E. R. Carpenter Company, Inc.

Arco Chemical Technology, L.p.

Other

Stuart L Watson

David L Haley

Frank E Critchfield

Donald W Simroth

Thomas M Garrett

Xian Xian Du

Joseph R Graham, Jr

Todd A Hanna

Paul H Hostler

Myron H Reinhart

New methods of synthesizing new types of plant derived high molecular weight polyols are provided.

Method for synthesizing high molecular weight natural oil polyols

The present invention provides polymer polyols and a method for preparing polymer polyols which have (1) exceptional dispersion stability, especially at high styrene contents, and (2) substantially smaller particle sizes than polymer polyols having equivalent viscosity. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first reaction product is obtained by feeding the following materials to a first continuous reactor in the presence of a free radical initiator or catalyst: (a) less than about 50 wt. % of a total monomer proportion or monomer mixture, preferably comprising styrene/acrylonitrile at a ratio preferably greater than about 50/50 wt. %; (b) at least about 50 wt. % of a total base polyol proportion; (c) a majority of a precursor stabilizer; and, (d) a polymer control agent (PCA). The product from this first reaction then is again fed through a continuous reactor, which may be the same as the first reactor, along with additional initiator, at least about 50% of the total monomer proportion, and, optionally, any balance of the total base polyol proportion, precursor stabilizer, and PCA. The product from this second reactor is a high stability, low viscosity polymer polyol.

Low viscosity polymer polyols with improved dispersion stability

The present invention provides polymer polyols and a method for preparing polymer polyols which have (1) exceptional dispersion stability, especially at high styrene contents, and (2) substantially smaller particle sizes than polymer polyols having equivalent viscosity. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first reaction product is obtained by feeding the following materials to a first continuous reactor in the presence of a free radical initiator or catalyst: (a) less than about 50 wt % of a total monomer proportion or monomer mixture, preferably comprising styrene/acrylonitrile at a ratio preferably greater than about 50/50 wt %; (b) at least about 50 wt % of a total base polyol proportion; (c) a majority of a precursor stabilizer; and, (d) a polymer control agent (PCA). The product from this first reaction then is again fed through a continuous reactor, which may be the same as the first reactor, along with additional initiator, at least about 50% of the total monomer proportion, and, optionally, any balance of the total base polyol proportion, precursor stabilizer, and PCA. The product from this second reactor is a high stability, low viscosity polymer polyol.

A method of preparing polyurethane packaging foam for dispensing into a container in which an article is present to be packaged for shipping, wherein the temperature of the polyurethane foam being dispensed into the container is reduced, as is the maximum reaction exotherm temperature. The method involves reacting polymeric isocyanate and polyoxyalkylated polyol precursors in the presence of water as the blowing agent for the foam. A nucleating agent is present in at least one of the precursors and is present in an amount sufficient to reduce the dispensing temperature of the foam reaction product but also the exotherm as the reaction continues to completion. Incorporation of a nucleating agent into the isocyanate and polyol resin components results in a carbon dioxide blown polyurethane packaging foam preferably having a density of 0.2 lb./ft..sup.3 to 2.0 lb./ft..sup.3.

Carbon dioxide blown polyurethane packaging foam with chemical

The present invention relates to a method of producing flexible polyurethane foam having reduced discoloration which utilizes low molecular weight alkanes or mixtures thereof as auxiliary blowing agents. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of auxiliary blowing agents which are linear or branched alkanes having boiling points above -50.degree. C. and below 100.degree. C.

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Midlothian, VA, United States of America

Stuart L Watson