Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer under predetermined temperature conditions comprises conducting the polymerization within a closed reaction chamber configured such that most or all of an inner surface has heat exchange capability. The chamber's dimensions are such that the polymerization mixture contacts the effective heat exchange surface sufficiently to ensure that the temperature throughout the polymerization mixture does not vary more than a few degrees from a desired temperature. In one embodiment the chamber is formed of two adjacent, parallel heat exchange plates, wherein at least one plate has a peripheral lip which, in contact with the opposing plate, forms the closed chamber. Multiple plates can be arrayed to form multiple chambers, and each chamber's polymerization temperature, as well as resident polymerization mixture, can be individually predetermined.

Abstract: Temperature control and efficient heat transfer are important to producing high quality polymer drag reducing agents from alpha-olefin and/or other monomers. Many polymerization reactions are exothermic, and controlling or minimizing the exotherm combined with low reaction temperatures yields high molecular weight and, for poly(alpha-olefins), high quality drag reducing agent polymers. It has been found that a shell and tube heat exchanger-type reactor, with the inner tubes hosting the reaction mixture and a coolant circulating through the shell side gives good temperature control. The use of appropriate release agents helps to keep the inner reaction chambers from building up any polymer residue. These reactors can be operated in a continuous filling and harvesting mode to facilitate the continuous production of polymer drag reducing agent and related formulations.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes and plants for continuous solution polymerization. Such plant and processes include a pressure source, a polymerization reactor, downstream of said pressure source, pressure let-down device, downstream of said polymerization reactor, and a separator, downstream of said pressure let-down device, wherein said pressure source is sufficient to provide pressure to said reaction mixture during operation of said process plant to produce a single-phase liquid reaction mixture in said reactor and a two-phase liquid-liquid reaction mixture in said separator in the absence of an additional pressure source between said reactor and said separator.

Abstract: Homo- and copolymers of isobutene are prepared by continuous cationic polymerization of isobutene or mixtures of isobutene with ethylenically unsaturated comonomers in the presence of an initiator system comprising: i) a Lewis acid selected from covalent metal-halogen compounds and covalent semimetal-halogen compounds and ii) at least one aprotic organic compound I having at least one functional group FG which forms a carbocation or a cationic complex with the Lewis acid under polymerization conditions in an organic solvent inert with respect to the Lewis acid, by a process in which the polymerization is carried out in a tubular flow-through reactor which has a plurality of curves having an alternating direction of curvature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reacting a plurality of different mixtures in parallel in a semi-batch or continuous mode is provided. Each reaction is contained within a reactor vessel, the reactor vessels combined into a reactor block. Reactant(s) to be added during the reaction are kept in a header barrel, which has a plunger to feed reactant(s) from the header barrel through a transfer line into the reactor vessel. The plunger is moved using a drive system. The header barrels are optionally combined in a header block. The header block is sealed to a plate containing the transfer lines, which in turn is sealed to the reactor block. A latch mechanism is provided for easy sealing of the reactor and header blocks to the plate. The entire apparatus may be placed on a rocker or rotating plate for mixture as the reaction is proceeding.

Abstract: An emulsion polymerization process using a reactor having one or more circulation loops with one or more inlets for raw material, one or more inlets for a carrier liquid in which the polymer to be formed is insoluble, and one or more outlets for polymer emulsion; and one or more driving means for continuously circulating the reactor charge within the circulation loop. An emulsion polymerization process includes charging the reactor with raw material, including monomers, and with the carrier liquid, including stabilizers, and optionally other additives; then continuously feeding the loop reactor with the raw material and with the carrier liquid; and continuously withdrawing part of the reactor charge from the reactor at a rate equal to the rate of total raw material and carrier liquid feeding. The carrier liquid, or water phase, consists wholly or partially of washings used for washing one or more parts of the same or a different polymerization reactor and/or associated equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the continuous discharge of pre-classified polymer particles, particularly rubber particles, from a gas phase polymerization reactor, comprising the steps of classifying the polymer in a classifier, discharging the particles with a sufficient size and conveying the undersized particles back into the gas phase polymerization reactor.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing polymers, preferably emulsion polymers, with minimal fouling of the reactor is provided. The process is effected in a reactor which does not contain a gas phase, optionally by reducing the gas content of the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing polymers in a non-cylindrical heat exchanger is disclosed. The amount of monomer fed and polymer in the reactor is controlled to minimize fouling of the reactor. The use of steam to control the temperature of the reaction mixture is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for continuous gas phase polymerization of olefin(s) in a reactor containing a fluidized bed, consisting of a cylinder with a vertical side wall and of a desurging or disengagement chamber (3) mounted above the said cylinder, characterized in that the fluidized bed occupies at least all of the cylinder with a vertical side wall of the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for continuous gas phase polymerization of olefin(s) in a reactor containing a fluidized bed, consisting of a cylinder with a vertical side wall and of a desurging or disengagement chamber mounted above the said cylinder, characterized in that the fluidized bed occupies at least all of the cylinder with a vertical side wall of the reactor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reacting a plurality of different mixtures in parallel in a semi-batch or continuous mode is provided. Each reaction is contained within a reactor vessel, the reactor vessels combined into a reactor block. Reactant(s) to be added during the reaction are kept in a header barrel, which has a plunger to feed reactant(s) from the header barrel through a transfer line into the reactor vessel. The plunger is moved using a drive system. The header barrels are optionally combined in a header block. The header block is sealed to a plate containing the transfer lines, which in turn is sealed to the reactor block. A latch mechanism is provided for easy sealing of the reactor and header blocks to the plate. The entire apparatus may be placed on a rocker or rotating plate for mixture as the reaction is proceeding.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing polymers is disclosed. The continuous process includes the steps of continuously feeding a reaction mixture containing a monomer into a non-cylindrical channel, continuously controlling the temperature of the non-cylindrical channel by exposing the surface of the non-cylindrical channel not exposed to the monomer to a temperature control medium, polymerizing the monomer in the non-cylindrical channel, and continuously removing the polymer from the non-cylindrical channel. The continuous process is suitable for the preparation of polymers containing ethylenically unsaturated monomers as polymerized units by emulsion polymerization, solution polymerization, and suspension polymerization.

Abstract: A process for polymerization of olefin monomers by forming a fluid stream containing catalyst, continuously feeding the fluid stream into an elongated polymerization reactor having at least two successive chambers separated by dividing plates having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the polymerization rector, feeding monomers, and an optional catalyst and donor into the polymerization reactor under temperature conditions to polymerize the olefin while maintaining a mixed flow in the chambers to polymerize the monomers and optional comonomer in the fluid, and removing the resultant polymer slurry from the polymerization reactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel reactor for making capsules with uniform membrane. The reactor includes a source for providing a continuous flow of a first liquid through the reactor; a source for delivering a steady stream of drops of a second liquid to the entrance of the reactor; a main tube portion having at least one loop, and an exit opening, where the exit opening is at a height substantially equal to the entrance. In addition, a method for using the novel reactor is provided. This method involves providing a continuous stream of a first liquid; introducing uniformly-sized drops of the second liquid into the stream of the first liquid; allowing the drops to react in the stream for a pre-determined period of time; and collecting the capsules.

Abstract: A polymer scale deposition preventive agent for use in polymerization of a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond, comprising an alkaline solution containing a condensation product of (A) a diphenyl compound having at least two amino groups and (B) a quinone compound. When the aforementioned monomer is polymerized in a polymerization vessel having a coating formed by applying the aforementioned preventive agent to inner wall surfaces followed by drying, polymer scale can be effectively prevented from being deposited not only on the areas located in the liquid-phase region but also on the areas around the interface between the gas and liquid phases in the polymerization vessel. When an obtained polymer is formed into a sheet or the like, it is possible to obtain a formed product having few fish eyes and good initial coloration.

Abstract: A polymer scale preventive agent for use in polymerization of a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond, comprising a condensation product of (A) hydrazine and (B) a quinone compound. Where the monomer is polymerized in a polymerization vessel having, on its inner wall surface, a coating comprising the condensation product, deposition of polymer scale can be effectively prevented not only on the liquid phase part in the polymerization vessel but also near the interface between the gas phase part and the liquid phase part, so that the thus obtained polymer can provide a molded item having few fish eyes and low in initial coloration, when the polymer is molded into a sheet or the like.

Abstract: A polymer scale preventive agent for use in polymerization of a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond, comprising an alkaline solution containing a condensation product of (A) an aliphatic diamine compound and (B) an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid anhydride. This agent is used for forming a coating on the inner wall, etc. of a polymerization vessel. Such a vessel is effective in preventing polymer scale deposition, not only on the areas in the liquid phase but also near the interface between the liquid phase and the gas phase in the vessel, and useful in producing a polymer that shows very few fish eyes and good whiteness when formed into sheets or the like.

Abstract: A plastic light conduit of cross-linked polymer material having good light transmitting characteristics, without voids or noticeable bubbles, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of manufacture and an apparatus, involving progressive heating of reactive monomer mixture in a tube which is submerged in a progressive reactor utilizing cold oil to maintain a cold, non-reacting zone, and hot water to create a hot zone that causes reaction, while simultaneously carrying away the excess exothermic heat of reaction.

Abstract: A method for preparing an oil-in-water type uniform dispersion of liquid droplets, which comprises ejecting into an aqueous medium containing a dispersion stabilizer, which forms a continuous phase and moves upwards, a hydrophobic liquid having a specific gravity smaller than the aqueous medium, through a nozzle plate having a plurality of perforations capable of ejecting the hydrophobic liquid upwards, to form liquid droplets of the hydrophobic liquid in the aqueous medium, wherein a nozzle plate having a number of perforations for ejection arranged in a ring form is used as said nozzle plate, and a polymerization method for preparing polymer beads of uniform particle size, which comprises applying the method for preparing an oil-in-water type uniform dispersion of liquid droplets.

Abstract: A diagnostic test composition for detecting and measuring an analyte possessing biologic activity, the composition comprising(a) A redox catalyst system capable of converting a monomer to a polymer, the monomer capable of undergoing addition polymerization, the redox catalyst system comprising one or more chemical moieties with1) the analyte comprising at least one such moiety or2) in the case that the analyte lacks a redox catalyst property, the analyte is linked by a specific ligand to at least one such moiety or is linked by the specific ligand to a generator of at least one such moiety, and(b) at least one monomer capable of undergoing addition polymerization.

Abstract: Polymer having a polymodal MWD ethylene copolymer are prepared by conducting the polymerization in a substantially mix free reactor using an essentially transfer agent free reaction mixture, the reaction being carried out in a manner such that the propagation of essentially all copolymer chains is initiated simultaneously. In carrying out the process of this invention, the catalyst components are premixed and aged prior to introduction into the reactor. The process is preferably carried out in a tubular reactor using VCl.sub.4 and aluminum sesquichloride as the catalyst system.

Abstract: A process for producing a styrene resin by continuous bulk polymerization using a polymerization apparatus comprising a circulating line (I) for initial-stage polymerization including at least one tubular reactor having fixedly set therein a plurality of mixing elements having no moving parts and a main-polymerization line (II) following the circulating line (I) and including at least one tubular reactor having fixedly set therein a plurality of mixing elements having no moving parts; characterized in that while a polmerization solution containing a styrene monomer (A), an organic solvent (B) and an organic peroxide (C) whose half life reaches 10 hours at a temperature of 75.degree. to 130.degree. C. is polymerized in the initial stage while it is circulated through the circulating line (I), and at the same time, a minor part or a major part of the initial-stage polymerization solution is introduced continuously into the main-polymerization line (II) and polymerized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a thermoplastic polymer on the basis of an alkenyl aromatic monomer, an unsaturated dicarboxylic anhydride, and, optionally, a rubber, characterized in that the monomers and/or solution thereof are/is reacted in at least two reaction zones that are in open connection with each other at the top and at the bottom, the reaction mixture being circulated through the reaction zones by means of a mixing device and/or a conveying device.Using the process, a homogeneous product of constant composition is obtained.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymodal MWD ethylene-alpha olefin copolymer using at least two catalysts to initiate growth of polymer chains that attain different average molecular weights. The polymodal MWD ethylene copolymer comprises at least two different molecular weight modes each mode having a narrow MWD and at least one of two characteristics (1) an Mw/Mn of less than 2 and (2) Mz/Mw of less than 1.8.

Abstract: Polymodal MWD ethylene copolymer comprising at least two modes of differing molecular weights. Each mode has at least one of M.sub.w /M.sub.n of less than 2.0, and a M.sub.z /M.sub.w of less than 1.8. The polymodal character of the copolymer is achieved by either (1) withdrawing polymer modes from the reactor from at least one takeoff port, and blending such modes with the reactor effluent, or (2) utilizing at least two catalyst species in the reaction to produce modes of differing molecular weights.

Abstract: Compositions of salts of water-soluble, carboxyl-containing polymers and surface active agents, deposited on polymerization reactor surfaces exposed to polymerization mixtures, substantially reduce or eliminate undesirable polymer build-up on reactor surfaces during aqueous polymerization of vinylidene monomers, even when the amount of carboxyl-containing polymers deposited on the reactor surfaces is very small.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a reactor for the single-step polymerization of vinyl monomers by a heterogeneous polymerization in bulk by means of organometalic catalysts. A method according to the invention consists in charging a vertical reactor, which is provided with at least two planetary stirrers situated outside the reactor axis, each stirrer formed from a planar centrally-symmetrical two-blade paddle, with a vinyl monomer, the subsequent introduction of an organometalic catalyst in a solution under stirring and in partial doses amounting to 10.sup.-5 to 10.sup.-3 mole up to the final amount of 5.times.10.sup.-4 to 5.times.10.sup.-2 mole of catalyst per mole of monomer, stirring of the batch, cutting and disintegration of the formed compact mass with the planetary stirrers and its parallel wiping from the surface of reactor with wiping blades until the batch acquires a powdery form and the resulting product is discharged.

Abstract: A continuous reactor for forming polymeric materials from reactive components for use in a system for mixing monomeric materials and the process of operation of the continuous reactor and system.

Abstract: Spheroidal polymer beads having a uniform size are prepared by polymerizing uniformly sized monomer droplets formed by vibratory excitation of a laminar jet of monomeric material flowing in a gas phase. For example, a laminar jet of a monomer mixture comprising styrene, divinylbenzene and a polymerization initiator can be subjected to vibratory excitation and the resulting monomer droplets polymerized to yield copolymer beads having a narrow particle size range distribution. The copolymer beads can be employed in applications where beads having diameters of 5 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m are useful.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of vinyl chloride polymers or copolymers by microsuspension polymerization of vinyl chloride or vinyl chloride and up to 30% by weight, based on the total monomer content, of .alpha.-olefinically unsaturated monomers copolymerizable with vinyl chloride comprising the steps of:(1) dispersing the monomer or the monomer mixture in water in the presence of from 0.1 to 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer content, of microsuspension dispersion auxiliaries and from 0.001 to 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomer content, of microsuspension monomer - soluble radical - initiators;(2) homogenizing said dispersion so that monomer droplets mostly having a mean diameter of from 0.1 to 3 .mu.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and process permitting of the bottom drainage of a fluid-bed polymerization reactor (1) comprising a fluidization plate (2), a gas inlet (3) located between the said plate and the bottom of the reactor and a side pipe (4) located above the said plate and permitting of the evacuation of the fluidized particles, the said device consisting:of a vertical pipe (5) having a top opening at the level of the plate and a bottom end located outside and underneath the bottom of the reactor, which is occluded by a cock (6),and a gas intake tube (7) in the said vertical piping, leading out into the immediate vicinity of the said cock (6).

Abstract: Invert emulsion polymers are prepared by continuously circulating a system comprising a non-polar liquid and an aqueous solution of polymerizable monomers, continuously adding components to said system and continuously withdrawing a portion of said system comprising the desired invert emulsion polymer. The method is conveniently effected in a loop reactor. It is particularly effective for the production of invert emulsion polymers of acrylamidoalkanesulfonic acids and their salts; e.g., 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyisobutylene by polymerizing isobutylene in a polymerization zone which is at from 0.degree. to -130.degree. C., by means of from 0.01 to 1.0 percent by weight of boron trifluoride catalyst, in the presence of a primary or secondary alcohol as polymerization accelerator and in the presence of from 30 to 90% by weight of a low-boiling solvent which is inert under the reaction conditions, wherein the solvent vaporized during the polymerization is continuously drawn off, liquefied and recycled, in the liquid state, to the polymerization zone, and wherein the boron trifluoride catalyst used contains less than 0.3, in particular less than 0.01, percent by volume of silicon tetrafluoride and the solvent, which is preferably ethylene, is recycled not less than twice but not more than 36 times during the continuous polymerization.

Abstract: The gas to be polymerized is introduced into the working zone of a high pressure piston compressor and is compressed in timed relation to a pressure suitable for the polymerization. The gas temperature suitable for the polymerization process at the end of the compression stroke is set by cooling or heating the gas before the gas enters the compressor. The catalyst or initiator activating the polymerization is introduced into the working zone of the compressor during the compression stroke or after completion thereof, e.g. with the aid of a controlled injection valve. The gas containing the polymer and expanded approximately to the initial pressure is passed out of the compressor into a separator and is here freed from the polymer, while the residual gas is re-cycled to the compressor by means of a blower. For the polymerization of high-pressure polyethylene, the gas is compressed to a final pressure of about 2500 kg/cm.sup.2 at a temperature of about 130.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a homopolymer or co-polymer of an aromatic vinyl monomer by anionically polymerizing a monomer mixture in the absence of oxygen in a tubular coil evaporator.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the production of polymers which utilizes a tubular reactor which contains static mixers.

Abstract: A method of polymerizing and a polymerization column for a monomeric vinylidene compound in which heat exchange tubes are spaced relatively along a polymerization chamber, each tube lying in a radial plane of the chamber and having an ingoing length and an outgoing length, the two lengths being in the form of windings with the windings of each length lying between windings of the other.

Abstract: A melt finish process is disclosed herein for working up solid, particulate polymer from a vapor state polymerization reactor, which reactor employs high yield catalysts, whereby the polymer is moved out of the reactor and into a post polymerization zone characterized by essentially adiabatic polymerization and the heat of such polymerization is used in raising the temperature of and melting said solid, particulate polymer to form molten polymer for further processing.