Abstract: Reaction products of an optionally alkoxylated alcohol, a polyalkylene alcohol and a linker can be used in various applications such as defoamers. Methods of making the reaction products and defoamer compositions including the reaction products, and methods of using the reaction products to reduce or prevent foam in a composition are also disclosed. The reaction products can be used with an organic solvent or without an organic solvent to provide low VOC compositions.

Abstract: A method for cotton purification is described, where the cotton is subject to a purification process in water. The process solution contains calcium hydroxide and a non-ionic detergent wetting agent. Following this processing the cotton is rendered hydrophilic. The cotton is carried in a net with simultaneous removal of the adsorbed processing solution. It is then washed and bleached with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 or ClONa in a two-stage process. The effluent water is processed by anaerobic digestion in the thermophilic region for the production of biogas. The effluent water from the anaerobic digestion process is further processed by aerobic biological treatment. The whole process operates with energy self-sufficiency without resulting in environment pollution. Finally, a high purity cotton is produced with high water absorptivity which is suitable for spinning for the production of quality cotton yarns suitable for weaving quality fabrics or dyeing.

Abstract: Denim fabric suitable for use as apparel is made from 40-100% fibers produced from denim waste (pre-consumer and/or post-consumer). The denim waste is collected, starch and size are removed, and it is subjected to garnetting to produce denim fibers, the vast majority of fiber lengths greater than about 0.4 inches, and an average length greater than 0.5 inches. The denim fibers are then opened, and subjected to low-tension carding, as by using a Rieter C-4 card with conveyor belt. The carded denim fibers are spun into filling yarn having a yarn count between about 4.0/1 to 16.0/1, and/or a warp or knitting yarn having a yarn count between about 4.0/1 to 16.0/1. The warp or knitting yarn may be plied with like reclaimed warp yarn, or with virgin fiber warp yarn.

Abstract: Nonionic surfactant compositions are made by reacting a 3 to 30-unit polyglycerol as hydrophile with a hydrophobic glycidyl ether in sufficient quantity to substitute 4 to 25% of the hydroxy groups of the polyglycerol. By using glycidyl ethers (which can be made conveniently by reaction of hydrophobic alcohol with epichlorohydrin) it becomes possible to avoid the expense of working with long-chain 1,2-epoxides. The surfactant compositions obtained have solubility and stability in a variety of concentrated ionic solutions, and especially in basic media.