Shell Oil Comapny

John E Gorman

John A Morris

Carl Lesley Willis

Richard Gelles

Andres M Arismendi, Jr

Robert B Rhodes

Harvey E Atwood

Paul A Guido

Security whistle with alarm

The present invention includes star polymers which can be used as viscosity index improvers in oil compositions formulated for high performance engines. The star polymers have copolymer arms of hydrogenated polyisoprene and polystyrene with sufficient amounts of polystyrene to be finishable as a polymer crumb.

Star polymer viscosity index improver for oil compositions

A super-tough polymeric composition comprising an engineering thermoplastic and a modified radial polymer. The engineering thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polyamides, thermoplastic polyesters, polyphenylene ether resins, polyarylene sulfide resins, polysulfone and the like. The modified radial polymer is modified by grafting a compound containing a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative group. The modified, radial polymer has from about 3 to about 50 arms, as determined using light scattering techniques and the arms will be olefin polymers. The polymer compositions will yield shaped articles which fail ductilely when tested using ASTM procedure D-256 at room temperature and some at -20.degree. F.

Modified radial polymers

Blends of modified radial polymers and engineering thermoplastic polymers

A process to produce a free flowing fine polymer powder is provided. The process comprises the steps of: providing a polymer cement comprising a polymer either melt or dissolved in a solvent to form a polymer cement; dispersing an antiblocking agent within a stream consisting of steam to form atomization steam; atomizing the polymer cement; contacting the atomized polymer cement with the atomization steam; and recovering polymeric particles. Polymeric particles so prepared have an average particle size of between 100 and 1000 microns. In a preferred embodiment, the polymers produced are rubbery polymers which are free flowing.

Process to produce tack-free rubber particles

A process is provided according to the present invention comprising the steps of: functionalizing a base polymer by grafting alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acid, anhydride or ester to a base polymer, the base polymer being selected from the group of hydrogenated polymer of a conjugated diolefin and a copolymer of conjugated diolefins and monoalkenyl arenes, the grafting being performed in a blending device capable of imparting high mechanical energy and in the presence of 3 to 15 percent by weight, based on base polymer, of a suitable diluent oil; reacting the functionalized polymer with an amine; and recovering an animated polymer. This process results in a lower level of scission, crosslinking and coupling than processes which are essentially oil free. The product of this process is an excellent lubricating oil viscosity index improver and additionally has dispersant characteristics.

Dispersant viscosity index improvers

A process for incorporating carboxy and/or carboxyl derivative functionality into a hydrocarbon polymer which is substantially free of ethylenic unsaturation. The functionalization is accomplished by contacting the functionalizing agent or agents with the polymer in the presence of a free radical initiator in a blending apparatus capable of imparting high mechanical energy into the reaction medium. The blending apparatus is preferably an extruder and most preferably a non-intermeshing twin screw extruder. The amount of degradation resulting from the presence of a free radical initiator and the high mechanical shear at the elevated temperatures employed during the contacting is reduced by effecting the contacting in a suitable diluent. Similarly, the amount of polymer crosslinking and/or coupling is reduced through the use of a suitable diluent. The polymer is maintained in the molten phase during the reaction.

Method for preparing functionalized block copolymers

Alkoxy silane compounds such as vinyl-triethoxy-silane are more readily grafted to block copolymers in the presence of an amount of zinc oxide between about 0.15% and 1.5% by weight of the block copolymer. The silane modified block copolymer prepared with zinc oxide exhibits greater resistance to gel formation than silane-modified block copolymer prepared without the zinc oxide.

Method of grafting silane compounds to block copolymers

Block copolymer particle forming process

Particulate solids are separated from their admixture with gases or vaporized liquids by passage through a specially designed cyclone separator wherein the solids are passed down the separator to a plate modified with a circumferential groove leading to a solids outlet, the plate also having a centrally located vertical member designed to minimize turbulent flow of the solids/vapor mixture and fouling of the apparatus.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

John E Gorman