Abstract: Described are polyester compositions comprising at least one polyester which comprises terephthalic acid residues, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, wherein the inherent viscosity and the Tg of the polyester provides for certain polyester properties. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles such as fibers, films, bottles or sheets.

Abstract: A low z-average molecular weight, high softening point polystyrene resin having a narrow molecular weight distribution, as well as methods of making and using the same, are provided. The use of an inert solvent and/or the order of addition of reactants during polymerization may contribute to the unique properties of the final homopolymeric resin. The polystyrene resin can be partially or fully hydrogenated and may have particular use as a tackifying agent in a variety of hot melt adhesive and rubber compositions.

Abstract: This invention provides cellulose ester interpolymers, and methods of oxidizing cellulose interpolymers and cellulose ester interpolymers. The invention also provides routes to access carboxylated cellulose ester derivatives with high acid numbers wherein the carboxyl group is attached directly to the cellulose backbone by a carbon-carbon bond. Through functionalization of an intermediate aldehyde, the corresponding cationic or zwitterionic cellulose ester derivatives can also be accessed. The interpolymers of the present invention have a number of end-use applications, for example, as binder resins in various types of coating compositions and as drug delivery agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to acetylation of wood. In particular, the invention provides methods of acetylation of solid wood in which at least some of the solid wood is processed in multiple acetylation cycles. The invention further provides wood acetylation methods that include sorting solid wood pieces based on density-indicating parameters.

Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream, the process comprising: (A) contacting short cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a heated aqueous stream in a mix zone to produce a short cut multicomponent fiber slurry; (B) routing the short cut multicomponent fiber slurry and optionally, a heated aqueous stream, to a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; and (C) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream.

Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream, the process comprising: (A) contacting cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a treated aqueous stream in a fiber slurry zone to produce a cut multicomponent fiber slurry; (B) contacting the cut multicomponent fiber slurry with a heated aqueous stream in a mix zone to produce a heated multicomponent fiber slurry; (C) routing the heated multicomponent fiber slurry to a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; and (D) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream.

Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream is provided comprising: (A) contacting short cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a treated aqueous stream in a fiber slurry zone to produce a short cut multicomponent fiber slurry; (B) contacting the short cut multicomponent fiber slurry and a heated aqueous stream in a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; and (C) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream.

Abstract: A process for producing a microfiber product stream is provided comprising: (A) contacting cut multicomponent fibers having a length of less than 25 millimeters with a heated aqueous stream in a fiber opening zone to remove a portion of the water dispersible sulfopolyester to produce an opened microfiber slurry; wherein the heated aqueous stream is at a temperature of at least 40° C.; and (B) routing the opened microfiber slurry to a primary solid liquid separation zone to produce the microfiber product stream and a first mother liquor stream; wherein the first mother liquor stream comprises water and the water dispersible sulfopolyester.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: A low z-average molecular weight, high softening point polystyrene resin having a narrow molecular weight distribution, as well as methods of making and using the same, are provided. The use of an inert solvent and/or the order of addition of reactants during polymerization may contribute to the unique properties of the final homopolymeric resin. The polystyrene resin can be partially or fully hydrogenated and may have particular use as a tackifying agent in a variety of hot melt adhesive and rubber compositions.

Abstract: A wood treatment method and apparatus utilizing a treatment vessel having an integrated bundle hold-down system for securing a bundle of wood within the interior of the vessel during treatment. The bundle hold-down system can be operable to counteract large buoyant forces associated with submersing the bundle of wood in a liquid reagent and/or can be used to maintain the shape and/or position of the bundle during treatment, even if a liquid reagent is not present.

Abstract: A solid catalyst comprising an effective amount of iridium and at least one second metal selected from gallium, zinc, indium and germanium associated with a solid support material is useful for vapor phase carbonylation to produce carboxylic acids and esters from alkyl alcohols, esters, ethers or ester-alcohol mixtures. The iridium and at least one second metal are deposited on a support material. In some embodiments of the invention, the catalyst is useful for vapor phase carbonylation.

Abstract: A wood treatment method and apparatus that utilizes at least two carts for transporting bundles of wood into, out of, and between at least two wood treatment vessels. In certain situations, each of the carts can move along a dedicated path and can be located exterior to the vessels during treatment. As a result, the process can have a minimal cycle time, while maximizing throughput from the facility.

Abstract: A wood treatment method and apparatus that includes a laterally shiftable transportation segment adjacent a door of a wood treatment vessel. When retracted, the shiftable transportation segment accommodates the opening and/or closing of the door. When aligned, the shiftable transportation segment can support the weight of a cart that transports a bundle of wood into and/or out of the wood treatment vessel. Wood treatment systems described herein may also include a bundle adjustment system for applying an aligning force to at least a portion of the bundle during its loading and/or unloading from the wood treatment vessel.

Abstract: A wood treatment system that includes at least one wood treatment vessel and a bundle lift system for loading and unloading a bundle of wood from a cart used to transport the bundle into and/or out of the treatment vessel. The lift system vertically disengages the bundle of wood from the cart within the interior of the vessel, thereby allowing the cart to be removed from the vessel prior to initiating treatment. The lift system, which can be physically separate from or physically coupled to the cart, is entirely disposed within a lower portion of the interior volume of the wood treatment vessel.

Abstract: A wood treatment method and apparatus that includes a cart drive system for enabling the movement of at least one wood-transporting cart into and/or out of a wood treatment vessel. The wood-transporting cart can have a length greater than the maximum internal dimension of the wood treatment vessel. The cart drive system can include at least one active drive component and at least one passive drive component. The active drive component can be physically separate from the cart and permanently fixed outside the interior of the wood treatment vessel. The passive drive component can be physically coupled to the cart and operable to move with the cart as it transports the bundle of wood into and/or out of the wood treatment vessel.

Abstract: A wood treatment method and apparatus employing a bundle support structure to support a bundle of wood during transportation and treatment of the bundle. The bundle support structure rests on a movable cart during transportation of the bundle, but is detached from the movable cart during treatment of the bundle.

Abstract: A process to produce an elastomeric composition is provided. The process comprising: (a) mixing at least one cellulose ester with one or more carrier elastomers to form a cellulose ester concentrate; (b) blending the cellulose ester concentrate with at least one primary elastomer to produce the elastomeric composition, wherein at least a portion of the mixing of step (a) occurs at a temperature that is at least 10° C. greater than the temperature of the blending of step (b).

Abstract: A tire component is provided comprising an elastomeric composition containing at least one non-fibril cellulose ester, at least one non-nitrile primary elastomer, optionally a starch, and at least 70 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of one or more fillers, wherein the weight ratio of the cellulose ester to the starch is at least 3:1, and wherein the cellulose ester is in the form of particles having an average diameter of not more than 10 ?m.

Abstract: A process to produce a cellulose ester concentrate is provided. The process comprising mixing at least one cellulose ester with one or more carrier elastomers to produce the cellulose ester concentrate, wherein at least a portion of the mixing occurs at a temperature that exceeds the Tg of the cellulose ester, wherein at least a portion of the mixing operates at a shear rate of at least 50 s?1.