Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymerization processes where recycled polymeric material is fed to polymerization process to produce a blend of virgin polymer with recycled polymeric content.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for producing blends of recycled polymeric material and virgin polyethylene. Post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) can vary widely with respect to composition which includes mixtures of variable amounts of different polar and non-polar polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol, and polyamide. Mixing PCR and virgin polyethylene is inconsistent, partially due to variability, and frequently results in a final product with poor mechanical and optical properties. The process described herein of adding PCR to a solution polymerization process provides another option for blending PCR and virgin polyethylene that offers an ability to exert greater control on the properties of the final product, independent of the composition of the PCR.

Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus are provided for converting a lower alkane to an alkene. Oxygen and the lower alkane are provided to an ODH reactor to convert at least a portion of the lower alkane to an alkene. An ODH stream comprising the alkene, an oxygenate, steam, and a carbon-based oxide is produced. The bulk of the oxygenate is removed from the ODH outlet stream by non-dilutive cooling, with residual oxygenate being removed using dilutive quenching with a carbonate. Subsequently, separation of the carbon-based oxide from the alkene is achieved using a caustic tower, which also produces spent caustic in the form of a carbonate, which is then used as the carbonate for dilutive quenching. Dilutive quenching using a carbonate allows conversion of the oxygenate to an acetate, which can then be used to simplify separation of the oxygenate from water.

Abstract: Multilayer Films have a first skin layer that is prepared from a high density polyethylene and a second skin layer (also referred to as the sealant layer) that is prepared from a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) having a density of from 0.90 to 0.92 g/cc and a Dilution Index, Yd, of greater than 0°. Seals can be prepared by placing two pieces of this film against each other such that the sealant layers are in contact with each other, then applying heat to at least one high density skin layer such that heat is transmitted/conducted through the multilayer film in a sufficient amount to melt the sealant layer and form a seal. The use of LLDPE having a Dilution Index of greater than 0° has been found to improve the sealing performance of multilayer films in comparison to multilayer films where the sealant layer is a conventional LLDPE having a Dilution Index of less than 0°.

Abstract: A thermoformable film including a polyethylene composition. The polyethylene composition includes a first polyethylene which is an ethylene copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 70,000 to 250,000 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of <2.3, a second polyethylene which is an ethylene copolymer or homopolymer having a weight average molecular weight of less than 75,000 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of <2.3, a third polyethylene which is an ethylene copolymer or homopolymer having a weight average molecular weight of less than 75,000 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of <2.3, and a fourth polyethylene which is an ethylene copolymer or homopolymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 100,000 to 250,000 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of >2.3, where the first polyethylene has more short chain branching than the second polyethylene or the third polyethylene.

Abstract: This document relates to oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts that include molybdenum, vanadium, and oxygen.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self cleaning reactor and to a process for the oligomerization of ethylene that employs a self-cleaning reactor. The reactor includes a mass of inert, particulate cleaning bodies that are entrained by the liquid in the reactor and scour the internal surfaces of the reactor during normal operation. This scouring action reduces the level of fouling on the reactor surfaces. Foulant material (polyethylene) is removed from the process on a continuous basis but the cleaning bodies remain within the reactor.

Abstract: A method is presented of thermal decomposition to crack ethane and/or higher alkane hydrocarbon feed or the mixture of any of these hydrocarbons to break down into component elements or simpler constituents using heat from a hot metal agent from a chemical looping combustion process.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to ethylene interpolymer product having intermediate branching. Intermediate branching was defined as branching that was longer than the branch length due to comonomer and shorter than the entanglement molecular weight (Me). Intermediately branched ethylene interpolymer products were produced in a continuous solution polymerization process employing an intermediate branching catalyst formulation. Intermediately branched ethylene interpolymer products were characterized by a Non-Comonomer Index Distribution (NCIDi), a melt index from 0.3 to 500 dg/minute, a density from 0.858 to 0.965 g/cm3, a polydispersity (Mw/Mn) from about 2 to about 25 and a CDBI50 from about 10% to about 98%. A method based on triple detection cross fractionation chromatography (3D-CFC) was disclosed to measure NCIDi.

Abstract: A Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene (BOPE) process uses a selected polyethylene having a medium density and a very broad molecular weight distribution. The use of this selected polyethylene facilitates stretching in the BOPE process in comparison to previously used polyethylene resins having a higher density and/or a narrower molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: An interpolymer product comprising: a first ethylene interpolymer comprising ethylene and an ?-olefin having a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of greater than 250,000 and a density of less than 0.930 g/cm3, and a second ethylene interpolymer comprising ethylene and an ?-olefin wherein the second ethylene interpolymer comprises a Mw of less than 70,000 and a density of greater than 0.930 g/cm3; and wherein the interpolymer product comprises an environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR), measured according to ASTM D1693, Condition B, 10% IGEPAL CO-630, of greater than 90 hours. The interpolymer product may be manufactured in a continuous solution polymerization process utilizing at least two reactors employing at least one single site catalyst formulation and at least one heterogeneous catalyst formulation.

Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus for separation of an oxygenate from a stream is provided. More specifically, a stream comprising the oxygenate is introduced to a quench tower along with a caustic outlet stream comprising a metal salt. Contact between the oxygenate and the metal salt results in conversion of a portion of the oxygenate into a derivative salt. The derivative salt and unconverted oxygenate are condensed by quenching and substantially removed from the quench tower as an oxygenate outlet stream. The gaseous components of the stream, minus a substantial portion of the oxygenate, are removed from the quench tower as a quench outlet stream.

Abstract: The copolymerization of ethylene with an optional comonomer is conducted in the presence of a catalyst having a specific aryloxy ether ligand structure. The process enables very high conversions of ethylene to polyethylene at very short residence times when conducted under conditions of pressures of at least 10.3 MPa and high ethylene feed concentrations of from 70 to 150 grams per liter. Using these polymerization conditions, the level of unsaturation may be controlled by the polymerization temperature: for example, a level of 0.09 vinyl groups per 1000 carbon atoms was observed at a polymerization temperature of 160° C. and a level of 0.22 vinyls per 1000 carbon atoms was observed at 220° C.

Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus are provided for converting a lower alkane to an alkene. Oxygen and the lower alkane are provided to an ODH reactor to convert at least a portion of the lower alkane to an alkene. An ODH stream comprising the alkene, an oxygenate, steam, and a carbon-based oxide is produced. The bulk of the oxygenate is removed from the ODH outlet stream by non-dilutive cooling, with residual oxygenate being removed using dilutive quenching with a carbonate. Subsequently, separation of the carbon-based oxide from the alkene is achieved using a caustic tower, which also produces spent caustic in the form of a carbonate, which is then used as the carbonate for dilutive quenching. Dilutive quenching using a carbonate allows conversion of the oxygenate to an acetate, which can then be used to simplify separation of the oxygenate from water.

Abstract: Multilayer Films have a first skin layer that is prepared from a high density polyethylene and a second skin layer (also referred to as the sealant layer) that is prepared from a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) having a density of from 0.90 to 0.92 g/cc and a Dilution Index, Yd, of greater than 0°. Seals can be prepared by placing two pieces of this film against each other such that the sealant layers are in contact with each other, then applying heat to at least one high density skin layer such that heat is transmitted/conducted through the multilayer film in a sufficient amount to melt the sealant layer and form a seal. The use of LLDPE having a Dilution Index of greater than 0° has been found to improve the sealing performance of multilayer films in comparison to multilayer films where the sealant layer is a conventional LLDPE having a Dilution Index of less than 0°.

Abstract: The copolymerization of ethylene with an optional comonomer is conducted in the presence of a catalyst having a specific aryloxy ether ligand structure. The process enables very high conversions of ethylene to polyethylene at very short residence times when conducted under conditions of pressures of at least 10.3 MPa and high ethylene feed concentrations of from 70 to 150 grams per liter.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure are oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts that include a mixed metal oxide having the empirical formula: Mo1.0V0.12-0.49Te0.05-0.17Nb0.10-0.20Od wherein d is a number to satisfy the valence of the oxide. The oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst is characterized by having XRD diffraction peaks (2? degrees) at 22±0.2, 27±0.2, 28.0±0.2, and 28.3±0.1. The disclosure also provides methods of making the catalysts that include wet ball milling.

Abstract: The use of a flow conditioner improves the performance of an electromagnetic system to detect metal contamination in a polymer stream at high flow rates.

Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus for separation of an oxygenate from a stream is provided. More specifically, a stream comprising the oxygenate is introduced to a quench tower along with a caustic outlet stream comprising a metal salt. Contact between the oxygenate and the metal salt results in conversion of a portion of the oxygenate into a derivative salt. The derivative salt and unconverted oxygenate are condensed by quenching and substantially removed from the quench tower as an oxygenate outlet stream. The gaseous components of the stream, minus a substantial portion of the oxygenate, are removed from the quench tower as a quench outlet stream.

Abstract: A method of converting one or more alkanes to one or more alkenes that includes a) providing a first stream containing one or more alkanes and oxygen to an oxidative dehydrogenation reactor; b) converting at least a portion of the one or more alkanes to one or more alkenes in the oxidative dehydrogenation reactor to provide a second stream exiting the oxidative dehydrogenation reactor containing one or more alkanes, one or more alkenes, oxygen, carbon monoxide and optionally acetylene; and c) providing the second stream to a second reactor containing a catalyst that includes a group 11 metal to convert a least a portion of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and reacting the acetylene.