Abstract: This invention relates to polyvinyl alcohol fibers, methods of making polyvinyl alcohol fibers and products manufactured from polyvinyl alcohol fibers. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to products comprising extruded polyvinyl alcohol fibers, methods of making extruded polyvinyl alcohol fibers and products incorporating such fibers.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a coated material is provided. A polyvinyl alcohol polymer, where the polyvinyl alcohol polymer has a degree of hydrolysis of 90% or greater and a melting point in the range of 180° C. to 225° C. is melted on a cellulosic substrate and extruded to form a molten polyvinyl alcohol polymeric film which is then applied directly to the surface of the substrate to form the coated material.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for the manufacture of a plasticized polyvinyl alcohol polymer mixture including the steps of: introducing into a mixing reactor a polyvinyl alcohol polymer comprising homopolymeric polyvinyl alcohol or a blend thereof having a degree of hydrolysis in the range of 93% or greater more; where the plasticizer comprises two or more compounds selected from the group consisting of diglycerol, triglycerol, xylose, D-mannitol, triacetin, dipentaerythritol, 1,4-butanediol, 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-butanediol, and caprolactam; reacting the water, the plasticizer and the polyvinyl alcohol polymer in the reaction zone to form the plasticized polymer; and allowing the plasticized polyvinyl alcohol polymer to pass from the primary outlet.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for the manufacture of a plasticized polyvinyl alcohol polymer mixture including the steps of: introducing into a mixing reactor a polyvinyl alcohol polymer comprising homopolymeric polyvinyl alcohol or a blend thereof having a degree of hydrolysis in the range of 93% to less than 98% or more; where the plasticizer comprises two or more compounds selected from the group consisting of diglycerol, triglycerol, xylose, D-mannitol, triacetin, dipentaerythritol, 1,4-butanediol, 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-butanediol, and caprolactam; reacting the water, the plasticizer and the polyvinyl alcohol polymer in the reaction zone to form the plasticized polymer; and allowing the plasticized polyvinyl alcohol polymer to pass from the primary outlet.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for manufacture of plasticized homopolymeric polyvinyl alcohol, the method including the steps of introducing a polyvinyl alcohol polymer or a blend thereof having a degree of hydrolysis in the range of 93 wt % to 98 wt % into a mixing reactor; adding a processing agent, a plasticizer and a reactive stabilizer to form a reaction mixture; wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of sugar alcohols, diols, triols, polyols and mixtures thereof; wherein the reactive stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate, potassium oleate, sodium benzoate, calcium stearate, stearic acid, dimethyl propionic acid, and mixtures thereof; —reacting the reaction mixture in a reaction zone to form plasticized polymer; and—allowing the plasticized polymer to pass from the reaction zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyvinyl alcohol fibers, methods of making polyvinyl alcohol fibers and products manufactured from polyvinyl alcohol fibers. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to products comprising non-woven polyvinyl alcohol fibers, methods of making non-woven polyvinyl alcohol fibers and products incorporating such fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyvinyl alcohol fibers, methods of making polyvinyl alcohol fibres and products manufactured from polyvinyl alcohol fibers. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to products comprising meltblown polyvinyl alcohol fibers, methods of making meltblown polyvinyl alcohol fibres and products incorporating such fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyvinyl alcohol fibers, methods of making polyvinyl alcohol fibers and products manufactured from polyvinyl alcohol fibers. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to products comprising spunbond polyvinyl alcohol fibers, methods of making spunbond polyvinyl alcohol fibers and products incorporating such fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyvinyl alcohol fibers, methods of making polyvinyl alcohol fibers and products manufactured from polyvinyl alcohol fibers. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to products comprising extruded polyvinyl alcohol fibers, methods of making extruded polyvinyl alcohol fibers and products incorporating such fibers.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for the manufacture of a plasticized polyvinyl alcohol polymer mixture including the steps of: introducing into a mixing reactor a polyvinyl alcohol polymer comprising homopolymeric polyvinyl alcohol or a blend thereof having a degree of hydrolysis in the range of 93% to less than 98% or more; where the plasticizer comprises two or more compounds selected from the group consisting of diglycerol, triglycerol, xylose, D-mannitol, triacetin, dipentaerythritol, 1,4-butanediol, 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-butanediol, and caprolactam; reacting the water, the plasticizer and the polyvinyl alcohol polymer in the reaction zone to form the plasticized polymer; and allowing the plasticized polyvinyl alcohol polymer to pass from the primary outlet.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of plasticized homopolymeric polyvinyl alcohol, the method comprising the steps of: introducing into a mixing reactor a polyvinyl alcohol polymer comprising polyvinyl alcohol or a blend thereof having a degree of hydrolysis in the range of 93 wt % to 98 wt %; wherein the mixing reactor comprises a blending chamber having a primary inlet, a primary outlet and at least two inter-engaging components extending between the primary inlet and primary outlet, the components being arranged to apply a shearing force to the polymer while the polymer is conveyed by the components from the inlet through a reaction zone to the outlet; one or more secondary inlets located downstream from the primary inlet for introducing reactants comprising a processing aid, a plasticizer and a reactive stabiliser stabilizer to the chamber to form a reaction mixture; wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of: sugar alcohols, diols, triols, polyols and mixtures thereof; wherein the reactive

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a plasticized polyvinyl alcohol polymer mixture comprising the steps of: introducing into a mixing reactor a polyvinyl alcohol polymer comprising homopolymeric polyvinyl alcohol or a blend thereof having a degree of hydrolysis in the range of 93% to 98% or more; wherein the mixing reactor comprises a blending chamber having a primary inlet, a primary outlet and at least two inter-engaging components extending between the primary inlet and primary outlet, the components being arranged to apply a shearing force to the polymer while the polymer is conveyed by the components from the inlet through a reaction zone to the outlet; one or more secondary inlets located downstream from the primary inlet for introducing reactants comprising a processing aid and a plasticizer to the chamber to form a reaction mixture; wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds and mixtures thereof: (a) sugar alcohols selected from the group consisting of: di

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a coated material is provided. A polyvinyl alcohol polymer, where the polyvinyl alcohol polymer has a degree of hydrolysis of 90% or greater and a melting point in the range of 180° C. to 225° C. is melted on a cellulosic substrate and extruded to form a molten polyvinyl alcohol polymeric film which is then applied directly to the surface of the substrate to form the coated material.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for the manufacture of a plasticized polyvinyl alcohol polymer mixture including the steps of introducing a polyvinyl alcohol or a blend thereof having a degree of hydrolysis in the range of 93% to 98% or more into a mixing reactor; adding a processing agent, and a plasticizer to form a reaction mixture; wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of the following compounds and mixtures thereof: (a) sugar alcohols selected from the group consisting of: diglycerol, triglycerol, fructose, ribose, xylose, D-mannitol, triacetin, and mixtures thereof; polyols selected from the group consisting of: pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, and mixtures thereof; (b) diols selected from the group consisting of: methyl pentanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediol, 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol, 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-butanediol, and mixtures thereof; (c) glycols selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycol 300, polyethylene glycol 400, alkoxy

Abstract: The invention describes a method for manufacture of plasticized homopolymeric polyvinyl alcohol, the method including the steps of introducing a polyvinyl alcohol polymer or a blend thereof having a degree of hydrolysis in the range of 93 wt % to 98 wt % into a mixing reactor; adding a processing agent, a plasticizer and a reactive stabilizer to form a reaction mixture; wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of sugar alcohols, diols, triols, polyols and mixtures thereof; wherein the reactive stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate, potassium oleate, sodium benzoate, calcium stearate, stearic acid, dimethyl propionic acid, and mixtures thereof;-reacting the reaction mixture in a reaction zone to form plasticized polymer; and-allowing the plasticized polymer to pass from the reaction zone.

Abstract: A collapsible container is provided having an outer liner defining a top, a bottom and vertical sides and an inner liner defining a plurality of sides corresponding to the vertical sides of the outer liner. The inner liner is attached to the outer liner at least at one of the top and the bottom of the outer liner, and each side of the inner liner defines a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges which extend vertically. A sleeve is attached to each of the edges of the inner liner at the top, bottom, and sides thereof. The sleeves define substantially circular tubes. A flexible frame is located between the outer liner and the inner liner and disposed within the plurality of sleeves to provide a flexible support and permits collapse and/or folding of the container.

Abstract: A collapsible container is provided having an outer liner defining a top, a bottom and vertical sides and an inner liner defining a plurality of sides corresponding to the vertical sides of the outer liner. The inner liner is attached to the outer liner at least at one of the top and the bottom of the outer liner, and each side of the inner liner defines a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges which extend vertically. A sleeve is attached to each of the edges of the inner liner at the top, bottom, and sides thereof. The sleeves define substantially circular tubes. A flexible frame is located between the outer liner and the inner liner and disposed within the plurality of sleeves to provide a flexible support and permits collapse and/or folding of the container.

Abstract: A heater operates at a first power to heat a space and a second power to maintain the temperature. The heater uses a first heating element and a second heating element, which are configured to automatically supply the first power during an initial heating period, then step down to the second power for continuous operation. The heater may use a phase chopper circuit and heating element; switched diode and heating element; positive temperature coefficient thermostat, isolated heater, and heating element; latching mechanical timer switch and heating element; and/or a positive temperature coefficient heating element and multi-speed fan to provide dual power levels. The heater may include a first heating element energized during a portion of a heating cycle and a second heating element continuously energized during the heating cycle. The heating cycle is repeated for a period after which both elements are de-energized.

Abstract: A method for reducing acid gas emissions from a carbonaceous fuel burning power plant. An aqueous potassium hydroxide dry scrubber method is used to reduce the formation of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrogen chlorides and hydrogen fluoride from plant flue gases. For those plants utilizing an electrostatic precipitator to remove particulate matter from the flue gas, the performance of this component is also enhanced by the injection of potassium hydroxide upstream of the component. As an added advantage, the final product has beneficial commercial utility as a fertilizer product, rather than having to be disposed in a landfill.

Abstract: A method for reducing NOx emissions from the combustion of carbonaceous fuels using two sequential stages of partial oxidation followed by a final oxidation stage. In the first stage, substoichiometric air condition of about 0.55 to 0.75 is used in a plug flow fashion, while second stage combustion is performed at a stoichiometric ratio of about 0.80 to 0.99. As the second stage combustion products are cooled by radiant heat transfer to the boiler furnace walls, overfire air is added to produce an stoichiometric ratio of about 1.05 to 1.25 to complete the combustion process. In this manner, the formation of thermal NOx is reduced.