Abstract: Stable, gel-free, water-in-oil microdispersions comprising a continuous phase of an oil and an emulsifier and a discontinuous phase of an aqueous solution of a hydroxamated vinyl polymer are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for the production of the above-described microdispersions wherein neutralized hydroxylamide and excess base are reacted with a microdispersion of the vinyl polymer.

Abstract: Hydroxamic acid polymers which are comprised of hydroxamic groups and carboxylic acid groups wherein the carboxylic acid groups constitute less than about 3% of the functional groups. The polymers hereof are also especially useful in biomedical applications because, for example, the low concentration of carboxylic acid groups decreases the incidence of bioincompatibility. Additionally, the polymers exhibit anticoagulant activity, urease inhibition activity, metal chelating activity and ion exchange activity.

Abstract: Water-soluble, branched, high molecular weight, cationic and non-ionic polymeric flocculants capable of manifesting their full performance potential without shearing are produced by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated cationic and non-ionic monomers and a branching agent in the presence of a chain-transfer agent. They are useful as flocculating agents for releasing water from dispersions of suspended solids.

Abstract: Water-soluble, high molecular weight, polymeric, microparticles with a high degree of branching are disclosed. A microemulsion polymerization process for preparing the microparticles is also disclosed. The microparticles give excellent results in a number of solid-liquid separation processes.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the dynamics of particle motion in a liquid-solid media including the rate of settling of particles, the identification of unsettled particle clouds, and the identification and control of the bed level of settled particles in a slurry within a settler is provided. The system includes an ultrasound transducer and a receiver for detecting echoes from particles in the slurry. The echoes are processed to determine the bed level of the settled particles, the position of unsettled particle clouds, and the rate of settling of the particle clouds.

Abstract: Processes for producing free flowing, Mannich and glyoxal polyacrylamide water soluble and water-swellable granules from a water-in-oil emulsion and compositions comprising such dry polymer granules are disclosed.

Abstract: Inverse microemulsions having a Standard Viscosity of at least about 3.3 cps are disclosed which comprise an aqueous phase of dispersed micelles containing water and an (alk)acrylamide-based polymer substituted with at least 1 mole percent of quaternized tertiary aminomethyl groups, wherein said microemulsion is derived from a microemulsion containing greater than about 20 percent, by weight, and less than about 40 percent, by weight, of aqueous phase polymer solids, based on said microemulsion. A method of making said microemulsions and use thereof to dewater dispersions of suspended solids are also taught.

Abstract: Inverse microemulsions are disclosed wherein the dispersed micelles containing water and an (alk)acrylamide-based polymer substituted with at least one mole percent of quaternized tertiary aminomethyl groups i.e. the aqueous phase, contain from about 20 percent to about 40 percent, by weight, of polymer solids and the microemulsion has a Standard Viscosity of at least about 3.3 cps. A method of making said microemulsions and use thereof to dewater dispersions of suspended solids are also taught.

Abstract: Stable, gel-free, water-in-oil microdispersions comprising a continuous phase of an oil and an emulsifier and a discontinuous phase of an aqueous solution of a hydroxamated vinyl polymer are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for the production of the above-described microdispersions wherein neutralized hydroxylamide and excess base are reacted with a microdispersion of the vinyl polymer.

Abstract: Unsheared, water-soluble, branched, high molecular weight, anionic, polymeric flocculants are produced by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated anionic, and optionally non-ionic, monomers and a branching agent in the presence of a chain-transfer agent. They are useful as flocculating agents for releasing water from dispersions of suspended solids.

Abstract: Novel depressants for depressing sulfide minerals during froth floatation of ores to recover value minerals are disclosed, as well as a method for their use in the froth flotation. The novel depressants are terpolymers of a (meth)acrylamide, an allyl thiourea and a hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate.

Abstract: Water-soluble, branched, high molecular weight, cationic and non-ionic polymeric flocculants capable of manifesting their full performance potential without shearing are produced by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated cationic and non-ionic monomers and a branching agent in the presence of a chain-transfer agent. They are useful as flocculating agents for releasing water from dispersions of suspended solids.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the dynamics of particle motion in a liquid-solid media including the rate of settling of particles, the identification of unsettled particle clouds, and the identification and control of the bed level of settled particles in a slurry within a settler is provided. The system includes an ultrasound transducer and a receiver for detecting echoes from particles in the slurry. The echoes are processed to determine the bed level of the settled particles, the position of unsettled particle clouds, and the rate of settling of the particle clouds.

Abstract: Unsheared, water-soluble, branched, high molecular weight, anionic, polymeric flocculants are produced by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated anionic, and optionally non-ionic, monomers and a branching agent in the presence of a chain-transfer agent. They are useful as flocculating agents for releasing water from dispersions of suspended solids.

Abstract: Water-soluble, branched, high molecular weight, cationic and non-ionic polymeric flocculants capable of manifesting their full performance potential without shearing are produced by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated cationic and non-ionic monomers and a branching agent in the presence of a chain-transfer agent. They are useful as flocculating agents for releasing water from dispersions of suspended solids.

Abstract: Quaternized tertiary aminomethyl acrylamide polymer emulsions are treated by 1) adjusting the pH to about 3.6 to about 4.8, 2) adding a formaldehyde scavenger, 3) adjusting the water content of the aqueous phase to result in about 10-45 weight percent of quaternized aminomethylated acrylamide polymer and 4) heating the resultant emulsion at from about 40.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C. for about 3 to about 20 hours so as to render them more stable, capable of inversion in water independent of water temperature or pH of the medium flocculent and superior dewatering ability.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the formation of highly anionic hydroxamic acid polymers whereby (meth) acrylic acid polymers are esterified in aqueous solution to poly (meth) acrylates. The resultant polymers are then reacted with an hydroxylamine to produce hydroxamated (meth) acrylic acid containing polymers. The esterified polymers, their hydroxamated derivatives and their use to flocculate Bayer Process streams are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the dynamics of particle motion in a liquid-solid media including the rate of settling of particles, the identification of unsettled particle clouds, and the identification and control of the bed level of settled particles in a slurry within a settler. The system includes an ultrasound transducer and a receiver for detecting echoes from particles in the slurry. The echoes are processed to determine the bed level of the settled particles, the position of unsettled particle clouds, and the rate of settling of the particle clouds, employing a neural network preferably with a Fuzzy Logic controller.

Abstract: Novel depressants for depressing sulfide minerals during froth floatation of ores to recover value minerals are disclosed, as well as a method for their use in the froth flotation. The novel depressants are terpolymers of a (meth)acrylamide, an allyl thiourea and a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a blend of (1) an ionic, water-soluble, vinylamide polymer containing sufficient vinylamide and --CHOHCHO substituents to be thermosetting and a ratio of glyoxal substituents to glyoxal-reactive substituents in excess of about 0.02:1.0 and (2) a glyoxalated, cationic, water-soluble vinylamide polymer having a molecular weight of about 500 to about 6000, sufficient glyoxal-reactive and glyoxal substituents to be thermosetting and a ratio of glyoxal substituents to vinylamide substituents being in an excess of about 0.1:1.0, are disclosed.