Abstract: An apparatus includes a container that defines an interior. The interior is isolated from ambient atmosphere for receiving a composition that includes isocyanate. A conduit extends into the container and defines a channel therethrough. An interior of the container is in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere through the channel for conveying a gaseous waste stream that includes vaporized unreacted isocyanate out of the container and into the ambient atmosphere. A medium is disposed in the channel and has free isocyanate-reactive groups for reacting with unreacted isocyanate. The free isocyanate-reactive groups remove the unreacted isocyanate from the gaseous waste stream. The medium, by including the free isocyanate-reactive groups, relies on a chemical reaction to remove the unreacted isocyanate.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to an apparatus with the continuous expansion of thermoplastic minipellets, particularly polypropylene. The apparatus comprises a mixing means for mixing the thermoplastic minipellets in water to form a slurry, which is connected to a pressurizing means to form a flow of pressurized slurry to a junction which in trains a blowing agent to form a pressurized slurry mixture, which is connected to a heating means to heat the pressurized slurry mixture. Once the pressurized slurry mixture is impregnated with the blowing agent, it flows through water more orifice plates for expansion of thermoplastic minipellets into an expansion vessel.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a continuous process for expanding thermoplastic minipellets, particularly polypropylene. The minipellets are continuously expanded by continuously charging and mixing water and minipellets in a slurry tank to form a slurry which is subsequently pressurized. A blowing agent such as butane is entrained into the pressurized slurry flow, which said slurry is then heated by a heating means, such as a shell and tube heat exchanger, to the softening point of the minipellets. The heated minipellets are given the time necessary for impregnation by permitting them to flow through one or more impregnation vessels. The impregnated minipellets are released through an orifice into an expansion vessel where the blowing agent flashes off, thereby expanding the minipellets.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a continuous process for expanding thermoplastic minipellets, particularly polypropylene. The minipellets are continuously expanded by continuously charging and mixing water and minipellets in a slurry tank to form a slurry which is subsequently pressurized. A blowing agent such as butane is entrained into the pressurized slurry flow, which said slurry is then heated by a heating means, such as a shell and tube heat exchanger, to the softening point of the minipellets. The heated minipellets are given the time necessary for impregnation by permitting them to flow through one or more impregnation vessels. The impregnated minipellets are released through an orifice into an expansion vessel where the blowing agent flashes off, thereby expanding the minipellets.