Abstract: A method for rubber formulating and characterizing, the method comprising (i) providing a plurality of rubber samples including at least three rubber samples each contained within a container; (ii) introducing a compounding additive to at least one of the samples within the plurality of rubber samples to thereby form a plurality of rubber formulations each contained within a container; (iii) mixing at least one of the samples of the plurality of rubber formulations under high-shear conditions to thereby form a plurality of vulcanizable compositions; and (iv) analyzing at least one of the samples plurality of vulcanizable compositions to thereby characterize the compositions of the plurality, where at least one or the plurality of the rubber samples, the plurality of rubber formulations, the plurality of vulcanizable compositions are transferred to a subsequent step through an automated transfer.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing polymer, the apparatus comprising (i) a mixer housing including an internal chamber, said internal chamber having first and second sections in fluid communication with each other through a passageway; (ii) a first ram received in said first section; and (iii) a second ram received in said second section, where the apparatus is adapted to receive a composition including polymer within said internal chamber and move said composition between said first and second chambers through said passageway by operation of said first and second rams.

Abstract: A method for method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing an active polymerization mixture including a reactive polymer by polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst; introducing a heterocyclic nitrile compound with the reactive polymer to form a functionalized polymer within the polymerization mixture; introducing a quenching agent to the polymerization mixture including the functionalized polymer, where the ratio of water or protic hydrogen atoms in the quenching agent to the lanthanide atoms in the lanthanide-based catalyst is less than 1500 to 1.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for delivering catalyst to a reaction vessel. The methods include the use of a positive displacement reciprocating piston system having a catalyst delivery housing that contains a piston system. The piston system includes a top section, a bottom section, and a catalyst holding space between the top and bottom section such that the piston system is movable between a first and a second position to inject catalyst from the catalyst holding space into the reaction vessel when the piston system is in the second position and fill the catalyst holding space with catalyst from a catalyst feed supply when the piston system is in the first position.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for delivering catalyst to a reaction vessel. The methods include the use of a positive displacement reciprocating piston system having a catalyst delivery housing that contains a piston system. The piston system includes a top section, a bottom section, and a catalyst holding space between the top and bottom section such that the piston system is movable between a first and a second position to inject catalyst from the catalyst holding space into the reaction vessel when the piston system is in the second position and fill the catalyst holding space with catalyst from a catalyst feed supply when the piston system is in the first position.

Abstract: A method for method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing an active polymerization mixture including a reactive polymer by polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst; introducing a heterocyclic nitrile compound with the reactive polymer to form a functionalized polymer within the polymerization mixture; introducing a quenching agent to the polymerization mixture including the functionalized polymer, where the ratio of water or protic hydrogen atoms in the quenching agent to the lanthanide atoms in the lanthanide-based catalyst is less than 1500 to 1.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (a) polymerizing monomer in the presence of a coordination catalyst to form a polymer, (b) inhibiting said step of polymerizing with a Lewis base, and (c) reacting the polymer with a functionalizing agent.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (a) polymerizing monomer in the presence of a coordination catalyst to form a polymer, (b) inhibiting said step of polymerizing with a Lewis base, and (c) reacting the polymer with a functionalizing agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing functionalized cis-1,4-polydienes having a combination of a high cis-1,4-linkage content and a high functionality, the resulting polymers and the vulcanized products containing the polymers. The functionalized cis-1,4-polydienes of the present invention are produced by a method comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a reactive polymer by polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst in the presence of less than 20% by weight of organic solvent based on the total weight of monomer, organic solvent, and resulting polymer, where the lanthanide-based catalyst is the combination of or reaction product of (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an aluminoxane, (c) an organoaluminum compound other than an aluminoxane, and (d) a halogen-containing compound; and (2) contacting the reactive polymer with a functionalizing agent.

Abstract: A humidification system (A) for humidifying a dry hydrocarbon stream includes a column (10) which defines an interior cavity (20). The cavity is partially filled with a bed (12) of a packing material (40) and a layer of water (20), leaving a headspace above the water. An inlet (52) adjacent a lower end of the cavity receives a dry hydrocarbon stream which is broken up by the packing material and dissolves water as it passes therethrough. Entrained water droplets fall out of the wet blend in a disengagement zone (70) above the water layer leaving the hydrocarbon stream humidified yet substantially free of liquid water in an upper region (72) of the column.

Abstract: A method for quenching an active polymerization mixture, the method comprising introducing a polyhydroxy compound to an active polymerization mixture.

Abstract: A method for the continuous production of polydienes, the method comprising the steps of (a) charging a mixture of one or more monomer, catalyst system, and less than 50% weight percent organic solvent based on the total weight of the monomer, catalyst and solvent, into first vessel, (b) polymerizing the monomer to a conversion of up to 20% by weight of the monomer to form a mixture of reactive polymer and monomer, (c) removing the mixture of reactive polymer and monomer from the vessel, and (d) terminating the reactive polymer prior to a total monomer conversion of 25% by weight.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a conjugated diene-containing polymer wherein a stream comprising conjugated diene monomer and a specified catalyst, that includes a lanthanide compound and an aluminoxane, is passed through an orifice into the reaction zone of a polymerization vessel, maintained under specific pressure conditions to form a cement having a viscosity that allows the cement to be conveyed through a devolatilization zone, where desired.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (a) polymerizing monomer in the presence of a coordination catalyst to form a polymer, (b) inhibiting said step of polymerizing with a Lewis base, and (c) reacting the polymer with a functionalizing agent.

Abstract: A method for quenching an active polymerization mixture, the method comprising introducing a polyhydroxy compound to an active polymerization mixture.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a conjugated diene-containing polymer wherein a stream comprising conjugated diene monomer and a specified catalyst, that includes a lanthanide compound and an aluminoxane, is passed through an orifice into the reaction zone of a polymerization vessel, maintained under specific pressure conditions to form a cement having a viscosity that allows the cement to be conveyed through a devolatilization zone, where desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing functionalized cis-1,4-polydienes having a combination of a high cis-1,4-linkage content and a high functionality, the resulting polymers and the vulcanized products containing the polymers. The functionalized cis-1,4-polydienes of the present invention are produced by a method comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a reactive polymer by polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst in the presence of less than 20% by weight of organic solvent based on the total weight of monomer, organic solvent, and resulting polymer, where the lanthanide-based catalyst is the combination of or reaction product of (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an aluminoxane, (c) an organoaluminum compound other than an aluminoxane, and (d) a halogen-containing compound; and (2) contacting the reactive polymer with a functionalizing agent.

Abstract: A method for the continuous production of polydienes, the method comprising the steps of (a) charging a mixture of one or more monomer, catalyst system, and less than 50% weight percent organic solvent based on the total weight of the monomer, catalyst and solvent, into first vessel, (b) polymerizing the monomer to a conversion of up to 20% by weight of the monomer to form a mixture of reactive polymer and monomer, (c) removing the mixture of reactive polymer and monomer from the vessel, and (d) terminating the reactive polymer prior to a total monomer conversion of 25% by weight.

Abstract: A humidification system (A) for humidifying a dry hydrocarbon stream includes a column (10) which defines an interior cavity (20). The cavity is partially filled with a bed (12) of a packing material (40) and a layer of water (20), leaving a headspace above the water. An inlet (52) adjacent a lower end of the cavity receives a dry hydrocarbon stream which is broken up by the packing material and dissolves water as it passes therethrough. Entrained water droplets fall out of the wet blend in a disengagement zone (70) above the water layer leaving the hydrocarbon stream humidified yet substantially free of liquid water in an upper region (72) of the column.

Abstract: A humidification system (A) for humidifying a dry hydrocarbon stream includes a column (10) which defines an interior cavity (20). The cavity is partially filled with a bed (12) of a packing material (40) and a layer of water (20), leaving a headspace above the water. An inlet (52) adjacent a lower end of the cavity receives a dry hydrocarbon stream which is broken up by the packing material and dissolves water as it passes therethrough. Entrained water droplets fall out of the wet blend in a disengagement zone (70) above the water layer leaving the hydrocarbon stream humidified yet substantially free of liquid water in an upper region (72) of the column.