Abstract: The invention is a system and method for recovering volatile organic gases emitted by solid pellets of a polyetheylene resin product. In the process for making the resin product, the pellets are sampled for product quality and blended to obtain a more uniform mixture, before being transferred to shipping or storage containers. During this process gas must be purged from the sampler and blender vessels to prevent it from building up to an explosive level. In the purging step, outside air is blown through the blender and sampler vessels to mix with the organic gases therein, and this mixture is passed to a furnace, to provide combustion air for the furnace.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a single-pass, horizontal heat exchanger, of the shell and tube type, which is designed for preheating of a viscous material, such as the reactor effluent of a polyethylene solution. The heat exchanger is made in three sections, each of which can be heated independently with a heating fluid, so that a temperature profile can be easily maintained along the entire length of the exchanger. Also, each section can be removed from the exchanger unit independently of the other sections, for cleaning, if the section becomes plugged.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for draining a viscous material, such as a molten polymer, from a vessel that contains the material. A ram-type valve is mounted on the outside of the vessel in line with a drain opening in the vessel. The valve is enclosed in a removable housing mounted on the outside of the vessel. During a process run, the valve piston closes off the drain opening, and an inert atmosphere inside the housing prevents oxygen from forming polymer "gels" that can plug the drain opening. When it becomes necessary to drain the vessel, a remote control valve actuator moves the valve piston out of the drain opening, so the polymer can flow out of the vessel.

Abstract: A process for preparing a porous random fiber polymeric composite sheet through the addition of a cellulose ether which is selectively soluble or insoluble to a random fiber composite slurry under conditions such that the cellulose ether is insoluble, forming the slurry into a sheet, fusing the organic polymer component of the sheet and heating the sheet to solubilize the cellulose ether whereby voids are formed in the sheet. Before the sheet is treated to remove the cellulose ether, it may be combined with other sheets and densified under heat and pressure. Before removing the cellulose ether, the densified sheet may be heated under reduced pressure to expand or loft the sheet in a direciton normal to the plane of the sheet. A random fiber polymeric composite sheet, a densified sheet and a lofted sheet, each comprising a binder, fusable organic polymer, reinforcing material and a cellulose ether are also provided. The same sheets after removal of the cellulose ether are further provided.

Abstract: A porous polymer article for use as a filter medium or battery separator is prepared by admixing a cellulosic compound and a thermoplastic polymer, both usually in powder form, forming the article under pressure and heat to melt and flow the thermoplastic polymer into a continuous phase and after cooling to set the polymer matrix, contacting the set admixture with a solvent, e.g. water, for the cellulosic compound which will not also dissolve the polymer matrix to produce a porous polymer which has a predetermined degree of porosity and is free from residual salt. The article so produced is also disclosed.

Abstract: An indicator device is disclosed that is useful for measuring the level of a material stored in a tank. The device includes a stationary tubular section that fastens into the top wall of the tank. One or more tubular sections of smaller diameter are made to slide inside the stationary section to form a telescoping unit. The smallest tubular section has a foot member at its bottom end and a cable fastened to its upper end. The cable passes over a sheave and is wound onto a winch operated by a motor. In operation, the winch lowers the smallest tubular section into the tank until the foot member contacts the material in the tank and compresses the material enough to stop the downward movement of the tubular section. The winch is then reversed to bring the tubular section back to its "up" position. The sheave operates a counting and recording device that records the total distance traveled by the cable, and this distance indicates the level of material in the tank.

Abstract: The invention is a method and machine for filling and sealing a multiwall valve bag. The bag is fabricated with a valve structure that has at least two separated layers of a polymer composition capable of being heated by electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range (RF energy). After the bag is filled with a product, the valve structure of the bag is clamped against a set of electrodes that are carrying the RF energy. In a very short time, the polymer layers in the valve structure will absorb enough of the RF energy to join together and thus "heat" seal the filled bag.

Abstract: Dead-folded articles are disclosed which comprise a dead-foldable fiber reinforced plastic sheet. Said sheet has a thickness from about 1 to 50 mils. The reinforcing fibers in the sheet are short and randomly oriented in two dimensions within said sheet.

Abstract: The invention is a valve assembly designed for relieving pressure on a process structure, such as a reactor vessel or a pipeline. The valve structure consists of two separate pressure relief units, and each unit includes a pressure relief valve that is positioned between an inlet valve and an outlet valve. A single mechanical actuator means is used to open and close both pairs of valves, so that when one pair of inlet and outlet valves is fully closed, the other pair of inlet and outlet valves is fully open.