylene is provided. This method includes directing the flow of metallocene towards a junction, directing the flow of propylene towards the junction and maintaining a portion of the flow of metallocene separate from a portion of the flow propylene within a portion of the junction downstream of the flow of propylene into the junction. In another embodiment, a method of introducing a quantity of antifouling agent into a catalyst mixing system is provided. In this embodiment a portion of the antifouling agent is introduced at or downstream of a point of contact of a stream of propylene with a stream of catalyst. The antifouling agent may be a member, alone or in combination with other members, selected from Stadis 450 Conductivity Improver, Synperonic antifouling agent, and Pluronic antifouling agent.

Abstract: A process for the coupling of hydrocarbons and utilizing the heat energy produced by the reaction is disclosed. In one embodiment the process can include reacting methane with oxygen to form a product stream containing ethane and further processing the ethane to ethylene in an existing ethylene production facility while using the heat energy produced by the reaction within the facility.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a polystyrene based nanocomposite by combining a monomer with a nanoparticle to form a mixture and subjecting the mixture to polymerization conditions to produce a polymeric composite. In an embodiment the nanoparticle has been treated with an additive prior to combining with the monomer and the additive contains a silane moiety.

Abstract: A process for making styrene is disclosed that includes reacting toluene with a C1 source and a co-feed in the presence of a catalyst in a reactor to form a first product stream comprising styrene, ethylbenzene, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen; separating the hydrogen and carbon monoxide from the first product stream to form a second stream; separating the hydrogen from the second stream to form a third stream comprising hydrogen and a fourth stream comprising carbon monoxide; wherein the fourth stream is recycled to the reactor and forms at least a portion of the co-feed.