Abstract: An esterified propoxylated methyl glucoside composition is prepared by reacting a propoxylated methyl glucoside with a fatty acid at an elevated temperature in the presence of an acid catalyst. The esterified propoxylated methyl glucoside compositions find use as skin moisturizers and emollients which are especially suitable in skin care formulations.

Abstract: Foamable compositions comprising water, and a modified non-ionic cellulose ether prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,277 produce very stable foams. Accordingly, these compositions are suitable for use as foaming personal care products, such as hair styling mousses and foaming hand lotions and cleansers, and in other applications where stable foams are needed. In personal care products, foaming is desirably effected by an aerosol propellant included in the foamable composition.

Abstract: The molecular weight of polyalkylene oxides produced by the polymerization of a cyclic oxide in contact with a catalyst comprising the reaction product of a dihydrocarbyl zinc compound and a linear alkanediol in contact with a silica dispersion aid and nonionic surfactant in an inert diluent is controlled by the continuous addition of a very dilute solution of chain transfer agent having a pKa value of from 9 to 22 to the polymerizing mixture during the polymerization reaction at a carefully controlled rate so as not to terminate the polymerization reaction.

Abstract: Water-soluble, cationic polysaccharides, including quaternary nitrogen-containing cellulose ethers, containing hydrophobic substitution, are substantially water-soluble; provide aqueous solutions having enhanced viscosity, foaming and preferably improved surface properties; and possess utility in personal care, emulsions and cleansers.

Abstract: Improved drilling operations for recovery of gas and/or oil from a porous subterranean formation are achieved using a drilling fluid, circulated in a well penetrating the subterranean formation, which minimizes loss of said drilling fluid into the surrounding porous formation. The improvement comprises employing a drilling fluid comprising water and an effective amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose having a molar substitution value of from about 1.1 to about 1.6, and an apparent viscosity in water of at least about 15 cps.

Abstract: A process for the water-in-oil emulsion polymerization of at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer is disclosed wherein a water-in-oil emulsion of said monomer is polymerized in the presence of a first, highly reactive polymerization initiator until a small amount of polymer is present sufficient to provide a shear-stable emulsion, followed by completing the polymerization in the presence of a second, less reactive polymerization initiator.

Abstract: A high molecular weight, water-soluble polymer, water-in-oil emulsions thereof and a flocculating process using same are disclosed. The polymer may be represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein A represents a repeating unit derived from a hydrophobic vinyl monomer having a water-solubility of less than about 5 weight %; R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are each hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group; R.sub.2 represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 2 to 13 carbon atoms; X represents a monovalent cation; B represents a repeating unit derived from an ethylenically-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof; m is about 0.1-10 mole %, n is about 1-40 mole %, p is about 20-98.9 mole %, and q is about 0-40 mole % with the proviso that m+n+p+q=100 mole % and r is a large positive integer.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the reduction of the strength of ice in association with solid particulate materials, such as, for example, coal, by applying to the solid particulate material, prior to exposure to water freezing conditions, a composition comprising a mixture of a glycol derived from ethylene oxide and containing from 1 to 4 oxyethylene units and an alkyl and/or an aryl ether of a glycol derived from ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide and containing from 1 to 9 oxyalkylene units.

Abstract: Foam applicators having specific lip configurations and substrate orientation, used for applying foamed treating compositions to substrates, including rapidly moving paper, provide uniform distribution of treating agent onto the substrate.

Abstract: Water-soluble polysaccharides, including cellulose ethers, containing pendent vicinal dihydroxy structure capable of cis geometry, which upon crosslinking with a polyvalent metal, have shear-thermal stability characteristics of at least about 30 at 250.degree. F., are useful in oilfield applications.

Abstract: Foamable compositions having low concentrations of select foaming agents provide uniform distribution of paper treating agents onto moving paper, including high speed applications, and treated paper having unimpaired properties.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved non-aqueous slurry suitable for use as a thickener or viscosifier in oil or gas drilling, fracturing, flow diversion, completion or workover fluids, which slurry comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether polymer, a water-insoluble liquid hydrocarbon, a non-ionic surfactant having an HLB of from about 7 to about 14, and an organo modified clay.

Abstract: Drilling fluids, both fresh and saline, containing additives and compositions, predominantly nonionic in nature, for the beneficiation of bentonite in such drilling slurries are described. The primary class of compounds employed are ethylene oxide derivatives, nonionic polysaccharides and under certain specified conditions anionic polysaccharides. In fresh water slurries polyethylene glycol derivatives of significantly different molecular weights are employed with nonionic polysaccharides for optimizing the rheological characteristics of bentonite slurries. The anionic polysaccharide can be deleted from the blend for economic reasons. In such formulations (i.e., a polyethylene glycol-nonionic polysaccharide blend) the molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol is important in obtaining low shear-rate yield stress characteristics in fresh water slurries, at elevated temperatures for maximum drill solids carrying capacity within the wellbore.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for flocculating phosphatic slimes which comprises (a) forming a concentrated aqueous solution from a water-soluble ter-or higher polymer water-in oil emulsion, (b) diluting said concentrated aqueous solution of ter-or higher polymer formed in step (a) with additional water, (c) mixing the diluted solution of (b) with phosphatic slimes under appropriate floc forming conditions and (d) allowing the suspended solids to settle from said slime to form an essentially clear aqueous supernatant.

Abstract: Described herein are water soluble acrylamide containing polymers having an intrinsic viscosity of at least about 15 dl/g. These polymers are suitable for use in water purification.

Abstract: Epoxy coatings containing polyoxyalkyleneamines provide improved adhesion when applied to minimally cleaned, corroded metal surfaces.

Abstract: Described herein are disposable articles made from a water soluble polymer or a substrate made from such polymer, a surface of said article or substrate coated with a degradable water-insoluble polymer.

Abstract: Water soluble polyurethanes, having hydrophilic polyether backbone and pendant monovalent hydrophobic groups of sufficient size and number while establishing proper hydrophilic/lipophilic balance, provide improved thickening of aqueous systems.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for rapidly obtaining a stable freeze point depressed aqueous solution comprising a dialdehyde and an aliphatic monohydroxyl alcohol and/or polyhydroxyl alcohol by adding thereto a catalytic amount of a strong acid. Also included herein is a method for liberating the dialdehyde in the aqueous solution by dilution with water and the addition of a catalytic amount of a strong acid.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for the preparation of a novel essentially nonaqueous glutaraldehyde precursor which is capable of rapidly generating glutaraldehyde upon addition to water. The precursor is prepared by the hydration of 2-alkoxy-3, 4-dihydropyran in the presence of an acid catalyst.