Exxon Chemical Research Articles

Better image sought for chemical industry

On Monday, June 17, the Chemical Manufacturers Association opened a $6 million national advertising campaign aimed at bettering the U.S. public's image of the chemical industry. Ads will appear in 13 major national magazines, beginning with Time and People, as one of 50 public outreach activities planned by CMA to promote its Responsible Care program. Throughout the summer and fall, National Geographic, U.S. News & World Report, Smithsonian, Audubon, Life, the Atlantic, the New Yorker, Outside, Money, Esquire, and Self will carry CMA ads. They are intended to open a dialogue, says Eugene McBrayer, CMA chairman and president of Exxon Chemical Co., and to introduce a five-year, $50 million campaign to communicate broadly with the U.S. public. The campaign's goal is to increase public understanding of the Responsible Care program, and of the chemical industry's efforts to improve its performance in the health, safety, and environmental areas. CMA hopes to reach 70 million people between ...

Exxon Chemical forging more ties with academia

As part of its drive to foster closer links with universities, Exxon Chemical International recently invited some 50 chemistry graduate students and academics from around Europe to a symposium, which was cohosted by the Universite Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg, France. The event was held to mark the first anniversary of the launching of Exxon Chemical's European Science & Engineering Program (ESEP). Topics covered during the threeday meeting included alkanes, catalysis, colloids, and mathematical modeling, as well as analytical, organic, and physical chemistry related mainly to elastomers and polymers. The 23 presentations centered on research, which Exxon Chemical is funding, in areas of direct interest to its business thrust. They ranged from molecular conformation of alkane/ polymer mixtures undertaken at England's University of Bristol to studies on high-pressure polymerization of ethylene with a homogeneous metallocene catalyst at the Institute for Chemical Technology associated with the Technical Univ...

Compositions for preparing cement-adhesive reinforcing fibres: McAlpin, J. J. and Chow, W. Y. (Exxon Chemical Patents Inc., Linden, NJ, USA) US Pat 4 861 812 (29 August 1989)

Compositions for preparing cement-adhesive reinforcing fibres: McAlpin, J. J. and Chow, W. Y. (Exxon Chemical Patents Inc., Linden, NJ, USA) US Pat 4 861 812 (29 August 1989)

Safer piping: Awareness training for the process industries

AbstractThe ‘Safer Piping’ video training package was produced by the International Process Safety Group (IPSG) to meet the urgent need for training material to stem the ever–growing number of accidents directly caused by piping failures. The IPSG, then under the Chairmanship of Bob Mill, Exxon Chemical Corporation, identified piping as the single most important cause of concern in a process plant. The aim was to raise safety standards by changing people's attitudes to piping.

Industry rebuts chemical diversion charges

Representatives of the U.S. chemical industry went before Congress again last week to defend their efforts to stop diversion of chemicals from U.S. firms for production of illegal drugs, especially cocaine. They got some help this time from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), which is voicing growing concern over chemical diversion from firms in other countries. However, apparently rising antipathy toward U.S. chemical firms on this issue disturbs industry officials. At a hearing before the Senate Subcommittee on Foreign Commerce & Tourism, witnesses testified on implementation of the 1989 Chemical Diversion & Trafficking Act. Senators are concerned about recent news reports linking U.S. chemicals with cocaine production in Colombia. Sen. Richard H. Bryan (D.-Nev.) said he is worried that chemical industry is adopting a head-in-the-sand attitude, and that it should not have taken a law to get the industry to stop illegal diversions. John Rutledge, Latin America manager for Exxon Chemical (one of two majo...

Universities, Industry Forge Closer R&D Ties in Europe

Chemical companies increasingly are forging closer links with university science departments, in Europe as well as in the U.S. A case in point is a new initiative from Exxon Chemical that has been providing financial support to researchers at U.S. and West European campuses. Now the company is embarking on what it titles its Program for Science and Engineering in Europe. This new initiative will provide a framework to extend the scope of our existing relationships with the European universities, explains Douglas M. Selman, vice president of business development and technology for Exxon Chemical's polymers group at the firm's Darien, Conn., headquarters. The additional funding will allow us to support a broader range of university research studies in fields related to our interests. Selman outlined the program and its aims to a large audience of industry, university, and government representatives who attended an international symposium that the polymers group held in Brussels. It was organized ...

Joint Ventures Likely Basis of European Ethylene Expansion

Economics, including the initial cost of construction as well as the need to avoid overcapacity, are changing the way the European chemical industry approaches its ethylene strategy. The most recent new ethylene cracker built in Western Europe, the Fife ethylene plant commissioned in 1985 in Mossmorran, Scotland, is a joint venture of Exxon Chemical and Shell Chemical. The only new cracker currently under construction in Western Europe is Finaneste's in Antwerp, Belgium—a joint venture between Petrofina of Belgium and Neste of Finland. But now, nearly a dozen other companies have proposed building or significantly expanding crackers, which could raise ethylene capacity in Western Europe from 14.5 million metric tons per year to nearly 19 million metric tons. Although there is general agreement that the industry is running flat out and some more capacity is needed, on the face of it, that massive an increase is an appalling scenario. Only in the past two years has ...

Water based Acrylics for Adhesives and Sealants

Exxon Chemicals have published details of their updated range of water based acrylic emulsions for use in adhesives and sealants. Some of the main products are as follows.

Computerized PVC formulating for optimized cost/performance

AbstractThe versatility of poly(vinyl chloride) is largely a result of its capability to be modified by a wide variety of formulating additives, especially plasticizers and fillers. These additives vary widely with respect to their chemical composition, and the concentrations used in PVC, which impart significant effects on costs and performance properties. Computerized formulating programs have begun to replace laboratory testing directed at developing cost effective PVC formulations. A broad data base is required to capitalize on the many cost effective options posed to the PVC formulator. The Marketing Technical Service function of Exxon Chemical Co. utilizes COPPCO, COmputerized Profit/Performance COnsulting, to evaluate the options. The coherent data base contains 34 different plasticizers ranging from 25 to 90 phr, and can accommodate filler effects over a range of zero to 100 phr. COPPCO performs the following functions: cost and performance properties are predicted for specific formulations; lowest cost formula is defined to satisfy a specified set of performance properties; cost and performance properties are predicted for blends of plasticizers in unfilled and filled PVC compositions; performance properties are graphically presented as a function of PHR of plasticizer and plasticizer blends; graphic contours define constant property values as a function of plasticizer and of filler levels; and three dimensional response surfaces reflect the coincidental variation of both plasticizer and filler levels. COPPCO utilizes SAS (Statistical Analysis System) and Telegraph graphics, combined with sophisticated mainframe programs developed specifically to provide the desired output. Unlimited cost and performance options of the PVC formulator can be evaluated in milliseconds, vs. the traditional laboratory exercises which result in limited data after one to two weeks of sample preparation and testing.

People

Mr. W. A. (Tony) Cross has recently joined the board of Carless Refining & Marketing Ltd as marketing director. A chemical engineer from Sheffield University, he previously held marketing management positions with Exxon Chemical Ltd in the U.K. and abroad.

New Solvents

Exxon Chemical has made numerous additions to its range of performance fluids and speciality solvents in recent years and now markets the widest range of hydrocarbon solvents in Europe. The latest addition is a new aromatic solvent, HAN 8572 which is being produced at Exxon Chemical's solvents plant in Antwerp, the largest production facility of its type in the world.

SCI Medalist Holmer Recalls Tough Times in Petrochemicals Business

Although Edwin C. Holmer may have retired in March 1986 as president of Exxon Chemical, his colleagues and competitors in the chemical industry have not forgotten either his accomplishments at Exxo...

Transition metal coordination for complexing polymer blends

Journal of Polymer Science Part C: Polymer LettersVolume 24, Issue 11 p. 581-586 Article Transition metal coordination for complexing polymer blends D. G. Peiffer, D. G. Peiffer Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Corporate Research Science Laboratory, Annandale, New Jersey 08801Search for more papers by this authorI. Duvdevani, I. Duvdevani Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Corporate Research Science Laboratory, Annandale, New Jersey 08801Search for more papers by this authorP. K. Agarwal, P. K. Agarwal Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Corporate Research Science Laboratory, Annandale, New Jersey 08801Search for more papers by this authorR. D. Lundberg, R. D. Lundberg Exxon Chemical Company, 1600 E. Linden Avenue, Linden, New Jersey, 07036Search for more papers by this author D. G. Peiffer, D. G. Peiffer Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Corporate Research Science Laboratory, Annandale, New Jersey 08801Search for more papers by this authorI. Duvdevani, I. Duvdevani Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Corporate Research Science Laboratory, Annandale, New Jersey 08801Search for more papers by this authorP. K. Agarwal, P. K. Agarwal Exxon Research and Engineering Company, Corporate Research Science Laboratory, Annandale, New Jersey 08801Search for more papers by this authorR. D. Lundberg, R. D. Lundberg Exxon Chemical Company, 1600 E. Linden Avenue, Linden, New Jersey, 07036Search for more papers by this author First published: November 1986 https://doi.org/10.1002/pol.1986.140241104Citations: 55AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume24, Issue11November 1986Pages 581-586 RelatedInformation

U.S. Chemical Industry Moving To Assure No More Bhopals

Bhopal placed chemical industry under an intense microscope of and Congressional scrutiny, Edwin C. Holmer, president of Exxon Chemical, noted at Chemical Manufacturers Association annual meeting last June. That an accident of that magnitude could occur was particularly disturbing to us as members of safest manufacturing industry in U.S. Yet it did happen. And in face of tragedy, began asking two very important questions: Could something like that happen in U.S.? And what is chemical industry going to do differently because of Bhopal? That's what Holmer said in June. In August, the public started phrasing those questions even more sharply after accidental release of an estimated 2800 lb of aldicarb oxime, 700 lb of methylene chloride, and 300 lb of residues from Union Carbide's plant at Institute, in West Virginia's Kanawha Valley (C&EN, Aug. 19, 1985, page 4). The chemicals spread beyond plant ...

The impact of effective quality control

Plant/Operations ProgressVolume 3, Issue 2 p. 117-119 Article The impact of effective quality control S. W. Kolff, S. W. Kolff Exxon Chemical Co., Rozenburg, The Netherlands S. W. Kolff: is Technical Manager for Esso Chemie B.V., Rozenburg, The Netherlands. He has been with Esso since 1973 holding various functions in operations and Engineering. In 1979 he set-up a reliability assurance program for the ammonia plant at RFC. He holds a Chemical Engineering degree from the Technical University in Delft.Search for more papers by this authorP. R. Mertens, P. R. Mertens Exxon Chemical Co., Rozenburg, The Netherlands P. R. Mertens: is Section Supervisor of the Maintenance Technical Support Group for Esso Chemie B.V. in The Netherlands. He has been with Esso since 1979 in various functions, amongst others Materials and Corrosion Engineer in the Inspection Group. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University in Twente.Search for more papers by this author S. W. Kolff, S. W. Kolff Exxon Chemical Co., Rozenburg, The Netherlands S. W. Kolff: is Technical Manager for Esso Chemie B.V., Rozenburg, The Netherlands. He has been with Esso since 1973 holding various functions in operations and Engineering. In 1979 he set-up a reliability assurance program for the ammonia plant at RFC. He holds a Chemical Engineering degree from the Technical University in Delft.Search for more papers by this authorP. R. Mertens, P. R. Mertens Exxon Chemical Co., Rozenburg, The Netherlands P. R. Mertens: is Section Supervisor of the Maintenance Technical Support Group for Esso Chemie B.V. in The Netherlands. He has been with Esso since 1979 in various functions, amongst others Materials and Corrosion Engineer in the Inspection Group. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University in Twente.Search for more papers by this author First published: April 1984 https://doi.org/10.1002/prsb.720030218Citations: 1 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume3, Issue2April 1984Pages 117-119 RelatedInformation

Essochem Europe strengthens plastics position

We're not pessimistic about growth, remarks Robert D. Anding, president of Essochem Europe, a regional arm of Exxon Chemical, at its headquarters just outside Brussels. To substantiate his claim, he points to a number of developments aimed at ensuring that the Exxon unit maintains its strong competitive edge in the 1980's. One is the purchase last year of National Distillers & Chemicals' low-density polyethylene operations at nearby Antwerp. Another is expansion of Essochem's olefins capacity in Europe. Moreover, many of the items Essochem sells are specialties for which growth prospects look bright and profit margins are attractive. With the acquisition of the 560 million lb-per-year LDPE operations from National Distillers' subsidiary, USI Europe, Essochem essentially doubled its production capability for the polymer in a single stroke. The company's own 528 million lb-per-year unit at Meerhout, some 40 miles from Antwerp, started up in 1977. At the time we decided on the USI acquisition, most of ...

International R&D: The Establishment and Evolution of Research and Development Abroad by Seven U.S. Multinationals

This article summarizes the author's extensive investigation of the research and development investments made abroad by seven U.S.-based seven multinational organizations. The article describes the factors that affected the initial Investment in 55 RD the Exxon Chemical Company; International Business Machines (IBM); the chemicals and Plastics Group of Union Carbide Corporation; CPC International; Otis Elevator Company; and the Corning Glass Works. The article also discusses the evolution of the same 55 R&D units established abroad by these seven multinationals.

Exxon Chemical continues expansion in Europe

Exxon Chemical continues expansion in Europe

Modeling Crude Oils for Low Interfacial Tension

American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc. Abstract Using the correlation between interfacial-tension behavior for three homologous series of hydrocarbons and a simple, mole-fraction averaging procedure, it was found possible to predict interracial tensions for complex hydrocarbon oil phases/aqueous surfactant Phases. This leads to an extension of the equivalent alkane carbon-number (EACN) concept to a mixed hydrocarbon oil phase. The EACN for eight crude oils was determined and it was found that the interfacial tension of crudes can be best modeled by alkanes in the range of hexane to nonane. Introduction Previous publications, have demonstrated that low interfacial tensions can be attained with pure hydrocarbons as the oil phase. The aqueous phase contained surfactants that were proposed as candidates for tertiary oil recovery of crude oils, namely petroleum sulfonates and alkyl xylene sulfonates. These observations demonstrate that complex hydrocarbon mixtures are not a necessary requirement for low tensions and, as can be attested by any worker in the field, are certainly not a sufficient requirement for attaining low tensions. The question is, then, how can tensions for complex hydrocarbon mixtures (crude oils) be modeled given the tension of their components? Systematic trends in the tension have been observed for various hydrocarbon homologous series. It was found, for example, that an alkyl benzene gave the same interfacial tension as an alkane having the same number of carbon atoms as the alkyl side chain. The alkyl side chain is therefore the only contributor to the tension. Likewise, it was found that a cyclohexyl ring was approximately equivalent to four carbons. The hydrocarbon giving minimal tension can be varied by changing either the salinity or the surfactant concentration, but the above-mentioned scaling rules were found to apply. These observations have resulted in the concept of an equivalent alkane carbon number (EACN) for binary mixtures of alkanes, alkyl benzenes, and alkyl cyclohexanes. Hydrocarbon behavior was found to be additive and mole-fraction weighted by the simple relationship, (1) where the Ci are EACN values for the individual components, the Xi are mole fractions, and Cavg is the EACN for the mixture. For example, an equimolar mixture of butylcyclohexane (C1 = 4 for butyl groups + 4 for cyclohexyl = 8, X1 = 0.5) and propylbenzene (C2 = 3 for the propyl group + 0 for propylbenzene (C2 = 3 for the propyl group + 0 for benzene, X2 = 0.5) has a Cavg of 5.5. This mixture then would be predicted to yield a minimum interfacial tension against a surfactant solution that gives low tensions against pure alkanes intermediate between pentane and hexane. Eq. 1 has been verified for a wide variety of binary mixtures. Crude-oil behavior could be predicted by expanding Eq. 1 to the general form, (2) where the running index i extends over all the crude oil components. Of course, this cannot be accomplished in practice since all the components of a specific crude oil have never been identified. However, if Eq. 2 applies to complex but known-composition hydrocarbon mixtures, then applicability to crude oils can be inferred. Tests verifying Eq. 2 are reported in this paper. Eq. 2, in a variety of situations, requires that effects resulting from alkane isomerization be investigated. In addition, the role of sulfur compounds needs to be assessed. These studies also are reported. Finally, two different experimental techniques are used to validate the EACN concept as applied to crude oils, and values for eight samples are reported. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE All interfacial tensions were measured without pre-equilibration at 27 degrees C using the spinning drop pre-equilibration at 27 degrees C using the spinning drop technique. Five sodium sulfonate surfactants were used: Witco TRS 10-80, Shell Martinez 380 and Martinez 470, and Exxon Chemical Dodecyl and Pentadecyl Xylene sulfonates. Pentadecyl Xylene sulfonates. SPEJ P. 351

It's still a better day when your Exxon Chemical man arrives

It's still a better day when your Exxon Chemical man arrives