Abstract: Acidic gases containing carbon dioxide are removed from a normally gaseous mixture by absorbing CO.sub.2 from the gaseous mixture with an aqueous solution comprising a basic alkali metal salt or hydroxide and an activator or promoter system for the salt or hydroxide which contains (i) at least one diaminoalcohol of the formula:H.sub.2 N--(CH.sub.2).sub.4 --NRR'wherein R and R' each independently represent a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group and either R or R' or both R and R' have a pendant hydroxyl group, and (ii) an amino acid, and desorbing at least partially the absorbed CO.sub.2 from the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the epoxidation of lower .alpha.-olefins dienes or vinyl aromatic compounds by contacting said compounds, under aerobic conditions in the presence of microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms thereof or enzyme preparations derived from said microorganisms. The microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms, or enzyme preparations derived therefrom are preferably those microorganisms which are known as methylotrophs particularly those which have previously grown under aerobic conditions in a nutrient medium containing methane.

Abstract: The foam in acid gas scrubbing solutions created during an acid gas scrubbing process is reduced or eliminated by the addition of certain polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block cpolymers as defoaming agents. The defoaming agents are particularly effective when the acid gas scrubbing solution contains an amine having a large hydrophobic moiety.

Abstract: In an improved process for printing newsprint paper with a light-weight keyless printing press system the mineral oil ink standardly used is replaced by an aqueous newsprint ink having a total solids content of about 13-80% and containing about 2-30% of a colorant consisting of a pigment and/or dye, about 3-60% of a dispersed starch, and water to total 100%, wherein the percentages are by weight based on total weight of the ink. The ink may optionally contain a viscosity stabilizer if necessary to prevent retrogradation of the starch or a thickener. In a preferred embodiment the pigment is carbon black and the starch is a dextrin or waxy fluidity starch.

Abstract: Copolymerizable blocked isocyanate diols are prepared by reacting a blocking agent with an isocyanate group of an organic diisocyanate under controlled conditions, thereby forming a blocked isocyanate group, and reacting the second isocyanate group in a subsequent step with the amine portion of a selected amine diol under anhydrous conditions. The resultant products are used to prepare self-crosslinkable, linear polyurethanes of high molecular weight.

Abstract: In an improved process for preparing discrete particles from solution polymers in which water and neutralizing agent are added to the polymer to form a suspension, the organic solvent is removed therefrom, and the particles are collected by filtration, washing and drying, the suspension is formed by co-feeding the flowable polymer and the aqueous phase containing neutralizing agent into a reactor vessel under specified conditions; stirring the reactants; and discharging the resultant suspension from the reactor vessel, with all steps being carried out in a continuous manner. In one embodiment of the process, additional neutralizing agent, which is preferably sodium hydroxide, is added to the suspension during removal of the solvent therefrom.

Abstract: Hair conditioning shampoo compositions are described containing cationic polymers, anionic surfactants and optional nonionic surfactants. The shampoo compositions deposit the cationic polymer on the hair while the hair is washed using the shampoo, rendering the hair to be more manageable.

Abstract: A gelatin dessert prepared from a dessert powder containing gelatin, sugar and optionally flavor and color is improved by adding to the powder from about 0.5 to 5%, by weight, of guar gum, based on the weight of the powder. The guar gum imparts low-temperature stable properties to the gelatin dessert without substantially adversely affecting the physical appearance and texture thereof.

Abstract: A modified polyurethane adhesive composition characterized by its improved viscosity and high initial bond strength contains an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer or a fully reacted polyurethane and a carbamate ester which is compatible and not reactive with the prepolymer or polyurethane. The resultant adhesive is suitable for laminating many types of substrates. In a preferred embodiment the prepolymer is employed with the carbamate ester in a reactive hot-melt adhesive for use in bonding flexible substrates.

Abstract: A cold-water dispersible, modified starch characterized by forming a gel having a Bloom strength of at least 50 grams is prepared by reacting a tapioca starch with a crosslinking agent to within defined Brabender viscosity limits; converting the crosslinked starch in a sufficient amount to provide the modified starch with gelling properties; and drum-drying the crosslinked and converted starch to obtain the modified starch product. The gelling instant starch thus prepared is particularly useful in food systems of the type which gel upon standing, such as pie filling, jellies, and puddings.

Abstract: A cold-water dispersible, modified starch characterized by forming a gel having a Bloom strength of at least 60 grams is prepared by reacting a potato starch with a crosslinking agent to within defined Brabender viscosity limits sufficient to provide the modified starch with gelling properties and drum-drying the crosslinked starch to obtain the modified starch product. The starch may be optionally converted to a fluidity starch either before or after the crosslinking step and prior to drum drying. The gelling instant starch thus prepared is particularly useful in food systems of the type which gel upon standing, such as pie fillings, jellies, and puddings.

Abstract: Starch is phosphorylated by a virtually pollution-free, continuous process whereby an aqueous reagent solution of a tripolyphosphate, orthophosphate or pyrophosphate salt or a mixture thereof is sprayed onto a moist starch cake on a rotary vacuum filter in an amount sufficient to achieve efficient impregnation of the starch cake without losing significant levels of salt to the effluent. In a preferred embodiment, the reagent solution contains alkali metal tripolyphosphate salt and is obtained by diluting a concentrated solution thereof. The thus-impregnated starch is subsequently dried and heat-reacted by known procedures to produce an orthophosphate starch monoester.

Abstract: A cold-water dispersible, modified starch characterized by forming a gel having a Bloom strength of at least 45 grams is prepared by converting a tapioca starch to a water fluidity of about 10 to 63, preferably 20 to 40; reacting the starch with a crosslinking agent to within defined Brabender viscosity limits sufficient to provide the modified starch with gelling properties; and drum-drying the converted, crosslinked starch to obtain the modified starch product. The gelling instant starch thus prepared is particularly useful in food systems of the type which gel upon standing, such as pie fillings, jellies, and puddings.

Abstract: In an improved process for preparing water-dispersible chocolate liquor, melted chocolate liquor is mixed with starch and water in selected proportions, and the resulting mixture is then passed through an extruder at an elevated pressure and temperature for a period of time sufficient to partially hydrate the starch and finally extruded through an orifice. The product is preferably obtained in powder form and may be used in many applications such as dry food mixes.

Abstract: An adhesive composition based on 2-cyanoacrylate esters contains as an anionic polymerization inhibitor an acid chelate formed of boric acid or a derivative thereof and a selected polyhydroxy compound. The chelate is conveniently formed in situ in the 2-cyanoacrylate ester, but may also be prepared separately and added to the ester directly. An exemplary acid chelate used as stabilizer is prepared from boric acid and pyrogallol. The resulting stabilized adhesive compositions have a rapid cure rate and may be used on a wide variety of substrates.

Abstract: An improved latex binder for nonwoven webs comprising an acrylate- and/or vinyl acetate-based copolymer containing 0.1-10% by weight of 2-hydroxyethyl or 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate or methacrylate is prepared by employing in combination with the copolymer 0.2-10% by weight, on latex solids, of anionic surfactant and 0.3-15% by weight, on latex solids, of nonionic surfactant in selected relative proportions and by adding to the copolymer 1-40% by weight, on latex solids, of a water-soluble salt. The resultant binder is characterized by being stable to coagulation at room temperature but coagulable at a temperature between 40.degree. and 85.degree. C. In the preparation of nonwoven fiber material, a nonwoven web is impregnated with the copolymer latex binder, heated to a temperature of within 40.degree. and 85.degree. C. sufficient to coagulate the binder within the web and thus prevent migration, and finally dried to form a chemically bonded, nonwoven fiber material in sheet form.

Abstract: Starch ether derivatives are prepared by reacting a starch base with about 0.5-100% by weight of a neutralized alkyl ester of 3-chloro-2-sulfopropionic acid, based on dry starch, and then isolating the resultant starch derivative. The 2-sulfo-2-carboxyethyl starch ethers thus prepared may be utilized in many applications, and are particularly useful as wet-end additives in paper manufacturing at low pH.

Abstract: Starch is phosphorylated by an improved pollution-free process which involves forming a reagent solution of an alkali metal tripolyphosphate salt in water having 20- 36% by weight of the salt dissolved therein, forming a starch cake containing no more than 45% by weight moisture, adding 2 - 30% by weight of the tripolyphosphate salt reagent solution to the starch cake, and drying and heat-reacting the thus-impregnated starch. In this process more efficient impregnation of the starch is achieved. The impregnation is preferably effected in a centrifuge.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions having enhanced bond strength are obtained by mixing a monomeric ester of 2-cyanoacrylic acid with an anionic polymerization inhibitor and from 1 to 30 mmoles per kg. of adhesive of an adhesion promoter of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R' is hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl or cycloalkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms. Such compositions may be used on a wide variety of substrates and are particularly useful on metals.