Abstract: Methods of improving the stability of a composition containing a long-chain esterquat and methods of improving the microbicidal properties of a cosmetic composition are described wherein a short-chain esterquat having acyl groups derived from a mixture of at least one monocarboxylic acid having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least one dicarboxylic acid having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms is combined with a cosmetic composition.

Abstract: Water-soluble polyurethanes prepared by reacting a polyisocyanate and a polyalkylene oxide polyol at a molar ratio sufficient to form an isocyanate-terminated polymer, and reacting the isocyanate-terminated polymer with an epoxy alcohol to form a water-soluble, epoxy-terminated polyurethane, are disclosed. Also disclosed are aqueous fiber sizing compositions including the water-soluble polyurethanes described.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for producing esters are described. The processes include: (a) providing a liquid reaction mixture comprising (i) an unsaturated carboxylic acid having a boiling point greater than water, (ii) a polyhydric alcohol, and (iii) a first polymerization inhibitor, in a reaction zone having an inner surface; (b) reacting the acid and the polyhydric alcohol to form an ester, such that a gas/vapor phase is formed comprising water of reaction; (c) removing at least a portion of the gas/vapor phase from the reaction zone to a dephlegmation zone having an inner surface; (d) partially condensing the portion of the gas/vapor phase in the dephlegmation zone such that a condensate is formed; and (e) returning the condensate to the reaction zone; wherein a second polymerization inhibitor is introduced into the dephlegmation zone such that the portion of the gas/vapor phase and/or the condensate are contacted with the second polymerization inhibitor.

Abstract: Processes for preparing light-colored alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycoside mixtures are disclosed. The processes disclosed include providing an initial mixture of an alk(en)yl oligoglycoside and a rheology-modifying agent, the mixture having a viscosity of from 10 to 1000 mPas at a temperature of from 85 to 130° C., and a water content of less than 2% by weight, based on the alk(en)yl oligoglycoside; and bleaching the initial mixture at a temperature of from 85 to 130° C. to form a light-colored surfactant mixture having a water content of less than 2% by weight, based on the alk(en)yl oligoglycoside. Also disclosed is the use of such mixtures in cleaning compositions, such as detergents, washing and dishwashing compositions.

Abstract: Solid composition useful for the production of dishwashing, laundry or cleaning compositions are comprised of (a) a hydroxy mixed ether of the formula (I) wherein R1 is a linear or branched alkyl group having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, R2 is hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, R3 is a linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl group having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, each of n1 and n2 independently is a number from 0 to 60 and m is 0 or a number from 0.5 to 5, with the provisos that the total number of carbon atoms in the substituents R1 and R2 is at least 6 and the sum (n1+m+n2) is greater than 0; and (b) a polymer. The compositions according to the invention can optionally contain additional nonionic surfactants, carriers, auxiliaries and additives typically found in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaning compositions.

Abstract: Branched fatty compounds are made by a process which comprises reacting an unsaturated fatty compound and an ?-olefin in the presence of a transition metal catalyst and a solvent mixture wherein the solvent mixture is a single liquid phase above 20° C. and is two liquid phases below 20° C.

Abstract: A single stage process for deacidifying glycerides involving: (a) providing a glyceride having an acid value of from about 5 to 20; (b) providing a lower alcohol; (c) providing an enzyme catalyst immobilized on a support material; and passing a mixture of (a) and (b), over (c), thereby deacidifying the glycerides.

Abstract: A process for making aldehydes involving: (a) providing a fatty alcohol; (b) providing an oxidic copper/zinc catalyst; and (c) continuously dehydrogenating the fatty alcohol, in the presence of the oxidic copper/zinc catalyst, at a temperature of from about 200 to 280° C. and a pressure of from about 10 mbar to 1 bar.

Abstract: Radically post-crosslinked polymers are made by a process comprising the steps of: (1) forming a polyurethane (a*) by reacting a compound (a) with an aliphatic and/or an aromatic isocyanate and a compound (c) wherein compound (a) is the product of the reaction of an epoxidized fatty acid ester and/or an epoxidized triglyceride with acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid and wherein compound (c) is a polyol ester having two or more C?C double bonds per molecule; (2) forming a crosslinked polyurethane by reacting the polyurethane (a*) with a radical initiator (b). The polymers are useful as components in composites comprised of natural and/or synthetic fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to epoxy resin hardener compositions containing at least one mercaptan hardener and at least one metal salt of C8-24 carboxylic acids. These hardeners are distinguished in particular by the fact that catalyzed resins containing epoxy resins and the hardener compositions according to the invention give high-gloss molding compounds, more particularly coatings, after hardening by crosslinking.

Abstract: Processes for preparing surfactant granules, wherein the processes comprise: (a) passing a water-containing surfactant preparation through a casting plate, wherein the casting plate vibrates, such that droplets of the preparation are formed; and (b) contacting the droplets with a gaseous drying agent; are described.

Abstract: A pearlescent composition containing: (a) a dialkyl ether corresponding to formula (I): R1—O—R2??(I) wherein R1 and R2 independently of one another represent linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl groups having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms; (b) a cationic polymer; and (c) an emulsifier selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid-N-alkyl polyhydroxyalkyl amide, an alkyl ether sulfate, a betaine, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Powder coating compositions having reduced volatility and improved processibility compared to conventional powder coatings consist essentially of a copolymer having pendant functionalities or pendant groups capable of reacting with a dicarboxylic acid such as the glycidyl groups of glycidyl acrylate or methacrylate copolymer and a cross-linking effective amount of a dicarboxylic acid. The reaction of the above pendant groups and the dicarboxylic acid cross-links or cures the powder coating after application to a substrate. The dicarboxylic acids according to the invention eliminate the need for a third component which is a flow control agent which improves the processibility of a two-component powder coating. The dicarboxylic acids according to the invention have a sublimation temperature great enough to decrease or prevent their vaporization during the curing of the powder coating and have a melting point low enough to impart improved flow properties to the powder coatings.

Abstract: A process for detecting low levels of a predetermined quality trait present in an inhomogeneously distributed particulate substrate involving the steps of: (a) providing a particulate substrate to be analyzed; (b) providing a spectrometer with an electromagnetic detector capable of performing spectroscopic measurements with electromagnetic radiation; (c) providing a rotatable sample holder having a transparent area through which electromagnetic radiation may pass; (d) providing a tumbling member located within the rotatable sample holder for tumbling the particulate substrate contained therein; (e) introducing the particulate substrate into the rotatable sample holder; (f) simultaneously rotating and tumbling the particulate substrate contained within the rotatable sample holder; and (g) activating the spectrometer, thereby illuminating the particulate substrate contained within the rotatable sample holder with electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A process for producing glycerin is comprised of the steps of: (1) contacting a fat with water at a temperature and pressure sufficient to produce hydrolyzed fat and a sweet water stream comprised of water, fat and glycerin; (2) introducing the sweet water stream into a vertical constant temperature zone and heating the sweet water stream to a temperature of at least 200° C.; (3) allowing sweet water stream of step (2) to separate into a top layer comprised of fat and a bottom layer comprised of glycerin and water while maintaining a temperature of the two layers of at least about 200° C. for a period of time sufficient to deactivate the prions; (4) separating the glycerin from the water.

Abstract: Free-flowing granular dispersing agents for use in water-dispersible granule (WDG) agricultural chemical formulations are a composite substance comprised of an alkyl polyglycoside and a polymeric anionic dispersant. The granular composite dispersing agents can be used in granular or liquid agricultural chemical formulations, exhibit outstanding attrition resistance, excellent dispersional stability after accelerated aging and low moisture content when made into a paste. The composite dispersing agents are useful as primary dispersants in dry agricultural formulations (wettable powders and water-dispersible granules) and in aqueous suspension concentrates.

Abstract: Aqueous liquid concentrates for use when diluted as all purpose spray cleaners comprising the following components: A) from about 3 to about 10% by weight of at least one base-catalyzed reaction product comprised of the following reactants: (i) at least one compound of formula I: R1(X)3??(I) ?wherein each X group is a halogen atom or one X group is a halogen atom and two X groups represent an epoxy oxygen atom, which is attached to two adjacent carbon atoms in the R1 group to form an epoxy group, and R1 is an alkanetriyl group containing from 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and (ii) at least one compound having the formula II: R2X(AO)nY??(II) ?wherein R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, organic group having from 1 to 36 carbon atoms; X is —O—, —S—, or —NR3— where R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C8 alkyl group; each AO group is independently an ethyleneoxy, 1,2-propyleneoxy, or 1,2-butyleneoxy group, n is a number of from 0 to 200; and Y is hydrogen, or Y can be a mercapto group, an amino gro

Abstract: Surfactant granules are made by the process comprising the steps of (1) mixing an aqueous nonionic surfactant paste and an aqueous solution of an organic polymeric carrier; (2) simultaneously granulating and drying the mixture from step (1) in a fluidized bed to form a granulated nonionic surfactant. The surfactant granules are dust-free, flowable, storage-stable, show no tendency toward clumping and are readily soluble in cold water.

Abstract: An anhydrous powder composition for use in personal care products containing a solid particulate component and chitosan having a particle size of from about 0.1 to about 50 microns.

Abstract: A cleaning cloth impregnated with a composition comprising: (a) a fibrous web; (b) an alkyl or alkenyl oligoglycoside; (c) a mixture comprising an alcohol polyglycol ether, a hydroxy mixed ether, or a combination thereof are useful for cleansing hair.