Abstract: Continuous processes for making ethylene glycol form aldohexose-yielding carbohydrates are disclosed which enhance the selectivity to ethylene glycol.

Abstract: A continuous process for converting carbohydrates to ethylene and propylene glycol. The carbohydrates are mixed with water and passed through a reactor at a temperature that hydrolyzes the carbohydrate mixture at least partially to monosaccharides. The reactor has a first zone comprising a retro-aldol catalyst and a second zone comprising a reducing catalyst. The aldose is converted in the first zone into glycolaldehyde by the retro-aldol catalyst and the glycolaldehyde, in the presence of hydrogen, is converted to ethylene glycol in the second zone of the reactor. The reaction products are removed from the reactor and the ethylene glycol is recovered. The selectivity to propylene glycol can be enhanced via feeding ketose as the carbohydrate.

Abstract: A continuous process for converting carbohydrates to ethylene and propylene glycol. The carbohydrates are mixed with water and passed through a reactor at a temperature that hydrolyzes the carbohydrate mixture at least partially to monosaccharides. The reactor has a first zone comprising a retro-aldol catalyst and a second zone comprising a reducing catalyst. The aldose is converted in the first zone into glycolaldehyde by the retro-aldol catalyst and the glycolaldehyde, in the presence of hydrogen, is converted to ethylene glycol in the second zone of the reactor. The reaction products are removed from the reactor and the ethylene glycol is recovered. The selectivity to propylene glycol can be enhanced via feeding ketose as the carbohydrate.

Abstract: A continuous process for converting carbohydrates to ethylene and propylene glycol. The carbohydrates are mixed with water and passed through a reactor at a temperature that hydrolyzes the carbohydrate mixture at least partially to monosaccharides. The reactor has a first zone comprising a retro-aldol catalyst and a second zone comprising a reducing catalyst. The aldose is converted in the first zone into glycolaldehyde by the retro-aldol catalyst and the glycolaldehyde, in the presence of hydrogen, is converted to ethylene glycol in the second zone of the reactor. The reaction products are removed from the reactor and the ethylene glycol is recovered. The selectivity to propylene glycol can be enhanced via feeding ketose as the carbohydrate.

Abstract: A continuous process for converting carbohydrates to ethylene and propylene glycol. The carbohydrates are mixed with water and passed through a reactor at a temperature that hydrolyzes the carbohydrate mixture at least partially to monosaccharides. The reactor has a first zone comprising a retro-aldol catalyst and a second zone comprising a reducing catalyst. The aldose is converted in the first zone into glycolaldehyde by the retro-aldol catalyst and the glycolaldehyde, in the presence of hydrogen, is converted to ethylene glycol in the second zone of the reactor. The reaction products are removed from the reactor and the ethylene glycol is recovered. The selectivity to propylene glycol can be enhanced via feeding ketose as the carbohydrate.

Abstract: An enhanced process for the production of a dianhydrosugar, such as isosorbide, from the corresponding sugar alcohol is described. The sugar alcohol is combined with an acid catalyst and reacted at elevated temperatures and at atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for a vacuum. High selectivity and yields are achieved.

Abstract: A trimming system for a user-operated ground vehicle capable of performing mowing and trimming operations. The system includes a drive operatively coupled to a drive system of the vehicle having the trimming system mounted thereon, and a trimming unit operatively coupled to the drive for performing edge trimming operations. The drive may include at least one driven pulley operatively coupled to a drive pulley of the vehicle for driving the trimming unit. The drive pulley may be coupled to a mowing unit and the trimming unit to either selectively or simultaneously drive the mowing and trimming units. A guide wheel may be mounted on the vehicle adjacent the trimming unit for maintaining the trimming wires of the trimming unit at a predetermined distance from a stationary object during performance of edge trimming operations.

Abstract: The effluent from an acid esterification of free fatty acid with alkanol to produce alkyl ester of fatty acid is contacted with glycerin to remove water and alkanol. The alkanol separated with the glycerin can be recycled to the acid esterification by contacting the glycerin with fatty acid-containing feed being passed to the acid esterification.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bimodal polyethylene comprising ethylene derived units and units derived from at least one of a C4 to C12 olefin; wherein the polyethylene has a density of from 0.940 to 0.970 g/cm3; an I21/I2 of 80 or more; a residual Group 4 metal content of 2.0 ppm or less: a Mw/Mn of from 20 to 60; and wherein the polyethylene comprises a high molecular weight component and a low molecular weight component, the high molecular weight component present from 40 to 60 weight percent based on the total polyethylene, and wherein the bimodal polyethylene has a weight avenge molecular weight Mw of 180,000 a.m.u. or more.

Abstract: Glyceride-containing feed for a base catalyzed transesterification with lower alkanol to make biodiesel is pretreated with glycerin separated during the transesterification to partially convert glycerides with lower alkanol contained in the separated glycerin using base catalyst in the separated glycerin while reducing the free fatty acid and phosphorus compound concentrations in the glyceride-containing feed. Unique producer compositions are provided by the pretreatment processes.

Abstract: Basic metal salt of glycerin is used as transesterification catalyst or an intermediate to an anhydrous transesterification catalyst for the base catalyzed process for making biodiesel from fats and oils.

Abstract: An enhanced process for the production of a dianhydrosugar, such as isosorbide, from the corresponding sugar alcohol is described. The sugar alcohol is combined with an acid catalyst and reacted at elevated temperatures and at atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for a vacuum. High selectivity and yields are achieved.

Abstract: Biodiesel is used to extract glycerides from biomass derived sources and the extractant containing biodiesel and glycerides is subjected to ester-forming conditions including the presence of lower alkanol to produce biodiesel, a portion of which is used for the extraction of glycerides.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to prepare a supported catalyst system comprising preparing a combination comprising 1) a first supported catalyst system comprising a support, an activator and a metal catalyst compound, and 2) a second supported catalyst system comprising a support, an activator and a metal catalyst compound and thereafter spray-drying the combination.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to prepare a supported catalyst system comprising preparing a combination comprising 1) a first supported catalyst system comprising a support, an activator and a metal catalyst compound, and 2) a second supported catalyst system comprising a support, an activator and a metal catalyst compound and thereafter spray-drying the combination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one acid and at least one base and/or at least one reductant and at least one oxidant that when used with a polymerization catalyst in a polymerization process results in the controllable generation of a catalyst inhibitor that renders the polymerization catalyst substantially or completely inactive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one acid and at least one base and/or at least one reductant and at least one oxidant that when used with a polymerization catalyst in a polymerization process results in the controllable generation of a catalyst inhibitor that renders the polymerization catalyst substantially or completely inactive.

Abstract: Processes for transitioning among polymerization catalyst systems, preferably catalyst systems that are incompatible with each other. In particular, the processes relate to transitioning among olefin polymerization reactions utilizing Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems, metallocene catalyst systems and other MAO-based single site catalyst systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process to polymerize olefin(s) comprising combining a solution, slurry or solid comprising one or more bulky ligand metallocene catalyst compounds, an optional support, and or one or more activator(s) with a solution comprising one or more phenoxide catalyst compounds, and thereafter, introducing one or more olefin(s) and the combination into a polymerization reactor. This invention also relates to a polymer of ethylene wherein the polymer has a density of 0.910 to 0.930 g/cc, a melt index of 0.3 to 2.0 dg/min, and a 15 to 35 ?m thick film of the polymer has a 45° gloss of 60 or more, a haze of 7% or less, and a dart impact of 600 g or more.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions and methods, useful in polymerization processes, utilizing at least two metal compounds are disclosed. At least one of the metal compounds is a Group 15 containing metal compound and the other metal compound is preferably a bulky ligand metallocene-type catalyst. The invention also discloses a new polyolefin, generally polyethylene, particularly a multimodal polymer and more specifically, a bimodal polymer, and its use in various end-use applications such as film, molding and pipe.