Abstract: A method for purifying a reclaimed polymer, such as a polymer reclaimed from post-consumer use or post-industrial use, is disclosed. The method involves obtaining the reclaimed polymer and contacting it at an elevated temperature and pressure with a fluid solvent to produce an extracted reclaimed polymer. The extracted reclaimed polymer is dissolved in a solvent at an elevated temperature and pressure to produce a polymer solution, which is purified at an elevated temperature and pressure by contacting the polymer solution with solid media to produce a purer polymer solution. A purer polymer is then separated from the purer polymer solution.

Abstract: A method of processing a polyester composition without changing the intrinsic viscosity of the polyester polymer by more than 0.025 dL/g such as injection molding a PET resin to form a bottle perform and blow molding a container from the bottle preform.

Abstract: A process for preparing a redistributed poly(phenylene ether), comprising reacting a poly(phenylene ether) in a reactive diluent monomer with a polyhydric phenol in the presence of a redistribution catalyst to form a composition comprising a redistributed poly(phenylene ether) in the reactive monomer diluent. The redistributed poly(phenylene ether) exhibits an intrinsic viscosity in the range of about 0.06 deciliters per gram to about 0.25 deciliters per gram, measured in chloroform at 25° C. The redistributed poly(phenylene ether) can be functionalized and admixed with unsaturated resin such as an unsaturated polyester resin or vinyl ester resin to obtain a varnish composition that, when cured, can form an electrically insulative thermoset.

Abstract: Polymerization processes are described herein. The polymerization processes generally include introducing a catalyst system to a reaction zone, introducing an olefin monomer to the reaction zone, contacting the olefin monomer with the catalyst system to form a polyolefin and contacting the polyolefin with a quench agent, wherein the quench agent is at least partially soluble in the olefin monomer.

Abstract: A method for the extraction, separation, fractionation and purification of biopolymers from plant materials using supercritical and/or subcritical solvent extractions is disclosed. Specifically, the process can be used for the separation of resins and rubber from guayule shrub (Parthenium argentatum), and other rubber and/or resin containing plant materials, using supercritical solvent extraction, for example supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Additionally, polar and/or non-polar co-solvents can be used with supercritical carbon dioxide to enhance the selective extraction of resins and rubbers from the shrub.

Abstract: A process for continuous or discontinuous synthesis of elastomeric copolyesters from polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polyoxytetramethylene glycol is described in which the tetrahydrofuran (THF) obtained as a byproduct in synthesis of polybutylene terephthalate from 1,4-butanediol is rectified and then reacted by ring-opening polymerization to form polyoxytetramethylene glycol which condenses with the free or esterified carboxyl groups of PBT to form the copolyester, whereby chain termination and catalyst deactivation are accomplished by adding 1,4-butanediol without separating the catalyst.

Abstract: A process to perform the finishing of polyolefins produced by gas-phase catalytic polymerization of one or more ?-olefins in the presence of a polymerization diluent selected from a C3-C5 alkane, wherein the polyolefin granules discharged from the gas-phase reactor are subjected to: (1) a first degassing step in which said polyolefin is counter-currently contacted with a gaseous stream containing at least 85% by mol of a stripping agent selected from a C3-C5 alkane, said gaseous stream being continuously derived from the monomer recovery section of the polymerization plant; (2) a second degassing step in which said polyolefin is counter-currently contacted with steam, the amount of steam being from 10 to 200 Kg per 1000 kg of polyolefin.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering polymer solids from a polymerisation reactor effluent. The process comprises extracting the polymerisation effluent from a polymerisation reactor; passing the effluent, or a part thereof, to a flash vessel for flashing liquid in the effluent to vapour, and removing said vapour from said flash vessel; passing the polymer solids from the flash vessel to a transfer apparatus which comprises a transfer vessel; passing the polymer solids from the transfer vessel to a purging means for removing residual liquid from the polymer solids; wherein the polymer solids are passed from the flash vessel to the purging means in a continuous flow such that a quantity of polymer solids is maintained in the transfer vessel. An apparatus for performing the process is also provided.

Abstract: A tackifier resin is provided comprising monomer units from at least one aromatic monomer and at least one acrylate monomer; wherein the tackifier resin has a low residual monomer concentration. In other embodiments of the invention, the tackifier resin does not significantly decrease the moisture vapor transport rate of an adhesive composition comprising the tackifier resin, does not significantly increase fogging of an adhesive composition comprising the tackifier resin, and does not significantly exhibit skin sensitivity properties. A process to produce the tackifier resin is also provided. The process comprises contacting a tackifier resin product stream with at least one carrier at a temperature sufficient to remove a portion of at least one residual monomer from the tackifier resin product stream to produce the tackifier resin.

Abstract: Process for the polymerization of ethylene or of ethylene with further 1-olefins, in which the ethylene is polymerized in the presence of a catalyst in a gas-phase reactor and reaction gas comprising propane and unpolymerized ethylene is circulated to remove the heat of polymerization, wherein the polymer particles are discharged continuously or discontinuously from the reactor, the polymer particles are separated from the major part of the concomitantly discharged gas and the polymer particles are degassed, the gas is freed of entrained fine particles and is separated from a low-boiling fraction comprising ethylene or from a high boiling fraction containing further 1-olefins or alkanes having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms in a first separation stage, a propane fraction is separated off in a second separation stage and this propane fraction is used for degassing the polymer particles discharged from the reactor, with the proportion of ethylene in the propane fraction being less than 1 mol % and the proportion of

Abstract: Process for the solvent treatment of a plastic, by dissolving the plastic with a solvent and with at least one phase separation agent compatible with the solvent to form a solution, precipitating the plastic by contacting the solution with at least one non-solvent so as to obtain a solvent/non solvent mixture containing precipitated plastic particles, and substantially eliminating the solvent from the mixture and recovering solid plastic particles. After dissolution but before substantially eliminating the solvent a stripping takes place during which at least a substantial portion of the PSA is removed from the solution or from the mixture using a stripping composition.

Abstract: A process for producing a stable polymer such as poly(hydroxystyrene) which comprises the decarboxylation of a corresponding phenolic in the presence of a non-amine basic catalyst and a polar organic solvent, followed by the polymerization thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a method of rapid expanded solvent extraction of biopolymers, such as rubber, from plant materials, such as guayule, using an expanded hexane solvent. As is illustrated herein, the use of the expanded hexane solvent results in a markedly more efficient and rapid extraction process over other supercritical carbon dioxide extraction systems, including those systems using a hexane cosolvent.

Abstract: A method of drying an aerogel is disclosed. The method includes washing the aerogel in acetone, washing the aerogel in pentane, and heating the aerogel in the presence of pentane. The aerogel is removed from the pentane and the heating continues.

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether) produced by combining a poly(arylene ether) solution with an antisolvent at a shear rate of greater than 50,000 sec?1. The high shear mixing conditions produce a poly(arylene ether) dispersion in which the poly(arylene ether) solid contains reduced amounts of undesirably fine particles.

Abstract: A thienylene-arylene polymer comprised of a repeating segment containing at least one 2,5-thienylene unit selected from (I) and (II), and from about one to about three arylene units selected from (IIIa), (IIIb), and/or (IIIc) wherein R is an alkyl or an alkoxy; R? is halogen, alkyl, or alkoxy, and a and b represent the number of Rs.

Abstract: A process for producing an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, including feeding EVOH into an extruder, keeping the temperature of the melting resin in the extruder at 70 to 170° C., adjusting the amount of water in the extruder so that the water content right after being discharged from the extruder is 5 to 40 weight %, and extruding out the EVOH resin. The extruded EVOH resin is cut into EVOH pellets. Thereby, it is possible to obtain resin pellets in which no spherocrystals are observed in the center of the cross section of the resin when the cross section is observed by the use of a polarization microscope, or no lubricant is contained in the resin pellets, and the angle of repose is 23° or less when the resin pellets are laminated.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to processes for producing substantially free-flowing shapes of macrocyclic oligoester, wherein the freshly-shaped macrocyclic oligoester is maintained at elevated temperature for a sufficient time. In certain embodiments, the shapes are heated in water, thereby avoiding agglomeration during the heating process itself. In another aspect, the invention relates to processes for removing solvent from a solution of macrocyclic oligoester using elevated temperature, reduced pressure, or both, thereby obviating the need for an anti-solvent to precipitate the macrocyclic oligoester from the solution. Other aspects of the invention related to shaping of macrocyclic oligoesters are presented as well.

Abstract: A thienylene-arylene polymer comprised of a repeating segment containing at least one 2,5-thienylene unit selected from (I) and (II), and from about one to about three arylene units selected from (IIIa), (IIIb), and/or (IIIc) wherein R is an alkyl or an alkoxy; R? is halogen, alkyl, or alkoxy, and a and b represent the number of Rs.

Abstract: A method of precipitating a poly(arylene ether) includes combining a poly(arylene ether) solution with an antisolvent at a shear rate of greater than 50,000 sec?1. The high shear mixing conditions produce a poly(arylene ether) dispersion in which the poly(arylene ether) solid contains reduced amounts of undesirably fine particles.

Abstract: An electronic device containing a polythiophene prepared by a metal halide-mediated coupling polymerization in an appropriate solvent, and which polythiophene is comprised of at least one monomer unit selected from the group consisting of 2,5-thienylene (or 2,5-thiophenediyl) (I), 2,5-thienylene (or 2,5-thiophenediyl) (II), and a divalent linkage D wherein, for example, A is alkyl, alkoxy or derivatives thereof; B is a hydrogen atom, a small substituent like alkyl or alkoxy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating unreacted monomer from a polymerization process effluent stream. The polymerization process effluent stream has at least the following components: unreacted monomer, polymer, and solid fines. The method comprises passing the effluent stream through one or more filters disposed within a vessel at a pressure of from about 150 psig to about 400 psig and thereby obtaining a stream of vapor containing less than about 0.5 weight percent solid fines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a free flowing and/or non clumping resin that includes prior to drying, shrinking the resin under agitation. In one variant of the invention, the is a resin used in solid phase synthesis of peptides. In another aspect the invention provides a process of making a peptide using the free flowing resin described herein, and a polypeptide made using the process. Various therapeutics are then be made using the polypepdite.

Abstract: A process for producing a lactic acid polymer of 15,000 to 50,000 in weight-average molecular weight, the content of polymeric materials having not more than about 5,000 in weight-average molecular weight therein being not more than about 5% by weight, characterized by hydrolyzing a high molecular weight lactic acid polymer, placing the resultant solution comprising the hydrolyzed product under a condition capable of precipitating the objective lactic acid polymer, separating the precipitated lactic acid polymer and collecting them. The lactic acid polymer is useful as a matrix for sustained-release preparations. The sustained-release microcapsule preparation encapsulating a physiologically active substance can fully prevent the initial excessive release of the physiologically active substance from the microcapsules and keep a stable release rate over a long period of time.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process of fractionating ferroelectric, preferably vinylidene fluoride polymers using a solvent having at least one polarizable functional group, and a precipitant. The composition of the fractionated ferroelectric polymers is selected so as to adjust the properties of a ferroelectric film made from the polymers. Films formed using the fractionated vinylidene fluoride polymers have improved properties, particularly with respect to roughness and crystal domain size, and suitability for use in data processing devices.

Abstract: A light emitting element having a superior light emitting characteristic is provided by forming a region partly including a phosphor (light emitting region) in manufacturing of a light emitting element having an organic compound layer using a high molecular weight material. A solution in which a high polymer having a degree of polymerization of 50 or more is dissolved in a solvent is applied by a spin coating method, and then a low polymer which is composed of the same repetition units as the high polymer and has a degree of polymerization of 2 to 5 and a phosphor are coevaporated to form a light emitting region (105) and only a low polymer is vapor-deposited on the light emitting region to form an organic compound layer (103). Thus, the light emitting region (105) can be partly formed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a polymeric fluorescent substance wherein one or more monomers represented by the general formula (1) are polymerized in the presence of a zerovalent nickel complex, X1—Ar1—X2??(1) wherein, Ar1 represents a divalent group selected from the group consisting of arylene groups, divalent heterocyclic compound groups, and divalent or trivalent hetero atom-bonded arylene or divalent heterocyclic compound groups, and X1 and X2 represent leaving groups. By using the polymeric fluorescent substance, a high performance polymer LED can easily be obtained.

Abstract: An electronic device containing a polythiophene prepared by a metal halide-mediated coupling polymerization in an appropriate solvent, and which polythiophene is comprised of at least one monomer unit selected from the group consisting of 2,5-thienylene (or 2,5-thiophenediyl) (I), 2,5-thienylene (or 2,5-thiophenediyl) (II), and a divalent linkage D wherein, for example, A is alkyl, alkoxy or derivatives thereof; B is a hydrogen atom, a small substituent like alkyl or alkoxy.

Abstract: A method of precipitating a poly(arylene ether) includes preparing a poly(arylene ether) solution comprising a poly(arylene ether) and a solvent, combining the poly (arylene ether) solution with an antisolvent to form a poly(arylene ether) dispersion comprising a poly(arylene ether) solid, separating the poly(arylene ether) solid from the poly(arylene ether) dispersion to form an isolated poly(arylene ether) solid, determining a particle size distribution of the poly(arylene ether) solid prior to separating the poly(arylene ether) solid from the poly(arylene ether) dispersion, and adjusting a precipitation parameter in response to the particle size distribution. Although the measured particle size distribution is very different from the particle size distribution of the solid poly(arylene ether) ultimately isolated, it is useful for controlling the process. The method may be automated to rapidly adjust precipitation conditions in response to the particle size distribution measurements.

Abstract: A process for producing an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, including feeding EVOH into an extruder, keeping the temperature of the melting resin in the extruder at 70 to 170° C., adjusting the amount of water in the extruder so that the water content right after being discharged from the extruder is 5 to 40 weight %, and extruding out the EVOH resin. The extruded EVOH resin is cut into EVOH pellets. Thereby, it is possible to obtain resin pellets in which no spherocrystals are observed in the center of the cross section of the resin when the cross section is observed by the use of a polarization microscope, or no lubricant is contained in the resin pellets, and the angle of repose is 23° or less when the resin pellets are laminated.

Abstract: A process for producing an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, including feeding EVOH into an extruder, keeping the temperature of the melting resin in the extruder at 70 to 170° C., adjusting the amount of water in the extruder so that the water content right after being discharged from the extruder is 5 to 40 weight %, and extruding out the EVOH resin. The extruded EVOH resin is cut into EVOH pellets. Thereby, it is possible to obtain resin pellets in which no spherocrystals are observed in the center of the cross section of the resin when the cross section is observed by the use of a polarization microscope, or no lubricant is contained in the resin pellets, and the angle of repose is 23° or less when the resin pellets are laminated.

Abstract: Polyphenylene ether particles which contain fine powder in a small amount and are easy to handle at the time of molding, are obtained. A method for precipitating polyphenylene ether, which comprises adding a non-solvent for polyphenylene ether to a solution of polyphenylene ether in a good solvent for polyphenylene ether to precipitate polyphenylene ether continuously in a stirring vessel with a reciprocating stirrer, wherein the polyphenylene ether solution is dropped outside the working range of a stirring blade.

Abstract: A process for producing amino resin particles includes: a reaction process for obtaining a reaction solution containing an amino resin precursor which is obtained by a reaction of an amino compound with formaldehyde, and having a viscosity in a range of from 2×10−2 Pa·s to 5.8×10−2 Pa·s at a temperature in a range of from 95° C. to 98° C.; an emulsion process for obtaining an emulsion by emulsifying the reaction solution; and a curing process for curing the amino resin precursor in the emulsion state by adding a catalyst to the emulsion. With this producing process, it is possible to readily produce amino resin particles with an essentially uniform particle size (narrow particle size distribution).

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of processing polyacrylonitrile into a predetermined form. The first step in this method includes preparing a solution of a room temperature solvent that will dissolve polyacrylonitrile at room temperature and, a room temperature non-solvent that will not dissolve polyacrylonitrile at room temperature. The solution is prepared with sufficient non-solvent to render the room temperature solvent inoperable such that it will not dissolve polyacrylonitrile at room temperature and such that it will be operable at temperatures above 65° C. to dissolve polyacrylonitrile therein. The second step in the present invention method involves combining polyacrylonitrile with the solution to form a mixture, in an amount of at least 20%, by weight, of polyacrylonitrile, based on the total weight of the mixture. Preferred is about 20% to about 50% by weight of the polyacrylonitrile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of alkanes for the contamination-free purification or separation of biopolymers.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a polymeric fluorescent substance wherein one or more monomers represented by the general formula (1) are polymerized in the presence of a zerovalent nickel complex,

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for the solid phase synthesis of aldehyde, ketone, oxime, amine, hydroxamic acid and &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid and aldehyde compounds and to polymeric hydroxylamine resin compounds useful therefor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating plastic polymers to reduce or remove organic contaminants. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of treating, by continuous means, a flowable polymer mass with a solvating fluid in an environment at which the solvating fluid is in a supercritical state and is subject to conditions sufficient to preferentially solvate and extract organic, and especially non-volatile, contaminants from the polymer mass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers comprising one or more perfluoroalkylpolyether units and one or more different charged units, to a process for producing such polymers in non-porous or particularly in porous form and to mouldings composed thereof. The novel polymers have an improved wettability and cell growth ability and are thus useful, for example, for the manufacture of biomedical devices, in particular opthalmic devices.

Abstract: There is provided a lubricating polymer-containing liquid which comprises a film-forming lubricating polymer, preferably a fluoropolymer, and a liquid medium predominantly comprised of cyclic hydrofluorocarbon wherein said lubricating polymer is dissolved or dispersed. A lubricative polymer film of good performance is formed by coating, for example, a magnetic recording hard disk, an ink jet recording head or a cleaning blade of an image-forming device with the lubricating polymer containing liquid, and then removing the liquid medium.

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: A process for continuously preparing a wet powder of PTFE, comprising the step of continuously slurrying a PTFE aqueous dispersion with a high shear machine having a rotating element, and the step of continuously granulating the slurry by using vertical agitator. The process can be carried out for a long time without trouble, and can continuously provide a dry powder having good powder properties. The powder properties can be controlled by regulating operation conditions.

Abstract: A method of forming polymer beads comprising forming an aqueous solution comprising a cross-linkable water soluble polymer and a water-soluble crosslinking agent, adding said solution with mixing to a thixotropic oil gel comprising an oil in which said polymer is insoluble and a silica or silicate, continuing said mixing for a time sufficient and under conditions sufficient to form a water-in-oil dispersion having individual water/polymer droplets dispersed in said thixotropic oil gel, stopping mixing, and when the droplets are in the form of solid beads recovering the beads from the thixotropic oil gel.

Abstract: A method of dissolving a rubber continuously to form a raw material for the production of rubber-modified polymer, by dissolving a rubber in a monomer liquid dissolving the rubber and capable of reacting with the rubber in the presence or absence of a solvent. Pieces of rubber are fed continuously to a dissolution tank to allow the dissolved rubber and the undissolved rubber to coexist in the dissolution tank, wherein the concentration of the dissolved rubber is the concentration at which the feeding to the reactor is made, and the quantity of the undissolved rubber present in the dissolution tank is at most the quantity that prevents pieces of the undissolved rubber from sticking to one another to form larger rubber masses. The time required for dissolution can be shortened, and the size of a dissolution tank can be made smaller, compared with the conventional methods.

Abstract: The inventions refers to a method of compacting expanded polystyrene (EPS). EPS, especially in the state of waste, constitutes a problem due to its voluminous nature. High logistic costs are connected with this voluminous nature and therefore it is difficult to realize an efficient recycling of EPS. This invention aims to offer a solution to this logistic problem by transforming the waste EPS in a compacted mass with semi-fluid properties, by bringing the EPS into contact with a liquid that has such a composition that the semi-fluid compacted mass itself is not miscible with the liquid that causes this phenomenon of compacting. To that end the liquid is composed of at least one component with solving power in respect of polystyrene and at least one component without solving power in respect of polystyrene.

Abstract: Uretdione-functional polyaddition compounds of the formula: ##STR1## Y and Y' are O, NH, or NR.sup.5 ; n is 1-20;R is ##STR2## R.sup.1 is a divalent hydrocarbon radical of 2-16 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 is H, identical or different hydrocarbon radicals of 1-14 carbon atoms;R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are identical or different hydrocarbon radicals of 1-14 carbon atoms, by reacting IPDI uretdione with at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of diols, amino alcohols and diamines in a solution (L1) thereby forming the product (UD-DA) polyaddition compound, and adding the solution (L1) to a second solvent (L2) in which the uretdione polyaddition compound is insoluble, thereby precipitating said polyaddition compound (UD-DA).

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: The disclosed invention is a crystalline microporous polymer and process for preparing a low density microporous polymer comprising, providing a mixture of a polymer and a polymer solvent, the mixture capable of achieving a supercritical condition; applying pressure, at a temperature sufficient for the mixture to attain a super critical condition; cooling the supercritical solution that results and precipitating a microporous crystalline polymer product.

Abstract: A process for producing vinyl acetate polymers comprises, after polymerization of at least one monomer comprising vinyl acetate, adding a conjugated polyene having a boiling point of at least 20.degree. C. Saponified products of the vinyl acetate polymers obtained by this process can give molded articles causing little coloring and generation of gel-like agglomerates.