Abstract: A high impact polystyrene reactor system includes a first continuously stirred tank reactor. The first continuously stirred tank reactor includes an inlet configured to receive (i) at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, (ii) an elastomer, and (iii) a free radical initiator; and an outlet configured to convey a first reactor effluent. In addition, the high impact polystyrene reactor system includes a second continuously stirred tank reactor. The second continuously stirred tank reactor includes an inlet in fluid communication with the first continuously stirred tank reactor outlet and configured to receive (i) a portion of the first reactor effluent from the first continuously stirred tank reactor, (ii) at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, (iii) an elastomer, and (iv) a free radical initiator; and an outlet configured to convey a portion of a second reactor effluent comprising high impact polystyrene.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a juice filtration system to effectively reduce calorie and sugar contents, reduce bitterness, and improve the overall flavor of a juice. A method for making a fruit beverage utilizing the juice filtration system is also provided. The method includes multi-step filtrations of feed juice(s) followed by selective combination of the intermediate products, by-products, the feed juice(s), and/or other fruit source(s) to form the fruit beverage. A fruit beverage having a 100% identity to the original fruit source(s), reduced calorie and sugar content, reduced bitterness, enhanced vitamin nutrition, and improved flavor, free from external ingredients is provided.

Abstract: A process for producing high impact polystyrene comprising introducing to a reactor a partially-polymerized mixture comprising at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, an elastomer and reacted vinyl aromatic monomer wherein the partially-polymerized mixture has not undergone phase inversion; polymerizing the partially-polymerized mixture in the reactor to the phase inversion point to form a phase-inverted mixture; recovering a portion of the phase-inverted mixture from the reactor wherein the phase-inverted mixture comprises high impact polystyrene; and introducing another portion of the phase-inverted mixture to another reactor.

Abstract: Alcoholic carbonated beverages with improved flavor profiles are provided comprising (i) at least one food grade acidulant, (ii) at least one mineral salt and (iii) at least one flavor compound. Methods of preparing the alcoholic carbonated beverages described herein are also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing high impact polystyrene comprising introducing to a reactor a partially-polymerized mixture comprising at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, an elastomer and reacted vinyl aromatic monomer wherein the partially-polymerized mixture has not undergone phase inversion; polymerizing the partially-polymerized mixture in the reactor to the phase inversion point to form a phase-inverted mixture; recovering a portion of the phase-inverted mixture from the reactor wherein the phase-inverted mixture comprises high impact polystyrene; and introducing another portion of the phase-inverted mixture to another reactor.

Abstract: A system for determining a need for a vehicle windshield wiper blade replacement includes a detector for detecting a wiper blade operating noise and a processor configured to determine a wear condition requiring wiper blade replacement from the detected wiper blade operating noise. On determining the wear condition, the processor provides a display including at least a windshield wiper blade wear condition warning and a listing of one or more suggested replacement wiper blades. The visible display may further include a listing of one or more suggestions of locations for acquiring the replacement wiper blades. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vessel header includes lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration. The lateral flow tubes enter the vessel header through alternating vessel header penetrations with a single vessel header penetration per lateral flow tube. Each lateral flow tube has a perforated section within the vessel header having a non-circular cross-section having the shape of a circular sector, an elliptical sector, or an irregular quadrilateral. A method includes passing a molten polymer through the lateral flow tubes of the vessel header. The molten polymer exits the lateral flow tubes as strands through perforations in the lateral flow tubes within the vessel header. The method includes obtaining devolatilized polymer.

Abstract: A system for determining a need for a vehicle windshield wiper blade replacement includes a detector for detecting a wiper blade operating noise and a processor configured to determine a wear condition requiring wiper blade replacement from the detected wiper blade operating noise. On determining the wear condition, the processor provides a display including at least a windshield wiper blade wear condition warning and a listing of one or more suggested replacement wiper blades. The visible display may further include a listing of one or more suggestions of locations for acquiring the replacement wiper blades. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing a high impact polystyrene having a high swell index may include feeding at least one vinyl aromatic monomer and at least one elastomer to at least one polymerization reactor to form a reaction mixture. The process may include polymerizing the reaction mixture, combining a chain transfer agent to the reaction mixture leaving the at least one polymerization reactor to form a combined mixture, and sending the combined mixture to a devolatilization zone. The process may include obtaining a HIPS product having a high swell index.

Abstract: A vessel header includes lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration. The lateral flow tubes enter the vessel header through alternating vessel header penetrations with a single vessel header penetration per lateral flow tube. Each lateral flow tube has a perforated section within the vessel header having a non-circular cross-section having the shape of a circular sector, an elliptical sector, or an irregular quadrilateral. A method includes passing a molten polymer through the lateral flow tubes of the vessel header. The molten polymer exits the lateral flow tubes as strands through perforations in the lateral flow tubes within the vessel header. The method includes obtaining devolatilized polymer.

Abstract: A process for producing high impact polystyrene including feeding at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, an elastomer, and a free radical initiator to a first linear flow reactor to form a reaction mixture. Polymerizing the reaction mixture in the first linear flow reactor to a point below the point at which phase inversion occurs to produce a first polymerization mixture and feeding the first polymerization mixture from the first linear flow reactor to a second linear flow reactor. Polymerizing the reaction mixture in the second linear flow reactor to at least a phase inversion point of the mixture to produce a second polymerization mixture and feeding the second polymerization mixture from the second linear flow reactor to at least a third linear flow reactor for post-inversion polymerization of the second polymerization mixture. The product stream can have an ESCR value of at least 10% toughness retained with less than 10 wt % rubber content.

Abstract: A process for producing a high impact polystyrene having a high swell index may include feeding at least one vinyl aromatic monomer and at least one elastomer to at least one polymerization reactor to form a reaction mixture. The process may include polymerizing the reaction mixture, combining a chain transfer agent to the reaction mixture leaving the at least one polymerization reactor to form a combined mixture, and sending the combined mixture to a devolatilization zone. The process may include obtaining a HIPS product having a high swell index.

Abstract: A process for producing high impact polystyrene including feeding at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, an elastomer, and a free radical initiator to a first linear flow reactor to form a reaction mixture. Polymerizing the reaction mixture in the first linear flow reactor to a point below the point at which phase inversion occurs to produce a first polymerization mixture and feeding the first polymerization mixture from the first linear flow reactor to a second linear flow reactor. Polymerizing the reaction mixture in the second linear flow reactor to at least a phase inversion point of the mixture to produce a second polymerization mixture and feeding the second polymerization mixture from the second linear flow reactor to at least a third linear flow reactor for post-inversion polymerization of the second polymerization mixture. The product stream can have an ESCR value of at least 10% toughness retained with less than 10 wt % rubber content.

Abstract: A styrenic composition including a polar modified styrenic co-polymer resulting from the polymerization of a combined mixture of at least one styrenic monomer and at least one comonomer and a biodegradable component is disclosed. The at least one comonomer includes a polar functional group and the polar modified styrenic co-polymer and the biodegradable component are combined to obtain a styrenic composition having a biodegradable component. Also disclosed is a method of enhancing bio-polymer miscibility in a styrenic based polymer. The polarity of a blend is manipulated by combining a styrenic monomer and a polar co-monomer to form a combined mixture and subjecting the combined mixture to polymerization to obtain a styrenic polymer blend to which a bio-polymer is added.

Abstract: Cellular and multi-cellular polystyrene and polystyrenic foams and methods of forming such foams are disclosed. The foams include an expanded polystyrene formed from expansion of an expandable polystyrene including an adsorbent comprising alumina, wherein the multi-cellular polystyrene exhibits a multi-cellular size distribution. The process for forming a foamed article includes providing a formed styrenic polymer and contacting the formed styrenic polymer with a first blowing agent and an adsorbent comprising alumina to form extrusion polystyrene. The process further includes forming the extrusion styrenic polymer into an expanded styrenic polymer and forming the expanded styrenic polymer into a foamed article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polystyrene based polymer/layered compound nanocomposite for injection blow molding or injection stretch blow molding of articles. The nanocomposite can reduce shrinkage and warpage to the preform during the reheating process compared to neat polystyrene. The incorporation of layered compounds can increase the processability of PS preforms, help improve heating efficiency, and improve bottle mechanical properties. The layered compound can be treated with chemicals or compounds having an affinity with the styrene monomer or polystyrene, thus producing a treated layered compound having an affinity with the styrene monomer or polystyrene. The monomer and the layered compound can be combined prior to polymerization. The polymer and layered compound can be combined by solution mixing in a solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polystyrene based polymer/layered compound nanocomposite for injection blow molding or injection stretch blow molding of articles. The nanocomposite can reduce shrinkage and warpage to the preform during the reheating process compared to neat polystyrene. The incorporation of layered compounds can increase the processability of PS preforms, help improve heating efficiency, and improve bottle mechanical properties. The layered compound can be treated with chemicals or compounds having an affinity with the styrene monomer or polystyrene, thus producing a treated layered compound having an affinity with the styrene monomer or polystyrene. The monomer and the layered compound can be combined prior to polymerization. The polymer and layered compound can be combined by solution mixing in a solvent. The layered compound can also be incorporated into the mixture by compounding a polymer product with the layered compound, or the combination of any of the above three approaches.

Abstract: A method comprising extrusion compounding a styrenic polymer and a layered compound to produce a composite, and orienting the composite to produce an oriented composite wherein the layered compound comprises natural clay, synthetic clay, natural colloid, synthetic colloid, natural sol, synthetic sol, natural gel, synthetic gel, natural fumes, synthetic fumes, or combinations thereof. A method of preparing an oriented film comprising extrusion compounding a styrenic polymer and a clay to produce a nanocomposite, casting the nanocomposite into a film, and orienting the film in at least one direction.

Abstract: A styrenic composition including a polar modified styrenic co-polymer resulting from the polymerization of a combined mixture of at least one styrenic monomer and at least one comonomer and a biodegradable component is disclosed. The at least one comonomer includes a polar functional group and the polar modified styrenic co-polymer and the biodegradable component are combined to obtain a styrenic composition having a biodegradable component. Also disclosed is a method of enhancing bio-polymer miscibility in a styrenic based polymer. The polarity of a blend is manipulated by combining a styrenic monomer and a polar co-monomer to form a combined mixture and subjecting the combined mixture to polymerization to obtain a styrenic polymer blend to which a bio-polymer is added.

Abstract: A branched aromatic ionomer is prepared by co-polymerizing a first monomer having an aromatic moiety and an unsaturated alkyl moiety and a second monomer having an ionic moiety and at least one unsaturated moiety. The ionic moiety may have a cationic group having a valence of +1 or greater. Styrene is among the useful first monomers and sodium methacrylate and zinc dimethacrylate are among the useful second monomers. The branched aromatic ionomers may be used to prepare articles including foamed polystyrene and microwave save dishes and utensils.