Abstract: Polymers of the formula wherein x is 0 or 1, R1-4 are alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl groups, X1-4 are halogens, a?, b?, c?, and d? are 0–4, UE is an unsaturated ester group, e, f, g, and h are 0–4, at least one of e, f, g, and h is ?1 in at least some monomers, SE is a saturated ester group, i, j, k, and m are 0–4, at least one of i, j, k, and m is ?1 in at least some monomers, a?+e+i?4, b?+f+j?4, c?+g+k?4, d?+h+m?4, RX represents the total number of haloalkyl groups in the polymer, the ratio of UE groups to SE groups to RX groups in the polymer is ??:??:?? wherein ?? is from about 1 to about 99.99, wherein ?? is from about 0.01 to about 99, wherein ?? is from 0 to about 50, and wherein ??+??+??=100.

Abstract: A process for producing a boric acid ester compound which comprises esterifying a compound represented by the formula (1): X—[O(AO)n—H]a??(1) wherein X represents a group independently selected from a residue of a compound having 1 to 6 hydroxyl groups, an acryloyl group and a methacryloyl group with a boron-containing compound represented by the formula (2): (RO)3—B??(2) wherein R represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The present invention can provide a boric acid ester compound which has a high ion conductivity, which is useful as a material for an electrochemical device, such as a secondary battery or a capacitor, having excellent safety and which is low in water and impurity contents, a polymer electrolyte containing the boric acid ester compound, and a secondary battery using the polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: A method for making an amine-terminated polyarylene polyether thermoplastic in which a liquid/solid slurry reaction mixture is formed in an oxygen-free atmosphere. The reaction mixture is composed of a dihydroxyaromatic compound, a dihaloaromatic compound, an amino-hydroxyaromatic compound, a weak base, an aprotic polar solvent and a non-aromatic azeotrope former which is substantially imiscible with the aprotic polar solvent, said azeotrope former consisting of a molecule which has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms. The reaction mixture is refluxed at an elevated temperature to eventually produce a solution of the amine-terminated polyarylene polyether in the polar solvent. The method is designed for use in producing large amounts of thermoplastic in a simple, efficient and reliable manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides acetic anhydride, a method of purifying crude acetic anhydride, and a method of producing polyoxytetramethylene glycol using acetic anhydride. A method of producing polyoxytetramethylene glycol by ring-opening-polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in the presence of acetic anhydride and an acid catalyst, wherein said ring-opening polymerization is conducted using acetic anhydride having a diketene concentration of 10 ppm or less to produce polyoxytetramethylene glycol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards phosphorous containing organic materials, processes for making them and uses thereof. These materials preferably impart and/or exhibit resistance to attack, for example they may be useful as flame retardant additives and/or materials. The materials are especially radiation-curable polyester polymers. The phosphorous component used has at least one P—C bond resistant to hydrolysis or transesterification. It can be bis(hydroxymethyl)isobutylphosphineoxide, bis(hydroxypropyl)isobutylphosphine oxide and trishydroxymethylphosphine oxide. In other embodiments, it is 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenantrene-10-oxide.

Abstract: A covalently cross-linked polymer or polymer membrane consisting of one or more polymers, which can bear the following functional groups (M=Hal(F, Cl, Br, I), OR, NR2; R=alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aryl; (Me=H, Li, Na, K, Cs, or other metal cations or ammonium ions): a) precursors of cation exchange groups: SO2M and/or POM2 and/or COM b) sulphinate groups SO2Me and which can be covalently cross-linked using the following organic compounds: a) di-, tri- or oligofunctional haloalkanes or haloaromatics, which have been reacted with sulphinate groups SO2Me, whereby the following cross-linking bridges are present in the polymer/in the polymer blend/in the polymer membrane: (Y=cross-linking bridges, X=Hal (F, Cl, Br, I), OR, (CH2)x—; -arylene-; —(CH2)x-arylene-; CH2arylene-CH2—, x=3-12): polymer-SO2Y—SO2-polymer and/or b) compounds containing the following groups: Hal-(CH2)x—NHR, one side of which (Hal-) has been reacted with sulphinate groups SO2ME and the other side (—NHR) with SO2M groups, whereby the following cross-l

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of at least one of an organic acid or an organic acid amide, such as a heat stable lactic acid or lactamide, from a feed stream which contains the organic acid and/or organic acid amide. The feed stream is mixed with at least one azeotroping agent. The azeotroping agent is a hydrocarbon capable of forming at least one heteroazeotrope with the organic acid or the organic acid amide in the feed stream. The mixture of the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream. The heteroazeotrope is a component of that vapor stream. The vapor stream can be heated further to separate components or it can be condensed into a liquid stream. The liquid stream is capable of being separated into a first phase and a second phase. The first phase contains the highest concentration of the organic acid and/or the organic acid amide and the azeotroping agent is part of the second phase.

Abstract: Enzymes which are capable of catalyzing esterifications and/or transesterifications such as selected lipases and esterases can, under specified conditions, convert certain lower linear oligomers of polyesters to their cyclic ester oligomers in quantities greater than would be predicted by thermodynamic calculation or prior art methods. The cyclic ester oligomers are useful for the production of higher molecular weight linear polyesters.

Abstract: Process and installation for extracting a monomer from an aqueous broth of a polymer, in which, after the broth has been heated, the broth is subjected to a depressurization in a depressurization chamber and is then introduced into a vertical column, divided into several chambers, on which are superimposed perforated plates, where the broth is flushed with an ascending stream of inert gas.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising an upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating polyorganosiloxanes from an aqueous dispersion, wherein the polyorganosiloxanes are separated from water in a dissolved form with the aid of an extraction agent.

Abstract: Processes for preparing polymers of the formula wherein m is 0 or 1, X is chlorine, bromine, or iodine, and n, e, and f are each, independently of the others, integers wherein e may be 0 and n and f are each at least 1 by providing a first reaction mixture containing a first solvent, a compound of the formula wherein Y is a chlorine or fluorine atom, a compound of the formula and optionally, a compound of the formula heating the first reaction mixture and removing generated water therefrom, thereby forming an intermediate polymer of the formula providing a second reaction mixture containing a second solvent, the intermediate polymer, and a N-halosuccinimide, wherein the halogen atom in the N-halosuccinimide is the same as the halogen atom that is X; and heating the second reaction mixture, thereby forming the polymer.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer-solvent mixture is described wherein a polymer-solvent mixture is heated prior to its introduction into an extruder comprising as upstream vent and/or a side feeder vent to allow flash evaporation of the solvent, and downstream vents for removal of remaining solvent. The one-step method is highly efficient having very high throughput rates while at the same time providing a polymer product containing low levels of residual solvent.

Abstract: A non-dye containing flexographic ink containing a polymer or copolymer of a 3,4-dialkoxythiophene in which the two alkoxy groups may be the same or different or together represent an optionally substituted oxy-alkylene-oxy bridge, a polyanion and a latex binder in a solvent or aqueous medium, characterized in that the polymer or copolymer of a 3,4-dialkoxythiophene is present in a concentration of at least 0.1% by weight in the ink and that the ink is capable of producing a colorimetrically additive transparent print; a method of preparing the flexographic ink; and a flexographic printing process therewith.

Abstract: A process that can be used for direct esterification of a dicarboxylic acid such as terephthalic acid with a glycol such as 1,3-propanediol. The process comprises (1) contacting, at an elevated temperature, optionally in the presence of a preformed oligomer, the acid with the glycol to produce a product mixture comprising (i) a water-glycol vapor mixture, which or a portion of which exits the product mixture at the temperature to form a water-glycol vapor mixture and (ii) a liquid product mixture comprising an oligomer having a degree of polymerization of from about 1.9 to about 3.5 and comprising repeat units derived from the acid; (2) separating the glycol from the water-glycol mixture to produce a recovered glycol; and (3) returning the recovered glycol to the product mixture such that the liquid product mixture comprises an excess free glycol.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods of inducing bubble nucleation to overcome problems commonly associated with preservation by foam formation. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of using bubble nucleation in foam formation to preserve sensitive biological materials. Preferred methods of inducing bubble nucleation include, mixing, chamber rotation, crystals, and ultrasound.

Abstract: A brominated polyphenylene oxide having a molecular skeleton obtained by condensing tribromophenols and satisfying the requirements: (A) its 20 wt. % solution in chloroform has an absorbance at 600 nm of not larger than 0.6; (B) when 50 ml of ion-exchanged water is added to its 1.00 g/30 ml solution in dioxane, the resulting solution has an electroconductivity of not larger than 10 ?S/cm measured at 25° C.; and (C) when a mixture comprised of 20% by weight of the brominated polyphenylene oxide and 80% by weight of triphenyl phosphate is heated at 280° C. for 20 minutes, the halide ion increase therein is not larger than 10 ?mols per gram of the brominated polyphenylene oxide, is used as a flame retardant. When it is added to resin, the resin moldings are excellent in its flame retardancy, electric properties, physical properties, thermal stability and appearance (color hue), and they do not corrode molds.

Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of said first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to t

Abstract: After a melt-processable fluorine-containing copolymer is heated and molten, the copolymer is reheatd in a closed apparatus under a non-static condition at a temperature of, for example, 130° C. to the melting point of the fluorine-containing polymer, whereby a content of volatile materials in the copolymer is reduced to 30% or less of an initial content of volatile materials. Thereby, the content of volatile materials in the melt-processable fluorine-containing copolymer, which has been once molten, can be effectively decreased without using a large apparatus while avoiding the contamination of the copolymer with foreign particles.

Abstract: Optics used in a high vacuum environment are mounted by bonding by use of addition polymerizing material which used in that environment. The suitability for use in the high vacuum environment is achieved by precise control of outgassing of trapped and dissolved gases, including low molecular weight hydrocarbons and amines, and unreacted material from component parts of said addition polymerizing material. A plurality of application quantities of the polymer are prepared in a large batch for use as pre-mixed frozen (PMF) material. The use of the large batch enables more precise control of mixture so that near-stoichiometric proportions of the polymer components are easily achieved.

Abstract: Copolymers of zwitterionic monomer, especially 2-methacryloyloxyethyl-2?-trimethylammoniumethyl phosphate inner salt, and hydrophobic comonomer, especially dodecylmethacrylate, are made in a monomer starved polymerization process in which solutions of monomers are fed to the reaction vessel in which initiator is present over an extended period. The copolymers have improved compositional uniformity and provide better coatings on a range of substrates. The novel copolymers can be distinguished from prior art batch type bulk solution polymerization polymers of the same monomer composition by solubility characteristics especially in alcohol/water mixtures. Particularly preferred coating compositions comprise an alcohol:water mixture containing around 20 to 40% by volume alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a functionalized polyphenylene ether which has, in its molecule, at least one functional group selected from a carboxyl group, an acid anhydride group, an amino group, an amide group, an imide group, a silyl group, a hydroxyl group and a glycidyl group, and which gives a proton NMR spectrum with a peak area ratio (A)/(B) of 0.0001 or greater, wherein (A) is the area of peaks at chemical shifts from 2.95 to 3.04 ppm, and (B) is the area of peaks at chemical shifts from 6.00 to 6.90 ppm. Having a novel structure that has not been obtained by conventional techniques, the functionalized polyphenylene ether of the present invention has an excellent color tone, contains little black foreign substance, and provides polymer alloys with superior mechanical characteristics when blended with different polymers, and therefore makes it possible to provide products and parts in various industrial fields that will sufficiently meet the industrial demands.

Abstract: A process for concentrating polymers by evaporation is disclosed. The process entails (i) obtaining a mixture containing a polymer and volatile component, the volatile components being present in the mixture at an amount less than 20 wt. % relative to the weight of the mixture, and (ii) introducing the mixture in a downward direction under pressure through a plurality of nozzles arranged vertically and next to one another into a degassing container to form an extrudate. The volatile component contains at least one of residual monomers, oligomers and solvents, and the throughput of the mixture per nozzle is 0.3 to 2 kg/h. The vapor pressure of the volatile component of the extrudate is more than 2.5 bar, and the absolute pressure in the degassing container is 50 to 5000 Pa. The polymer prepared by the process is characterized in that it contains volatile components in an amount of less than 300 ppm.

Abstract: A process for the production of aliphatic oligocarbonate diols is disclosed. The optionally catalyzed high yield process entails the multistage transesterification of aliphatic diols with dimethyl carbonate. In the process DMC-methanol mixtures that have been distilled off are recycled to the reaction solution with further conversion and depletion of the contained DMC in the same or in a following reaction batch.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an aqueous dispersion of polyester resin with an excellent molecular weight stability, its production method, and an aqueous coating composition. An aqueous dispersion of polyester resin having an acid value of 8 to 40 mg KOH/g and a weight average molecular weight of 9,000 or more contains an organic solvent less than 0.5% by mass. A method for producing the aqueous dispersion of polyester resin comprising a step of at first obtaining an aqueous dispersion of polyester resin containing not lower than 0.5% by mass of an organic solvent by adding the polyester resin and a basic compound to an aqueous medium to make the resulting mixture aqueous and a step of removing the organic solvent from the aqueous dispersion. An aqueous coating composition can be obtained by adding a curing agent to the foregoing aqueous dispersion of polyester resin.

Abstract: A process for preparing copolymers via free-radical-initiated polymerization of one or more vinyl esters, ethylene, and also, where appropriate, other ethylenically unsaturated monomers copolymerizable therewith, at a pressure of from 5 to 100 bar abs., in an aqueous medium, by emulsion or suspension polymerization, which comprises, after termination of the polymerization, reclaiming residual unreacted ethylene by depressurizing the polymerization reaction mixture to a pressure of from 0.1 to 5 bar absolute, comprising a gas phase containing residual ethylene gas to a pressure of from 2 to 20 bar absolute, absorbing the gas phase into vinyl ester(s), and reusing the resulting solution of ethylene in vinyl esters(s) in a further polymerization.

Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of the first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to th

Abstract: Immersion precipitation of solutions having 15%-30% (w/w) and various molecular weights of the emeraldine base form of polyaniline in polar aprotic solvents are shown to form integrally skinned asymmetric membranes and fibers having skin layers <1 &mgr;m thick which exhibit improved rates of gas transport while preserving good selectivity. These membranes can be further transformed by an acid doping process after fabrication to achieve excellent permeation rates and high selectivities for particular gas separations. Prior to the use of concentrated EB solutions, the formation of integrally skinned asymmetric membranes was not possible, since films and fibers made from <5% w/w polyaniline solutions were found to disintegrate during the IP process.

Abstract: A strand devolatilizer that includes a degassing container, a product inlet, a product distributor, a product outlet and a vapor outlet is disclosed. The product distributor is in the form of a tube distributor with at least one distributor tube (1) and a plurality of die tubes (2) arranged in parallel, each containing a plurality of apertures (15) in the tube wall. The die tubes (2) are preferably arranged in several planes one above the other and staggered laterally relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming porous particles comprising preparing a mixture of an organic phase and an aqueous phase comprising an unsaturated polyester, a water immiscible organic solvent, at least one organic-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and initiator, subjecting said mixture to high energy emulsification, initiating crosslinking of said polyester after emulsification, removing said water immiscible organic solvent to recover porous polyester particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel production process for an ethylene oxide resin, in which, when the ethylene oxide resin is obtained, it is arranged that the resin should contain no antistatic agent, and further its water content is also easily controlled in not more than a definite amount, and the thermal damage of the above resin is prevented, and besides, the reduction of the cost can also be actualized. The production process for an ethylene oxide resin, according to the present invention, comprises the step of carrying out devolatilization of a solvent from a polymerization reaction liquid containing the solvent, thereby obtaining the ethylene oxide resin; with the production process being characterized by arranging that: after the devolatilization, the resin should have a solvent concentration of 0.01 to 30 weight % and a water content of not more than 200 ppm, and the resin should contain no antistatic agent.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out mass transfer processes with high-viscosity liquids comprising a vertically arranged vessel (1) having a feeder (4) for the liquid to be treated, an outlet (7) for volatile components and an outlet (6) for the treated liquid, the feeder means (4) being equipped with a distributor element (3) having a multiplicity of orifices (8, 10) for subdividing the high-viscosity liquid to be treated into a multiplicity of individual streams, wherein essentially vertically arranged wire loops (2) are disposed in the vicinity of the orifices (8, 10), along which wire loops the high-viscosity liquid runs off under the action of gravity.

Abstract: At the time of preparing polyphenylene ether resin, there can be separated and recovered efficiently an aromatic compound solvent, amines making an azeotrope with water (hereafter, referred to as ‘the amines’ for short.) and methanol.

Abstract: A continuous process provides a devolatilized liquid injection moldable silicone composition. In the process, a filler, treating agent and silicone polymer are introduced into an extruder having a length to diameter ratio of at least greater than 50. The filler, treating agent and silicone elastomer are continuously compounded in the extruder into a devolatilized liquid injection moldable silicone composition. A system for preparing a liquid silicone rubber composition comprises a mixer to prepare a concentrate of filler and silicone polymer, a long extruder having an L/D ratio of greater than 50, connected to the mixer to receive the concentrate from the mixer and to compound and devolatilize the concentrate, a treating agent and silicone polymer into a liquid silicone rubber composition containing volatiles and a cooler to receive the liquid silicone rubber composition to cool, homogenize and further devolatilized the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a contactor apparatus and method for removing solvent from a polymer cement. The resulting polymer is substantially free of solvent and exhibits improved porosity and more uniform particle size distribution. In one embodiment, a contactor apparatus consists of a cylindrical casing having a high pressure section, a convergence section, a high velocity section, a divergence section, and a discharge section. The polymer cement is introduced into the high pressure section to significantly and unexpectedly improve solvent removal. The convergence and divergence sections preferably have cross-sectional areas that correspond to an effective angle from about 4° to about 65°. The polymer cement is mixed with high pressure steam. After converging, the polymer cement forms more uniform droplets due to high shear of steam. In the divergence and discharge sections, the polymer is substantially devolatized.

Abstract: A process for preparing copolymers via free-radical-initiated polymerization of one or more vinyl esters, ethylene, and also, where appropriate, other ethylenically unsaturated monomers copolymerizable therewith, at a pressure of from 5 to 100 bar abs., in an aqueous medium, by emulsion or suspension polymerization, which comprises, after termination of the polymerization, reclaiming residual unreacted ethylene by depressurizing the polymerization reaction mixture to a pressure of from 0.1 to 5 bar absolute, comprising a gas phase containing residual ethylene gas to a pressure of from 2 to 20 bar absolute, absorbing the gas phase into vinyl ester(s), and reusing the resulting solution of ethylene in vinyl esters(s) in a further polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating a dissolved polymer from solids, wherein the solid is separated off by sedimentation and the sedimented solid is washed in countercurrent with a solvent. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing polymers in a solvent, wherein a) a polymer having a low molecular weight is prepared in solution, b) the solid which is undissolved in the reaction mixture is separated off by sedimentation and c) the mixture which has been freed of the solid is polymerized further until a particular molecular weight has been reached.

Abstract: A process for forming a planarization film on a substrate that does not smoke or fume on heating includes applying a polymeric solution including a novolac resin having a weight average molecular weight between about 1000 and 3000 amu, which has been fractionated to remove molecules with molecular weight below about 350 amu, a surfactant selected from a group consisting of a non-fluorinated hydrocarbon, a fluorinated hydrocarbon and combinations thereof, and an optional organic solvent to a substrate, followed by heating the substrate.

Abstract: This specification discloses polycarbonates for optical use. These polycarbonates are prepared by reacting a bisphenol and carbonic diester in the presence of an alkaline compound catalyst. These polycarbonates have: (i) an intrinsic viscosity (IV) as determined at 20° C. in methylene chloride of between 0.34 and 0.38; (ii) a glass transition temperature (Tg) as determined by DSC of between 143 and 147° C.; and (iii) an intrinsic viscosity (IV) and glass transition temperature (Tg) ratio complying with the following general formula (A): IV×95.888+107.9<Tg<IV×95.888+113.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a polymer of the formula wherein x is an integer of 0 or 1, A is one of several specific groups, such as B is one of several specified groups, such as or mixtures thereof, and n is an integer representing the number of repeating monomer units, said process comprising (A) providing a reaction mixture which comprises (i) a solvent, (ii) a compound of the formula (iii) a compound of the formula (iv) a compound of the formula wherein a is an integer of from 1 to 5, R′ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, an alkylaryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an arylalkyloxy group, an alkylaryloxy group, a polyalkyleneoxy group, or a mixture thereof, and (v) a carbonate base; and (B) heating the reaction mixture and removing generated water from the reaction mixture, thereby effecting a polymerization reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogenated styrene polymer that has excellent transparency, can be used suitably for an optical application such as an optical disk substrate, has stability and transparency in a hot and humid environment, and has excellent heat resistance; and a process for producing same; etc. The hydrogenated styrene polymer of the present invention has a hydrogenated polymerized styrene unit content of at least 70 wt %, a content of fine particulate foreign matter having a particle size of 0.2 &mgr;m or more and less than 0.5 &mgr;m of at most 1×106 per g of the hydrogenated styrene polymer, and a phosphorus atom content of at most 0.01 parts by weight in 100 parts by weight of the hydrogenated styrene polymer. Furthermore, the process for producing a hydrogenated styrene polymer of the present invention includes steps of filtering, with a filter having a pore size of 0.

Abstract: For separation and recovery of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and ethyiene glycol (EG) from polyester waste containing foreign materials, the polyester waste is treated in EG containing a polyester depolymerization catalyst, a solid foreign material fraction floated on the surface of the resultant reaction solution is removed and the residual solid foreign material fraction is removed from the remaining solution fraction. The remaining solution fraction is distilled and concentrated and the distilled EG is recovered. A transesterification reaction catalyst and methanol are mixed into the distillation residue. The resultant reaction mixture is recrystallized and subjected to centrifugal separation to separate the reaction mixture into the DMT cake and a mixture solution, and then the cake is distilled whereby high-purity DMT is recovered. The residual mixture solution is subjected to distillation treatment for recovery of the methanol, and the distillation residue is distilled to recover EG.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering a dihydroxy compound from a fluid stream that results from the preparation of a polyester by use of an adsorption system to selectively recover the dihydroxy compound.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a polyester comprising an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or a lower alkyl ester thereof and an alkylene glycol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms as the main glycol component by recycling part or all of a distillate comprising an alkylene glycol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms recovered from a polycondensation reaction step as the main component as a raw material for the polyester. Low-boiling substances contained in the distillate are separated by flush distillation and the distillate is supplied to an ester exchange reaction step or esterification reaction step.

Abstract: Process and installation for extracting a monomer from an aqueous broth of a polymer, in which, after the broth has been heated, it is subjected to a depressurization in a depressurization chamber and is then introduced into a vertical column, divided into several chambers on which are superimposed perforated plates, where it is flushed with an ascending stream of inert gas.

Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of said first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to t

Abstract: Method for reducing the level of residual organic solvent in a carbomer comprising exposing a carbomer containing residual organic solvent to a gaseous fluid in which said residual organic solvent is substantially soluble and under conditions sufficient to extract at least some of the residual organic solvent from the carbomer; carbomers treated by this method and pharmaceutical suspensions containing the treated carbomer and a therapeutically active agent. This method is effective for the reduction of residual organic solvent in carbomer down to the ppm level, e.g., less than 30 ppm, preferably less than 10 ppm, more preferably less than 2 ppm of residual organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a contactor apparatus and method for removing solvent from a polymer cement. The resulting polymer is substantially free of solvent and exhibits improved oil absorption and lower fines. In one aspect, a contactor is provided comprising a cylindrical casing having a high pressure section, a convergence section, a high velocity section, a divergence section, and a discharge section. The polymer cement is introduced into the high pressure section to significantly and unexpectedly improve solvent removal. The convergence and divergence sections have cross-sectional areas that correspond to an effective angle from about 4° to about 65°, such as 6°. The polymer cement is mixed with high pressure steam. After converging, the polymer cement forms more uniform droplets due to high shear of steam. In the divergence and discharge sections, the polymer is substantially devolatized.

Abstract: Aromatic polyethers are prepared by displacement polymerization reaction in the presence of a water-immiscible solvent with density ratio to water in a range of between about 0.9:1 and about 1.1:1 measured at a temperature in a range of between about 20° C. and about 25° C. The polyethers are purified by processes comprising aqueous extraction, or filtration, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a contractor apparatus and method for removing solvent from a polymer cement. The resulting polymer is substantially free of solvent and exhibits improved oil absorption and lower fines. In one aspect, a contractor is provided including a cylindrical casing having a high pressure section, a convergence section, a high velocity section, a divergence section, and a discharge section. The polymer cement is introduced into the high pressure section to significantly and unexpectedly improve solvent removal. The convergence and divergence sections have cross-sectional areas that correspond to an effective angle from about 4° to about 65°, such as 6°. The polymer cement is mixed with high pressure steam. After converging, the polymer cement forms more uniform droplets due to high shear of steam. In the divergence and discharge sections, the polymer is substantially devolatized.