Abstract: A system for detecting an interface between a polymer-rich phase and a solvent-rich phase comprising a liquid-liquid separator configured to receive a polymer solution as an inlet stream comprising solvent, polymer and unreacted monomer produced in a solvent-based polymerization reactor through an inlet feed, wherein a tank is configured to provide a residence time of at least 20 minutes and to permit the stream to separate into the polymer rich phase and the solvent rich phase; a first sonic transponder for sending a first sonic signal from either a top or bottom of the liquid-liquid separator and for receiving a first reflected portion of the sonic signal, the reflected portion of the sonic signal created by the passage of the sonic signal through a liquid-liquid interface between the solvent rich phase and the polymer rich phase, wherein the first sonic transponder is positioned such that it transmits the signal which travels perpendicularly to the liquid-liquid interface is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an adhesive formulation comprising an olefin block copolymer comprising hard blocks and soft blocks wherein the hard blocks comprise 4-8 mol % comonomer; and are present in an amount of 20 wt %-45 wt %. This formulation is particularly advantageous for use in hot melt adhesives but may be used in other applications as well.

Abstract: Disclosed are oil-extended olefin block copolymer compositions with low, or no, tack. A unique comonomer content in the soft segment of the OBC in conjunction with the presence of a polyolefin provides the present oil-extended OBC composition with softness, low (or no) tack, and low (or no) oil-bleed.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution polymerization process comprising: A) polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a solvent that comprises a heavy hydrocarbon solvent and a light hydrocarbon solvent, to form a polymer solution; B) transferring the polymer solution to a Liquid-Liquid Separator, without adding heat to the solution, and wherein the pressure of the polymer solution is actively reduced in a controlled manner prior to, or within, the Liquid-Liquid Separator, to induce at least two liquid phases, a polymer-rich phase and a solvent-rich phase, and wherein the concentration of polymer in the polymer-rich phase is higher than that in the polymer solution transferred to the Liquid-Liquid Separator; and C) removing the solvent-rich phase.

Abstract: Improved reaction processes comprise reacting a mixture to form a product comprising a metal alkyl, metal oxide, or mixture thereof and then passing said product to a post-reactor heat exchanger. The improvement comprises one or more of the following: (1) reacting said metal alkyl compound with an acid to produce a soluble metal ester; or (2) adding an ionic surfactant; or (3) adding a mixture comprising an antioxidant to the product under conditions sufficient to avoid formation of significant amounts of insoluble metal or metal compounds derived from said metal alkyl compound; or (4) purging said post-reactor heat exchanger with an inert gas under conditions to remove metal oxide from the post-reactor heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system for detecting an interface between a polymer-rich phase and a solvent-rich phase comprising a liquid-liquid separator configured to receive a polymer solution as an inlet stream comprising solvent, polymer and unreacted monomer produced in a solvent-based polymerization reactor through an inlet feed, wherein a tank is configured to provide a residence time of at least 20 minutes and to permit the stream to separate into the polymer rich phase and the solvent rich phase; a first sonic transponder for sending a first sonic signal from either a top or bottom of the liquid-liquid separator and for receiving a first reflected portion of the sonic signal, the reflected portion of the sonic signal created by the passage of the sonic signal through a liquid-liquid interface between the solvent rich phase and the polymer rich phase, wherein the first sonic transponder is positioned such that it transmits the signal which travels perpendicularly to the liquid-liquid interface is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an adhesive formulation comprising an olefin block copolymer comprising hard blocks and soft blocks wherein the hard blocks comprise 4-8 mol % comonomer; and are present in an amount of 20 wt %-45 wt %. This formulation is particularly advantageous for use in hot melt adhesives but may be used in other applications as well.

Abstract: Improved reaction processes comprise reacting a mixture to form a product comprising a metal alkyl, metal oxide, or mixture thereof and then passing said product to a post-reactor heat exchanger. The improvement comprises one or more of the following: (1) reacting said metal alkyl compound with an acid to produce a soluble metal ester; or (2) adding an ionic surfactant; or (3) adding a mixture comprising an antioxidant to the product under conditions sufficient to avoid formation of significant amounts of insoluble metal or metal compounds derived from said metal alkyl compound; or (4) purging said post-reactor heat exchanger with an inert gas under conditions to remove metal oxide from the post-reactor heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system for detecting an interface between polymer-rich phase and solvent-rich phase comprising a liquid-liquid separator configured to receive a polymer solution as an inlet stream produced in a solvent-based polymerization reactor through an inlet feed, wherein the tank is configured to permit the stream to separate into a polymer rich phase and a solvent rich phase; a first sonic transponder for sending a first sonic signal from either a top or bottom of the liquid-liquid separator and for receiving a first reflected portion of the sonic signal, the reflected portion of the sonic signal created by the passage of the sonic signal through a liquid-liquid interface between the solvent rich phase and the polymer rich phase is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution polymerization process comprising: A) polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a solvent that comprises a heavy hydrocarbon solvent and a light hydrocarbon solvent, to form a polymer solution; B) transferring the polymer solution to a Liquid-Liquid Separator, without adding heat to the solution, and wherein the pressure of the polymer solution is actively reduced in a controlled manner prior to, or within, the Liquid-Liquid Separator, to induce at least two liquid phases, a polymer-rich phase and a solvent-rich phase, and wherein the concentration of polymer in the polymer-rich phase is higher than that in the polymer solution transferred to the Liquid-Liquid Separator; and C) removing the solvent-rich phase.

Abstract: Disclosed are oil-extended olefin block copolymer compositions with low, or no, tack. A unique comonomer content in the soft segment of the OBC in conjunction with the presence of a polyolefin provides the present oil-extended OBC composition with softness, low (or no) tack, and low (or no) oil-bleed.

Abstract: Improved reaction processes comprise reacting a mixture to form a product comprising a metal alkyl, metal oxide, or mixture thereof and then passing said product to a post-reactor heat exchanger. The improvement comprises one or more of the following: (1) reacting said metal alkyl compound with an acid to produce a soluble metal ester; or (2) adding an ionic surfactant; or (3) adding a mixture comprising an antioxidant to the product under conditions sufficient to avoid formation of significant amounts of insoluble metal or metal compounds derived from said metal alkyl compound; or (4) purging said post-reactor heat exchanger with an inert gas under conditions to remove metal oxide from the post-reactor heat exchanger.