Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting the formation of metal sulfate scale in an aqueous system. Metal sulfate scale formation is inhibited by adding an effective amount of one or more poly(amino acids) and one or more inorganic phosphates to the aqueous system. The poly(amino acids) are a reaction product formed from at least one compound selected from amino acids, amic acids, ammonium salts of monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, and ammonium salts of hydroxypolycarboxylic acids. The present invention also provides a method of inhibiting the formation of metal sulfate scale by adding an effective amount of a poly(amino acid) which contains tyrosine, tryptophan, histidine, arginine or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing polysuccinimide is provided. Thermal polymerization of maleamic acid at a temperature of from about 160.degree. C. to about 330.degree. C. produces polysuccinimide. The reaction is optionally conducted in the presence of one or more processing aids, solvents or diluents. The polysuccinimide is particularly useful as a detergent additive.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient aqueous polymerization process for preparing a water soluble polymer product having a molecular weight of less than 30,000. The polymer product is formed from about 3 to about 50 weight percent of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomer, from about 50 to about 97 weight percent of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid monomer, and from 0 to about 40 weight percent of one or more carboxyl-free monoethylenically unsaturated monomers. The process of the present invention may be run as a batch or continuous process. The process uses at least one chain transfer agent and is conducted at an aqueous solution pH of about 3 or less to keep the molecular weight of the polymer product below 30,000. The polymer product produced by the process of the present invention is useful as an additive in detergents, cleaning formulations, and water circulating systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient aqueous polymerization process for preparing a water soluble polymer product having a molecular weight of less than 30,000. The polymer product is formed from about 3 to about 50 weight percent of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomer, from about 50 to about 97 weight percent of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid monomer, and from 0 to about 40 weight percent of one or more carboxyl-free monoethylenically unsaturated monomers. The process of the present invention may be run as a batch or continuous process. The process uses at least one chain transfer agent and is conducted at an aqueous solution pH of about 3 or less to keep the molecular weight of the polymer product below 30,000. The polymer product produced by the process of the present invention is useful as an additive in detergents, cleaning formulations, and water circulating systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acid catalyzed thermal polycondensation process for producing amino acid polymers. More specifically, amino acid polymers are produced by thermally condensing a mixture of one or more amino acids and optionally one or more polyfunctional monomers, using an acid catalyst, while maintaining an intimate admixture. Processing techniques useful for maintaining an intimate admixture include adding to the mixture one or more processing aids, using mechanical means, and combinations thereof. The amino acid polymers produced by this process are useful as cleaning and detergent additives; fertilizer and pesticide additives; personal care product additives; dispersants for inorganic particulates, aqueous emulsions, and drilling muds; and water treatment and oil production operation additives as corrosion and scale inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acid catalyzed thermal polycondensation process for producing amino acid polymers. More specifically, amino acid polymers are produced by thermally condensing a mixture of one or more amino acids and optionally one or more polyfunctional monomers, using an acid catalyst, while maintaining an intimate admixture. Processing techniques useful for maintaining an intimate admixture include adding to the mixture one or more processing aids, using mechanical means, and combinations thereof. The amino acid polymers produced by this process are useful as cleaning and detergent additives; fertilizer and pesticide additives; personal care product additives; dispersants for inorganic particulates, aqueous emulsions, and drilling muds; and water treatment and oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acid catalyzed thermal polycondensation process for producing amino acid polymers. More specifically, amino acid polymers are produced by thermally condensing a mixture of one or more amino acids and optionally one or more polyfunctional monomers, using an acid catalyst, while maintaining an intimate admixture. Processing techniques useful for maintaining an intimate admixture include adding to the mixture one or more processing aids, using mechanical means, and combinations thereof. The amino acid polymers produced by this process are useful as cleaning and detergent additives; fertilizer and pesticide additives; personal care product additives; dispersants for inorganic particulates, aqueous emulsions, and drilling muds; and water treatment and oil production operation additives as corrosion and scale inhibitors.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preventing dye from transferring from one fabric to the same or different fabric in a laundry process. This invention also provides dye transfer inhibiting agents formulated into laundry detergent and fabric softening formulations. More specifically, a process is provided where 1) an aqueous bath is formed comprising a) water, b) dyed fabric, and c) a dye transfer inhibiting agent, 2) the dyed fabric is laundered in the aqueous bath and the fabric releases a portion of the dye from the dyed fabric into the bath, and 3) the dye transfer inhibiting agent is maintained in contact with the dyed fabric for the duration of the laundering step. The laundry detergent and fabric softening formulations are comprised of 0.1 to 15 percent by weight of one or more dye transfer inhibiting agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting corrosion of ferrous metals in aqueous systems. The corrosion is inhibited by adding an effective amount of one or more poly(amino acids) to the aqueous system. Aqueous systems include for example water treatment systems and equipment used for detergent applications. The poly(amino acids) comprise a reaction product of at least one compound selected from amino acids, amic acids, ammonium salts of monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, ammonium salts of hydroxypolycarboxylic acids and combinations thereof.In one embodiment the poly(amino acids) are added to detergent solutions to inhibit corrosion in equipment for detergent applications. In another embodiment, corrosion inhibitors comprising one or more homopolymers of amino acids and one or more pyrophosphates are added to aqueous systems to inhibit corrosion.

Abstract: A method for producing polysuccinimides is provided. A rotary tray dryer operating at an internal temperature of from about 110.degree. to about 300.degree. C. and providing a residence time of from about 1 hour to about 10 hours is used in the polycondensation of one or more amino acids, amic acids or ammonium salts of monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids to produce polysuccinimides.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing polysuccinimides by forming a polymerization mixture of poly(alkylene glycol), aspartic acid and, optionally, one or more other amino acids; heating the mixture to an elevated temperature; and maintaining the mixture at the elevated temperature to form polysuccinimides.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing polysuccinimides by forming a polymerization mixture of poly(alkylene glycol), maleamic acid and, optionally one or more other amic acids, heating the mixture to an elevated temperature, and maintaining the mixture at the elevated temperature to form polysuccinimides.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing polymers is provided: The continuous process produces polymers from monoethylenically unsaturated acids or anhydrides, and a nitrogen-containing compound, optionally in the presence of a fluidizing agent. The polymers are useful as detergent additives, pigment and mineral dispersants, additives for fertilizers, and corrosion and scale inhibitors in boilers and cooling towers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acid catalyzed thermal polycondensation process for producing amino acid polymers. More specifically, amino acid polymers are produced by thermally condensing a mixture of one or more amino acids and optionally one or more polyfunctional monomers, using an acid catalyst, while maintaining an intimate admixture. Processing techniques useful for maintaining an intimate admixture include adding to the mixture one or more processing aids, using mechanical means, and combinations thereof. The amino acid polymers produced by this process are useful as cleaning and detergent additives; fertilizer and pesticide additives; personal care product additives; dispersants for inorganic particulates, aqueous emulsions, and drilling muds; and water treatment and oil production operation additives as corrosion and scale inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient aqueous polymerization process of 6 hours or less for preparing water soluble polymer products formed from 50 to 100 weight percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomers and 0 to 50 weight percent of one or more optional other water soluble monoethylenically unsaturated monomers. In this process, 1) an aqueous reaction mixture of dicarboxylic acid monomer is formed, 2) from about 0.9 to about 2.1 equivalent moles of base are added to the reaction mixture per mole dicarboxylic acid monomer, 3) at least one metal promoter is added to the reaction mixture, 4) one or more initiators and optional other water soluble monoethylenically unsaturated monomer are fed to the reaction mixture, 5) the weight percent reaction solids during the polymerization is between about 40 and about 65 weight percent, and 6) the reaction temperature is maintained at about 80.degree. C. to about 140.degree. C.