Abstract: Process for the co-production of hydrogen and methanol by steam reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock, condensing and separating steam from the reformed gas, synthesizing methanol from the resultant de-watered reformed gas without further compression, separating synthesized methanol and separating hydrogen from the residual gas, optionally after subjecting the residual gas to the shift reaction is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the making of a copolymer of the general formula (I) wherein A is a residue of at least one (meth)acrylate monomeric species, B is a residue of at least one monomeric species copolymerizable with A, R is a (meth)acrylate functionalized pendant ester group, X1 and X2 are terminal groups which may be the same or different, n and p are both at least one and are chosen such that the copolymer has a number average molecular weight of more than 2000.

Abstract: The use of a tin salt together with a salt of a protic acid having at least 2 acidic hydrogen atoms and a pKa in water of 2-10 in preparing water-blown polyurethane foams.

Abstract: A refrigerator capable of being internally illuminated wherein the illumination is provided by an edge-lit panel of a substantially transparent material having two opposed surfaces of which at least one is within the refrigerator and on which a matrix of dots is applied so as to produce a light piping effect internally in to the refrigerator and wherein the light source of the edge-lit panel is located within the enclosed space of the refrigerator. One or more edge-lit panels may be used, which may be shelf of the refrigerator, or its side panels, back panel or roof panel. The edge-lit panel may be form from a transparent acrylic sheet, preferably containing an optical brightner. Protective transparent or translucent layer and a light diffuser may be applied to the surface carrying the matrix of dots.

Abstract: Process for making rigid polyurethane or urethane-modified polyisocyanurate foams comprising the step of reacting an organic polyisocyanate composition with an isocyanate-reactive composition comprising a polyester polyol in the presence of an amine catalyst characterized in that the pKa of the conjugated ammonium salt of said amine is less than 12.

Abstract: Process for the production of an aromatic amine by reacting an aromatic hydrocarbon with ammonia at a temperature of less than 500° C. and a pressure of less than 10 bara in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of the transition elements, lanthanides and actinides, preferably in the presence of an oxidant.

Abstract: A continuous process is disclosed for preparing a reactive particulate dispersion in a liquid carrier. The process comprises mixing together as a melt a resin and a crosslinker under extrusion condition at a temperature and for a time such that substantial crosslinker potential is retained between the resin and the crosslinker and thereafter dispersing the mixture whilst still molten into the liquid carrier and allowing the molten dispersed mixture to solidify to form particles.

Abstract: A method of dyeing cellulosic fibers or fabrics using pre-metallized acid dye by pretreating the fabric with a cationic agent having a plurality of cationic centers and optionally after treating the dyed material with a cationic polymer is disclosed. The cationic polymer is desirably a polyquaternary amine material especially a poly(DADMAC) or polyvinylpyridine. Material dyed by the method has a “washed out” appearance similar to fabrics dyed using the “Jarofast” process, but the availability of a wide range of pre-metallized dyes gives a wider color range, and the method enables a wider range of substrates to be dyed successfully, including lyocell fiber materials e.g. those sold under Courtauld's trademark “Tencel” and blend/union materials with polyamides, easier processing and superior wash and light fastness.

Abstract: Secure cards consisting essentially of a card base having an overlying thermally transferred topcoat, with a thermal transfer image in a dye-receptive surface of the card base and the topcoat typically of a polymethyl methacrylate composition, frequently show severe image fading after relative short periods of time when kept and carried in normal PVC pouches. To improve protection against such fading, the present topcoat comprises at least one barrier layer which is formed of a polymer composition having a Tg>70° C., and which is resistant to the formation of microscopic cracks in the topcoat under tensile bending that is insufficient to cause macroscopic permanent deformation.

Abstract: A dye ribbon cassette for thermal transfer printing comprising a casing containing bearing means having rotatably mounted thereon a cylindrical member having on its periphery a mark carrying information capable of being detected by a sensor on rotation of the member and means operatively engageable with a drive source which is disposed outside of the casing to cause rotation of the member. The cassette may include a pair of identical, spaced apart, shafts rigidly mounted at one end of the casing, one of the shafts forming the bearing means for the cylindrical member, the shafts forming respectively mounting points for a feed spool and a take up spool.

Abstract: A process for the production of difluoromethane which comprises contacting bis(fluoromethyl)ether in the liquid phase with boron trifluoride under conditions such that the molar ratio of boron trifluoride to bis(fluoromethyl) ether is at least 0.5:1.

Abstract: Process for preparing a flexible polyurethane foam by reacting a polyisocyanate and two different polyols under foam forming conditions so as to prepare a rigid foam, by crushing the rigid foam so obtained and by subjecting the flexible foam so obtained to a heat treatment. Flexible foams are obtained which do not show a major glass transition temperature between −100° C. and +25° C.

Abstract: Refrigerant/lubricant compositions comprising a hydrofluoroalkane, e.g. R-134a, and a polyether which is the methyl encapped polooxypropylene ether of glycerol.

Abstract: A method for the reversible agglomeration of fine particles of plaster of Paris (CaSO4.½H2O) and agglomerates made by the method which comprises agitating the fine particles in the presence of an organic polar liquid preferably nearly dry and having some ability to form hydrogen bonds (especially n-propanol) and then drying off most of the liquid whereby the fine particles spontaneously interlink (possibly by mechanical keying) in a way which allows the interlinks to be disrupted so as to release fine particles when the agglomerates are stirred into water by hand. Also a dry precursor mixture comprising the agglomerates containing conventional auxiliary additives for use in mixing with water to make aqueous compositions for use as filler pastes, casting materials or plaster slurries.

Abstract: A multistage core-shell particle consisting of a core, a first shell and optionally a second shell, substantially free from vinylically unsaturated compounds having at least two equally reactive double bonds, wherein: (i) the core contains a first (meth)acrylic polymer, (ii) the first shell contains a low Tg polymer comprising 0 to 25% by weight of a styrenic monomer and 75 to 100% by weight of a (meth)acrylic monomer, the (meth)acrylic monomer capable of forming a homopolymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) in the range from −75 to −5 C, and which first shell represents more than 65% by volume of the combined volume of the core and first shell; (iii) the second shell, when present, contains a second (meth)acrylic polymer which may be the same or different from the first (meth)acrylic polymer, and (iv) the core and first shell together contain from 0.5 to 1.0% by weight of a graft-crosslinker.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprises two parallel and adjacent print engines (1a, 1b), with each engine comprising a platen roller (4), a donor ribbon extending from a supply spool (10a, 10b) to a take-up spool (11a, 11b), and receiver supply rolls (5a, 5b) to hold a supply of receiver sheet. Drive means (11a, 11b; 26a, 26b) transport the donor ribbon and receiver sheet through the engine during printing independently from the drive means of the other engine. A printhead (3) has a row of heaters extending across both engines, with a first set (3a) of heaters positioned to operate with the first engine (1a) and a second set (3b) of heaters positioned to operate with the second engine (1b). Control means coordinate activation of the engines selectively with application of the image signal to the heater set which is operable with that selected engine. Both engines can be operated independently, enabling the printer to be set up for independent or dual printing.

Abstract: A process for the production of a hydrofluoroalkane is disclosed which comprises contacting a halofluorocarbon or hydrohalofluorocarbon with hydrogen at elevated temperature in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst which comprises palladium and an alkali metal carried on a support.

Abstract: Process for preparing a rigid and a flexible polyurethane foam by reacting a polyisocyanate and two different polyols under foam forming conditions, the polyisocyanate being reacted with said polyols in the absence of compounds comprising primary, secondary or tertiary amines. Flexible foams are obtained which do not show a major glass transition temperature between -100.degree. C. and +25.degree. C.

Abstract: A double-loop process for the removal of specified gas or gases from a process gas by absorption with a liquid absorbent for said specified gas or gases wherein the process gas is contacted counter-currently in a first absorption stage with semi-lean absorbent liquid and then in a second absorption stage with lean absorbent liquid to give a sweet process gas and the absorbed gases are stripped from the laden absorbent liquid in a first stage giving a semi-lean absorbent liquid. Part of the semi-lean absorbent is recycled to the first absorption stage while the remainder is subjected to further stripping by counter-current contact with an auxiliary gas that has a concentration of the specified gas or gases that is lower than the concentration of the specified gas or gases in the process gas to give the lean absorbent liquid which is recycled to the second absorption stage.

Abstract: The invention provides a fire retardant composition comprising a dispersion of a solid fire retardant such as melamine, ammonium polyphosphate or guanidine carbonate in a liquid organic polyisocyanate which contains dispersed polymer particles. The preferred content of solid fire retardant is from 10 to 100% by weight and the preferred content of polymer particles is from 2 to 30% by weight. The compositions of the invention are suitable for the preparation of flexible and rigid polyurethane foams.