Abstract: A method for the filling and optionally emptying transport containers with plastics granular materials, in which a flexible plastics inliner is inserted into a transport container. A front side of the inliner includes at least one receiving flexible hose connection for filling the inliner with plastics granular material, at least one discharge hose connection for discharging blown in conveying air from the inliner, and at least one emptying hose connection for emptying plastics granular material from the inliner. The front side of the inliner also includes a protective liner. The cabin and the transport container are positioned at a decanting station, the cabin being adapted to transfer plastics granular material from the decanting station and decant the transferred plastics granular material into the transport container through the receiving hose connection. The transport container is then filled with plastics granular material utilizing the cabin.

Abstract: A method for the filling and optionally emptying transport containers with plastics granular materials is disclosed. A flexible plastics inliner is inserted into a transport container. A front side of the inliner includes at least one receiving flexible hose connection for filling the inliner with plastics granular material, at least one discharge hose connection for discharging blown in conveying air from the inliner, and at least one emptying hose connection for emptying plastics granular material from the inliner. The front side of the inliner also includes a protective liner. The cabin and the transport container are positioned at a decanting station, the cabin being adapted to transfer plastics granular material from the decanting station and decant the transferred plastics granular material into the transport container through the receiving hose connection. The transport container is then filled with plastics granular material utilizing the cabin.

Abstract: A compounding process is disclosed. The process includes (i) melt blending in an extruder at least two polymeric resins to produce a mixture that includes at least one resin that dissociates to yield monomers and/or oligomers upon heating, said mixture containing less than 1 percent of volatile components, (ii) introducing into said extruder an inert entraining agent, and (iii) removing said entraining agent together with said volatile components from said extruder. The extruder includes at least one melting zone, at least two degassing zones and at least one mixing zone. The end product has a particularly low content of residual solvent and at the same time a low content of monomers or oligomers.

Abstract: A method for the filling and optionally emptying transport containers with plastics granular materials is disclosed. A flexible plastics inliner is inserted into a transport container. A front side of the inliner includes at least one receiving flexible hose connection for filling the inliner with plastics granular material, at least one discharge hose connection for discharging blown in conveying air from the inliner, and at least one emptying hose connection for emptying plastics granular material from the inliner. The front side of the inliner also includes a protective liner. The cabin and the transport container are positioned at a decanting station, the cabin being adapted to transfer plastics granular material from the decanting station and decant the transferred plastics granular material into the transport container through the receiving hose connection. The transport container is then filled with plastics granular material utilizing the cabin.

Abstract: Continuous processes for preparing polycarbonates having a weight average molecular weight Mw, of 15,000 to 200,000 g/mol, the processes comprising reacting a dihydroxydiarylalkane and phosgene in the presence of a catalyst in a phase boundary process comprising: continuously dispersing in a disperser an organic phase comprising at least a portion of the phosgene and a solvent suitable for the polycarbonate and an aqueous phase comprising the dihydroxydiarylalkane, water and an alkali solution present in an amount of 1.5 to 2.5 moles per mole of the dihydroxydiarylalkane, to form a mixture; reacting the mixture in a first reactor with a residence time of less than 0.5 seconds; further reacting the mixture in a second reactor with addition of further alkali solution and, optionally, a chain terminator; and effecting further condensation in a third reactor with addition of further alkali solution and, optionally, a chain terminator, in the presence of the catalyst.

Abstract: Continuous processes for preparing polycarbonates having a weight average molecular weight MW, of 15,000 to 200,000 g/mol, the processes comprising reacting a dihydroxydiarylalkane and phosgene in the presence of a catalyst in a phase boundary process comprising: continuously dispersing in a disperser an organic phase comprising at least a portion of the phosgene and a solvent suitable for the polycarbonate and an aqueous phase comprising the dihydroxydiarylalkane, water and an alkali solution present in an amount of 1.5 to 2.5 moles per mole of the dihydroxydiarylalkane, to form a mixture; reacting the mixture in a first reactor with a residence time of less than 0.5 seconds; further reacting the mixture in a second reactor with addition of further alkali solution and, optionally, a chain terminator; and effecting further condensation in a third reactor with addition of further alkali solution and, optionally, a chain terminator, in the presence of the catalyst.

Abstract: The application relates to a process for the continuous production of phosgene from chlorine and CO with reduction of the carbon monoxide emission (CO emission).

Abstract: A method for the filling and optionally emptying transport containers with plastics granular materials is disclosed. A flexible plastics inliner is inserted into a transport container. A front side of the inliner includes at least one receiving flexible hose connection for filling the inliner with plastics granular material, at least one discharge hose connection for discharging blown in conveying air from the inliner, and at least one emptying hose connection for emptying plastics granular material from the inliner. The front side of the inliner also includes a protective liner. The cabin and the transport container are positioned at a decanting station, the cabin being adapted to transfer plastics granular material from the decanting station and decant the transferred plastics granular material into the transport container through the receiving hose connection. The transport container is then filled with plastics granular material utilizing the cabin.

Abstract: A compounding process is disclosed. The process includes (i) melt blending in an extruder at least two polymeric resins to produce a mixture that includes at least one resin that dissociates to yield monomers and/or oligomers upon heating, said mixture containing less than 1 percent of volatile components, (ii) introducing into said extruder an inert entraining agent, and (iii) removing said entraining agent together with said volatile components from said extruder. The extruder includes at least one melting zone, at least two degassing zones and at least one mixing zone. The end product has a particularly low content of residual solvent and at the same time a low content of monomers or oligomers.

Abstract: A continuous process for mixing polymer melts with additives, in particular polycarbonate melts with additives in liquid form, in solution or in dispersion is described. The additives are added to a main stream of polymer melt and are then mixed, preferably directly, with the main stream in a static mixer.

Abstract: An improvement in the continuous two-phase interfacial condensation process for preparing polycarbonate is disclosed. In the process that entails at least one diphenol, phosgene, at least one chain terminator, and optionally branching agents and is carried out in the presence of a catalyst the improvement comprising maintaining the concentration of the catalyst at a level of at least 0.012 mol per mol of diphenol.

Abstract: A process for producing phosgene having low content of carbon tetrachloride is disclosed. The process entails reacting carbon monoxide with chlorine in the presence of elemental carbon, in a reactor. Critically the temperature of the gas stream emerging from the reactor is restricted to 30 to 80° C. and its pressure, measured directly downstream from said reactor is restricted to 120 to 400 kPaabs. The phosgene thus produced has a content of carbon tetrachloride that is less than 150 ppm.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of a thermoplastic molding composition is disclosed. Accordingly a first stream containing a molten polymer and at least one additive is introduced into a second extruded stream that contains a molten polymer to produce a combined stream. The temperature of the first stream that is below that of the second stream. The additive is in either liquid form, in solution or in dispersion.

Abstract: A continuous process for mixing polymer melts with additives, in particular polycarbonate melts with additives in liquid form, in solution or in dispersion is described. The additives are added to a main stream of polymer melt and are then mixed, preferably directly, with the main stream in a static mixer.

Abstract: An apparatus for degassing plastic materials, e.g., high molecular weight polycarbonate solutions, is described. The apparatus includes a double-shaft extruder having a length-to-diameter ratio of less than or equal to 40, which comprises: (i) two co-rotating and meshing shafts; (ii) an intake opening; and (iii) upstream and downstream portions relative to the intake opening. The shafts of the extruder are designed with a double lead in a degassing zone, and with a triple lead in a pressure build-up zone. Each of the degassing and the pressure build-up zones are down-stream from the intake opening, and the pressure build-up zone is further down-stream than the degassing zone. Also described is a process for degassing plastic materials, which involves providing the described double-shaft co-rotating extruder, into which plastic material is fed, processed and degassed.

Abstract: A process for preparing an emulsion is disclosed. The process entails mixing an aqueous mineral acid that contains phosphorous in an organic solvent, the mixing being continuous and with the degree of intensity sufficient to form a homogeneous emulsion. The emulsion prepared by the process is useful in the process of preparing polycarbonate by the interfacial process. Accordingly the washed organic polycarbonate that has been washed without the use of a phosphorous containing mineral acid solution is mixed with the novel emulsion. The resulting polycarbonate is characterized by its improved thermal stability.

Abstract: A strand devolatilizer that includes a degassing container, a product inlet, a product distributor, a product outlet and a vapor outlet is disclosed. The product distributor is in the form of a tube distributor with at least one distributor tube (1) and a plurality of die tubes (2) arranged in parallel, each containing a plurality of apertures (15) in the tube wall. The die tubes (2) are preferably arranged in several planes one above the other and staggered laterally relative to one another.

Abstract: An improvement in the continuous two-phase interfacial condensation process for preparing polycarbonate is disclosed. In the process that entails at least one diphenol, phosgene, at least one chain terminator, and optionally branching agents and is carried out in the presence of a catalyst the improvement comprising maintaining the concentration of the catalyst at a level of at least 0.012 mol per mol of diphenol.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer pellets is disclosed. The process that is particular suitable for making polycarbonate pellets entails extruding a polymer melt, cooling the extrudate by contacting it with a cooling fluid and pelletizing the solidified polymer. The process is characterized in that the cooling fluid has a solids particle content of at most 10 ppm.

Abstract: A process for preparing an emulsion is disclosed. The process entails mixing an aqueous mineral acid that contains phosphorous in an organic solvent, the mixing being continuous and with the degree of intensity sufficient to form a homogeneous emulsion. The emulsion prepared by the process is useful in the process of preparing polycarbonate by the interfacial process. Accordingly the washed organic polycarbonate that has been washed without the use of a phosphorous containing mineral acid solution is mixed with the novel emulsion. The resulting polycarbonate is characterized by its improved thermal stability.