Abstract: A process for efficiently esterifying furan dicarboxylic acid, especially 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid in the presence of an alcohol and, optionally, a catalyst is disclosed. The process provides high yields of the diesters of furan dicarboxylic acid and comprises a multi-stage esterification process wherein a portion of a gas phase is removed at each stage of the multi-stage process.

Abstract: A process for efficiently esterifying furan dicarboxylic acid, especially 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid in the presence of an alcohol and, optionally, a catalyst is disclosed. The process provides high yields of the diesters of furan dicarboxylic acid and comprises a multi-stage esterification process wherein a portion of a gas phase is removed at each stage of the multi-stage process.

Abstract: A process for efficiently esterifying furan dicarboxylic acid, especially 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid in the presence of an alcohol and, optionally, a catalyst is disclosed. The process provides high yields of the diesters of furan dicarboxylic acid and comprises a multi-stage esterification process wherein a portion of a gas phase is removed at each stage of the multi-stage process.

Abstract: A process for efficiently esterifying furan dicarboxylic acid, especially 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid in the presence of an alcohol and, optionally, a catalyst is disclosed. The process provides high yields of the diesters of furan dicarboxylic acid and comprises a multi-stage esterification process wherein a portion of a gas phase is removed at each stage of the multi-stage process.

Abstract: A process for recovering alcohol from a fatty acid and/or diacid alcohol ester using water in an equal or lesser amount than oil on a mass basis. The process uses multiple reactors with separation of the alcohol product of hydrolysis between successive reactors. The use of low amounts of water allows recovery of the alcohol with a lower evaporation requirement, thus making a more energy efficient process.

Abstract: A process for forming a pouch having an evacuated headspace containing a flowable material is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: providing a continuous tube of flexible and sealable film; supplying the continuous tube with a predetermined amount of flowable material; pinching the continuous tube above a sealing region so as to form a pinched portion of the continuous tube; evacuating the headspace between the pinched portion and the predetermined amount of flowable material; and sealing the continuous tube at the sealing region to form a top seal of a previously formed pouch containing flowable material and a bottom seal of a next-to-be filled pouch. Also disclosed is a vertical form-fill-seal apparatus for forming a pouch containing a flowable material and having an evacuated headspace.

Abstract: A process for forming a pouch having an evacuated headspace containing a flowable material is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: providing a continuous tube of flexible and sealable film; supplying the continuous tube with a predetermined amount of flowable material; pinching the continuous tube above a sealing region so as to form a pinched portion of the continuous tube; evacuating the headspace between the pinched portion and the predetermined amount of flowable material; and sealing the continuous tube at the sealing region to form a top seal of a previously formed pouch containing flowable material and a bottom seal of a next-to-be filled pouch. Also disclosed is a vertical form-fill-seal apparatus for forming a pouch containing a flowable material and having an evacuated headspace.

Abstract: A process for forming a pouch having an evacuated headspace containing a flowable material is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: providing a continuous tube of flexible and sealable film; supplying the continuous tube with a predetermined amount of flowable material; pinching the continuous tube above a sealing region so as to form a pinched portion of the continuous tube; evacuating the headspace between the pinched portion and the predetermined amount of flowable material; and sealing the continuous tube at the sealing region to form a top seal of a previously formed pouch containing flowable material and a bottom seal of a next-to-be filled pouch. Also disclosed is a vertical form-fill-seal apparatus for forming a pouch containing a flowable material and having an evacuated headspace.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a current collector plate for use in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The method includes the steps of: (a) molding the current collector plate by injection, compression or any other molding process from a resin/conductive filler composition; (b) measuring the current collector plate's average thickness; (c) measuring the current collector plate's through-plane resistivity; (d) removing a portion of the current collector plate's surface layer by abrasion; and (e) repeating steps (a) to (d) until a desired plate thickness is removed. The desired plate thickness removed is no more than about 10 micrometers, and preferably about 5 micrometers.

Abstract: Separator plates for use in a fuel cell comprising a conductive polymeric composite that is reinforced with an electrically conductive mesh or screen, and a method for making the reinforced separator plates.