Embodiments of the invention relate generally to processes for the production and processing of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from carbon sources. In several embodiments, PHAs are produced at high efficiencies from carbon-containing gases through the utilization of a regenerative polymerization system.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to processes for the production and processing of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from carbon sources. In several embodiments, PHAs are produced at high efficiencies from carbon-containing gases through the utilization of a regenerative polymerization system.

A process of providing a medium or high molecular weight polyester powder, the resultant polyester polymer powder, and a powder coating composition that includes such powder; wherein the process includes: providing or forming an ester oligomer; converting the oligomer to a polyester polymer by stirring at elevated pressure and elevated temperature a reaction mixture that includes the oligomer and a nonreactive carrier capable of forming an azeotrope with water and xylenes; removing water from the reaction mixture via azeotropic reflux to provide a syrup including a medium or high molecular weight polyester polymer in the nonreactive carrier; and applying a vacuum to remove the xylenes from the syrup and form a solid (which may be in the form of a powder or subsequently formed into a powder) that includes the medium or high molecular weight polyester polymer.

A process of providing a medium or high molecular weight polyester powder, the resultant polyester polymer powder, and a powder coating composition that includes such powder; wherein the process includes: providing or forming an ester oligomer; converting the oligomer to a polyester polymer by stirring at elevated pressure and elevated temperature a reaction mixture that includes the oligomer and a nonreactive carrier capable of forming an azeotrope with water and xylenes; removing water from the reaction mixture via azeotropic reflux to provide a syrup including a medium or high molecular weight polyester polymer in the nonreactive carrier; and applying a vacuum to remove the xylenes from the syrup and form a solid (which may be in the form of a powder or subsequently formed into a powder) that includes the medium or high molecular weight polyester polymer.

One aspect is a method for producing a first intermediate product. A feedstock is provided that comprises a first polyester. The feedstock is contacted with a first amount of a first organic compound in a volume section V1 to obtain a first initial mixture. The first amount is in the form of a liquid. The first polyester is contacted with a further organic compound to obtain a further initial mixture. A weight average molar mass of the first polyester is reduced to obtain a first intermediate mixture. The first intermediate mixture has a first intermediate product, the further organic compound. A mass ratio of the feedstock to the first organic compound in the volume section V1 is in the range of 0.02 to 3.

One aspect is a method for producing a first intermediate product. A feedstock is provided that comprises a first polyester. The feedstock is contacted with a first amount of a first organic compound in a volume section V1 to obtain a first initial mixture. The first amount is in the form of a liquid. The first polyester is contacted with a further organic compound to obtain a further initial mixture. A weight average molar mass of the first polyester is reduced to obtain a first intermediate mixture. The first intermediate mixture has a first intermediate product, the further organic compound. A mass ratio of the feedstock to the first organic compound in the volume section V1 is in the range of 0.02 to 3.

One aspect is a method for producing a first intermediate product. A feedstock is provided that comprises a first polyester. The feedstock is contacted with a first amount of a first organic compound in a volume section V.sub.1 to obtain a first initial mixture. The first amount is in the form of a liquid. The first polyester is transported, and at least a fraction of the first amount of the first organic compound, from the volume section V.sub.1 to a volume section V.sub.2. The volume section V.sub.2 is at least partially filled with the first organic compound. A level of the first organic compound in the volume section V.sub.1 is at a height H.sub.1 from a floor, and a level of the first organic compound in the volume section V.sub.2 is at a height H.sub.2 from the floor. The first polyester is contacted with a further organic compound in a volume section V.sub.3, to obtain a further initial mixture. A weight average molar mass of the first polyester is reduced in the volume section V.sub.3, to obtain a first intermediate mixture. The first intermediate mixture comprises a first intermediate product, the further organic compound.

[00001]$H_1<H_2.$

One aspect is a method for producing a first intermediate product. A feedstock is provided that comprises a first polyester. The feedstock is contacted with a first amount of a first organic compound in a volume section V.sub.1 to obtain a first initial mixture. The first amount is in the form of a liquid. The first polyester is transported, and at least a fraction of the first amount of the first organic compound, from the volume section V.sub.1 to a volume section V.sub.2. The volume section V.sub.2 is at least partially filled with the first organic compound. A level of the first organic compound in the volume section V.sub.1 is at a height H.sub.1 from a floor, and a level of the first organic compound in the volume section V.sub.2 is at a height H.sub.2 from the floor. The first polyester is contacted with a further organic compound in a volume section V.sub.3, to obtain a further initial mixture. A weight average molar mass of the first polyester is reduced in the volume section V.sub.3, to obtain a first intermediate mixture. The first intermediate mixture comprises a first intermediate product, the further organic compound.

[00001]$H_1<H_2.$

One aspect is a method for producing a first intermediate product. A feedstock is provided that comprises a first polyester. The feedstock is contacted with a first amount of a first organic compound in a volume section V1 to obtain a first initial mixture. The first amount is in the form of a liquid. The first polyester is contacted with a further organic compound to obtain a further initial mixture. A weight average molar mass of the first polyester is reduced to obtain a first intermediate mixture. The first intermediate mixture has a first intermediate product, the further organic compound. A mass ratio of the feedstock to the first organic compound in the volume section V1 is in the range of 0.02 to 3.

One aspect is a method for producing a first intermediate product. A feedstock is provided that comprises a first polyester. The feedstock is contacted with a first amount of a first organic compound in a volume section V1 to obtain a first initial mixture. The first amount is in the form of a liquid. The first polyester is contacted with a further organic compound to obtain a further initial mixture. A weight average molar mass of the first polyester is reduced to obtain a first intermediate mixture. The first intermediate mixture has a first intermediate product, the further organic compound. A mass ratio of the feedstock to the first organic compound in the volume section V1 is in the range of 0.02 to 3.