Abstract: This invention discloses an improved method for making salts of acylisethionates using a direct esterification of a fatty acid with one or more salts of a selected hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid in the presence of a catalyst selected from the described group. This method may be used at temperatures below 200 degrees C.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for deinking pulp which has been made from paper printed with flexographic ink. The process uses a surfactant component made from a fatty acid or a fatty acid blend and at least one alkoxylated diamine selected from Formula I: ##STR1## where X, Y, W and Z may be alike or different and are each independently selected from the group consisting of(i) --(CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3)--O).sub.a (CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O).sub.b --;(ii) --(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2)--O).sub.c (CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3)--O).sub.d --; and(iii) random copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide,wherein a, b, c and d are each selected independently to be a number between 1 and 30 so as to give an HLB value between 5-15.

Abstract: Apparatus for analysis of defects in polymerization reactor output, such as for gels in polyester polymer. The apparatus includes a tape forming unit, a tape analysis unit, and an image analysis computer. A sample of polymerization reactor output is converted to a tape form by compression between nip rolls and wound onto a reel. The tape reel is transferred to the tape analysis unit and the tape is threaded through an inspection zone to a takeup reel. A polyester tape is illuminated with ultraviolet light at the inspection zone and a camera captures images of gel fluorescence caused by the ultraviolet light. Interference filters are provided to attenuate background light. The signal generated by the camera is sent to an image analysis computer for determination of the total number of gels in preselected size ranges, the total area of the gels, and a defect ratio, which is defined as the total gel area divided by the area of the tape selected.

Abstract: Nylon molding compositions, and molded parts formed of the same, include a UV-light stabilization system having between about 0.5 to about 1.0 wt. % of a hindered phenolic antioxidant, between about 0.05 to about 1.5 wt. % of a phosphite compound, between about 0.05 to about 1.5 wt. % of a hindered amine light stabilizer, and optionally, between about 0.05 to about 5.0 wt. % of a benzotriazole UV absorber. The nylon molding compositions and molded parts formed thereof exhibit improved color difference, as calculated in CIELab units under illuminant "D-65" according to ASTM Standard D-2244, of less than about 1.5 when exposed to 601.6 kJ/m.sup.2 irradiation in a Xenon arc weatherometer operated according to SAE J1885, and improved surface gloss retention characteristics after such irradiation.

Abstract: A process is provided whereby S(+)-ibuprofen or R(-)-ibuprofen L-lysinate salt is produced by selective precipitation from a mixture containing enantiomers of ibuprofen and L-lysine. The quantity of L-lysine is not more than about a molar equivalent of the quantity of one of the enantiomers in the ibuprofen enantiomeric mixture. Upon precipitation of one ibuprofen enantiomer from the mixture, the overall precipitate and reaction mixture can be held for a sufficient period of time at a second temperature to allow the first precipitate to redissolve into the reaction mixture and the other ibuprofen enantiomer to precipitate out of the mixture in the salt form. Optically active ibuprofen is racemized by being heated at 100.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. in the substantial absence of other materials.

Abstract: A non-woven recyclable polyester fabric suitable for use as a bale covering that is a single layer batt formed of crosslapped fiber having a structure compacted by needlepunching and calendering. A process for producing this non-woven recyclable polyester fabric that includes forming a web of fiber, crosslapping the web to form a batt, needlepunching the batt, and calendering the batt under suitable conditions.

Abstract: A test apparatus includes an optical displacement transducer for sensing deformation of the cigarette filter responsive to a predetermined load applied transverse to the filter during simulated smoking of the cigarette, and a barcode laser scanner for sensing relative movement of a charline along a tobacco rod of the burning cigarette during simulated smoking. The optical displacement transducer thus produces a filter hot collapse signal, while the barcode laser scanner produces a tobacco consumption signal. A processor, such as a microprocessor operating under stored program control, samples the hot collapse signal and the tobacco consumption signal to generate a series of respective data points. A display is operatively connected to the processor for generating a graphical representation of at least one of the hot collapse signal and the tobacco consumption signal as a function of time, based upon the respective sampled data points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water insoluble. aqueous alkali soluble novolak resin blend, wherein the resin blend comprises two novolaks having dissimilar relative molecular weights and similar dissolution rates, a process for producing such a resin blend, a photoresist containing such a resin blend and a method for producing a semi-conductor device utilizing such a photoresist.

Abstract: A novel control system is provided to control the liquid levels in a reactor-flasher combination used particularly for the carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid. Liquid level control is achieved by proportional controllers or other controllers which do not continuously seek zero offset from the desired level and which proportionally change the liquid flow rates from the respective reactor and flasher. An adjustment can be made to the level controllers to change the liquid flow rates by a function generator which adjusts the flow rate, according to an empirically derived function which correlates changes in methanol feed rate to liquid flow rates from the reactor and flasher. A further adjustment to flow rates can be made to effect a change in the water concentration in the reactor so as to maintain the water concentration at a desired level.

Abstract: A valve for obtaining a sample from a continuous flow of fluid includes a primary flow path for directing a continual flow of the fluid through the valve, a valve stem which engages a passage in a valve seat for metering a sample of fluid passing through the primary flow path out through a separate outlet passage in the valve. The valve further includes a passage separate from the primary flow path for injecting a purge gas into the sample outlet passage to remove any sample fluid contained in the outlet passage after the sample valve has been closed and before the sample container is taken off-line so as to avoid atmospheric emissions of the sample fluid.

Abstract: A method is provided to improve the quality of recycle of certain residues by modifying the separation of alkanes and alkane-like materials and carbonyl-containing impurities from the recycle during the manufacture of acetic acid by the carbonylation of methanol. The improvement comprises operating a prior art stripper column in a reflux manner and partitioning the residue therefrom by the addition of water. The method also reduces the volume of disposal of potentially valuable recyclable reactants.

Abstract: The present invention provides mixture of at least two novolak resins with a molecular weight distribution overlap of at least 50% and having dissolution rates which differ by a factor of at least 2.0. A method is also provided for producing such novolak resin mixtures.

Abstract: In a primary process for hydroformylating olefins in the presence of a rhodium-containing catalyst solution to produce aldehydes and a gaseous effluent comprising unreacted olefin is vented, the improvement which comprises employing the effluent as a reactant feed for a coupled secondary hydroformylation process conducted jointly therewith in which the catalyst solution is cycled back and forth between the primary and secondary hydroformylation processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel one-step processes for preparing highly branched macromolecule polymers that have highly controlled molecular architectures. The process comprise the reaction of a branching monomer such as a substituted phenyl compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are defined herein, with a second monomer (a core monomer) such as a dihydric phenol for a sufficient period of time and at a sufficient temperature to directly produce the highly branched polymer, characterized by having a single core, in a single processing step.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of an absorbent material containing a superabsorbent polymer is disclosed herein. The processing steps include: providing a matrix material in a suitable solvent; mixing particles of a superabsorbent polymer into said solutioned matrix material to form a suspension; homogenizing the suspension; and removing the solvent from the suspension.

Abstract: A composite film article which is a flexible, heat resistant, polymeric film material having a non-opaque, partially translucent white surface side, having a visible light opacity of from about 0.90 to about 0.99; and a non-opaque, black surface side having a visible light opacity of less than 1.0, a transmission density of less than about 2.0 and a thickness less than about 5.0 microns. The article may be used as a base for images such that the images have a reduced optical dot gain.

Abstract: A valve for metering a slurry includes a primary flow path for directing a continual flow of slurry through the valve, a valve stem which extends through the primary flow path and engages a passage in a valve seat for metering a portion of slurry passing through the primary flow path out through a second outlet in the valve. A portion of the valve stem which engages the valve seat passage is cut-away and when placed in communication with the primary flow path allows the flushing of accumulated solids through the valve seat passage to avoid persistent plugging of the valve.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing a blended tow of thermoplastic and reinforcing fibers. The process of the invention includes the steps of forming a substantially planar spaced array of thermoplastic multifilament yarns and superimposing the spaced array of separate yarns onto a spread tow of reinforcing fibers. The resulting planar mixed yarn is then gathered into a tow having a nonuniform distribution of thermoplastic fibers throughout the tow. The tow is useful in forming fiber-reinforced composite articles by shaping the tow into a desired form and then heating the shaped tow to melt the thermoplastic fibers which, in turn, form a plastic matrix which is reinforced by the reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: Amines endowed with chain extension activity for formulations such as polyureas are disclosed, which have the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 0-1000; R.sub.1 .dbd.R.sub.2, and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are from the group --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --; --CH.sub.2 --C(CH.sub.3)H--; and --C(CH.sub.3)H--CH.sub.2 --; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, --CH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 OH, and --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --OH.

Abstract: A novel control system is provided to control the liquid levels in a reactor-flasher combination used particularly for the carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid. Liquid level control is achieved by proportional controllers or other controllers which do not continuously seek zero off-set from the desired level and which proportionally change the liquid flow rates from the respective reactor and flasher. An adjustment can be made to the level controllers to change the liquid flow rates by a function generator which adjusts the flow rate, according to an empirically derived function which correlates changes in methanol feed rate to liquid flow rates from the reactor and flasher.