Fina Technology, Inc.

Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy

Aron T Griffith

Jose M Sosa

Thanh Tri Nguyen

Jay L Reimers

Douglas A Berti

Cyril Chevillard

Don Austin Duggar

Wes Parker

Michel Daumerie

Doug Berti

Brad Klussmann

Brad Stiles

Jianbo Li

J Todd Reaves

Todd J Reaves

Douglas Berti

Disclosed are novel non-linear vinyl polymers comprised of a multifunctional peroxide, and a cross-linking agent and/or a chain transfer agent, and methods of making such polymers having: at least 0.03 branches/1000 backbone carbons; linear portions with a molecular weight (Mw) of 350,000 or less; 0.2 to 3.0 branches/molecule; or, a Mz/Mw of from 1.7 to 5.7. Methods of quantifying branching are disclosed using a linear reference having 0.0 to 0.06 branches/1000 backbone carbons along with SEC techniques and measurements of molecular weight, molecular size, and concentration. Also discovered is a vinyl polymer resin comprised of from 0.1 to 50 weight percent of non-linear polymers having at least 0.06 branches/1000 backbone carbons, where branching is measured using a heat polymerized polystyrene having from 0.0 to 0.06 branches/1000 backbone carbons as a linear reference.

Measurement and preparation of branched vinyl polymers

A continuous process for producing high impact polystyrene comprising feeding at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, an elastomer, and a free radical initiator to a first linear flow reactor to form a reaction mixture, polymerizing the reaction mixture in said linear flow reactor to at least the phase inversion point of the mixture, and feeding the reaction mixture from the first linear flow reactor to a second reactor for post-inversion polymerization of the mixture. A method of producing an elastomer-reinforced polymer comprising inverting a reaction mixture comprising at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, an elastomer, and a free radical initiator in a plug flow reactor. A high impact polystyrene reactor system, comprising a linear flow reactor having an inlet and an outlet, and a continuously stirred tank reactor having an inlet in fluid communication with the linear flow reactor outlet and receiving an effluent from the linear flow reactor.

Reactor system for the production of high impact polystyrene

The present invention provides an apparatus and method of reducing volatiles in a mass processable polymer. The apparatus includes a multi-chambered devolatilizer having first and second collectors contained therein. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method that includes passing the mass processable polymer stream from a polymerization process to a first devolatilizer. The method continues by passing the polymer stream from the first devolatilizer to the multi-chambered devolatilizer. The apparatus and method allows for the production of a polymer having less than 100 ppm of volatiles.

Apparatus and method for removal of volatiles from a mass processable polymer

It has been discovered that improved polystyrene products may be obtained by polymerizing styrene in the presence of at least one multifunctional initiator, at least one chain transfer agent, and at least one cross-linking agent. The presence of the multifunctional initiator tends to cause more branched structures in the polystyrene. A mathematical model that helps optimize the levels of these additives for given molecular weights, melt flow indices (MFIs) and zero shear viscosities (&#x3b7;) has also been discovered.

Optimizing polystyrene in the presence of additives

A method and apparatus are disclosed for purifying copolymer compounds having monovinyl aromatic blocks and conjugated diene blocks by reducing the residual monomer content of the finished polymer. The method and apparatus includes a combination of heat exchangers and devolatilizers used in conjunction with a copolymerization reactor system.

Method for removing volatiles from a block copolymer

A process is disclosed for improving the environmental stress crack resistance and other desirable properties of impact-resistant, elastomer-modified monovinylaromatic compounds, said process utilizing a combination of polymerization initiators, including perketals and peroxycarbonates.

Monovinylaromatic polymer with improved stress crack resistance

The present invention provides to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a method of producing a polymer. The method includes taking a product stream from a monovinyl aromatic polymerization system wherein the product stream comprises a polymerized monomer and a monomer. The product stream is introduced into an up-flow heat exchanger in a presence of an initiator, such as a peroxide, that affects a polymerization of the monomer in the up-flow heat exchanger. The initiator may include a low-temperature initiator and a high-temperature initiator where a ratio of the high-temperature initiator to the low-temperature initiator can range from about 0:600 to about 50:600.

Method of controlling molecular weight distributions during a polymerization process

The present invention provides a solvent exchange column for continuously exchanging styrene monomer with the solvent used to produce polybutadiene and a method of use therefor. The solvent exchange column includes an exchange plate support structure coupled to and supporting spaced apart exchange plates, wherein each of the exchange plates has holes located therein to allow a passage of fluid therethrough. The solvent exchange column further includes a vapor ventilation system for allowing the volatized solvent to exit the solvent exchange column.

Solvent exchange column and a method of use therefor

A system for pressurizing a propylene polymerization reactor includes: a pressurization vessel including an internal heat exchanger; a pressure sensor for monitoring the pressure in the vessel, the pressure sensor providing a signal indicative of the pressure in the vessel; a control valve for supplying heated gas to a first region of the vessel in response to signals from the pressure sensor, the first region of the vessel being maintained above the critical temperature and pressure of propylene; a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature in a second region of the pressurization vessel, the temperature sensor providing a signal indicative of the temperature in the second region of the vessel; and a control valve for supplying a cooling medium to the internal heat exchanger to cool propylene in the second region below the critical temperature of propylene at the pressure in the pressurization vessel.

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Humble, TX, United States of America

Aron T Griffith