Abstract: Spray drying coffee extract by uniformly fluctuating the extract and concomitant inert gas flow through the drying tower spray nozzle produces a unique agglemorate-type product. A two-fluid ventur-type flowrator is employed to assist regulation of extract flow rate cycles between set maximum and minimum values. Smaller, quickly drying droplets, atomized at high flow rates of extract are caused to impact with the larger, slower drying drop (minimum extract flow rate) by the reported expansion and collapse of the spray pattern and the augmentation of turbulence by the cyclic inert gas flow rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering vapors from a polymer solution comprising liquid solvent and polymer.

Abstract: A method of removing water from a mixture of glycol and water comprises introducing a feed mixture of glycol and water to a distillation column, and collecting a first concentrated glycol-water liquid as still bottoms. The first concentrated liquid is then conveyed to a reboiler where a portion of that liquid is vaporized to form a reboiler vapor and a second concentrated glycol-water liquid. The reboiler vapor is returned to the still for intimate contact with the feed mixture of glycol and water in the distillation column. The second concentrated liquid is then conveyed to a water exhauster at a temperature and pressure such that an equilibrium vapor of said second concentrated liquid, at said conditions, has a glycol/water weight ratio of at least 0.54. At this condition, a portion of the second concentrated glycol-water liquid is vaporized in the water exhauster to form a third concentrated glycol-water liquid and an equilibrium vapor in contact with the third concentrated liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for the regenerating of absorbent is disclosed wherein the apparatus comprises a regenerating column provided with mass transfer-promoting elements. The regenerating column comprises an upper regenerating zone which can be shut down and is provided with at least one shutoff valve-controlled inlet for laden absorbent and a lower second regenerating zone provided with a second shutoff valve-controlled inlet for the same laden absorbent, the volume ratio of the second regenerating zone to the upper regenerating zone being at least about 1.5:1. A process for regenerating laden absorbent is also disclosed.

Abstract: Patent discloses a method and an apparatus for the recovery of organic solvents from mixtures of organic solvents and polymers soluble or dispersible in the organic solvents. The method comprises the heating, by microwave radiation utilizing a magnetron type radiation source, of the mixture causing said mixture to reach the heat of flashing and/or evaporation of the solvent, collecting the solvent as it so vaporizes and recovering fresh solvent. The dry cake can be discarded or reused depending upon the extent of polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved falling strand devolatilizer apparatus having a plurality of stages for devolatilization providing polymers with lower residual monomer and/or volatile contents. The novel apparatus utilizes a final flash tank having two flash compartments that share a common heating and vacuum system wherein a recycle line transfers polymer melt from the first compartment to the second compartment for additional devolatilization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the wet purification of gaseous mixtures containing detergent powders in suspension with 18-22 wt. % sodium chloride in aqueous solution.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating polyvinyl alcohol liquid which comprises a supply line for supplying a liquid containing polyvinyl alcohol, a filter in connection with the supply line for filtering foreign materials from the liquid, a first tank for receiving the liquid after the liquid is passed through the filter, a preliminary mixing apparatus in fluid connection with the first tank, an evaporator in fluid connection with the preliminary mixing apparatus, the evaporator including a plurality of pipes through which the liquid may flow, a steam heating assembly in connection with the evaporator for heating the liquid flowing through the plurality of pipes, a second tank in fluid connection with the evaporator, the second tank receiving the liquid from the plurality of pipes within the evaporator, a return pipe in fluid connection with the second tank for returning liquid contained within the second tank to the preliminary mixing apparatus such that the liquid may be combined within the preliminary mixing appa

Abstract: A plurality of spray nozzles are utilized to introduce a fluid into a vessel. Control valves are associated with each one of the plurality of spray nozzles. The control valves are either fully closed or fully open. The actual value of a process variable is compared to the desired value of the process variable to generate a difference signal. Control signals are generated in response to the difference signal. Different combinations of the control valves are opened in response to the control signals so as to provide a fluid flow rate which will maintain the actual value of the process variable substantially equal to the desired value. The on-off nature of the control valves provides a substantially maximum pressure drop across the spray nozzles when fluid is flowing through the spray nozzles.

Abstract: Granular potassium sorbate is continuously manufactured by spraying an aqueous potassium sorbate solution into or onto a bed of potassium sorbate particles fluidized by heated air.

Abstract: The apparatus proposed herein relates to mass-exchange apparatus for isolating polymers from hydrocarbon solutions. The apparatus comprises a vertical column provided with a device for producing polymer crumb and an aqueous suspension, a device for feeding live steam, and contact trays which divide the column into compartments as for height. The device for producing polymer crumb and aqueous suspension is accommodated in the top portion of the vertical column and is essentially a chamber established on at least one side by the overflow baffle. The chamber accommodates the water supply nozzle and a conventional injector-type polymer crumb former. Such an arrangement of the device for polymer crumb formation and producing aqueous suspension results in a simplified construction of the entire apparatus and diminished overall dimensions thereof, as well as to a simpler attendance of the apparatus.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of polyvinylchloride or vinylchloride copolymerizate is spray dried in a flow of drying air in a drying tower which contains at least one two-fluid nozzle for atomizing the aqueous dispersion and an injection member for pressurized air for providing the atomized particles with a rotary motion, about the longitudinal axis of the drying tower. A controlled rotary motion is imparted to the mixture of sprayed particles and the drying air. The heat economy and product quality are improved since it is possible to use a high drying air inlet temperature and to obtain an easily grindable powder suitable for producing stable, low viscosity plastisols.

Abstract: A process for the continuous and automatic separation of toluene diisocyanate, without decomposition, from distillation residues comprising evaporating toluene diisocyanate in an agitated, scraped evaporator, under a vacuum of about 1 mm Hg to about 50 mm Hg and at a temperature of about 210.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C., with a minimum residence time, preferably about 15 minutes, in an evaporator, and continuously extracting the remaining components of the residue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of continuously removing volatile hydrocarbons from a solution containing them up to about 85% by weight and an elastomer pressurized solution of the elastomer and volatile hydrocarbons is released through an orifice into an elongated conduit at a lower pressure. A portion of the volatile hydrocarbons flashes into vapor and the remaining solution forms discrete crumbs of elastomer having entrapped therein the remaining portion of volatile hydrocarbons. The vapors and crumbs then enter an enclosure maintained at a lower pressure. The vapors are removed at the top of the enclosure while the elastomer crumbs are passed to a sealed extruder and mechanically worked to increase the temperature of the elastomer and then passed through an annular orifice to a zone of reduced pressure, flashing hydrocarbon vapors from the elastomer and venting them from the extruder.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing powdery polycarbonate from a polycarbonate solution which comprises:(a) charging the solution into the feed opening of a disolvating apparatus, the apparatus being composed of a casing and having at least two screws incorporated therein, the screws meshing with each other; the apparatus comprising two parts; a evaporating zone and a powdering zone; a space being provided above the screws in the evaporating zone, the space extending in the axial direction of the screws and having at least one degassing opening, and side and bottom portions of screws generally fitting with the casing in the evaporating zone; top, side and bottom portions of screws generally fitting with the casing in the powdering zone, heating means being installed in the casing and/or screws;(b) in the evaporating zone, evaporating the solvent of the polycarbonate solution using the heating means while moving the solution by the screws;(c) powdering the dried polycarbonate in the powdering zone; and(d) dis

Abstract: An improved process for reducing the amount of residual vinyl chloride monomer in polyvinyl chloride latex to acceptable levels is provided. Carefully controlled sparging and defoaming removes the monomer without affecting physical properties of the latex.

Abstract: Use of copper ion in acrylamide solution during concentration to inhibit polymerization.

Abstract: A process for removing vaporizable constituents from high-viscosity solutions or melts of thermoplastics by continuous evaporation along a heated devolatilization zone and separation of the vapor phase from the liquid phase in a downstream separating vessel. The plastic solution or melt is first heated stepwise in increments, in the devolatilization zone, while the product is in the form of thin layers from about 0.5 to 4 mm, so as to maintain a temperature difference of less than 50.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the continuous or semi-continuous removal of unreacted monomers from polymer suspension slurrys or latices to produce polymers with the least possible distribution of heat history.A polymer suspension liquor or latex is supplied to a vessel having open topped compartments positioned on a vertical shaft for rotation. A feed inlet for the polymer suspension liquor is mounted on the shaft to permit introduction of the polymer into each of the open topped compartments. A steam and/or inert gas is introduced at the bottom portion of each compartment to strip a monomer from the polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing undesired monomers and oligomers from polyamide melt at subatmospheric pressure by passing steam through the melt to absorb the undesired components and carry them away. Various constructions are disclosed for vigorously intermixing the gas with the melt in which the gas is passed through a foraminous surface over which a thin film of melt flows, and a rotating agitator, spaced less than 50 mm from the surface, mixes the gas with the melt film. In a preferred form of the invention the rotating shaft comprising the agitator carries screw threads and serves as a conveyor for discharging treated melt from the pressure vessel in which the process is carried out.

Abstract: This process relates to the preparation of stable aqueous latices from solvent dispersions of elastomers and other high polymer compositions. The process in common with that of earlier applications is characterized, inter alia, by the establishment of a flow of gas comprising steam as a continuous phase into which an emulsion of a cement of the polymer is dispersed as an aerosol of latex droplets in a solvent-vapor continuum, followed by coalescence of the latex droplets and separation of the resulting coalesced liquid phase from the resulting solvent-vapor phase.In the present disclosure, special provisions are made for generating from recovered water saturated with solvent (and possibly contaminated with carry-over of macromolecular material and/or emulsifier and/or latex droplets) the gas comprising steam employed in forming the initial continous phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for removing water, under elevated temperature, from aqueous gel of water soluble polymer, such as polymer or copolymer of acrylamide and/or quaternary ammonium salts of dialkylaminoamlkylmethacrylate, to prevent from the deterioration of polymer properties. The process is accomplished by addition of polyhydric phenols, benzoquinones or derivatives thereof prior to removal of water.

Abstract: A method for economically concentrating an acrylamide aqueous solution by catalytic hydration without substantial deterioration in the product. According to the method, an acrylamide aqueous solution obtained from catalytic hydration, is concentrated by distillation while maintaining the solution in good contact with at least 0.1 mole. or more of air per mole of water distilled from the acrylamide aqueous solution.

Abstract: Plastics recovery and polyolefins compounding systems utilize a gear pump for the pumping function. The gear pump is specially designed to include a free media surrounding substantially the entire gear face with minimum sealing to improve volumetric pump efficiencies and provide pumping capacity insensitivity to viscosity over a wide range. A method of monitoring melt index and production rate for reactor control is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for removing unreacted monomers or solvents from synthetic rubber latex or synthetic resin latex comprising bringing said latex into contact with an inert gas fluid at a temperature ranging from 40.degree. to 100.degree. C by feeding said latex into the upper part of a wetted-wall tower without imposing any substantial mechanical shear stress.

Abstract: The method of preparing synthetic powders containing emulsifiers having good paste qualities by spray-drying polymer dispersions through a two-fluid atomizer having a spray ratio of about 1.6 to 5.0 kg. of spray air for each kg. of dispersion is improved. The polymer dipersions are prepared by emulsifying vinyl chloride monomer or a mixture of vinyl chloride monomer and unsaturated polymerizable compounds and polymerizing the monomers to produce polymers and copolymers of vinyl chloride. The improvement in paste qualities of the powders is achieved by introducing the spray dried powder into an air jet having a velocity from about 330 to 550 meters per second and having a weight ratio of gas to solids ranging from 1:10 to 5:1.

Abstract: This disclosure is for a solvent flashing process for recovering polymer from dilute solution in discrete, uniform granules substantially free of solvent. The process comprises pressurizing a dilute solution of a polymer dissolved in a solvent, preferably at an elevated temperature, spraying the solution through a first fluid atomizing outlet of a two fluid nozzle, and forcing a hot gas through at least one outlet port of the two fluid nozzle directed so as to intersect with the polymer solution emerging from the nozzle. The solution is atomized into fine droplets from which the bulk of the solvent flashes by both passage through the atomizing nozzle and by a shearing of the solution by the hot gas leaving finely divided granules of polymer which are collected in water. The process is characterized by the use of the two fluid nozzle and by the passage of the hot gas through the nozzle which causes further atomizing of the polymer solution with more efficient heat transfer from the gas to the polymer solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of acrylonitrile and other monomers from an aqueous polymer dispersion by continuous distillation in a thin-layer evaporator under reduced pressure, condensation of the evaporated monomers in a condenser under the same or similar reduced pressure and subsequent condensation or absorption respectively of the monomer vapors which have not been condensed in the condenser at a higher pressure.

Abstract: An improvement in the process for removing vinyl chloride from a water-polyvinyl chloride slurry, which contains unreacted vinyl chloride, by steam distillation is disclosed. In many instances, steam distillation of the slurry results in an increase in the number of gels or fish eyes. The improvement comprises conducting the steam distillation in the presence of a minor, but effective, amount of an alkali metal sulfite or carbonate. The improved process results in a polyvinyl chloride having no substantial increase in, or a reduced amount of, gels or fish eyes, while still having good heat stability and porosity properties.

Abstract: Heat-sensitive, foamable liquids such as latex, are concentrated in a continuous process without foaming by feeding a heated liquid to a tubular evaporation chamber maintained at a reduced pressure where the liquid is adiabatically vaporized and forms an annularly flowing two-phase stream. The liquid and vapor phases are largely separated in the evaporation chamber by centrifugal forces acting on the stream. The final separation and isolation of the liquid phase is achieved in a separator consisting of a cyclone separator, a reservoir for the concentrated liquid and a settling chamber.

Abstract: In the process of isolating and recovering polymers in the powder form from their solutions which comprises contacting the polymer cement with steam in a high shear mixer and passing the resulting mixture into a cyclone separator, the invention which comprises an improved method for varying the size of the polymer particle while still maintaining the residual solvent level.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved falling strand devolatilization apparatus. Said apparatus includes in combination a flash chamber for devolatilizing an input material fed as heated falling strands from the tubes of a shell and tube heat exchanger mounted in gastight relationship to said flash chamber. Said heat exchanger tubes are fed by a first pump through a headerbonnet with volatiles being removed from said flash chamber by a second pump adapted to evacuate said chamber.