Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing an aqueous dispersion of water insoluble polymer particles comprising: a) preparing by polymerisation an aqueous dispersion of water insoluble particles of a heteropolymer including monomeric units of a reactive amphiphile having a cloud point and monomeric units of a hydrophilic monomer, said polymerisation being conducted in the presence of a stabilising agent and the reactive amphiphile and at a temperature above the cloud point of said amphiphile, and b) cooling said aqueous dispersion to a temperature below the cloud point of the reactive amphiphile such that the viscosity of the aqueous dispersion increases. The invention also relates to aqueous dispersions of water insoluble heteropolymer particles which incorporate units of reactive amphiphile.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of preparing vesiculated granules of crosslinked carboxylated polyester resin utilising a particular class of non-alkylphenolethoxylate surfactant.

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: This invention relates to an anionic alkoxylate surfactant of formula (I), where R is a di- or tri-unsaturated C4-22 straight or branched hydrocarbon chain, at least two double bonds of said unsaturated chain being conjugated and exhibiting opposite geometric isomerism; m is 0 or 1; Y is O or NR′; each R′ is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl and phenyl; n is 1 to 50; and OX is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of acids or salts of sulfate, phosphate, sulphosuccinate, succinate, carbomethyl, maleate, carboxyethyl, alkenylsuccinate, phthalate, sulphoethyl, 3-sulpho-2-hydroxypropyl, sulphopropyl, oxalate and citrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a diacyl peroxide in combination with an aromatic amine of formula (I) where R1 is C1-C20 alkyl having at least one hydroxy substituent or —(CH′CHR′—O)nH where n is 1 to 10 and each R′ is independently selected from H and C1-C3 alkyl; R2 is C1-C20 alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy groups, or —(CHR′CHR′—O)nH where n=1 to 10; and each R is independently selected from H and C1-C3 alkyl; and Ar is an optionally substituted aryl group; as a redox initiating system in a process for the manufacture of polyester granules by suspension polymerisation. This invention also relates to a process for preparing solid polyester granules using such a redox initiating system.

Abstract: A process for peroxide bleaching of pulp using magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide as a substitute for caustic soda wherein the pulp is bleached in the presence of hydrogen peroxide characterized in that the concentration of ion present in the magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide and the pulp is maintained less than 20 ppm and/or the concentration of manganese is maintained less than 10 ppm.

Abstract: Aqueous coating composition are described wherein the binder includes an anionically stabilized addition polymerized dispersion of a polymer. The monomers used to prepare the dispersion are acrylic cid and methyacrylic acid, as carboxylic monomers and styrene, alpha-methyl styrene or vinyl toluene as a hydrophobic high Tg aromatic monomer. Acrylate ester is used as a low Tg monomer. The relative weight proportions of the monomers are required to satisfy the designated formula. Blends of high and low Tg dispersions are also provided. Pains formulated with the binders of present invention exhibit excellent balance of stain resistance, tint strength and viscosity stability.

Abstract: This invention relates to an anionic alkoxylate surfactant (I), where R is di- or tri-unsaturated C4-22 straight or branched hydrocarbon chain, at least two double bonds of said unsaturated chain being conjugated and exhibiting opposite geometric isomerism; m is 0 or 1; Y is O or NR; each R40 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl and phenyl; n is 1 to 50; and OX is an anionic group selected from the group consisting of acids or salts of sulphate, phosphate, sulphosuccinate, succinate, carboxymethyl, maleate, carboxyethyl, alkenylsuccinate, phthalate, sulphoethyl, 3-sulpho-2-hydroxypropyl, sulphopropyl, oxalate and citrate.

Abstract: A device for locating and inflating a blasthole plug comprising; (i) a shroud adapted to enclose at least part of a deflated plug as the deflated plug is passed along a blasthole, (ii) an ejection means for removing the deflated plug from the shroud into a desired location in a blasthole, and (iii) an inflation means adapted to be removably connected to the plug, such that when the deflated plug is removed from the shroud, fluid material may be passed through the inflation means to inflate the plug.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the manufacture of an emulsion explosive wherein the composition of emulsion explosive can be continually varied in a controlled manner. The apparatus comprises: (i) at least one mixing means suitable for blending components into an emulsion; (ii) at least one delivery means for delivering an emulsion explosive from said mixing means into a blasthole or package; (iii) at least one container for emulsion; (iv) at least two containers for components which on combination are suitable for forming a gas for the gassing emulsion; (v) optionally, further containers for optional components suitable for addition to the emulsion or emulsion explosive; (vi) supply means for the supply of said components from said containers to the mixing means; and (vii) control means for controlling the amount or rate of supply of components to the mixing means and thereby enabling the composition of the emulsion explosive to be continuously varied in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A process of preparing the compound of formula (I) which comprises: (a) reacting butyryl chloride with the compound of formula (IV) in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst in an inert diluent to produce a compound of formula (II) and (b) reacting the compound of formula (II) with ethoxyamine. Compound (II) is also claimed.

Abstract: A process for peroxide bleaching of pulp using magnesium oxide as sole alkaline source wherein said pulp is bleached in the presence of hydrogen peroxide for a maximum period of 180 minutes and achievement of a maximum target ISO brightness of 65 in regard to freshly prepared pulp characterized in that said magnesium oxide is utilized as MgO particles having a particle size of 5-500 microns and a particle surface area (PSA) of between 20-60 m.sup.2 /g. By using such parameters, a peroxide bleaching process may be carried out most efficiently on a commercial scale.

Abstract: A device and process for plugging an explosives blasthole, the device having an inner member (7a, 7b) in the form of a conduit having a valve (9) and being adapted for the passage of fluid bulk explosives and an outer member (1) adapted to engage the walls of the blasthole. The outer member may be made of deformable material or be inflatable. The inner and outer members may be detachable.

Abstract: Magnesium hydroxide slurries having the following characteristics: (i) having a solids content of between 40-80 wt. % based on the weight of the slurry with the balance being water; (ii) containing between 0.01-5.0 wt.% of at least one viscosity modifying agent or dispersant based on the weight of the slurry selected from the following groups: (1) inorganic acids having a molecular weight less than 130 amu and their inorganic salts excluding H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, H.sub.3 PO.sub.4, silicic acid and salts having an alkali metal as sole cation; (2) low molecular weight (i.e.