Abstract: The invention provides a process for separating a solution from magnetic resin portions, particles and/or fines by passing a solution containing the resin portions, particles and/or fines through a bed of particulate magnetic material.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and process for separating residual magnetic resin from a liquid stream by passing the stream through or over permanent magnets located within the stream wherein the process also includes a means for releasing any resin retained by the permanent magnets and capturing the released resin.

Abstract: This invention describes a process for producing a nanoscale zero-valent metal, including reduction of a metal ion solution with a dithionite compound, wherein the reduction is carried out under alkaline conditions under substantially an inert atmosphere. A nanoscale zero-valent metal obtainable by this process, and having a new crystalline form, is also described. The nanoscale zero-valent metal produced by the process of the invention is preferably iron, and is advantageously used for the remediation of contaminated water.

Abstract: A method of preparing a gassed water-in-oil emulsion explosives composition from a gasser solution of an inorganic nitrate, an ammonium species and an optional accelerator which is added to an emulsion explosive composition, reacts and forms gas bubbles is disclosed. The emulsion explosive composition is composed of a discontinuous aqueous phase, a continuous water immiscible organic phase, and an emulsifier. The reaction between the gasser solution and the emulsion explosive composition is such that the emulsifier does not undergo chemical attack.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of regenerating a fouled membrane removed from a process line. The membrane is regenerated by immersing at least a portion of it into an agitated enzyme solution. The agitation is provided by a gas injected into the enzyme solution and is thought to assist enzyme in the enzyme solution to contact the foulant. Also disclosed is a membrane regenerated by the method.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for contacting liquid with an ion exchange resin comprising introducing liquid into a process tank containing ion exchange resin at an inlet (2) and removing liquid that has been contacted with resin from the process tank at an outlet, the outlet being located above the inlet (2), the process tank including a resin containment region (7, 9) disposed between the inlet (2) and the outlet to impede the upward flow of the resin as it becomes entrained in the liquid flowing from the inlet to the outlet, and a contactor region for promoting contact between the resin and the liquid located below the containment region (7, 9), said containment region (7, 9) containing an array of settling members through which the liquid and resin upflow and which impede the flow of the resin to a sufficient extent that it is substantially contained within or below the containment region (7, 9). Apparatus for performing this method is also provided.

Abstract: A process for the regeneration of loaded ion-exchange resin comprising (a) providing loaded resin for regeneration; (b) providing first stage and third stage regenerant suitable for regenerating loaded resin; (c) providing a plurality of regeneration vessels; (d) filling a regeneration vessel with a desired amount of the loaded resin before filling another regeneration vessel; (e) once a regeneration vessel has been filled, contacting the loaded resin within the vessel with first stage regenerant in a plug flow to provide a first stage regenerated resin; (f) contacting the first stage regenerated resin with third stage regenerant in a plug flow to provide regenerated resin and (g) removing and collecting third stage regenerant from a vessel containing regenerated resin and adding the collected regenerant to the first stage regenerant.

Abstract: An opacity process for paint, including generating paint color data representing a paint color, based on the scatter and absorption data, or reflectance data, for the paint color, generating, based on the paint color data, full hiding color data representing the reflectance of the paint color at full hiding, generating, for a plurality of undercoat paints with different reflectance levels, color combination data representing the color of at least one coat of the paint color and one of the undercoat paints, respectively, and generating color difference data representing opacity, based on a difference between the full hiding color data and the color data combination.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to solid polyester granules of the type used as matting agents in paints. In particular, the invention relates to a new redox initiating system for use in a suspension polymerisation process used to manufacture the solid polyester granules, to a process for the preparation of the solid polyester granules, and to paint compositions comprising solid polyester granules.

Abstract: Aqueous coating compositions are described where the binder includes an anionically stabilized polymeric dispersion. The monomers used to prepare the dispersion are acrylic acid and methacrylic acid as a carboxylic monomer and styrene, alpha methyl styrene or vinyl toluene as a hydrophobic high Tg aromatic monomer and an alkyl acrylate ester as a low Tg monomer. The relative weight proportions of the monomers are required to satisfy a formula. Blends of high and low Tg dispersions are also described. Paints formulated with the binders exhibit an excellent balance of stain resistance, tint strength and viscosity stability.

Abstract: A process for removing DOC (dissolved organic carbon) from a concentrated salt solution containing DOC by contacting the salt solution with a coagulant/flocculant such that the DOC becomes insoluble and removing the insoluble DOC from the salt solution.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing polymeric beads of complexing resin incorporating magnetic particles, which process comprises: producing a dispersion having a continuous aqueous phase and a dispersed organic phase, said organic phase comprising one or more polymerisable monomers, magnetic particles and a dispersing agent for dispersing said magnetic particles in the organic phase; polymerising said one or more polymerisable monomers to form polymeric beads incorporating said magnetic particles, wherein said polymeric beads include amine groups capable of complexing a transition metal cation, or wherein said polymeric beads are reacted with one or more compounds to provide amine groups capable of complexing a transition metal cation, complexing resins prepared by this process, and polymeric beads of complexing resin comprising a polymer matrix having magnetic particles dispersed substantially uniformly therein, wherein the polymer matrix incorporates amine groups capable of complexing a transiti

Abstract: A process for preparing a powder coated reconstituted cellulosic substrate comprising providing a reconstituted cellulosic substrate comprising cellulose based particles and a cured formaldehyde based resin, wherein an inorganic salt is dispersed throughout the substrate; applying a powder coating composition to at least one surface of said substrate; and curing the powder coating composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing polymer beads incorporating magnetic iron oxide particles, which process comprises producing a dispersion having a continuous aqueous phase and a dispersed organic phase, the organic phase comprising one or more polymerisable monomers, magnetic iron oxide particles and an organophosphorus dispersing agent for dispersing the magnetic iron oxide particles in the organic phase, and polymerising the one or more polymerisable monomers to form the polymer beads incorporating the magnetic iron oxide particles; complexing and ion exchange resins prepared by this process; methods for separating transition metal ions and other ions from an aqueous solution using the complexing and ion exchange resins; and polymer beads comprising a polymeric matrix having magnetic iron oxide particles and organophosphorus dispersing agent dispersed substantially uniformly therein.

Abstract: A process for the regeneration of loaded ion-exchange resin comprising (a) providing loaded resin for regeneration; (b) providing first stage and third stage regenerant suitable for regenerating loaded resin; (c) providing a plurality of regeneration vessels; (d) filling a regeneration vessel with a desired amount of the loaded resin before filling another regeneration vessel; (e) once a regeneration vessel has been filled, contacting the loaded resin within the vessel with first stage regenerant in a plug flow to provide a first stage regenerated resin; (f) contacting the first stage regenerated resin with third stage regenerant in a plug flow to provide regenerated resin and (g) removing and collecting third stage regenerant from a vessel containing regenerated resin and adding the collected regenerant to the first stage regenerant.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing an inorganic ionic species or organometallic ion contaminant, or combination contaminants, including such as arsenic, chromium, bromide, bromate, perchlorate, and/or others from water which contains an unacceptably high concentration of the contaminant(s). The method includes treating the water with an ion exchange resin, preferably a magnetic ion exchange resin such as MIEX® Resin, which is capable of adsorbing the inorganic ionic species contaminant(s), and regenerating and recycling the ion exchange resin back to the process. The method produces potable water from ground water containing such contaminants and eliminates breakthrough and chromatographic peaking problems observed with conventional ion exchange systems.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing an aqueous dispersion of water insoluble heteropolymeric particles comprising polymerising in an aqueous reaction medium ethylenically unsaturated monomers, said ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising ionisable ethylenically unsaturated monomers and non-ionisable hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated monomers, to form said heteropolymeric particles dispersed in said aqueous reaction medium, wherein the monomers in said reaction medium at any point in time comprise less than 5 weight % of ionisable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein for at least a part of the polymerisation the monomers in said reaction medium have a composition which is maintained with an ionisable ethylenically unsaturated monomer content of from 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water treatment, in particular to a process for the removal of dissolved organic carbon from water. The process includes the following steps, adding an ion-exchange resin to water containing a contaminant such as dissolved organic carbon, dispersing the resin in the contaminated water to enable adsorption of the dissolved organic carbon onto the resin, and separating the resin loaded with contaminant from the water. In a preferred embodiment the process employs a magnetic ion-exchange resin.

Abstract: Aqueous coating compositions are described where the binder includes an anionically stabilised addition polymerised polymeric dispersion. The monomers used to prepare the dispersion are acrylic acid and methacrylic acid as a carboxylic monomer and styrene, alpha methyl styrene or vinyl toluene as a hydrophobic high Tg aromatic monomer and an alkyl acrylate ester as a low Tg monomer. The relative weight proportions of the monomers are required to satisfy a formula. Blends of high and low Tg dispersions are also described. Paints formulated with the binders exhibit an excellent balance of stain resistance, tint strength and viscosity stability.