Abstract: A polyurethane-modified polyisocyanurate (PU-PIR) foam exhibiting improved thermal stability is provided. The foam has incorporated therein a high molecular weight ammonium polyphosphate (APP). APP is employed as a partial or complete substitute for flame retardants conventionally employed in PU-PIR foams. The foams of the invention exhibit excellent and improved thermal stability characteristics as compared to foams to which no APP has been added.

Abstract: Disclosed are ethylenically unsaturated amine salts of sulfonic, phosphoric and carboxylic acids. The salts are surface active agents which are useful in a variety of applications as primary and/or secondary surfactants. The salts are especially useful as surfactants in emulsion polymerization reactions.

Abstract: A process to refine esters of conjugated linoleic acids via distillation in a single or multi-pass distillation operation is provided. Thermal rearrangement of conjugated linoleic acid components during distillation is prevented or reduced by the use of a low residence time and/or reduced pressure distillation apparatus. A process to produce refined esters of conjugated linoleic acids is also provided. The process transesterifies a linoleic acid-containing oil to generate an alkyl ester composition which further undergoes isomerization at a temperatures typically between about 90-140° C. to form an ester stream containing conjugated linoleic acid esters, which is then distilled to obtain the refined esters of conjugated linoleic acids. The transesterification and isomerization steps can be performed in one reaction vessel without an intervening distillation step. The transesterification and isomerization steps can occur concurrently in a continuous reaction system using a dual reaction zone apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates new and improved processes for the preparation of arylalkylsulfonic acids derived from aromatic or substituted aromatic molecules and AOS acid (generally a mixture of alkenesulfonic acid and sultones, produced from the sulfonation of alpha olefins) and to cleaning compositions comprising said arylalkylsulfonic acids. The invention involves the use of a superacid catalyst to effectuate the conversion of AOS acid and aromatic reactants to arylalkylsulfonic acid under substantially anhydrous conditions, whereby a substantial improvement in the rate of conversion of the reactants to arylalkylsulfonic acid and/or improvement in mono-alkylation selectivity is realized, as compared to methods of preparation previously disclosed. Also useful as an alkylation promoter is the arylalkylsulfonic acid reaction product itself, produced in situ or from a previous reaction (i.e., a self-catalyst heel).

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method of making polymers. The method utilizes at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one polymerizable surface active agent. The polymerizable surface active agent is capable of co-polymerization with traditional monomers and/or polymerization with itself (i.e. homopolymerization) and is preferably substantially completely consumed during the course of the polymerization. Polymers produced by the method of the present invention are well suited for use in coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and the like, as they form stable films, possess excellent adhesion properties and have improved hydrolytic stability characteristics. The present invention also encompasses homopolymeric surface active agents and their use in polymerization reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed are automatic dryer added fabric conditioning articles and methods utilizing fabric conditioning compositions comprising from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of a mixture of quaternary ammonium compounds, and between about 80 percent to about 20 percent by weight of a mixture of glycerin and glyceryl esters, wherein the fabric conditioning compositions possess a melting point of about 30° C. to about 65° C. The conditioning compositions of the present invention are preferably employed in combination with a dispensing means adapted for use in an automatic clothes dryer. The fabric conditioning compositions may be coated onto substrates, and the fabric conditioning articles thereby obtained used to impart softness and anti-static properties to fabric. The method portion of the invention involves the commingling of damp fabrics with the fabric conditioning compositions in an automatic clothes dryer to impart softness and anti-static properties to the fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed are automatic dryer added fabric conditioning articles and methods utilizing fabric conditioning compositions comprising from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of a mixture of quaternary ammonium compounds, and between about 80 percent to about 20 percent by weight of a mixture of glycerin and glyceryl esters, wherein the fabric conditioning compositions possess a melting point of about 30° C. to about 65° C. The conditioning compositions of the present invention are preferably employed in combination with a dispensing means adapted for use in an automatic clothes dryer. The fabric conditioning compositions may be coated onto substrates, and the fabric conditioning articles thereby obtained used to impart softness and anti-static properties to fabric. The method portion of the invention involves the commingling of damp fabrics with the fabric conditioning compositions in an automatic clothes dryer to impart softness and anti-static properties to the fabric.

Abstract: An improved method of making CASE materials is provided, wherein the method utilizes a polymer latex derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one polymerizable surface active agent. The polymerizable surface active agent is capable of co-polymerization with traditional monomers and is preferably substantially completely consumed during the course of the polymerization. Latex polymers produced by the method of the present invention are well suited for use in coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers. Additionally, the present invention relates to improved coating, adhesive, sealant and elastomer (CASE) materials utilizing polymer latexes derived from various monomers and ethylenically unsaturated amine salts of sulfonic, phosphoric and/or carboxylic acids.

Abstract: A process to manufacture conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-containing materials such as conjugated linoleic salts and acids that are enriched in desirable cis-9, trans-11- and trans-10, cis-12-CLA isomers and are low in certain undesirable isomers. The process generally entails isomerization of an alkyl ester of a linoleic acid-containing material at a temperature typically between about 90 to 140° C. to effectuate conjugation of the double bonds, followed by saponification of the resultant CLA-containing fatty acid ester to produce a CLA-containing fatty acid salt, optionally followed by neutralization of the CLA-containing fatty acid salt with an acid source to produce a CLA-containing fatty acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyester-ether polyols and their use in urethane prepolymers, urethane foams and non-foam urethane coatings, adhesives, sealants and/or elastomers. Methods for producing such polyester-ether polyols using double metal cyanide catalysts are disclosed, along with methods for producing urethane prepolymers. The polyester-ether polyols of the instant invention are preferably the reaction product of phthalic anhydride, diethylene glycol, and propylene oxide. These polyester-ether polyols are useful as either the primary polyol in urethane compositions or in combination with conventional auxiliary polyester- and/or polyether-based polyols. The polyester-ether polyols impart greatly improved solubility and compatibility to mixtures of either polyether and/or polyester polyols. The polyester-ether polyols of the instant invention are desirably of lower viscosity than their precursor intermediate polyester polyols and are generally soluble in either polyester- and/or polyether-based polyols.

Abstract: A method for making biodiesel from a vegetable oil source is described. The method involves simultaneously reacting the free fatty acids and glycerides of the vegetable oil source with methanol, under pressure up to 250 psig, into fatty acid alkyl esters for use as biodiesel. The conversion is catalyzed by an acid at temperatures between about 80° C. to about 200° C.

Abstract: A method for making alkylesters, or methylester specifically, such as biodiesel, from an oil source is described. The method involves converting the free fatty acids of the oil source into a mixture of mono-, di-, and tri-glycerides and subsequently transesterifying the newly formed glycerides as well as the originally present glycerides into fatty acid alkyl esters.

Abstract: A method for making alkyl esters, or methylester specifically, such as biodiesel, from an oil source is described. The method involves simultaneously reacting the free fatty acids and glycerides of the oil source with methanol, under pressure up to 500 psia, into fatty acid alkyl esters. The conversion is catalyzed by an acid at temperatures between about 80° C. to about 200° C.

Abstract: A method for determining the glycerin content of a biodiesel sample is provided which utilizes the conversion of the glycerin content of the biodiesel sample into a colored compound, preferably quinoneimine dye. The concentration of the colored compound, preferably quinoneimine dye, in the biodiesel sample may then be measured and converted to a concentration of glycerin in the biodiesel sample.

Abstract: An improved method of making CASE materials is provided, wherein the method utilizes a polymer latex derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one polymerizable surface active agent. The polymerizable surface active agent is capable of co-polymerization with traditional monomers and is preferably substantially completely consumed during the course of the polymerization. Latex polymers produced by the method of the present invention are well suited for use in coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers. Additionally, the present invention relates to improved coating, adhesive, sealant and elastomer (CASE) materials utilizing polymer latexes derived from various monomers and ethylenically unsaturated amine salts of sulfonic, phosphoric and/or carboxylic acids.

Abstract: Disclosed are automatic dryer added fabric conditioning articles and methods utilizing fabric conditioning compositions comprising from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of a mixture of quaternary ammonium compounds, and between about 80 percent to about 20 percent by weight of a mixture of glycerin and glyceryl esters, wherein the fabric conditioning compositions possess a melting point of about 30° C. to about 65° C. The conditioning compositions of the present invention are preferably employed in combination with a dispensing means adapted for use in an automatic clothes dryer. The fabric conditioning compositions may be coated onto substrates, and the fabric conditioning articles thereby obtained used to impart softness and anti-static properties to fabric. The method portion of the invention involves the commingling of damp fabrics with the fabric conditioning compositions in an automatic clothes dryer to impart softness and ani-static properties to the fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed are antimicrobial compositions comprising

Abstract: The present invention relates to low viscosity aromatic polyester polyols having an average functionality of two and methods for preparing such polyols. In particular, the invention relates to low viscosity aromatic polyester polyols prepared by reacting a phthalic acid based material with diethylene glycol, a higher functional polyol having an average functionality of greater than two and a long chain alkyl acid, ester or oil. The resulting aromatic polyester polyol has an average functionality of two and has a lower dynamic viscosity as compared to the esterification product of a phthalic acid based material with diethylene glycol alone.

Abstract: Disclosed are ethylenically unsaturated amine salts of sulfonic, phosphoric and carboxylic acids. The salts are surface active agents which are useful in a variety of applications as primary and/or secondary surfactants. The salts are especially useful as surfactants in emulsion polymerization reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyester-ether polyols and their use in urethane prepolymers, urethane foams and non-foam urethane coatings, adhesives, sealants and/or elastomers. Methods for producing such polyester-ether polyols are disclosed, along with methods for producing urethane prepolymers. The polyester-ether polyols of the instant invention are preferably the reaction product of phthalic anhydride, diethylene glycol, and propylene oxide. These polyester-ether polyols are useful as either the primary polyol in urethane compositions or in combination with conventional auxiliary polyester- and/or polyether-based polyols. The polyester-ether polyols impart greatly improved solubility and compatibility to mixtures of either polyether and/or polyester polyols. The polyester-ether polyols of the instant invention are desirably of lower viscosity than their precursor intermediate polyester polyols and are generally soluble in either polyester- and/or polyether-based polyols.