Abstract: Method and apparatus for the chlorination of polyolefins in aqueous suspension. The method includes subjecting the suspension of the polyolefin to a submerged jet of chlorine gas at a velocity sufficient to atomize the chlorine; i.e., at least about sixty feet per second. By this method a very intimate mixture of chlorine and aqueous suspension is formed, whereby the chlorination proceeds more efficiently and at a lower chlorine pressure. Further advantages include a more uniformly-substituted product.

Abstract: Spheroidal polymer beads having a uniform size are prepared by polymerizing uniformly sized monomer droplets formed by vibratory excitation of a laminar jet of monomeric material flowing in a gas phase. For example, a laminar jet of a monomer mixture comprising styrene, divinylbenzene and a polymerization initiator can be subjected to vibratory excitation and the resulting monomer droplets polymerized to yield copolymer beads having a narrow particle size range distribution. The copolymer beads can be employed in applications where beads having diameters of 5 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m are useful.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the chlorination of polyolefins in aqueous suspension. The method includes subjecting the suspension of the polyolefin to a submerged jet of chlorine gas at a velocity sufficient to atomize the chlorine; i.e., at least about sixty feet per second. By this method a very intimate mixture of chlorine and aqueous suspension is formed, whereby the chlorination proceeds more efficiently and at a lower chlorine pressure. Further advantages include a more uniformly-substituted product.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of water-insoluble polymers employ fatty acid salts as plasticizers/stabilizers. These dispersions may be coagulated by adjusting the pH until the fatty acid salts are converted to free acid form.

Abstract: The crude product obtained from the acid hydrolysis of cellulose, the product comprising concentrated hydrochloric acid and the various sugars obtained from the acid hydrolysis of cellulose, is separated into a first fraction comprising concentrated hydrochloric acid and a second fraction comprising the sugars by a process comprising:(1) contacting the crude product with an organic solvent consisting essentially of at least one C.sub.5 -C.sub.9 alcohol such that the organic solvent is enriched with the concentrated hydrochloric acid,(2) separating the enriched organic solvent from the concentrated hydrochloric acid depleted crude product, and(3) recovering the concentrated hydrochloric acid from the enriched organic solvent.

Abstract: Aqueous polymer microsuspensions having controlled particle size and narrow particle size distribution are prepared by a continuous process comprising the steps of (a) forming a heterogeneous composition having a discontinuous aqueous phase and a continuous polymer phase; and (b) converting the resulting polymer-continuous heterogeneous composition to a water-continuous heterogeneous composition.