Abstract:
The present invention relates to an integrated process for processing and utilising every part of the guayule plant ( Parthenium argentatum ) which comprises the following steps in sequence: separating the stem and branches (3) from the leaves (2) of said plant with a mechanical treatment (1); treating the leaves (100) to produce waxes and essential oils (102), and a fraction (101) containing cellulose, hemicellulose (carbohydrates) and, to a minor extent, salts, organic compounds and lignin; extracting (200) from the stem and branches a liquid phase (4), so forming a first solid woody residue (5), indicated with bagasse in the present text; treating said first solid woody residue (5) to prepare sugars, resin, rubber and lignin.
Abstract:
A method of making a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight is described. A conjugated diolefin is reacted in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator to form a polymer. After forming the polymer, alkoxy silane terminal functionalizing groups are bonded to the polymer. A dialkoxysilane stabilizing agent is then added to the polymer in combination with a base material. The polymer is then desolvatizing, resulting in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity and molecular weight, even over prolonged periods of time. Compositions and articles containing the polymer are also described.
Abstract:
Brominated butadiene polymers are recovered from a bromination reaction solution by partially stripping the solvent to form a concentrated solution or slurry, and then recovering the brominated butadiene polymer from the concentrated solution or slurry. The process allows for a simplified, effective an economical recovery of the brominated butadiene polymer. Brominated butadiene polymers recovered in this manner are often very thermally stable.
Abstract:
A process for the recovery of an initially living polymer from a cement produced in a polymerisation process. The living polymer cement is shortstopped, washed, stabilised, coagulated and dried. The recovery process comprises adding a short stop to the polymer in the cement, washing catalyst residue from the polymer with water, adding an anti-oxidant Irganox 1520 to the cement to stabilise the polymer, adding epoxidised soya bean oil to the polymer to stabilise the polymer against colour degradation, and coagulating and drying the polymer. The pH of the cement is regulated in the range of from about 3 to about 7, and preferably from about 6 to about 7, during the catalyst wash and the coagulation steps of the recovery process. A product of the process is also described. The product and process provide for use of a preferred anti-oxidant system, which overcomes health concerns associated with existing anti-oxidant systems used in anionic polymerisation processes, while providing a polymer product that has excellent colour and stability characteristics suitable for use in high impact polystyrene applications.
Abstract:
Provided herein are organic solvent-based processes for the removal of rubber from non- Hevea plants such as TKS. By the use of the processes, solid purified rubber can be obtained that contains 0.05-0.5 weight % dirt, 0.2-1.5 weight % ash, and 0.1-4 weight % resin (when it has been dried so as to contain 0.8 weight % volatile matter).
Abstract:
Methods of making polymers by polymerizing conjugated diolefin in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an initiator are described. Trialkyl or triaryl siloxy iminosilane functionalizing agents are reacted with the polymer, followed by desolvatizing the polymer. The resulting polymer not only has good filler interaction and processability, but results in a polymer with stable Mooney viscosity. A polymer made by the process of the present invention, including silica, and carbon black fillers, and rubber compositions, and tires containing side walls and treads containing the polymers are also described.
Abstract:
A process for the removal of the solvent from a polymeric solution including at least one elastomeric polymer, which comprises subjecting said polymeric solution to a stripping step by means of water vapour, in the presence of a dispersant system comprising: - from 0.005% by weight to 1% by weight, preferably from 0.008% by weight to 0.8% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the dry elastomeric polymer, of at least one lamellar material; - from 0.0005% by weight to 1% by weight, preferably from 0.0008% by weight to 0.8% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the dry elastomeric polymer, of at least one cationic surfactant.
Abstract:
Brominated polybutadiene polymers are recovered from a bromination reaction solution by forming the solution into droplets, thermally stripping the solvent from the droplets, and then washing the resulting particles. The washed particles are then recovered from the washing liquid. The droplets can be dispersed into a gaseous medium such as air and then transferred into a nonsolvent liquid for washing, or can be formed directly into the nonsolvent liquid. The process forms a particulate polymer material that is easily filterable and has low levels of volatile impurities and inorganic salts. Brominated polybutadiene polymers recovered in this manner are often very thermally stable.
Abstract:
Provided for herein is a process to produce an essentially homogeneous single liquid phase, hydrocarbon-rubber cement from a polymer slurry comprising a hydrocarbon-rubber, a diluent, and unreacted monomer(s), the process comprising: (a) contacting the polymer slurry with a hydrocarbon solvent; and (b) removing the diluent in amounts not sufficiently more than is necessary to produce the essentially homogeneous single liquid phase hydrocarbon-rubber cement wherein the mass fraction of monomer(s) in the hydrocarbon-rubber cement, based on the total amount of hydrocarbon-rubber present in the hydrocarbon-rubber cement, is less than the mass fraction of monomer(s) in the hydrocarbon-rubber slurry, based on the total amount of hydrocarbon-rubber present in the hydrocarbon-rubber slurry, wherein the diluent comprises a hydrofluorocarbon.