Abstract: A system for halogenating olefinic-based elastomer, the system comprising a first extruder, a first kneader vessel downstream of said first extruder and in fluid communication with said first extruder, a second extruder downstream of said first kneader vessel and in fluid communication with said first kneader vessel, a second kneader vessel downstream of said second extruder and in fluid communication with said second extruder; and a third extruder downstream of said second kneader vessel and in fluid communication with said second kneader vessel.

Abstract: A system for producing a functionalized olefinic-based polymer, the system comprising a polymerization zone for producing an olefinic-based polymer comprising a mixing section, a deliquifying section, and a quenching section, wherein at least one section of the polymerization zone has a defined cross-sectional area that continually decreases from a first end to a second end of said section; a devolatilization zone comprising a kneader or extruder, wherein said devolatilization zone is downstream of said polymerization zone and in fluid communication with said polymerization zone; and a functionalization zone downstream of said devolatilization zone and in fluid communication with said devolatilization zone.

Abstract: A reactor comprising a first portion having a generally cylindrical housing, an inlet at one end of said first portion housing, the opposed end of said first portion housing being the outlet of said first portion, where said first portion includes a rotatable shaft positioned axially within said housing and including at least two shearing paddles extending radially from said rotatable shaft and a second portion having a generally frustoconical housing having a first end larger than a second end, said first end constituting an inlet to said second portion and coextensive with said opposed end of said first portion housing, and an outlet at said second end, where said second portion includes a rotatable shaft positioned axially within said housing and including at least one generally helical flight extending radially from said rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A system for producing a functionalized olefinic-based polymer, the system comprising a polymerization zone for producing an olefinic-based polymer comprising a mixing section, a deliquifying section, and a quenching section, wherein at least one section of the polymerization zone has a defined cross-sectional area that continually decreases from a first end to a second end of said section; a devolatilization zone comprising a kneader or extruder, wherein said devolatilization zone is downstream of said polymerization zone and in fluid communication with said polymerization zone; and a functionalization zone downstream of said devolatilization zone and in fluid communication with said devolatilization zone.

Abstract: A polymer synthesis system has a polymerization reactor and a deliquifying-quench extruder downstream of and in fluid communication with the polymerization reactor. The polymerization reactor has an inlet and an outlet with a rotatable shaft positioned axially within the reactor. The deliquifying-quench extruder has an inlet and an outlet, with a shaft assembly positioned axially within the extruder. The shaft assembly includes multiple helical flight configurations and multiple processing zones defined by the multiple flight configurations. The processing zones include an extraction-compaction zone, a sealing zone downstream of the extraction-compaction zone, a vent-cooling zone downstream of the sealing zone, a quenching zone downstream of the vent-cooling zone, and a conveying zone downstream of the quenching zone.

Abstract: A polymer synthesis system has a polymerization reactor and a deliquifying-quench extruder downstream of and in fluid communication with the polymerization reactor. The polymerization reactor has an inlet and an outlet with a rotatable shaft positioned axially within the reactor. The deliquifying-quench extruder has an inlet and an outlet, with a shaft assembly positioned axially within the extruder. The shaft assembly includes multiple helical flight configurations and multiple processing zones defined by the multiple flight configurations. The processing zones include an extraction-compaction zone, a sealing zone downstream of the extraction-compaction zone, a vent-cooling zone downstream of the sealing zone, a quenching zone downstream of the vent-cooling zone, and a conveying zone downstream of the quenching zone.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump includes a housing having a pumping chamber containing fluid. The pump has a transfer chamber containing hydraulic fluid, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the transfer chamber. The pump housing forms a cylinder with a piston defining a piston inner chamber and sliding in the cylinder. A valve leads to the piston inner chamber with a valve spool slidably mounted in the piston inner chamber to cover the valve and uncover the valve. A diaphragm connects to the valve spool by a plunger. An overfill limiter includes a spacer slidably mounted in the piston inner chamber. A first spring is intermediate the valve spool and the spacer and a second spring is intermediate the end of the piston inner chamber and the spacer, the second spring having a second spring constant greater than the spring constant of the first spring.

Abstract: A system for halogenating olefinic-based elastomer, the system comprising a first extruder, a first kneader vessel downstream of said first extruder and in fluid communication with said first extruder, a second extruder downstream of said first kneader vessel and in fluid communication with said first kneader vessel, a second kneader vessel downstream of said second extruder and in fluid communication with said second extruder; and a third extruder downstream of said second kneader vessel and in fluid communication with said second kneader vessel.

Abstract: A reactor comprising a first portion having a generally cylindrical housing, an inlet at one end of said first portion housing, the opposed end of said first portion housing being the outlet of said first portion, where said first portion includes a rotatable shaft positioned axially within said housing and including at least two shearing paddles extending radially from said rotatable shaft and a second portion having a generally frustoconical housing having a first end larger than a second end, said first end constituting an inlet to said second portion and coextensive with said opposed end of said first portion housing, and an outlet at said second end, where said second portion includes a rotatable shaft positioned axially within said housing and including at least one generally helical flight extending radially from said rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump includes a housing having a pumping chamber containing fluid. The pump has a transfer chamber containing hydraulic fluid, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the transfer chamber. The pump housing forms a cylinder with a piston defining a piston inner chamber and sliding in the cylinder. A valve leads to the piston inner chamber with a valve spool slidably mounted in the piston inner chamber to cover the valve and uncover the valve. A diaphragm connects to the valve spool by a plunger. An overfill limiter includes a spacer slidably mounted in the piston inner chamber. A first spring is intermediate the valve spool and the spacer and a second spring is intermediate the end of the piston inner chamber and the spacer, the second spring having a second spring constant greater than the spring constant of the first spring.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump includes a diaphragm cartridge assembly. The diaphragm cartridge is a self-contained unit having a diaphragm defining a pumped fluid side and a hydraulic fluid side and a seat receiving the hydraulic fluid side of the diaphragm and having a center opening. A biasing rod mounts to the diaphragm on the hydraulic fluid side and extending through the opening of the seat. A valve guide at an extended end of the biasing rod and a valve spool slidably mounts on the valve guide. A biasing element engages the seat and the valve guide. The pump may also include valve cartridges including a combined inlet check valve and discharge check valve.

Abstract: A pump includes a check valve cartridge removably mounted to the pump. The cartridge includes an inlet check valve and a discharge check valve. A connector mounts intermediate the inlet check valve and the discharge check valve. The inlet and discharge check valves each have a valve ball movable between an open position and a closed position, a valve seat engaging the valve member in the closed position, an inlet and an outlet.

Abstract: Provided for herein is a process to produce an essentially homogeneous single liquid phase hydrocarbon-rubber cement from a polymer slurry comprising a hydrocarbon-rubber, a diluent, and unreacted monomer(s), the process comprising: (a) contacting the polymer slurry with a hydrocarbon solvent; and (b) removing the diluent in amounts not sufficiently more than is necessary to produce the essentially homogeneous single liquid phase hydrocarbon-rubber cement wherein the mass fraction of monomer(s) in the hydrocarbon-rubber cement, based on the total amount of hydrocarbon-rubber present in the hydrocarbon-rubber cement, is less than the mass fraction of monomer(s) in the hydrocarbon-rubber slurry, based on the total amount of hydrocarbon-rubber present in the hydrocarbon-rubber slurry, wherein the diluent comprises a hydrofluorocarbon.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven pump includes a diaphragm, a piston, a transfer chamber, a fluid reservoir, and a valve spool. The transfer chamber is defined between the diaphragm and piston and is filled with a hydraulic fluid. The fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the transfer chamber via at least one valve. The valve spool is configured to control fluid flow between the transfer chamber and the fluid reservoir. The valve spool is movable to open and close an opening into the at least one valve only when an overfill condition or an underfill condition exists in the transfer chamber. The valve spool is moveable along an axis that is non-coaxial with an axis of movement of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven pump includes a diaphragm, a piston, a transfer chamber, a fluid reservoir, and a valve spool. The transfer chamber is defined between the diaphragm and piston and is filled with a hydraulic fluid. The fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the transfer chamber via at least one valve. The valve spool is configured to control fluid flow between the transfer chamber and the fluid reservoir. The valve spool is movable to open and close an opening into the at least one valve only when an overfill condition or an underfill condition exists in the transfer chamber. The valve spool is moveable along an axis that is non-coaxial with an axis of movement of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven pump includes a diaphragm, a piston, a transfer chamber, a fluid reservoir, and a spool member. The transfer chamber is defined between the diaphragm and piston and is filled with a hydraulic fluid. The fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the transfer chamber via at least one valve. The spool member is configured to control fluid flow between the transfer chamber and the fluid reservoir. The spool member is movable to open and close an opening into the at least one valve only when an overfill condition or an underfill condition exists in the transfer chamber.

Abstract: A magnetically driven pump includes a casing, a containment shell fixed to the casing, a shaft fixed at a closed end of the containment shell, an impeller rotatable about the shaft within the casing and containment shell, and a magnetic coupling removably secured to the impeller and rotatable about the shaft. The pump also includes a rear bearing positioned between the propeller and the shaft that is rotatable about the shaft, and a thrust control valve that includes a thrust ring positioned between the containment shell and the rear bearing. An opening of the thrust control valve is defined by a variable spacing between the thrust ring and the rear bearing.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump which overcomes the problem of diaphragm failure due to overfill of the oil transfer chamber. An overfill preventive element in the form of a mechanical stop, a fully closed coil spring, or a valve system, or alternatives are provided.

Abstract: A hydraulically driven pump includes a first chamber exposed to a process fluid, a second chamber configured to retain a hydraulic fluid, and a multi-layer diaphragm positioned between the first and second chambers. The diaphragm includes a first layer in contact with the process fluid being pumped, a second layer in contact with the hydraulic fluid, and a third layer that includes an elastomeric base material and an elastomeric conductive trace embedded in the elastomeric base material. The third layer is positioned between the first and second layers and being movable relative to the first and second layers. Changes in an electrical resistance of the conductive trace indicate a failure condition in one of the first, second and third layers.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump which overcomes the problem of diaphragm failure due to overfill of the oil transfer chamber and the inability to self-prime. A notch is provided in the upper portion of the surface of the cylinder so that air can be forced back to the reservoir. In addition, the bias spring connected to the diaphragm and supported by the piston is made stiff with a spring constant that produces a bias pressure that can overcome abnormal suction pressures.