This disclosure describes polymerization processes and processes for quenching polymerization reactions using reactive particulates, such as lecithin, as quenching agents, typically in solution or bulk polymerization processes.

A rubbery polymer extrusion dryer includes: a cylinder; a liner provided on an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder; a screw rotatably arranged in the liner; wherein the rubbery polymer extrusion dryer conveys a rubbery polymer by the screw rotating in the liner, wherein a plurality of grooves extending in a conveying direction of the rubbery polymer are formed on an inner surface of the liner, and wherein widths of the grooves are 0.1 mm or more and 2 mm or less.

This disclosure describes polymerization processes and processes for quenching polymerization reactions using reactive particulates, such as amorphous silica, as quenching agents, typically in solution or bulk polymerization processes.

This disclosure describes polymerization processes and processes for quenching polymerization reactions using reactive particulates, such as amorphous silica, as quenching agents, typically in solution or bulk polymerization processes.

A process to form a polymer composition comprising an ethylene-based polymer and a functionalized ethylene-based polymer, said process comprising the steps described herein, which include passing a polymer melt through at least one static mixer, and wherein the functionalized ethylene-based polymer, in melt form, is introduced into the polymer melt, before the polymer melt enters the static mixer.

In at least one embodiment, a devolatilization vessel includes a first set of one or more devolatilization plates and a second set of one or more devolatilization plates. A first distributor is above the first set of one or more devolatilization plates and the second set of one or more devolatilization plates. A second distributor is above the second set of one or more devolatilization plates. In at least one embodiment, a process of forming a polymer includes forming a first polymer solution having a first viscosity and forming a second polymer solution having a second viscosity. The process includes flowing the first polymer solution and the second polymer solution to a devolatilization vessel. The process includes removing volatiles from the first polymer solution and the second polymer solution in the devolatilization vessel to form a devolatilized first polymer melt and a devolatilized second polymer melt.

In at least one embodiment, a devolatilization vessel includes a first set of one or more devolatilization plates and a second set of one or more devolatilization plates. A first distributor is above the first set of one or more devolatilization plates and the second set of one or more devolatilization plates. A second distributor is above the second set of one or more devolatilization plates. In at least one embodiment, a process of forming a polymer includes forming a first polymer solution having a first viscosity and forming a second polymer solution having a second viscosity. The process includes flowing the first polymer solution and the second polymer solution to a devolatilization vessel. The process includes removing volatiles from the first polymer solution and the second polymer solution in the devolatilization vessel to form a devolatilized first polymer melt and a devolatilized second polymer melt.

The present invention is directed to a process for separating hydrocarbons from a solution comprising a polymer. The process comprises the steps of: (A) withdrawing a solution stream comprising the polymer from a first vessel; (B) passing the solution stream into a flash vessel; (C) spraying the solution stream into droplets in the first flash vessel thereby establishing a stream of droplets within the flash vessel. The solution forms a downwards falling film within the flash vessel.

The present invention provides a process for making a silica masterbatch that contains hydrophobated silica, solution-made rubber and emulsion-made rubber. Hydrophobated silica is mixed into a latex emulsion. Solution-rubber crumb in an aqueous suspension is mixed into the latex emulsion, which is coagulated, and a crumb is recovered, further homogenized, dried and baled to yield the silica masterbatch. A well-dispersed mixture of hydrophobated silica and emulsion-made rubber is added into a steam distillation step of a solution-rubber process from which a silica masterbatch is recovered. The emulsion-made rubber can be omitted to make a silica masterbatch of solution rubber and silica without emulsion rubber. The silica masterbatch has physical properties similar to those found in a comparable dry-mixed composition, but the silica masterbatch can be incorporated more easily and less expensively into tires and other rubber products than the dry-mixed composition.

A hermetically-sealed, flexible polymer gel cylinder comprising: a flexible polymer gel cylinder having a diameter, D.sub.dry, and comprising a solvent that enhances the plasticity of the polymer gel cylinder compared an otherwise identical polymer gel cylinder with essentially no solvent, wherein the solvent is at an amount such that the flexible polymer gel, after being removed from the package and saturated with the solvent, has a swelled diameter, D.sub.swell, and wherein D.sub.dryD.sub.swell5D.sub.dry; and a package hermitically sealing the flexible polymer gel cylinder.