Abstract: There is provided an article comprising a copolyester containing residues of neopentyl glycol, 2,2,4,4-tetraalkyl 1,3-cyclobutanediol such as 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl 1,3-cyclobutanediol, tin atoms, aluminum atoms, an alkali or alkaline earth metal atoms such as lithium atoms, optionally phosphorus atoms, and having an It.V. of at least 0.55 dL/g, and Tg of at least 90° C. Such higher It.V. copolyesters can now be made having high Tg, good thermal stability, and higher insertion of 2,2,4,4-tetraalkyl 1,3-cyclobutanediol.

Abstract: There is provided an article comprising a copolyester containing residues of neopentyl glycol, 2,2,4,4-tetraalkyl 1,3-cyclobutanediol such as 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl 1,3-cyclobutanediol, tin atoms, aluminum atoms, an alkali or alkaline earth metal atoms such as lithium atoms, optionally phosphorus atoms, and having an It.V. of at least 0.55 dL/g, and Tg of at least 90° C. Such higher It.V. copolyesters can now be made having high Tg, good thermal stability, and higher insertion of 2,2,4,4-tetraalkyl 1,3-cyclobutanediol.

Abstract: There is provided a copolyester containing residues of neopentyl glycol, 2,2,4,4-tetraalkyl 1,3-cyclobutanediol such as 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl 1,3-cyclobutanediol, tin atoms, aluminum atoms, an alkali or alkaline earth metal atoms such as lithium atoms, optionally phosphorus atoms, and having an It.V. of at least 0.55 dL/g, and Tg of at least 90° C. Such higher It.V. copolyesters can now be made having high Tg, good thermal stability, and higher insertion of 2,2,4,4-tetraalkyl 1,3-cyclobutanediol.

Abstract: Processes for producing polyethylene terephthalate copolyesters are disclosed, that include the steps of: esterifying a mixture of at least terephthalic acid, from 20 mole percent to 45 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and ethylene glycol, optionally in the presence of one or more alkaline earth metals or alkali metals, to form an oligomer; polycondensing the oligomer in the melt phase in the presence of aluminum and one or more alkaline earth metals or alkali metals, to obtain a copolyester having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.5 dL/g; and thereafter adding to the copolyester a phosphorus-containing compound.

Abstract: A horizontal trayed reactor operable to facilitate a chemical reaction in a reaction medium flowing therethrough. The reactor can include a plurality of vertically spaced trays disposed within the horizontally elongated vessel shell. The reaction medium can flow in generally opposite directions on vertically adjacent trays so that the reaction medium flows generally back-and-forth through the reactor.

Abstract: Processes for producing polyethylene terephthalate copolyesters are disclosed, that include the steps of: esterifying a mixture of at least terephthalic acid, from 20 mole percent to 45 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and ethylene glycol, optionally in the presence of one or more alkaline earth metals or alkali metals, to form an oligomer; polycondensing the oligomer in the melt phase in the presence of aluminum and one or more alkaline earth metals or alkali metals, to obtain a copolyester having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.5 dL/g; and thereafter adding to the copolyester a phosphorus-containing compound.

Abstract: Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein carbon-coated iron particles that improve the reheat properties of the compositions. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The carbon-coated iron particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable.

Abstract: A stable catalyst solution suitable for catalyzing the polycondensation of reactants to make polyester polymers comprising: (i) M, wherein M is represented by an alkaline earth metal or alkali metal and (ii) aluminum and (iii) ethylene glycol and (iii) organic hydroxyacid compounds having at least three carbon atoms and less than three carboxylic acid groups when the hydroxyacid compound has 8 or less carbon atoms, wherein the molar ratio of ethylene glycol:aluminum is at least 35:1. The hydroxyacid compounds enhance to solubility of M and Al in ethylene glycol, even at even at molar ratios of M:Al approaching 1:1. There is also provided a method for the manufacture of the composition, its feed to and use in the manufacture of a polyester polymer, and polyester polymers obtained by combining certain ingredients or containing the residues of these ingredients in the composition.

Abstract: Articles comprising at least one polyester polymer melt phase product comprising at least one polyethylene terephthalate polyester; at least one metal compound chosen from alkali metal-aluminum compounds; and from 5 ppm to 1000 ppm of at least one phenolic stabilizer. Also provided is a melt phase process for making a polyester polymer melt phase product comprising: forming a slurry comprising at least one glycol chosen from ethylene glycol and derivatives of ethylene glycol and at least one acid chosen from terephthalic acid and derivatives of terephthalic acid; adding 5 ppm to 1000 ppm of at least one phenolic stabilizer; and reacting said at least one glycol and said at least one acid in the presence of at least one catalyst chosen from alkali metal-aluminum catalysts.

Abstract: A horizontal trayed reactor operable to facilitate a chemical reaction in a reaction medium flowing therethrough. The reactor can include a plurality of vertically spaced trays disposed within the horizontally elongated vessel shell. The reaction medium can flow in generally opposite directions on vertically adjacent trays so that the reaction medium flows generally back-and-forth through the reactor.

Abstract: A process to produce polyester product from alkylene oxide and carboxylic acid. More specifically this process relates to a process to produce polyethylene terephthalate where terephthalic acid and ethylene oxide are reacted to form a partially esterified terephthalic acid product and then the partially esterified product is further reacted with ethylene glycol to produce polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A stable catalyst solution suitable for catalyzing the polycondensation of reactants to make polyester polymers comprising: (i) M, wherein M is represented by an alkaline earth metal or alkali metal and (ii) aluminum and (iii) ethylene glycol and (iii) organic hydroxyacid compounds having at least three carbon atoms and less than three carboxylic acid groups when the hydroxyacid compound has 8 or less carbon atoms, wherein the molar ratio of ethylene glycol:aluminum is at least 35:1. The hydroxyacid compounds enhance to solubility of M and Al in ethylene glycol, even at even at molar ratios of M:Al approaching 1:1. There is also provided a method for the manufacture of the composition, its feed to and use in the manufacture of a polyester polymer, and polyester polymers obtained by combining certain ingredients or containing the residues of these ingredients in the composition.

Abstract: The process for producing polyesters, and in particular, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which includes the use of antimony catalyst that is acidic phosphorus additive involves the addition of the catalyst prior to or together with the additive. Moreover, the amount of additive is selected so as to provide a resin that is at least substantially free of non-acidic inorganic compounds such as antimony phosphate which can be formed by the reaction of the catalyst with the additive. The process preferably includes an esterification step, a prepolymer step, and a polymerization step with the antimony catalyst being added prior to, during, or after, the esterification step while the phosphorus-containing additive is introduced prior to or during the prepolymer stage. Polyesters having low levels of elemental phosphorus are also disclosed.