Abstract: The invention consists of a process for separating organic monomers or auxiliaries, which are used in synthesizing organic polymers or take part in the polymerization reaction, from the prepolymer resulting from the synthesis, in which the monomers or auxiliaries are extracted from the prepolymer by means of compressed and dried carbon dioxide as solvent.

Abstract: A method of treating contact lenses made from polymerizable materials by providing supercritical fluids to the lenses.

Abstract: A batchwise or continuous process for producing coagulated particles of polymer latex, involves partially or completely filling at least one receptacle with a fluid A which can be water, a polymer latex emulsion or a coagulant solution, the receptacle being equipped with baffles containing at least one orifice, injecting into the receptacle at least one fluid other than the fluid of the preceding stage, the injected fluid being a polymer latex emulsion and/or a coagulant solution, and in then creating and maintaining within the receptacle an oscillatory flow or an impulsive flow, in conjunction with the formation of eddies or of vortices.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of a polyester polymer or polyester copolymer under superatmospheric pressure conditions in a pipe or tubular reaction under turbannular flow conditions. Reaction material having a glycol equivalents to carboxylic acid equivalents mole ratio of from 1.0:1 to 1.2:1, together with a superatmospheric dense gaseous medium are fed co-currently to the reactor. Dicarboxylic acid and/or diol raw materials may be injected into any of the reaction zones in the process during operation to achieve the overall desired mole ratio balance. The process operates at temperatures of from about 220.degree. C. to about 320.degree. C., with turbannular flow achieved before the polymer product and gas exit the reactor process. The pressure in the reaction zones can be in the range from 15 psia to 2500 psia.

Abstract: A process of surface activation of a material based on one or more of the copolymers of lactic acid and .epsilon.-caprolactone is carried out on bioabsorbable and biocompatible aliphatic polyesters chosen from the group formed by homo- and copolymers derived from L-lactide, D-lactide, racemic D,L-lactide, meso D,L Lactide, .epsilon.-caprolactone, glycolide, .delta.-valerolactone, p-dioxanone, preferably copolymers of L-lactide, D-lactide, racemic D,L lactide, meso D,L-lactide with .epsilon.-caprolactone; the process consists of performing at least one of the following treatments: acid or base hydrolysis, treatment by means of cold plasma, by chemical reactions or electromagnetic radiations.The process brings about a substantial increase in surface hydrophilicity and, consequently, a significant lowering of the wetting angle measured with water at 23 degrees Celsius in air.

Abstract: The process for preparing polyethylene naphthalate according to the invention is intended to obtain polyethylene naphthalate having a low impurity content from naphthalenedicarboxylic acid containing impurities.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing molded, shaped or extruded articles comprising the steps of:a) melt reacting, in the presence of a catalyst which is substantially free of Co compounds, at least one glycol and at least one dicarboxylic acid to form a polyester having an I.V. of at least about 0.5 dL/g, wherein said at least one glycol is selected from the group consisting of glycols having up to 10 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof and said dicarboxylic is selected from the group consisting of alkyl dicarboxylic acids having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, aryl dicarboxylic acids having 8 to 16 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof;b) adding an acetaldehyde reducing additive to said polyester to form a reduced acetaldehyde polyester; andc) forming said reduced acetaldehyde polyester into articles directly from step b.Thus, the present invention provides a process for directly producing from the melt article having extremely low acetaldehyde content.

Abstract: A poly(vinyl alcohol) purification process is described, which includes heat treating a poly(vinyl alcohol) under agitation in an atmosphere unsaturated by water and with a water vapor mass content of 20 to 100%. The process of the invention may also include an additional drying step. A poly(vinyl alcohol) with an alcohol content, more particularly a methanol content, of lower than 1% and an ester content, more particularly a methyl acetate content, of lower than 1% is also described, which is provided in the form of flakes a few millimeters in size or of a powder with an average particle size advantageously higher than 600 .mu.m.

Abstract: A method of treating contact lenses made from polymerizable materials by providing supercritical fluids to the lenses.

Abstract: A process for the improvement of the drawing ability of polyester, pellets of which are thermally post-treated in the solid phase in an inert atmosphere, containing a precise concentration of water vapor. The water vapor concentration is equal to the amount of water, plus 15%/minus 50%, which could theoretically be formed, at the polyester end viscosity, from the --COOH end groups and the excess --OH end groups of the polyester. An equimolar quantity of the vapor of the alkanediol, which serves as the diol reactant for the polyester, may be substituted for all or part of the water vapor.

Abstract: A method of producing elastomers or elastomeric mixtures, in which independent flows of N.sub.2, of a solution of elastomers in organic solvents and, possibly, of forming and nucleation additives, are processed mechanically and thermally in a turbo-drier so as to produce elastomers or elastomeric mixtures, respectively, in solvent-free, granulated form.

Abstract: Polymers which contain N-substituted formamide structural units, obtainable by catalytic reaction of nitrile-containing polymers in the presence of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and/or carbon monoxide-releasing compounds, are described.

Abstract: A continuous process for functionalizing polymers is disclosed, wherein (A) a liquid comprising the polymer and a gas comprising a functionalizing agent are continuously introduced into a dispersing zone operated in laminar flow with high intensity mixing of the liquid and the gas under functionalization conditions, wherein the mixing is conducted for a period of the dispersing zone residence time at a shear rate effective to form a stable gas-liquid dispersion in which the gas is substantially dissolved or dispersed in the liquid for functionalization, and wherein the shear rate is less than about 5 s.sup.-1 for no more than about 30% of the residence time; (B) the gas-liquid dispersion is continuously passed to a blending zone operated in laminar flow with low intensity mixing under functionalization conditions, wherein the mixing is conducted at a shear rate effective to further dissolve the gas into the liquid for further functionalization; and (C) continuously recovering functionalized polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved solid state polymer devolatilization process which comprises heating a wet feed mixture comprising polymer, residual monomer(s), process solvents and active catalyst residues in the presence of an inert gas, wherein the improvement comprises replacing the inert gas with a catalyst deactivating gas.

Abstract: Medical article of manufacture comprising compositions, comprising: at least one polyisocyanate, preferably a non-aromatic polyisocyanate, in the monomer or prepolymer state; at least one polypol; and at least one organic compound comprising one or more phosphite functional groups, in the proportion of at least 1% by weight with respect to the total weight of the polyol or polyols, this organic compound being, in addition, non-aromatic and the carrier of at least one free hydroxyl group capable of reacting with an isocyanato group; and, if appropriate, at least one catalyst of the polymerization reaction of a polyisocyanate and of a polyol.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyamide from a corresponding nylon salt material comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising a nylon salt and carbon dioxide; and then condensing the nylon salt in the carbon dioxide to form a polyamide and water. A method of forming a polyamide comprises providing a reaction mixture containing at least one lactam monomer and carbon dioxide; and then polymerizing the lactam monomer in the carbon dioxide to form a polyamide.

Abstract: A method of deactivating a polyolefin polymer is disclosed whereby the polymer is contacted in a post-reactor vessel with CO.sub.2 and then an acid acceptor and at least one secondary antioxidant are incorporated into the deactivated polyolefin polymer. The resulting product displays improved color and reduced melt flow breaking tendency, and does not exhibit polymer agglomeration and stickiness.

Abstract: A method of treating polyolefin comprises (i) a ligand-decomposition step of contacting polyolefin, which is obtained by the use of a transition metal compound containing ligands having cyclopentadienyl skeleton, with a ligand decomposer, such as water, oxygen, alcohol, alkylene oxide or peroxide, to decompose the ligands contained in the polyolefin, and (ii) a ligand-removal step of heating the polyolefin contacted with the ligand decomposer to remove the decomposed ligands from the polyolefin. According to this method, the residual ligands having cyclopentadienyl skeleton, which are contained in the polyolefin produced by the use of a transition metal compound containing ligands having cyclopentadienyl skeleton, are decomposed and removed from the polyolefin, whereby polyolefin diminished in odor development in the molding process can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for preparing coating powder compositions in which one or a plurality of base resins and one or a plurality of hardeners, each of which is in solid form, is dissolved with a low-molecular compound above its critical pressure and critical temperature. This low-molecular compound is inert with respect to the base resins and hardeners and is in gaseous form under normal operating conditions with respect to pressure and temperature. The pressure of the resultant solution is then reduced, for example, by spraying. The resultant coating powder composition can be sprayed directly onto a substrate to be coated. Coating powders can also be recycled according to the process of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for molding of polyester articles having low acetaldehyde content directly from a melt without intermediate solidification of the molten polyester. A melt to mold process is used wherein an acetaldehyde stripping agent is mixed into a polyester melt before devolatilization in a flash tank. The devolatilized polyester is pumped out of the flash tank and injected into a mold, thus forming a shaped article. The apparatus may include one or more flash tanks in one devolatilization line, or multiple devolatilization lines may be used stemming from one main polymerization reactor. The final shaped article should contain less than 10 ppm of acetaldehyde.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for reducing the chlorine content of various organochlorine compounds including the step introducing a source of iodine or bromine and mixtures thereof to the organochlorine compound.

Abstract: A process for the devolatilization of a thermoplastic polymer containing gaseous impurities in an apparatus having a melting zone, a mixing zone, and a reduced pressure zone, comprising:(a) (i) adding a granular blowing agent directly or via a masterbatch to the polymer prior to the introduction of the polymer into the melting zone, said blowing agent being added in an amount of about 1 to about 4 percent by weight based on the weight of the polymer or (ii) adding a gaseous blowing agent to the mixing zone;(b) melting the polymer in the melting zone;(c) mixing the molten polymer and blowing agent in the mixing zone under sufficient pressure to maintain the blowing agent in the mixture;(d) at a temperature sufficient for decomposition or expansion, (i) decomposing the granular blowing agent in the mixing zone and/or in the reduced pressure zone or (ii) expanding the gaseous blowing agent in the reduced pressure zone wherein the blowing agent in its decomposed or expanded state develops froth cells in the molte

Abstract: A liquid aliphatic polyamine material, sealed in a container, has an ammonia concentration of at most about 100 ppm, and can be made by removing volatile odor forming components from a liquid comprised of aliphatic polyamine, and enclosing it in an air-tight container, with substantially no oxygen present, whereby the odor of the liquid aliphatic polyamine is reduced to a very low level even after extended storage.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a copolymer of carbon monoxide with an olefinically unsaturated compound in which a powder of a copolymer of carbon monoxide with an olefinically unsaturated compound is suspended in a liquid diluent. The suspension is contacted with a catalyst composition which is soluble in the diluent and which is based on a Group VIII metal and a bidentate ligand. The catalyst composition is used in such a quantity that in the polymerization mixture more than 0.1 mmoles of the Group VIII metal is present per liter of liquid phase.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a friable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) product that has particles of a desired size which are flowable and do not tend to agglomerate. To achieve this result, the PTFE starting material is handled at a temperature below 66.degree. F., and preferably below 55.degree. F., before irradiating. The PTFE starting material may be mixed with a wetting agent before irradiating to provide a product that has enhanced dispersibility. The source of radiation may include electron beam radiation, nuclear radiation, or radiation from a cobalt-60 (CO.sub.60) source.

Abstract: A method for producing a polylactic acid includes the steps of (a) crystallizing polylactic acid pellets obtainable by direct polymerization of lactic acid or ring-opening polymerization of lactide; and (b) removing low-molecular components having a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 or less in the resulting crystallized, solid polylactic acid pellets by gasifying the low-molecular components to obtain polylactic acids with substantially no low-molecular components. In this method, an apparatus for removing low-molecular components in polylactic acid pellets includes a crystallizing means for maintaining a temperature between equal to or higher than a glass transition temperature of polylactic acid pellets and equal to or lower than the melting point thereof, while fluidizing the polylactic acid pellets; and a reactor for allowing a heated inert gas and/or heated air to pass through the resulting crystallized, solid polylactic acid pellets obtained by the crystallizing means.

Abstract: Polyalcohols are produced by a process comprising hydrogenating polyketones, which are copolymers of carbon monoxide and at least one olefin, in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent. The catalyst is prepared from a ruthenium-containing compound and a trialkylphosphine. The trialkylphosphine is represented by the general formula (I):R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 P (I)wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon groups. The carbon groups may be substituted. The process requires minimal amounts of the catalyst, and the polyalcohols produced by this method have a high hydroxyl group content.

Abstract: The residual level of monomer in a polymer may be reduced by passing a melt of the polymer through a devolatilizer column which contains an array of two or more trays having voids comprising from 15 to 50% of the surface of the tray which are offset so the voids in the upper tray are spaced over the solid areas of the tray below.

Abstract: A process has been invented for removing contaminants (including solvent) from a flowing polymer, the process, in one aspect, including dissolving a sparingly soluble stripping agent into a flowing polymer, the sparingly soluble stripping agent stripping contaminants from the flowing polymer creating a mixture of contaminants and sparingly soluble stripping agent, which flows out from the flowing polymer, and separating the mixture from the polymer. In one aspect, recyclable sparingly soluble stripping agent is recovered and re-used.

Abstract: A process for activating double metal cyanide catalysts is disclosed. A polyol starter or starter/catalyst mixture is heated under vacuum under conditions effective to achieve improved stripping compared with that which can be achieved through conventional vacuum stripping. Coupling vacuum stripping with inert gas sparging or stripping in the presence of an organic solvent gives a starter/catalyst mixture that activates rapidly in an epoxide polymerization process. Rapid activation makes process start-ups reliable and reduces cycle time. The process gives polyols with lower viscosity, lower polydispersity, and lower unsaturation for better polyurethanes.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for manufacturing a photographic support which includes providing a support and laminating a surface of the support with a polymer resin formulation containing from 0.001 to 1 weight percent antioxidant at a temperature of from 305.degree. to 360.degree. C. while exposing the polymer resin formulation to an ozone containing gas at a rate of greater than 0.1 mg/m.sup.2 of said support.

Abstract: The color of hydrocarbon resins having carbon-carbon double bonds and containing color bodies is lightened by a hydrotreating process consisting essentially of contacting the resin with hydrogen at a hydrogen pressure of 1 to about 20 bar (14.5 to about 290 psi) in the presence of a catalyst that promotes the hydrogenation of the color bodies without substantially changing the softening point or the content of carbon-carbon double bonds in the resin. The preferred catalyst is nickel/zinc oxide on SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: Formulations including a high density polyester and a density reducing component. The formulations are useful for facilitating the separation of blood serum or plasma from the cellular portion of blood in blood collection applications.

Abstract: A propylene homopolymer having a stick-point of 30 cm or less during melt spinning, an oligomer content of less than 1500 ppm without postpolymerization treatment to remove oligomers, and a melt flow rate greater than 300 dg/min is prepared by radiation visbreaking in a multistage fluidized bed reactor. The polymer is subjected to irradiation in the substantial absence of oxygen, followed by a multistage treatment in the presence of a controlled amount of oxygen. The radiation visbreaking process can also be applied to other propylene polymer materials. The propylene polymer materials produced by this radiation visbreaking process can be used, for example, for extrusion coating, film production, and injection molding.

Abstract: The invention features polymers with increased order, and methods of making them featuring a dense gas.

Abstract: This invention includes catalysts comprising rhenium (atomic number 75), nickel, cobalt, boron and copper and/or ruthenium impregnated on a support material and a process for preparing said catalyst, said process comprising (i) impregnating a mixture of metals comprising rhenium, cobalt, copper and/or ruthenium, boron and nickel on a support material selected from the group consisting of alpha-alumina, silica, silica-alumina, kieselguhrs or diatomaceous earths, and silica-titanias; and (ii) activating said catalyst by heating the catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at an effective temperature preferably in the range of about 150.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C. for a sufficient period preferably of from about 30 minutes to about 6 hours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for continuously manufacturing ethylene (co-)polymer in a gaseous phase in a polymerization zone through which passes an essentially gaseous reaction mixture comprising the (co-)monomers(s). In addition the process comprises transferring a mixture (A) formed by the gaseous reaction mixture and the solid (co-)polymer in a depressurization zone, and separating the mixture (A) into a solid phase (B) and a gaseous phase (C) returned into the polymerization zone. The solid phase (B) is subjected to (1) at least one non-deactivating flushing with respect to the active catalytic residues, and subsequently (2) a deactivating flushing with a gaseous mixture of nitrogen, water and oxygen. The (co-)polymer thus obtained has very low contents of unreacted (co-)monomer(s) and volatile organic compounds, and exhibits a high whiteness index and a long thermal stability with time.

Abstract: A process comprising contacting PCR polyolefin chips containing volatile impurities with a heated gas at a superficial velocity sufficient to substantially reduce the volatile impurities. This process is found to cause the chips (i) to be essentially free of odors and (ii) subject to resin composition and prior use, to meet FDA regulations for direct food contact.

Abstract: A method of improving the oxidative thermal stability of ethylene polymers is disclosed. The method comprises removing residual unreacted monomer(s), solvent and thermally unstable species from the molten polymer. The resulting polymer is characterized by having an oxidative exotherm of not more than about 50 percent of the original polymer, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously separating polymer from a plastic, and the resulting separated polymer. The plastic is made flowable into a stream through melting or solubilizing. A critical fluid, such as supercritical carbon dioxide, is added to the plastic stream to promote mechanical or thermodynamic separation of the polymer from contaminants and other components of the plastic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for modifying a polyethylene in an extruder by bringing the polyethylene into contact with oxygen or a gas mixture containing oxygen in the extruder, optionally in the presence of a relatively small quantity or preferably in the absence of short-term antioxidant agent. The polyethylene is then treated thermomechanically in the molten state in the extruder supplying a relatively high specific mechanical energy, the thermomechanical treatment is completed when the value of the loss tangent of the polyethylene characterizing its viscoelastic state decreases in a desired proportion. The polymer thus treated is particularly suitable for being transformed by blown extrusion into a film having a considerably increased bubble stability.

Abstract: An adhesive or coating composition comprises a reaction product of terephthalate polymer and mixture of glycols in the presence of a glycolysis catalyst. The reaction product is further reacted with a difunctional organic acid. The recycled polymer which is formulated as adhesive or binder can be used in many fields.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for reducing the chlorine content of various organochlorine compounds including the step introducing a source of iodine or bromine and mixtures thereof to the organochlorine compound.

Abstract: A process for purifying a polymer by separating and removing volatile components from a polymer composition containing the volatile components, which comprises: (a) heating the polymer composition containing a methanol solvent to a temperature of 120.degree. to 240.degree. C. by a heater, wherein an internal pressure the heater is maintained at 8 to 35 kg/cm.sup.2 G; (b) discharging the heated polymer composition into a tank in which pressure is maintained at -0.7 to 1.0 kg/cm.sup.2 G, and then separating and collecting most of the volatile components to lower the concentration of the solvent in the remaining volatile components in the polymer composition to 0.5% by weight or less; and (c) feeding the resultant polymer composition to a vent extruder maintained such that a barrel temperature at an inner side thereof is 160.degree. to 280.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing oligomers from substantially crystalline, .alpha.-olefin polymer particles without having to melt the particles. The method comprises fluidizing a bed of the particles with a gas in which the oligomers are soluble, which bed is at a temperature at which the particles are not sticky, but at least lower molecular weight oligomers will evaporate therefrom, and maintaining the particles in the fluidized bed until a substantial portion of the oligomers have evaporated and have been removed from the bed by the fluidizing gas. By regulatng the bed temperature and the residence time of the particles in the bed the proportion and chain length of the oligomers removed can be controlled.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polycarbonates which comprises the reaction of a bisphenol, an arylcarbonate and a catalyst, which reaction is accomplished by heating said bisphenol, said arylcarbonate and said catalyst, in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide, and subsequently extracting byproducts with supercritical carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Perfluorinated polymers are dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide and/or sulfur hexafluoride at elevated temperatures and pressures. The solutions are useful for making foams, spun-bonded or paper-like webs, or for purification of polymers.

Abstract: A high molecular weight polyimidoylamidine having an intrinsic viscosity of from 0.25 dl/g to 0.60 dl/g and a high molecular weight polytriazine derived therefrom having an intrinsic viscosity of from 0.25 dl/g to 0.65 dl/g are disclosed. A polyimidoylamidine having a molecular weight in a wide range, including high molecular weight, can advantageously be obtained by reacting a perfluoropolyether dinitrile with ammonia and reacting the resultant reaction product with a specific amount of a perfluoropolyether dinitrile. A terminal-stabilized polytriazine and its preparation methods are also disclosed. A polytrizine, which contains a nitrile group at side chains thereof and has an intrinsic viscosity within a specific range, is particularly suitable as a precursor of a perfluoroelastomer having excellent mechanical and chemical properties.

Abstract: A polymer melt may be devolatilized to less than 500, preferably less than 150 ppm of residual volatile material by injecting into the melt an amount of a super critical fluid greater than the amount of residual volatile material in the melt, typically not more than about 10 weight %, and passing the melt through a flash chamber devolatilizer at a pressure of 12 mm of Hg or less at a temperature of from 200.degree. to 350.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of toner additive wax particles which comprises the micronization of said particles from a supercritical solution.