Catalyst Carriers and Reaction Diluents

High-purity hydrocarbons can be used as catalyst carriers or reaction diluents for polymer production. We offer high-purity hydrocarbons with a range of physical properties to meet the demands of almost any polymerization process, including polystyrene, HDPE, and LDPE. Our Soltrol^® isoparaffin solvents can also find applications as reaction diluents or catalyst carriers in polyethylene manufacturing.

The growth of free radically produced polymer chains can be controlled by adding small amounts of mercaptans as chain modifiers. Some examples of the various polymers made with mercaptan chain transfer agents are shown below.

Usually the heavier mercaptans are used as chain modifiers in order to avoid excessive odor in the manufacturing process and in the final product.

DEHA (N,N-diethylhydroxylamine) is a widely used shortstopper for free radical polymerization. DEHA stops polymerization by capping the growing polymer chain with hydrogen. In the presence of water, DEHA can scavenge up to four radicals, and in the absence, can scavenge two. DEHA will not discolor the resulting polymer and can be water washed from the product. DEHA is also useful to inhibit popcorn polymer formation in styrene/butadiene monomer production or recovery.

Antioxidants and other stabilizers are added to polymers during processing.  Some specific examples involving the use of mercaptans and amines include: