Abstract:
The present invention provides an improved process and apparatus for alkanolysis of polytetramethylene ether diacetate to polytetraalkylene ether glycol in the presence of a C1 to C4 alkanol and an alkali or alkaline earth metal catalyst wherein the catalyst component of the product mixture comprising polytetraalkylene ether glycol, alkanol and catalyst, essentially free of the alkanol acetate by-product, e.g., methyl acetate is removed by contacting the mixture in the absence of added water with certain ion exchange resin at specified contact conditions. The invention further provides a highly efficient method for removing the catalyst component of a mixture comprising polytetraalkylene ether glycol, alkanol and alkali or alkaline earth metal catalyst by contacting the mixture in the absence of added water with certain ion exchange resin at specified contact conditions,
Abstract:
The present invention provides an improved process for preparing a narrow molecular weight distributed polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG). The product polytetramethylene ether glycol has an increased number average molecular weight, a lowered polydispersity and a reduced molecular weight ratio when compared to the polytetramethylene ether glycol in the corresponding feedstock.
Abstract:
A method for minimizing color growth in a polyether polyol product during storage and loading comprising the steps of providing a polyether polyol product to be stored and loaded for transport, wherein oxidation of the polyether polyol product would cause unwanted color growth and providing a system of storage and loading tanks and maintaining the storage and loading tanks below a set temperature to prevent oxidation of the polyether polyol product. Prior to filling the tanks with the polyether polyol product, substantially all of the air in the storage and loading tanks is replaced with an inert gas. After filling the tanks with the polyether polyol product, an anti-air intrusion system is provided to prevent additional air from entering the storage and loading tanks.