Document x4XXm5nr3a6nK4LNKgLOR0m

IJM IWM) INTER-OFFICE memo TENHECO CHEMICALS, To Route List from J. c. Fisher Subject TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM At All Points at Flemington date November 22, 1967 N.Copy to E. Arena R. T. Bucsko1 M. G. Caine E. Farber C. W. Johnston R. H. Marks L. Medeiros G. I. Rozand P. R. Scarito W. D. Wesely M. W. Williams This memorandum has been prepared at the request of M. W. Williams for presentation to Tenneco Manufacturing Company in order to highlight problems connected with the variable quality of Tenneco MVC. A complete report on this problem for use within Tenneco Plastics Division will follow. JCF/lac Att. Original Signed By J.J /Wisher tt NOV 2 71957 COLORITE 005899 TERN ECOmemoNfR-OFFICE CHEMICALS, INC. T M. w. Williams At Piscataway F"OM J. C. Fisher at Flemington Subject TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM Resin Stability as Related to Vinyl Chloride Monomer Quality date November 22, 1967 copy to m. G. Caine R. H. Marks G. I. Rozand Statement of Problem A serious problem with the stability of Tenneco suspension resins became evident in June, 1967. This problem was, and still,is, exhibited in both the poorer color of pressed plaques of unstabilized resin and in the early yellowing of stabilized resin formulations. These deficiencies are evident in both homopolymer and copolymer resins produced at both the Burlington and Flemington plants. They have resulted in the loss of sub stantial resin sales, numerous complaints from customers, and the need to substantially curtail the flexibility of our pro duction scheduling. It has now been conclusively demonstrated that these resin heat stability deficiencies are caused by the quality of the vinyl chloride monomer being received from Tenneco*s Pasadena, Texas monomer plant. Conclusions1 2 3 4 1. The quality of Tenneco MVC has varied considerably over the past eight-month period. 2. The variations in resin quality are due primarily to vari ations in MVC quality. This variation is apparent with various resins made at both Flemington and Burlington whose formulations contain only one common raw material - the vinyl chloride monomer. 3. The use of MVC from Borden has yielded good quality resin at a time when Tenneco MVC gave poor quality resin. 4. The poor resin color resulting from variations in MVC quality has been the prime cause for difficulties experi enced at the following accounts: Globe Rubber, Armstrong, Congoleum-Nairn, Ruberoid, Nixon-Baldwin, American Biltrite COLORITE 005900 M, W. Williams -2- November 22, 1967 Recommendations 1. A significant program must be immediately initiated between Tenneco Plastics and Tenneco's monomer-producing plant to identify and correct those MVC contaminants causing poor resin stability. 2. The quality of Borden's acetylene-based MVC has been evalu ated but the quality of both ethylene- and acetylene-based MVC from other producers should be ascertained. 3. Significant quality control tests must be developed and instituted at Pasadena, Burlington and Flemington to insure our production of good quality resin. 4. The possible introduction of contaminants into Tenneco MVC during transit in the recently introduced 38,000 gallon tank cars must be ascertained. Discussion The variation in the color stability of both homopolymer and copolymer resins has followed the following pattern: April 1987 - good stability May--June 1967 - poor stability July--Mid-August 1967 - good stability Mid-August to present - poor stability An example of this variation in color is shown in the attached Exhibit 1. This exhibit is a Xerox copy of a pressed plaque comprised of typical Tenneco 225-1 homopolymer resin produced at Flemington during the time periods listed above. This same pattern has been found with copolymer and homopolymer resin produced at Burlington during the same time periods. The. evaluation of Borden vinyl chloride monomer versus Tenneco MVC was made at the Burlington plant. Special piping was in stalled to allow charging of the monomer directly from the tank cars rather than routing, as normal, through the virgin monomer storage tanks. The Borden MVC has now been evaluated versus Tenneco MVC from tank car NATX-38034 in the polymerization of Tenneco 175 resin. *A companion comparison of the same Borden MVC is being made against Tenneco MVC from tank car NATX-38037 in the polymerization of Tenneco 315 resin. COLORITE 005901 M. W. Willies -3- November 22, 1967 Using a newly-developed light absorbance test, a comparison of the color stability of Tenneco 175 resin made with the Borden versus Tenneco MVC has been made: Tenneco 175 Lot No. Monomer Source Light Absorbance 34582 34583 Borden Tenneco (NATX-38034) 0.45 0.62 Samples of the Borden MVC and the Tenneco MVC (NATX-38037) are being forwarded to Paul Reed at Pasadena for a comparative analysis. JCF:em J. C. Fisher COLORITE 005902 EXHIBIT / A'&S'-I v,_ COLORITE 005903 TENNECO CHEMICALS, INC. Tenn co Plastics Division Analytical Control Laboratory Request Submitted by: Date Submitted: ^ l ~L& Details of Request: 3 l^t v/<l. <**r ecueef 0^, t&e *r~t lU^n^u^ ^j - Vj A _< S&h Af7</<* ^&**'**y * /&* y Sample Identification: t/f&t*)Tc*MjaeoA'fl/<l ftba*ve**j7k*jA)cdQ M t. & %*Js+> &*& 3 /fatrJ ArflK*.. f &d*UM+ ^SArtAdl^s Tp u-eO At Ck Pt-|Vle^ yO(/q aJI* Analytical Results: Date Completed Conpleted by: L-155 11/66 COLORITE 005904 . r. . w. haaeh Quality Nanitaring 17, 1969 a. B. Cast H. X. Miaatl Ala will bring yoe ap to data In oar meant yhaai ting up parwansat angling facilities correlate with main quality plants. Carr and Pnd Kanalor conracning their ability to toot tha aan plea, they can handle fear daily aaaploa in abant taro vodka. Xtandardinatloe of tie gaa ehranatograph ia the hold ap. A "standard eanple" ant bo procured and pragraanad an that re liable eaaparieano can be nado. Prod ia keeping na panted aa to the progrooe oo that aanpling can begin aa aeon aa poaaible. 1 have written a naimtenanee ardor to iaetall pemanent sampling atatiana at the Cone flitera of the virgin and re covered IVC inlot linao in Xn. 2 aad an. 3 plants. This should bn collated by Toaaday. ties, tie atility aporatara can take daily ao^lap wltheat problana. In the onant lee, wa will be oaapling to dotemine tha heat aaapliag spot yet yield tie leant nearer of up lea per day* I will forward the reoelta of the toot to yen. - In different aansaraatlana with people aroend barlington, I iMve heeewe aware of ooao problana that occur in the plant irttlch happen owe day and not another, or in one reactor and not another. In other warda, although nothing haa boon in tentionally thangnd, largo difforoneee in reaction kinetics iflentice of l^oritlee in the MVC atarngo tankas no one baa proven this. However, there ia ne nixing or recycle oquipant on tha storage tanka. Also, the concentration of impuri ties ia very low and concentration gradients are weak, such that internal nixing ia extrewely alow. Aa soon aa Quality antrol can analyse the eagles, we are going to eanple the storage tanka for stratification by neons of nolag the liquid level dip tube. If draotie stratification ia lndleaked free the tents, pnrhapa sufficient justification can bn gunrated te install a roeironlation unit on each of the otarago tanka. COZORZ1Z 0CE905 OMlikj mmUmlm Thia mmU 2m a Mil mth/r^l 2/1V** #&*&**** COLORITE 005905