Abstract: The present invention is an improved process for producing high molecular weight monovinylidene aromatic polymers and polymodal compositions by free radical polymerization of a vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of a vinyl acid, wherein the improvement comprises neutralizing the acid after production of the desired amount of high molecular weight monovinylidene aromatic polymer by adding a base.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a free radical bulk polymerization process for preparing a high molecular weight polymer from a vinyl aromatic monomer characterized in that the polymerization is conducted in the presence of an acid catalyst having a pKa at 25.degree. C. of less than 2, or salt thereof, wherein the improvement comprises dispersing the acid catalyst, or salt thereof, in a (meth)acrylic acid or ester thereof, prior to contact with the vinyl aromatic monomer. The (meth)acrylic acid or ester allows the acid catalyst to be dispersed within the vinyl aromatic monomer without causing cationic polymerization. The acid catalyst, or salt thereof, catalyzes the free radical polymerization reaction such that high molecular weight polymers are produced in reasonable reaction times.

Abstract: A process for producing a branched polymer from a vinyl aromatic monomer comprising:A) contacting a vinyl aromatic monomer with a difunctional anionic initiator under conditions such that a dianion macromer is formed,B) contacting the dianion macromer with a multifunctional coupling agent having at least 3 reactive sites under polymerization conditions such that branches form during polymerization, andC) contacting the product of step B with a terminating agent under conditions such that the reactive sites are terminated.

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process for producing a branched polymer from a vinyl aromatic monomer comprising polymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of a free radical initiator of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is H, alkyl, or aralkyl, and R' is alkyl or aryl.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded, linear, bimodal monovinyl aromatic polymer foam having a weight average molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 200,000, greater than 5 percent by weight of its polymer chains having a weight average molecular weight of 500,000 to 1,000,000, and less than 5 percent by weight of its polymer chains having a weight average molecular weight of greater than 1,000,000. Use of the polymer enables process pressure drop to be significantly reduced and allows the formation of a foam of lower density and larger cross-section. Further disclosed is a process for making the extruded foam.

Abstract: Strong base anion exchange resins that contain quaternary ammonium groups derived from higher molecular weight amines, such as triethylamine or tripropylamine instead of trimethylamine, have a higher reactivity for catalyzing the reaction of an epoxide compound with an acid compound to form an ester.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel ion-exchange and chelate-exchange resins having improved exchange kinetics for separating chemical species from liquids. The resins are prepared from copolymer beads consisting of a monovinyl aromatic monomer and a cross-linking monomer. The copolymer beads are functionalized such that weak-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are most accessible to diffusion into the beads, while hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are least accessible to diffusion. The resins have improved exchange kinetics due to shortened diffusion path lengths for the chemical species being separated and improved diffusion into the resin beads due to the hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel ion-exchange and chelate-exchange resins having improved exchange kinetics for separating chemical species from liquids. The resins are prepared from copolymer beads consisting of a monovinyl aromatic monomer and a cross-linking monomer. The copolymer beads are functionalized such that weak-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are most accessible to diffusion into the beads, while hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are least accessible to diffusion. The resins have improved exchange kinetics due to shortened diffusion path lengths for the chemical species being separated and improved diffusion into the resin beads due to the hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel ion-exchange and chelate-exchange resins having improved exchange kinetics for separating chemical species from liquids. The resins are prepared from copolymer beads consisting of a monovinyl aromatic monomer and a cross-linking monomer. The copolymer beads are functionalized such that weak-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are most accessible to diffusion into the beads, while hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties are substituted at haloalkylated sites which are least accessible to diffusion. The resins have improved exchange kinetics due to shortened diffusion path lengths for the chemical species being separated and improved diffusion into the resin beads due to the hydrophilic, strong-base exchange moieties.

Abstract: The production of esters via the reaction of an epoxide with a carboxylic acid hasbeen shown to give improved activity when a strong base macroporous anion exchange resin having an acrylic backbone is used in place of a styrene-divinylbenzene based anion exchange resin having an equivalent exchange capacity. Excellent results are obtained when acrylic acid and propylene oxide are reacted together in the presence of strong base macroporous anion exchange resins which have an acrylic backbone.

Abstract: A method for the extraction of a mineral from an underground unconsolidated formation comprises the steps of:(a) driving a casing through the overburden and into the mineral bearing pay zone,(b) passing a high pressure water jet head and associated supply line down through the casing so that an annulus is formed between the casing and the supply line and the jet head projects just beyond the casing,(c) directing water from the jet head into the pay zone to cause disintegration of the latter,(d) recovering desired product through the annulus between the piping and the casing,(e) moving the jet head to a different level in the pay zone when the previous level is effectively exhausted, and(f) moving the casing in association with the jet head so that the latter remains in the same operating position with respect to the casing with the jet head projecting just beyond the casing.The method is particularly suitable for extracting bitumen from tar sands.

Abstract: A drill shoe adapted to fit onto a drill pipe of external diameter d.sub.e and internal diameter d.sub.i comprises an externally stepped cutting surface comprising a plurality of steps, the diameters of the steps increasing as they progress away from the tip of the shoe. The maximum external diameter D.sub.e of the shoe is greater than the external diameter d.sub.e of the drill pipe. The shoe also comprises an internal, substantially cylindrical, inner surface of diameter D.sub.i, D.sub.i being less than the internal diameter d.sub.i of the drill pipe.The shoe is suitable for use in a vibratory drill string for obtaining cores from unconsolidated geological formations, such as soil, sand and gravel or similar materials.