Abstract: A process for extracting poly-beta-hydroxybutyrates from an aqueous suspension of microorganisms, in which an azeotropic distillation, and an extraction of the polymer by means of the solvent used, are carried out simultaneously.The poly-beta-hydroxybutyrates obtained can be used in medicine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous treating process of a rubber modified styrenic polymer composition produced by bulk or solution polymerization and containing at least 1% by weight of a rubber component and at least 16% by weight of the total amount of an unreacted monomer and solvent which process comprises treating the polymer composition in two-step volatile component separation apparatuses, each of which comprises a multi-tube preheater and a volatilizer, to remove the unreacted monomer and other volatile components wherein the first treated composition contains 3-15% by weight of the unreacted monomer and solvent.

Abstract: The surface characteristics of dispersed particles such as vinyl resins are changed through the use of an anode electrolyte in an electrofilter. Accordingly, the properties of intermediate and final products made from these resins such as plastisols and fused films or coatings can be favorably changed. Properties which are altered include plastisol viscosity, film clarity, and foamability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-stage method for concentrating solutions of polyphenylene ethers (5-15 wt. %) in organic solvents, wherein the first stage is operated with recycle and the second stage is operated in a single pass with no recycle side streams, to produce an accurately adjusted final concentration of between 50 and 60 wt. %.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a rubber modified thermoplastic resin excellent in surface appearance and various properties and high in commercial values which comprises removing an aqueous phase from a two-phase mixture comprising a graft rubber polymer latex (1) obtained by graft polymerization of vinyl monomer on a rubber latex, a thermoplastic resin (2), an organic agent in an amount of 0.1 to 6 times the weight of all the polymers (3) which is capable of dissolving said thermoplastic resin (2) and has a solubility in water of 5% by weight or less at 25.degree. C. and a water soluble agent in an amount of 10% by weight or less of said graft rubber polymer which can coagulate said latex and then removing said organic agent and remaining water from the remaining organic phase by a thermal means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a rubber modified thermoplastic resin excellent in surface appearance and various properties and high in commercial values which comprises removing an aqueous phase from a two-phase mixture comprises a graft rubber polymer latex (1) obtained by graft polymerization of vinyl monomer on a rubber latex, a thermoplastic resin (2) and an organic agent in an amount of 0.2 to 6 times the weight of all the polymers (3) which is capable of dissolving said thermoplastic resin (2) and has a solubility in water of 5 to 50% by weight at 25.degree. C. and then removing said organic agent and remaining water from the remaining organic phase by a thermal means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a process for recovering polymer from a melt or solution containing volatile components. The device consists of an evaporating zone passing, via a metering device, which can function also as a pressure-reducing device, into a devolatilizing extruder. The metering and pressure-reducing device makes it possible also to process highly viscous melts of high-molecular polymers and to fill the extruder screws incompletely so that substantial devolatilization is realized in the extruder.

Abstract: A process for isolating or recovering a polymer in the form of particles or powder from a solution thereof which comprises admixing a solution of the polymer in a substantially water-immiscible organic solvent with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymeric dispersing agent, and distilling away the organic solvent from the mixture in the form of a dispersion.

Abstract: A process for degassing polymers and copolymers which are prepared by bulk polymerization of a vinyl chloride-base monomer composition, in which the polymerizate is kept in an agitated condition, the monomer composition to be removed is adjusted from the polymerization pressure to an absolute pressure of less than 0.16 bar, the polymerisate is brought to or maintained at a temperature which is at least equal to 70.degree. C. and lower than the temperature at which degradation of the polymer or copolymer begins, and said pressure and temperature conditions are maintained substantially until degassing stops. After the proportion of residual vinyl chloride monomer in the polymer or copolymer has been reduced to a value below 2000 mg/kg, the polymerizate is brought into contact with water to which at least one anionic surface active agent is added.

Abstract: The method of continuously operating a counter-flow washing column which is supplied with a slurry of solid polymer particles in a diluent from a continuous polymerization zone and with washing liquid for extracting wash slurry and introducing it into a heat tube to separate the vapor of the washing liquid and the solid polymer particles.The improvement involves controlling the extraction amount of the wash slurry from the column by means of:(i) controlling the quantity of heat added to the heat tube, and further(ii) controlling the amount of liquid to be separately introduced into the heat tube,said controls (i) and (ii) being determined by monitoring the amount of the slurry in the last one of reaction cells in the continuous polymerization zone and, on the basis of the monitored amount, determining the amount of extracted slurry.

Abstract: A process for the production of polyester is disclosed, comprising feeding an ester compound made mainly of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol or an oligomer thereof to a final polymerization reactor, and then polymerizing it in the form of fine molten particles in an inert gas stream, wherein the ester compound has an intrinsic viscosity [.eta.] of not more than 0.4 dl/g and a carboxyl terminal group concentration [COOH] of not more than 90.times.[.eta.].sup.-0.4 .mu.eq/g, and the fine particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.015 to 0.5 mm.

Abstract: A process is provided herein wherein a solid polymer slurry diluted with a specific diluent is continuously discharged under controlled conditions from a high pressure zone to a low pressure zone substantially maintained at atmospheric pressure and the slurry is then separated into said diluent and dried polymer, the improvement wherein the discharged amount of the solid polymer slurry is strictly controlled by varying the heat in the second zone and simultaneously adding a diluent which is gaseous under normal temperature and pressure so that by the control of these two perimeters a continuous slurry discharge can be maintained at predetermined levels.

Abstract: A process for the production of polyester comprising at least 80% of an ethylene terephthalate repeating unit using as a starting material an ester compound made mainly of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol or an oligomer thereof is disclosed. This process is characterized in that a prepolymer having an intrinsic viscosity of not more than 0.4 dl/g and a carboxyl terminal group concentration [COOH] of not more than 90.times.[.eta.].sup.-0.4 .mu.eq/g is fed to a final polymerization unit and polymerized in the form of a molten thin film having a thickness of from 0.005 to 0.15 mm.

Abstract: A method of isolating polymer resins from organic solvents is provided wherein the organic solvent is volatilized in the presence of an aqueous slurry of solid polymer particles of a particular size which provide agglomeration sites for the polymer resin within solution. The process can function continuously with various polymers including polycarbonates, polystyrene, polyetherimides, polyphenylene ethers, polyesters, etc.

Abstract: A method for reducing the volatile component content of crude high molecular weight polyesters containing said component. The method comprises first contacting the crude polyester with steam, or a mixture of steam and inert gas and/or air, at a temperature of 100.degree. to 245.degree. C. to form a partially treated polyester. The second step comprises further contacting the product of the first step with an inert gas and/or air at a temperature of 200.degree. to 245.degree. C. to produce the purified polyester.In particular, the method is intended for use with such polyesters as polyethylene terephthalate which contains acetaldehyde as the undesired volatile component.A new method of analysis useful in the foregoing process is also disclosed. The products of the new process are primarily intended for use in the manufacture of plastic bottles or similar containers for use in the foodstuffs industry.

Abstract: A process for removing volatile constituents from polymer melts or pastes, wherein the polymer or paste containing the volatile constituents is passed, with continuous formation of fresh surfaces, through one or more zones in which the volatile constituents evaporate, and the volatile constituents are removed from the zone or zones in which they evaporate through, in each case, a plurality of porous orifices, and an apparatus for carrying out said process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of high molecular weight polyesters comprising reacting substantially equimolar amounts of an acid component comprising at least one alicyclic or aromatic dicarboxylic anhydride or corresponding dicarboxylic acid with 1,3- or 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, at a temperature between about 110.degree. C. and about 180.degree. C. in a solvent, azeotropically removing water from the reaction mixture while condensing solvent vapor and returning it to the reaction mixture, and recovering the polyester after an inherent viscosity of at least 0.4 has been attained.

Abstract: A terpolymer comprising repeating units derived from an olefin, a diester of an addition polymerizable unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, and a solubilizing monomer which promotes compatibility between the terpolymer and a vinyl halide polymer. A granular form of the processing aid and a method for its preparation are also disclosed.

Abstract: The process of the present invention reacts a polyhydric alcohol and a second reactant selected from the group consisting of polycarboxylic acid, anhydride or an ester of a polycarboxylic acid in a first reactor to produce a flowable intermediate ester. During this reaction, volatile by-product is removed. The flowable intermediate ester is transferred to a holding vessel from which it is metered to a second reactor. Additional polyhydric alcohol may be added to the flowable intermediate ester which may be preheated by heat exchange with the finished polyester before introduction to the second reactor. A polyalkylene terephthalate feed is introduced to the second reactor in which it is reacted to form a finished polyester which is continuously removed from the second reactor. By altering the feeds to the second reactor, the physical characteristics of the finished polyester may be changed to meet various specifications.

Abstract: A process for producing polycarbonate resin particles from a methylene chloride solution of a polycarbonate resin obtained by the polycondensation of a dihydroxydiaryl compound and phosgene, which comprises continuously supplying the methylene chloride solution of the polycarbonate resin to a particle-forming vessel, heating it while maintaining it in a suspended state in water to evaporate methylene chloride and to form an aqueous slurry containing polycarbonate resin particles, subjecting at least a part of the resulting aqueous slurry withdrawn from the particle-forming vessel and containing the polycarbonate resin particles to wet pulverization treatment and recycling at least a part of the treated polycarbonate resin particles to the particle-forming vessel.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of polymer compositions having low volatile content which comprises passing a styrene polymer-containing polymerization fluid composition obtained by solution polymerization or bulk polymerization through a volatile component separator comprising vertical foaming preheaters and vacuum vessels directly connected therewith and thereby removing volatile components continuously from the polymerization fluid composition in three stages to obtain a polymer composition having low volatile content, the process being characterized in that each of three stages includes at least one vertical foaming preheater and one vacuum vessel, the first stage is carried out under such pressure and temperature conditions that the polymerization fluid composition leaving this stage contains said styrene polymer in an amount of 60 to 80% by weight and the temperature of the polymerization fluid composition passing through this stage lies between 70.degree. and 120.degree. C.

Abstract: During the recovery of the unreacted propylene from the mother liquor obtained in the polymerization of liquid propylene, the major part of the propylene is evaporated in a first evaporation step at a low temperature and the remaining part is evaporated in a second evaporator at a high temperature. In this way an early agglomerization of the atactic and/or low-molecular weight polymer dissolved in the mother liquor and fouling of the heat exchanger tubes and/or of the column trays is avoided.

Abstract: Extrusion drying of wet rubber crumb particles in the last phase of the overall elastomer drying process is improved through use of gas injected into the compression zone of an extruder thereby providing an improved efficiency in the explosion drying process. Rubber particles having a very low moisture content, such as less than 0.2% by weight, frequently less than 0.1%, are produced.

Abstract: A novel process for producing compounds of the formula I ##STR1## by polycondensation of a diol of the formula II ##STR2## with a dicarboxylic acid ester of the formula III ##STR3## R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently alkylene or alkenylene, R.sub.3 is lower alkyl and n is 18 to 25.The process according to the invention is characterized in that the reaction medium is treated, in the presence of at least 0.05 mol %, relative to the diol of the formula II, of an organometallic compound of titanium or tin, at a maximum steam temperature of 75.degree. C., until the formed methanol has been almost completely distilled off; distillation is then continued for at least 3 hours, during which time the volume of the reaction solution is kept approximately constant by successive additions of solvent, at a steam temperature of between 100.degree. and 145.degree. C.; the reaction solution is subsequently concentrated by evaporation, and the melt which remains is finally ground after it has solidified.

Abstract: A polymerization process wherein a slurry of polymer and diluent is passed from the polymerization zone to a flash zone, then polymer solids having residual diluent carried thereon are passed to a purge zone wherein a heated noncombustible gas is used to remove additional amounts of diluent, and then the vapor purge zone is condensed and cooled to produce a vapor stream comprising said noncombustible gas and a liquid stream comprising diluent.

Abstract: A method for removing vinyl chloride monomer rapidly from a large amount of slurry of vinyl chloride resin to give waste water separated from said slurry, exhaust gas used in the drying of separated resin and resin product which are not objectionable from the environmental sanitation or to produce such a treated slurry which can give waste water separated from said slurry, exhaust gas used in the drying of separated resin and resin product which are not objectionable from the environmental sanitation by the repetition of said method. In said method a slurry of vinyl chloride resin is caused to flow down a plate column in which flow of slurry on the trays in each step of plates is treated with steam in a combination of specified plates and specified conditions of treatment.

Abstract: Polyethylene is produced in at least one reactor under a pressure of 800 to 2500 bars and a temperature of 150.degree. to 350.degree. C., and the reaction mixture exiting the reactor through an expansion valve and supplied to a separator under a pressure of 50 to 400 bars is cooled by passing a flow Q of the mixture through a turbine. The turbine comprises at least one stage with a fixed nozzle and a bladed wheel having a rotation speed of between 12,000 and 40,000 r.p.m. Ethylene discharged from the separator is recycled to the inlet of a compressor, and the discharge from the compressor is supplied to the reactor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the separation of solid polymer and liquid diluent comprising the use of a filter vessel from which a major portion of the diluent can be recovered directly as liquid for recycle to the polymerization process.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method for stabilizing acetal copolymers by hydrolyzing the copolymer product in a low energy reaction process wherein undesirable side products are continuously and efficiently removed by melting and extruding the unhydrolyzed oxymethylene copolymer into a hydrolysis reaction zone in which the necessary reactants are intimately contacted with the copolymer, preferably by means of flow division and rearrangement mixing technique. Subsequently, the hydrolyzed copolymer product is devolatilized to remove the unwanted side products by passing it through a devolatilization zone preferably having more than one devolatilization port and a vacuum source from which negative pressure is available for application to the devolatilization ports so that the undesired products may be effectively removed.

Abstract: A process for producing aromatic polyester polycarbonate particles from a methylene chloride solution of an aromatic polyester polycarbonate comprises continuously supplying the methylene chloride solution of an aromatic polyester polycarbonate to a particle-forming tank, heating it while maintaining it in a suspended state in water to evaporate methylene chloride and to form aromatic polyester polycarbonate particles, subjecting at least a part of the resulting aqueous slurry withdrawn from the particle-forming tank and containing the aromatic polyester polycarbonate particles to wet pulverization treatment and recycling the treated slurry to the particle-forming tank.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkene polymer melts being substantially free of volatile components comprises introducing an alkene polymer melt having a melt index of less than 4 dg/min and a content of volatile components of less than 10 percent by weight into a cooled degasification extruder and subjecting the melt in the extruder kneading zone to intense cooling under pressure and in the extruder degasification zone to cooling which is less intense than in the kneading zone and under reduced pressure.

Abstract: A method for processing a polymer solution by changing the thermodynamic state of the solution to produce a dilute phase and a concentrated phase such that the thermodynamic state is sufficiently changed that the two phases are formed by spinodal decomposition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple-stage flash devolatilization process, and apparatus for use therein, for recovering volatiles from mass processable polymers, which enables optimally low pressures to be employed without the necessity for refrigeration to condense the volatiles recovered thereby, comprising separating the volatiles from the polymeric material by flashing in a first flash devolatilization zone to remove the majority of the volatiles and then flashing in at least one additional flash devolatilization zone maintained at a lower pressure, preferably as low as practically possible, to remove residual volatiles, and then recovering the volatiles for further use by feeding the volatiles recovered from the additional flash zones back into the stream of volatiles leaving the first flash zone, the higher pressure of which allows the combined free volatiles present therein to then be condensed in a conventional non-refrigeration cooling process.

Abstract: A liquid containing a contaminant such as water or polymeric solids is purified. Purification of a liquid containing a contaminant is enhanced by the use of second fractionating column in conjunction with a first fractionating column to recover a portion of the liquid to be purified from the kettle product of the first column. Vapor from a second fractionating column is used to control the total energy input to a first fractionating column.

Abstract: An improved polymerization process wherein vapors from a flash zone are condensed and used as wash liquid in a polymer washing zone and optionally a sidestream from a monomer fractionation zone is also used as wash liquid.

Abstract: A method of removing volatiles in the mixing of a heat vulcanizable silicone rubber composition comprising (a) mixing a diorganopolysiloxane polymer and filler in an enclosed heated vessel comprising heating the mixture above 100.degree. C. and removing volatiles from the enclosed area above the mixing vessel by the use of aspirator means and collecting the volatiles. The mixing vessel is a Banbury mixing vessel.

Abstract: A novel process is disclosed for separating liquid diluent from a slurry of the diluent and a solid polymer involving the use of a first intermediate pressure flash zone and a second lower pressure flash zone.

Abstract: A melt-polymerization process is described for the preparation of thermoplastic polyamides and polyesteramides by reaction of the appropriate organic diisocyanate and dicarboxylic acid or difunctional carboxylic acid-terminated polyol. The process, which can be conducted in a batch or continuous manner, comprises the steps of admixing the reactants (preferably in the liquid state), heating the mixed reactants at reaction temperature in a manner such that eliminated carbon dioxide can be vented freely, allowing the reaction to proceed until approximately 25-95 percent (preferably at least 50 percent) of the theoretical carbon dioxide has been eliminated and reducing the resulting intermediate to a powder before completing the reaction by melting, homogenizing, and devolatilizing.

Abstract: Slurries of cross linked carboxyl acid polymers in petroleum base liquids such as mineral spirits are readily obtained by a solvent exchange process wherein a slurry of cross-linked carboxylic acid polymer in the organic liquid it was polymerized in, said liquid having a boiling point below that of the mineral spirits, is heated to a temperature to distill off the polymerization organic liquid while replacing this organic material with the mineral spirits, which may be done simultaneously while essentially maintaining constant volume if desired.

Abstract: A continuous, solvent-free process is described for the preparation of thermoplastic polyamides and polyester-amides by the reaction of the appropriate organic diisocyanate and dicarboxylic acid or difunctional carboxylic acid-terminated polyester.

Abstract: A continuous process for concentrating polymer solutions, particularly solutions of halogenated aromatic polyesters in methylene chloride, is provided. The polymer solutions, are first passed through a heating zone where they are heated to a temperature of not less than the temperature at which the solvent thereof evaporates. The heated solution is then passed through an orifice or a multiplicity of orifices (such as a spinneret) located in an evaporation chamber containing a saturated atmosphere of solvent vapor which is maintained within specifically defined temperature limits where flash evaporation of the solvent takes place in the absence of the formation of polymer gels or skins. The polymer solutions are concentrated to a final concentration higher than the initial polymer solution concentration.

Abstract: A polyimide powder particularly suitable for the production of moldings by high pressure sintering is prepared by mixing a solution of an aromatic polyimido-acid, obtained by a conventional process and having an intrinsic viscosity of 1.5 to 2.5 dl/g, in an aprotic dipolar organic solvent, with a water-entraining agent, heating the mixture to the boiling point of the entraining agent, azeotropically distilling off the water formed, filtering off the polyimide powder which precipitates, washing it if appropriate, and drying it.

Abstract: A process for the separation treatment of a polymer solution characterized by, in separating and recovering polymer and polymerization solvent by flashing a polymer solution, heating said polymer solution under an elevated pressure sufficient to maintain said solution in a liquid phase, sending said solution into a flashing tank kept at an inner surface temperature of 140.degree. C. or above and a pressure ranging from ordinary pressure to 5 kg/cm.sup.2 G, flashing said solution to evaporate and separate the solvent, thereby concentrating said solution so that concentration of the polymer in said solution becomes 80% by weight or more, and recovering the concentrated solution from the bottom part of the flashing tank.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogenation catalyst residues from hydrogenated conjugated diene polymers by contacting a hydrocarbon solution of said polymers with an aqueous dilute solution of an alpha-hydroxysulfonic acid, separating the aqueous phase from the hydrocarbon phase, removing the hydrocarbon solvent from the hydrocarbon phase, producing a solid polymer, and applying heat and/or vacuum to the solid polymer to remove the residual alpha-hydroxysulfonic acid.

Abstract: Strong cationic polyelectrolytes in powder form based on acrylamide and quaternized or salified dimethylaminoethyl acrylate; and the use thereof for flocculation of solid material suspensions and coalescence of emulsions.Such polyelectrolytes contain in molar proportions more than 50% of cationic units uniformly distributed along the copolymer chains. They are used for flocculating colloidal suspensions and/or coalescing emulsions, especially, in sewage water purification installations.

Abstract: Epichlorohydrin levels in heat sensitive glycidyl products are reduced from a few thousand ppm, an unacceptable level, to only a few ppm or to a non-detectable level by use of a multistage stripping column with or without inert gas purging without decomposition of the heat sensitive glycidyl products. Such glycidyl products are useful in epoxy resins particularly as crosslinking agents.

Abstract: Unreacted diisocyanate is removed from a polyurethane prepolymer reaction product mixture by co-distillation of the unreacted diisocyanate with a compound which is at least partially miscible with the prepolymer and which boils at a temperature greater than the boiling point of the diisocyanate. A highly efficient removal rate is achieved in that the concentration of unreacted diisocyanate remaining in the reaction product mixture is generally less than about 0.1 percent, and in many cases less than about 0.05 percent, based on the weight of the prepolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple-stage flash devolatilization process, and apparatus for use therein, for recovering volatiles from mass processable polymers, which enables optimally low pressures to be employed without the necessity for refrigeration to condense the volatiles recovered thereby, comprising separating the volatiles from the polymeric material by flashing in a first flash devolatilization zone to remove the majority of the volatiles and then flashing in at least one additional flash devolatilization zone maintained at a lower pressure, preferably as low as practically possible, to remove residual volatiles, and then recovering the volatiles for further use by feeding the volatiles recovered from the additional flash zones back into the first flash zone, the higher pressure of which allows the combined free volatiles present therein to then be condensed in a conventional non-refrigeration cooling process.

Abstract: Method for removing chlorinated solvents from chlorinated polymers which retain them as a result of a chlorination process, wherein after being dried and pulverized, said chlorinated polymer is treated with a non-halogenated aliphatic organic solvent or a halogenated aromatic organic solvent. Said organic solvent pertains to the following groups: alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol; esters such as methyl formate, ethyl formate, methyl acetate; nitriles such as acetonitrile; aromatic halides such as chlorobenzene; hydrocarbons such as n-hexane; and acetone.

Abstract: A method for separating vinyl chloride monomer from an aqueous polyvinyl chloride resin mixture which comprises passing the aqueous resin mixture at an elevated temperature and sub-atmospheric pressure over a vibrating surface.