Abstract: A method of treating a polymerization reactor effluent stream comprising recovering the reactor effluent stream from the polymerization reactor, flashing the reactor effluent stream to form a flash gas stream, separating the flash gas stream into a first top stream, a first bottom stream, and a side stream, wherein the side stream substantially comprises hexane, separating the first top stream into a second top stream and a second bottom stream, wherein the second bottom stream substantially comprises isobutene, and separating the second top stream into a third top stream and a third bottom stream; wherein the third top stream substantially comprises ethylene, and wherein the third bottom stream is substantially free of olefins.

Abstract: An epoxy resin with amine functionality is manufactured continuously through a first reaction zone in which an epoxide-functional resin is made by ring-opening addition, a second reaction zone in which the resin is reacted with amine to make an epoxide-functional product, and a third reaction zone in which the epoxide functional product is reacted with amine to make the epoxy resin with amine functionality. In other embodiments, some amine may be added in the first reaction zone to produce an epoxide functional product, with elimination of the second reaction zone, or all of the amine reactant may be added in the first reaction zone to produce an amine functional product, with elimination of both the second and third reaction zones. Optionally, solvent may be removed in an evaporation zone and recycled into the continuous process and further zones may be included to incorporate crosslinker, additives, and to emulsify the resin.

Abstract: A vessel header comprising a plurality of lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration and entering the vessel header through alternating header penetrations with a single header penetration per lateral flow tube. A method of increasing the throughput of a polymerization reaction comprising conducting the polymerization reaction in a reaction vessel comprising a plurality of lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration and entering the vessel header through alternating header penetrations with a single header penetration per lateral flow tube wherein the polymerization reaction displays an increase in throughput of 10% and a decrease in volatiles of from 5% to 10% when compared to a polymerization reaction carried out in a reaction vessel lacking a plurality of lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration and entering the vessel header through alternating header penetrations with a single header penetration per lateral flow tube.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing olefins, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting in a dense-fluid-homogeneous-polymerization system (“PS”), >30 wt % C3+ olefins with: catalyst, activator, 0-50 mol % comonomer, and 0-40 wt % diluent/solvent, at a temperature > PS Tc and a pressure no lower than 1 MPa below the PS cloud point pressure and <200 MPa; (b) forming a reactor effluent comprising polymer-monomer mixture; (c) optionally heating the mixture (b); (d) collecting the mixture (b) in a separation vessel; (e) reducing the pressure to form a two-phase mixture where the pressure in the reactor is 7-100 MPa higher than the pressure in the separation vessel and the temperature in the separation vessel is > the polymer or above 80° C., whichever is higher; (f) separating the monomer-rich phase from the polymer-rich phase; (g) recycling the separated monomer-rich phase and recovering polymer from the polymer-rich phase.

Abstract: A process for producing polyolefins, which includes polymerizing at least one olefin monomer, separating at least a part of the reaction mixture, dividing the separated reaction mixture into a polymer-lean fraction and a polymer-rich fraction, and subjecting at least a part of the polymer-lean fraction to a purification step prior to recycling back to the polymerization of at least one olefin monomer. The obtained polyolefins particularly have a low content of volatile low molecular weight compounds, a low content of low-molecular weight polyolefin waxes and a low content of residues derived from the catalyst employed.

Abstract: The polymer degassing apparatus includes a barrel-shaped horizontal container 41 having a supply port 42 for supplying a reactant, a discharge port 43 for discharging a reactant, a stirring means 45 for stirring a reactant, and a degassing means for drawing a gas via a degassing port 44 of the horizontal container. The supply port is positioned below the molten liquid level of the reactant. A recovery container 37 that is connected to the degassing port for recovering a volatile substance in the gas and a vacuum pump 36 are provided. The stirring means includes a plurality of stirring rods 46 oriented along the same direction as the axis in the horizontal container and coupling members 47 for coupling the stirring rods along the same direction as the axis, provided that the coupling members are placed at a distance from the virtual rotation center of the stirring means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preferentially breaking cross-links in a vulcanized rubber, thereby de-vulcanizing the rubber, by the use of a supercritical fluid, such as carbon dioxide The supercritical fluid causes swelling of the said vulcanized rubber material, wherein the time of swelling is not more than 50% of the time required for full volume equilibrium swelling of the rubber in said supercritical fluid and the swelling is followed by a rapid reduction of the supercritical fluid pressure The cross links (3) become fully extended and under strain to hold the internal pressures caused by the solvent swelling affect of the supercritical gas When equilibrium swell has been achieved, the pressure within the processing vessel is rapidly dropped to a predetermined level causing a degassing and expansion of the supercritical fluid that has been absorbed within the vulcanized rubber The resulting three dimensional separation of the rubber molecules will put a further rapid strain on the cross l

Abstract: In a process for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) by polymerizing a sulfur source and a dihalo-aromatic compound in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide in an organic amide solvent, the production process comprises washing a polymer obtained by the polymerization with a hydrophilic organic solvent containing water in a proportion of 1 to 30% by weight, thereby collecting a purified polymer, the content of nitrogen contained in an extract extracted by a mixed solvent containing 40% by weight of acetonitrile and 60% by weight of water from the purified polymer is at most 50 ppm on the basis of the weight of the polymer, and a poly(arylene sulfide), the content of nitrogen contained in an extract extracted by a mixed solvent containing 40% by weight of acetonitrile and 60% by weight of water from the purified polymer is at most 50 ppm on the basis of the weight of the polymer.

Abstract: A solution process for polymerizing one or more ?-olefins of formula CH2?CHR, where R is H or an alkyl radical C1-12, to produce a polyolefin soluble in the reaction medium, the process comprising: a) polymerizing said one or more ?-olefins in a solution phase in the presence of a polymerization catalyst and a inert solvent having a vapor pressure lower than 100 kPa at 20° C.; b) separating the produced polyolefin from the unreacted monomers and the inert solvent by means of a sequence of at least three volatilization chambers operating at a decreasing pressure, the second devolatilization chamber being operated at a pressure from 0.8 to 5 bar.

Abstract: An equipment for producing polyhydroxycarboxylic acid, includes a ring-opening polymerization apparatus, a liquid phase devolatilizing apparatus, and a drying apparatus, wherein an indirect heat exchanger is connected to a vent gas discharge path of the liquid phase devolatilizing apparatus. The indirect heat exchanger captures a dispersed in-process substance containing hydroxycarboxylic acid cyclic dimers and transfers the substance to the ring-opening polymerization apparatus; a wet condenser and a hot well are connected to a vent gas discharge path of the indirect heat exchanger and that of the drying apparatus, respectively.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing polytrimethylene ether glycols or copolymers thereof having a number-average molecular weight of at least about 250 g/mole by a polycondensation reaction using at least one acid catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing polycrystalline silicon, including: reacting trichlorosilane and hydrogen to produce silicon and a remainder including monosilanes (formula: SiHnCl4-n, wherein n is 0 to 4) containing silicon tetrachloride, and a polymer including at least trisilanes or tetrasilanes; and supplying the remainder and hydrogen to a conversion reactor and heating at a temperature within the range of 600 to 1,400° C. to convert silicon tetrachloride into trichlorosilane and the polymer into monosilanes.

Abstract: Synthetic resin containing ester bond is subjected to hydrolysis treatment to reclaim raw material component before polymerization. Method for decomposing and reclaiming synthetic resin having ester bond in composition structure thereof, by conducting hydrolysis treatment and then separation collection treatment. In the hydrolysis treatment, article containing synthetic resin to be decomposed and reclaimed is exposed to water vapor atmosphere filled under saturation water vapor pressure at treatment temperature at or below melting point of the synthetic resin. The synthetic resin in article to be treated is hydrolyzed by water vapor generated at the treatment temperature, to generate decomposition product before polymerizing to the synthetic resin containing an ester bond. The separation collection treatment is treatment in which the decomposition product generated by the hydrolysis treatment is separated into liquid component and solid component to be collected individually.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte membrane with excellent proton conductivity in its thickness direction. Preferably, the polymer electrolyte membrane containing a polymer compound comprising an ionic segment having an ionic functional group and a nonionic segment having substantially no ionic functional group, and the phase containing ionic segments as a main component and the phase containing nonionic segments as a main component are phase-separated, and in the surface region thereof, the change in the amount of the ionic segment from the surface toward the interior substantially decreases monotonically.

Abstract: Process for heating a polymer-containing stream being transferred from a polymerization reactor to a degassing vessel operating at a pressure between 6 bara and 12 bara. The process includes passing the stream through a heater having a transfer line for the stream and a device for heating the transfer line. The pressure drop in the heater is between 5% and 50% of the total pressure drop between the polymerization reactor and the entry to the degassing vessel. The pressure drop across the length of the heater is less than 0.5 barh per tonne of polymer, and the average Reynolds number across the cross-section of the stream at any point along the length of the transfer line of the heater is greater than 500,000, such that at least 90 mol% of the hydrocarbon fluids withdrawn from the polymerization reactor operation are vaporized before entry into the degassing vessel.

Abstract: A method for the separation of hydrocarbon compounds utilizing a dividing wall distillation column is described. The dividing wall distillation column enables one or more side draw stream to be removed from the dividing wall distillation column in addition to an overhead stream and a bottoms stream.

Abstract: Process for heating a polymer-containing stream being transferred from a polymerization reactor to a degassing vessel operating at a pressure between 6 bara and 12 bara. The process includes passing the stream through a heater comprising a transfer line for the stream and a device for heating the transfer line. The ratio of the stream velocity at the outlet of the heater to that at the inlet, Vo/Vi, is at least 1.1, typically between 1.2 and 4, and the total specific heat transfer area of the transfer line is at least 0.5 m2 per tonne/h of production of polymer. The pressure drop across the length of the heater is less than 0.5 bar per tonne/h of polymer, such that at least 90 mol % of the hydrocarbon fluids withdrawn from the polymerization reactor operation are vaporized before entry into the degassing vessel.

Abstract: A process for fluid phase in-line blending of plasticized polymers is provided.

Abstract: Provided for separating polymer from a slurry comprising polymer and unreacted carrier fluid is (a) a method comprising supplying slurry to a first heating means to increase the temperature of the slurry, using a first separator means to extract a portion of unreacted carrier fluid from the slurry to obtain a slurry enriched in polymer, supplying the enriched slurry to a second heating means to increase the temperature of the enriched slurry, and using a second separator means to extract an additional portion of unreacted carrier fluid from the enriched slurry to obtain a further enriched slurry, and (b) an apparatus comprising a first heating means, a first separator means, a second heating means and a second separator means.

Abstract: A process for in-line blending of plasticizers and polymers is provided.

Abstract: The problem to be solved is to provide a process for producing a polyoxymethylene copolymer in a molding machine with a reduced generation of formaldehyde gas. In a process for continuously producing a polyoxymethylene copolymer comprising a step of melt-kneading a crude polyoxymethylene copolymer at a temperature not lower than the melting point thereof, devolatilizing under reduced pressure the formaldehyde gas generated as a decomposition product, subsequently mixing a formaldehyde scavenger containing a hydrazide compound (A) while keeping the copolymer in a molten state and immediately pelletizing the mixture, a dispersed solution obtained by slurry-dispersing said (A) in a diluent (B) having a melting point lower than temperature (Ta) which is the lower of the melting point and the decomposition temperature of (A), within a temperature range not lower than the melting point of (B) and lower than (Ta) is used as the formaldehyde scavenger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the continuous polycondensation of polyester material in the solid phase, in particular in the form of partially crystalline granulate. The aim of the invention is to achieve a high product throughput on recrystallising and recondensation of polyester material with a low initial IV. Said aim is achieved, whereby on recrystallisation, a low residence time of 1-10 minutes is achieved, by means of a rapid heating of a thin product layer, followed by an SSP treatment.

Abstract: A composition of matter consisting of a stable solution containing a polymer derived from a solution of a polymer containing trace metals, the derived method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a polymer solution containing a polymer, a first solvent and trace metals; (b) passing said polymer solution through an acidic cation ion exchange material to remove said trace metals therefrom and thereby forming a polymer solution containing free acid radicals; (c) precipitating said polymer from said polymer solution of step b by contacting with a second solvent wherein the polymer is substantially insoluble therein; (d) filtering said solution and said second solvent to thereby form a solid polymer cake; and (e) contacting said cake from step d with sufficient quantities of additional said second solvent in order to remove free acid radicals therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process comprising contacting an polymerization reactor effluent with a fluorinated hydrocarbon and thereafter recovering olefin polymer, where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 5 volume % to 99 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon, and where the polymerization is a continuous polymerization of at least 75 mole % of hydrocarbon monomers, based upon the total moles of monomer present in the reactor.

Abstract: A terminating agent and a method for preparing an anionic polymer are provided. The terminating agent includes a carbohydrate, which is a solid substantially insoluble in a solvent and is used for terminating an anionic polymerization of a polymer. Another aspect of the method includes steps which provide an initiator for initiating an anionic polymerization, adding a terminating agent for terminating the anionic polymerization and forming a complex, wherein the terminating agent is a carbohydrate, and an alkali metal ion is removed by a solid-liquid separation process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a high-molecular polyester from a solidified polyester prepolymer by solid phase polycondensation. The polycondensation cleavage products of the solid phase polycondensation reaction are extracted from the product by means of a process gas, and the process gas is then cleaned and essentially recycled. According to the invention, the process gas is cleaned by means of an aqueous washing liquid. The invention also relates to an installation for carrying out the inventive method, said installation containing a crystallisation appliance (1) and a reaction appliance (2). A gas outlet (2d) of the reaction appliance (2) is directly or indirectly connected to a gas inlet (3c) in a gas cleaning system (3), and a gas outlet (3d) of the gas cleaning system (3) is connected to a gas inlet (2c) of the reaction appliance (2).

Abstract: Processes for producing blends of a first polymer component and a second polymer component are provided. The first polymer component and the second polymer component are blended in an internally agitated mixer such as a devolatizer in the presence of at least one solvent. Blending the polymers in this manner results in an intimate mixing of the first and second polymers, providing beneficial performance characteristics. In one embodiment, the first polymer incorporates at least 75 wt. % of propylene-derived units wherein the propylene-derived units have an isotactic triad fraction of about 65% to about 99% and wherein the first polymer has a heat of fusion of less than 75 J/g. In this embodiment, the second polymer is selected from polypropylenes, low density polyethylenes, high density polyethylenes, polystyrenes, polyamides, polycarbonates, and polyesters.

Abstract: A process for the separation of volatile material from particulate polymer discharged from a polymerisation reactor in the form of a polymer slurry and which has been substantially freed from unreacted monomer in an earlier separation step, comprising (a) feeding the particulate polymer to a purge vessel and causing it to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode, (b) heating the particulate polymer in the purge vessel to a temperature greater than 30° C.

Abstract: A process for the separation of volatile material from particulate polymer which has been substantially freed from unreacted monomer in an earlier separation step, comprising (a) feeding the particulate polymer to a purge vessel, optionally causing it to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode, (b) heating the particulate polymer in the purge vessel to a temperature grater than 30° C. but insufficiently high to cause the particles to become agglomerated, and/or maintaining the polymer at a temperature in this range in the purge vessel, (c) feeding gas to the purge vessel counter-current to the movement of the particulate polymer to remove volatile material therefrom, (d) removing the particulate polymer from the purge vessel, wherein substantially all of the heating of the particles which occurs in the purge vessel is accomplished by preheating the gas fed into the purge vessel.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing an organic polymer having a terminal trimethoxy silyl group. In the method, the exchange reaction into a methoxy group can proceed within a short time even with a small amount of a catalyst, and viscosity increase caused by a side reaction during the methoxy exchange reaction can be reduced. Obtained polymer has an excellent stability, and viscosity increase during the storage of the polymer after the exchange into a trimethoxysilyl group can be reduced.

Abstract: Process including steps (a.) through (c.). Step (a.) involves providing a mixture of 41-47 parts by weight phenol component and 54-58 parts by weight formaldehyde. The phenol component in this step is approximately ? by weight para-phenylphenol and ? by weight phenol. Step (b.) involves adding 2-12 parts by weight previously manufactured phenolic resole resin to the mixture formed in step (a.). Step (c.) involves allowing the resulting mixture of phenol, formaldehyde, and phenolic resole resin to react, thereby producing a phenolic resin having a high molecular weight fraction of at least 10 weight-percent. Also, phenolic resole resin made by the process of described herein. Such phenolic resole resin has an average molecular weight that is at least 10% lower and a viscosity that is at least 10% lower than a comparable phenolic resole resin made by carrying out steps (a.) and (c.) in the absence of step (b.) as described herein.

Abstract: A process for the polymerisation of olefins is disclosed wherein at least part of a stream, preferably a catalytically active stream, withdrawn from a polymerisation reactor is passed through a fractionator so as to remove hydrogen and active fines.

Abstract: In a process for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) by polymerizing a sulfur source and a dihalo-aromatic compound in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide in an organic amide solvent, the production process comprises washing a polymer obtained by the polymerization with a hydrophilic organic solvent containing water in a proportion of 1 to 30% by weight, thereby collecting a purified polymer, the content of nitrogen contained in an extract extracted by a mixed solvent containing 40% by weight of acetonitrile and 60% by weight of water from the purified polymer is at most 50 ppm on the basis of the weight of the polymer, and a poly(arylene sulfide), the content of nitrogen contained in an extract extracted by a mixed solvent containing 40% by weight of acetonitrile and 60% by weight of water from the purified polymer is at most 50 ppm on the basis of the weight of the polymer.

Abstract: A process for continuously stripping a polymer dispersion comprising a heat exchanger with minimal internal obstructions for the stripper. The process is particularly adapted to dispersions that are heat and shear sensitive. The process is able to extract hydrophobic VOC's more efficiently than a single, jacketed tube design.

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 method for producing a borohydride is described that includes the steps of providing a source of borate; providing a material that chemically reduces the source of the borate to produce a borohydride; and reacting the source of the borate and the material by supplying heat at a temperature that substantially effects the production of the borohydride.

Abstract: A method of making a stable photoresist solution containing a polymer from a solution of a polymer containing trace metals, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a polymer solution containing a polymer, a first solvent and trace metals; (b) passing said polymer solution through an acidic cation ion exchange material to remove said trace metals therefrom and thereby forming a polymer solution containing free acid radicals; (c) precipitating said polymer from said polymer solution of step b by contacting with a second solvent wherein the polymer is substantially insoluble therein; (d) filtering said solution and said second solvent to thereby form a solid polymer cake; (e) contacting said cake from step d with sufficient quantities of additional said second solvent in order to remove free acid radicals therefrom; (f) adding a compatible photoresist solvent to said solid polymer cake from step e and mixing the two in order to dissolve said polymer in said photoresist solvent and thereby forming a

Abstract: A process for the polymerisation of olefins is disclosed wherein at least part of a stream, preferably a catalytically active stream, withdrawn from a polymerisation reactor is passed through a fractionator so as to remove hydrogen and active fines.

Abstract: A method of making an alkoxylated polyethyleneimine (APEI) product having reduced discoloration includes treating a composition including a component selected from the group of polyethyleneimine (PEI), APEI intermediate, and combinations thereof that is used to make the APEI product. The method of treating the composition includes heating a composition that includes an adduct of a conjugate base and PEI, water, and the component at a temperature of from 158 to 338° F. for a period of at least three hours in the absence of additional water in order to substantially decompose the adduct in the composition. The aqueous solutions of APEI product thus made have Gardner color values of less than 6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the formation of low volatile anhydride-containing aromatic vinyl polymers by polymerizing the half ester of the anhydride with a vinyl aromatic monomer followed by devolatilizing the half-ester and reforming the anhydride at elevated temperatures and reduced pressures.

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: A synthesis process of trans-1,4-polyisoprene, using bulk precipitation polymerization of isoprene catalyzed by supported titanium catalyst TiCl4/MgCl2. The process includes prepolymerizing carried out in a prepolymerization reactor with an anchor agitator; polymerizing carried out in a polymerization reactor with a helical ribbon agitator; and devolatilizing and drying carried out in a vacuum rake dryer. Not only does the process require lower energy consumption and thus a lower production cost, but it also eliminates the emission of three wastes.

Abstract: A method for solution polymerizing ethylene wherein an ethane purge stream is separated, subjected to high efficiency cryogenic distillation, and a side cut from that distillation recycled to the polymerization process while the overhead and bottoms from that distillation are removed from the polymerization process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite powder coating composition obtained by granulating, with a liquid binder, a plurality of starting powder coating materials that are different from each other in hue and/or kind of base resin, and drying the granules, the liquid binder being a solution or dispersion of a binder compound having a softening temperature of 30 to 200° C. and containing a self-crosslinkable functional group or groups and/or a functional group or groups that complementarily react with functional groups of the starting powder coating materials, in a solvent that does not dissolve the starting powder coating materials; production process therefor; and a method for color-matching a composite powder coating composition, the method comprising the steps of dry blending, for color matching, a plurality of starting powder coating materials having different hues, granulating the resulting blend by adding the above-mentioned liquid binder, and drying the granules.

Abstract: A devolatilizer apparatus and method for devolatilization of viscous polymer liquids yields polymer products with very low levels of residual volatile components. A stream of liquid polymer is dropped through a first vacuum chamber, thereby removing a portion of the volatile components. The stream is collected at the bottom of the first chamber, and is re-circulated to a manifold and liquid distributor assembly in a second chamber in the same vessel. The stream flows by gravity through the second chamber, which is maintained at a higher level of vacuum than the first chamber. Improved devolatilization is accomplished by exposing the polymer liquid to multiple stages of vacuum in a single vessel. The first chamber may be located generally above the second chamber, but in the same vessel, with the stream falling through the second chamber a first time before re-circulation to the manifold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continuously producing pre-ceramic polymers. The inventive method consists in synthesizing polymers, in separating polymers from a reaction mixture and in thermally conditioning for defining a cross linkage degree and rheological properties, wherein all said steps are integrated into a single method. The thus obtainable polymers are used in the form of an initial material for producing non-oxidized ceramics in ternary X/Y/N or X/Y/N/C quaternary systems. Said materials are characterized by the high mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance thereof, wherein any X and Y combination can represent in particular Si, B, P, Al, Ti, V, Zr, Ta elements.

Abstract: A method of recycling commingled plastics waste containing min. 30 wt. % of polyolefins to a tough thermoplastic material, based on the compatibilization of the polymer components of commingled plastics waste with an admixture of 2-15 wt. % of an ethylene--propylene copolymer or a styrene--butadiene block copolymer or a combination of an ethylene--propylene copolymer and a styrene--butadiene copolymer in any weight ratio, together with 0.1-2.5 wt. % of a secondary aromatic amine and by subsequent blend processing in the melt.

Abstract: The present invention is a process and apparatus for conserving loss of heat while forming and crystallizing polymer particles in a liquid. The cooling liquid quenches the polymer during particle molding to facilitate shaping. The cooling liquid cools the polymer particles not below a temperature that allows adequate crystallization to occur. Cooling liquid is quickly switched with a warming liquid, so the temperature of the polymer is in the crystallization range and the heat of crystallization self-heats the polymer to a higher temperature.

Abstract: Capped poly(arylene ether)s are prepared by a method that includes reacting a poly(arylene ether) with a capping agent to form a capping reaction mixture, washing the capping reaction mixture with a concentrated basic aqueous solution, and isolating the capped poly(arylene ether) by a total isolation method. The washing method is effective for removal of capping-related impurities, and surprisingly does not result in decomposition of the capped poly(arylene ether).

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of copolymers containing vinyl esters and ethylene or ethylenically unsaturated monomers by aqueous, free radical polymerization at a pressure of from 5 to 100 bar absolute by the emulsion or suspension polymerization method, after the end of the polymerization, the reaction mixture is let down to a pressure of from 0.1 to 5 bar absolute and recovery of unconverted monomers is effected by multistage fractional low-temperature condensation from the residual gas.