Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising expandable cross linked polymeric microparticles having an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 10 microns and a cross linking agent content of about 1,000 to less than about 9,000 ppm of labile cross linkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile cross linkers and to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.

Abstract: The claimed invention is a method for separating Bayer process red mud from a Bayer process liquor which comprises adding to a Bayer process liquor containing red mud an effective amount of a water soluble synthetic flocculant, dextran and starch combination. The flocculant is added anywhere in the slurry containing the red mud suspended in Bayer process liquor, or in a liquor slurry containing bauxite prior to or during digestion. Once the flocculant combination is added, it is mixed sequentially with the Bayer process liquor and the red mud contained in the Bayer process liquor is removed by sedimentation, centrifugation or filtration.

Abstract: A method of conditioning an activated sludge in a membrane biological reactor comprising (i) adding to the activated sludge an effective amount of at least one water soluble cationic polymer to form a mixture of water and coagulated and flocculated suspended solids; and (ii) separating the coagulated and flocculated suspended solids from the water by filtering through an ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane.

Abstract: A microparticle system for use as a retention and drainage aid in the production of alkaline and acid paper products comprises a HMW flocculent polymer (6), an acid colloid (7), and a coagulant or a MMW flooculant (5). The acid colloid (7) comprises an aqueous solution of a water soluble polymer or copolymer of melamine aldehyde, preferably melamine formaldehyde, and is present in an amount ranging between 0.0005% to 0.5% by weight based on the dry weight of the solids in the furnish. The HMW flocculant polymer (6) may be added to stock or furnish after the fan pump; and prior to the pressure screen (2); the acid colloid (7) may be added to the stock after the pressure screen (2), and the coagulant/MMW flocculant (5) may be added prior to the fan pump (1). Alternatively, this sequence of chemical additions can be changed, i.e. the acid colloid (7) can be added prior to or after the fan pump (1) or prior to the pressure screen (2).

Abstract: This invention is directed to high molecular weight water-soluble polymers comprised of zwitterionic, nonionic and cationic or anionic monomer units, and to the use of these polymers in papermaking processes.

Abstract: A method of dewatering an aqueous cellulosic pulp slurry comprising adding to an aqueous slurry of washed cellulosic pulp an effective dewatering amount of a mixture of one or more nonionic surfactants and one or more anionic surfactants.

Abstract: A method to enhance brightness in Chemical and Mechanical bleached pulps comprising adding an organic sulfide chelant to the Chemical and Mechanical pulp.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring and/or controlling biofouling in membrane separation systems are provided. The present invention utilizes measurable amounts of fluorogenic agent(s) added to a feed stream to monitor and/or control the level of microbial growth during membrane separation and, thus, the purification of such feed stream during membrane separation.

Abstract: A cosmetically acceptable composition for treating hair, skin and nails comprising from about 0.001 to about 25 weight percent, based on polymer solids, of a stable dispersion in an aqueous salt solution of a cationic, anionic or nonionic polymer having a weight average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 50,000,000 and a method of treating hair, skin or nails are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel water soluble polymers in solution or water-in-oil emulsion form are disclosed containing quaternary ammonium monomers; and optionally (meth)acrylic acid or 2-(meth)acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid; methylene bis-acryamide and the like; and a C1-C3 alkyl (meth) acrylate acrylamide or methacrylamide and the use thereof in hair, skin and nail conditioning; papermaking; and subterranean well drilling and well cementing operations.

Abstract: A method of making a solid water treatment product with an optimal rate of dissolution is described and claimed. A fluorescent tracer is used to determine the rate of dissolution of the solid water treatment product and the composition and method of manufacturing the solid water treatment product are adjusted as needed to make the rate of dissolution optimal. The solid water treatment product can be used in many industrial water treatment systems. When the solid water treatment product is used, the amount of solid water treatment product present in the water of the industrial water system can be determined, and adjusted, by using a fluorometer to measure the fluorescent signal of the fluorescent tracer present in the product and relating that measurement to the amount of product in the water itself.

Abstract: Stabilized bromine solutions are prepared by combining a bromine source and a stabilizer to form a mixture, and then adding an oxidizer to the mixture.

Abstract: Described and claimed is a Mirror Fluorometer comprising a rotatable mirror positioned such that it is capable of projecting a converging cone of excitation light onto one or more of the samples wherein the fluorescent signals emitted from fluorophores in the samples is detected. Also claimed is a method of using this Mirror Fluorometer for detecting fluorescent signals emitted by one or more fluorophores from samples from a natural or industrial water system. The fluorometer, when coupled with a controller is capable of monitoring and optionally controlling an industrial process or system, including a paper mill process.

Abstract: The invention is in a method of analyzing the water of an industrial water system wherein an analytical device is used to measure some parameter capable of being measured in the water of said industrial water system, the improvement involving using a water movement device that is capable of moving a sample of water into the sample chamber of said analytical device and is also capable of moving the same sample of water back out of said analytical device in a manner such that the filters present in the piping of said industrial water system are back flushed out every time the water movement device moves a sample of water in and out of said analytical device. Optionally an air sparge is used to enhance the cleaning of the filters.

Abstract: A coagulant which is the reaction product of a trivalent metal salt, excluding chromium salts, an acid phosphorous compound and an aluminum hydroxy chloride, and a process for preparing such coagulant. This coagulant may be effectively used to remove suspended solids and various impurities in most water treatment applications.

Abstract: Fluorescent monomers are described and claimed which are synthesized by reacting a substituted or non-substituted naphthalic anhydride with an amine and with a moiety containing a polymerizable group. Such monomers are useful for the preparation of tagged treatment polymers. Such tagged treatment polymers are useful as scale inhibitors in industrial water systems.

Abstract: A method of preparing a synthetic fuel from coal comprising reacting the coal with a polymer composition comprising an aqueous solution or an aqueous emulsion of one or more reactive polymers, the reactive polymers selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers, poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate copolymers, poly(vinyl acetate), vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymers, poly(vinyl acetate/acrylic acid/ethylene), acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers and poly(acrylamide).

Abstract: A method of removing lead from water comprising a) adjusting the pH of the water to about 7 to about 9; and b) adding to the water an effective amount of a water soluble, high molecular weight cationic dispersion polymer composed of i) (meth)acrylamide; ii) a hydrophilic cationic monomer of formula  wherein A1 is O or NH; B1 is C2-C4 alkylene or hydroxypropylene; R1 is H or CH3, R2 and R4 are independently C1-C2 alkyl; R3 is H or C1-C2 alkyl; and X1 is an anionic counterion; and iii) a hydrophobic cationic monomer of formula  wherein A2 is O or NH; B2 is C2-C4 alkylene or hydroxypropylene; R5 is H or CH3; R6 and R8 are C1-C2 alkyl; R7 is C6-C20 alkyl or arylalkyl; and X2 is an anionic counterion; c) optionally adding a water soluble ethylene dichloride ammonia polymer to form a mixture of water and lead-containing flocculated solids; and d) separating the lead-containing flocculated solids from the water.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing substantially dry water insoluble polymers from poly alkyl esters of vinylic monomers for use in a method for the clarification of red mud-containing liquors generated in the Bayer process for the recovery of alumina from bauxite ore. The polymers can be either homopolymers, copolymers or terpolymers. Preferably, the dried emulsion polymers are high molecular weight polymers of poly(methyl acrylate), poly(methyl acrylate/acrylic acid), poly(vinyl acetate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate), poly(t-butyl methacrylate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate) and poly(t-butyl acrylate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate).

Abstract: A method for clarifying food processing waste water containing suspended solids comprising (iii) adding to the waste water with an effective amount of at least one vinylamine polymer having a molecular weight of at least 10,000, wherein the polymer is prepared by first polymerizing N-vinylformamide and, optionally, vinyl acetate to form a vinylformamide polymer or a vinylformamide/vinylacetate copolymer and then subjecting the vinyl formamide polymer or vinylformamide/vinylacetate copolymer to acid or base hydrolysis to form a vinylamine/vinylformaide copolymer, a vinylamine homopolymer or a up vinylamine/vinylalcohol copolymer; (ii) coagulating and flocculating the suspended solids; and (iii) separating the coagulated and flocculated suspended solids from the wastewater.