Abstract: A method for obtaining an approximate standard color definition for a sample color (2) without the need for standard conditions of illumination or observation. The method comprises using color sensing equipment such as a digital camera (6) to sense under non-standard conditions both the sample color and a plurality of reference colors (5) each being provided on a template (1) and each having a known standard color definition. The sensing under non-standard conditions produces a non-standard color definition both for the sample color and for each of the reference colors.

Abstract: A laminated composite mat comprising first and second layers, the first layer comprising an intumescent material and the second layer comprising a plurality of inorganic fibres and a binder which serves to bind the fibres together and to bond the second layer to the first layer. Also described is a process for preparing the composite mat.

Abstract: A method of printing a fluorescent image on a surface of a receiver medium comprises forming on the surface by a thermal dye transfer printing process a first image of a first fluorescent dye; and forming on the first image by a thermal dye transfer printing process a superimposed second image of a second fluorescent dye, the first and second dyes having different emission maxima. The method thus enables production of a non-monochrome fluorescent image (that can be substantially invisible in daylight but that is revealed on irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light) that can be of substantially better quality than those produced by mass transfer printing processes. The method preferably involves the use of three different fluorescent dyes, for improved colour image quality. The invention also provides thermal transfer media suitable for use in the method and the resulting printed material bearing a fluorescent image.

Abstract: A thickened aqueous coating composition (preferably paints and the like or adhesives) containing a film-forming polymeric binder which produces dried coatings having less sensitivity to water by using a thickener which is autoxidisable. Preferred autoxidisable moieties are provided by derivatives of long chain fatty acids of the type used in alkyd paints and association is the preferred thickener mechanism. The moieties may form part of a compound which can take part in a copolymerisation to form a polymeric backbone for the thickener and if the compound is not very soluble in water, the copolymerisation mixture is subjected to intensive agitation to form droplets of less than 500 nm which compensates for the lack of solubility. The thickener may serve as its own binder if sufficient amounts are used.

Abstract: A receiver medium for digital imaging comprises a substrate having a dye-receiving surface bearing a coating comprising a highly branched functionalised polymer of generally globular form, e.g. a dendrimer, dispersed in a host polymer. Functional groups at or near the surface of the branched polymer, may interact with and bind dye molecules having complementary functional groups, eg dyes as disclosed in WO 96/34766, e.g. by acid-base interaction, thus having the effect of chemically fixing the dye within the coating on the receiver medium. Because dye molecules can be chemically bound to the branched polymer in the receiver sheet, it is possible to use host polymer materials of lower Tg than generally required in the prior art, with the host polymer typically having a Tg of less that 50° C. This means that dye molecules can have significantly increased diffusivity through the coating, prior to interaction, resulting in a more even distribution of dye through the coating than has been possible hitherto.

Abstract: A catalyst support structure e.g. for use in an ammonia oxidation reactor, comprising a series of primary supports (19) disposed above a catalyst bed, a lattice assembly disposed beneath the catalyst bed and on which the catalyst bed rests, said lattice assembly being suspended from the primary supports (19) by suspending means (27) extending through the catalyst bed. Preferably the support structure includes a static start-up burner arrangement in the form of one or more perforated tubes (24) adjacent the primary supports (19).

Abstract: The free radical initiated addition polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated, particularly acrylic monomers in which the dispersed phase is stabilised by a surfactant including at least one anionic surfactant compound of the formula (I): R1—(OA)n—X where R1 is C16 to C22 hydrocarbyl including at least two double bonds; OA is oxyalkylene group; n is from 2 to 60; and X includes at least one acidic H atom, and is particularly a phosphate ester group, or a salt thereof, is described. The use of the surfactants of the formula (I) enable efficient emulsification and thus polymerization at temperatures above those at which non-ionic unsaturated surfactants are effective. The polymer latex products give polymer films having good water resistance properties.

Abstract: A resin composition contains a tackifying resin and at least one phosphorous containing surfactant having branched alkyl and/or alkenyl group and a polyoxyalkylene group. The resin composition is particularly suitable for use in pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: An instrument comprising a housing (30) having a fluid-tight seal and a probe (10), adapted to carry a catalyst or sorbent (37), for monitoring a process fluid stream or the behavior of a catalyst or sorbent placed therein. The use of such an instrument permits investigation of catalyst or sorbent behavior in process fluid streams without the need for process shut down or construction of separate process equipment.

Abstract: An enolate functionalized reaction intermediate of general formula (I), wherein X is an alkyl group; Z is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, thiol, aryloxy or ester; n is an integer and is at least one; Y is alkyl or H; the tetradentate ligand around the Al is optionally substituted. Also claimed is a process for the preparation of the enolate functionalized reaction intermediate and its reaction with a vinylic monomer and a Lewis acid to produce the corresponding vinylic polymer.

Abstract: An anionic surfactant of the formula (I): R2—Y—(O)C—(HR)C—C(HR1)—C(O)—(OA)n—X wherein one of R and R1 is a C6 to C22 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl, and the other is hydrogen; Y is O, or NH, or —NH—CH2—C(?CH2)—, or —N(CH2—CR3(?CH2))—CH2—C(?CH2)— where R3 is hydrogen or methyl; when Y is O, R2 is hydrogen, or a salt, or a C1 to C6 linear or branched alkyl, or an optionally substituted C3 to C10 linear or branched alkenyl; when Y is NH, or —NH—CH2—(?CH2)—, or —N(CH2—CR3(?CH2))—CH2—C(?CH2)— where R3 is hydrogen or methyl, R2 is hydrogen or methyl; OA is an oxyalkylene group; n is 2 to 100; and X is a group comprising at least one acidic H atom, or a salt thereof, and the use thereof in free radical initiated addition polymerisation, particularly emulsion polymerisation.

Abstract: Stimulation, particularly fracturing or acidising, of hydrocarbon wells having bores leading to hydrocarbon bearing uses a fluid including a continuous phase of or including a compound of the formula (1): (R2)p—Ph—(CH2)m—COO—(AO)n—R1 where R1, AO, n, m, Ph, R2 and p having defined meanings and particularly where the esters are alkyl or alkenyl benzoate esters. These esters are beneficial by having a range of viscosities, especially extending to low viscosities, and attractive toxicological and environmental profiles for use in well stimulation.

Abstract: A lubricant composition containing an anti-deposition component having an anti-deposition effect which is especially useful for the lubrication of refrigeration compressors and in reducing or removal of unwanted deposits in constricted areas in a refrigeration system.

Abstract: This invention relates to lubricant compositions comprising a polyalkylene glycol and an ester wherein the polyalkylene glycol has the formula (I): RO—(CH2CH(CH3)O)n—CH3 where R is an alkyl group with 1 to 15 carbon atoms and n=1 to 35. The lubricant compositions of the invention do not readily form stable emulsions with water. This feature makes the lubricant compositions of the invention particularly suitable for use with air compressors where it is very difficult to exclude moisture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating material for producing a porous ink-absorbent coating on a substrate to be used in ink-jet printers, comprising radiation curable material and particulate material in a liquid carrier, wherein the weight ratio of particulate material to radiation curable material is greater than 1:1. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a coated substrate using such a coating material. Advantageously, the coating material of the present invention does not crack upon curing, and conveniently forms a porous coating having a glossy surface, while retaining a porous structure for ink-absorption.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition containing polymeric binder comprising particles of polyurethane-acrylic hybrid polymer dispersed in aqueous medium containing i) polyurethane polymer, preferably from 0.1 to 75 wt %, ii) copolymer of ethylenically unsaturated addition copolymerisable monomers, preferably from 25 to 99.9 wt % characterised in that the polyurethane polymer comprises the reaction product of a) a polyisocyanate b) a compound containing at least two moieties reactive with the isocyanate moieties of the polyisocyanate c) a compound containing at least one dispersing moiety and at least one moiety reactive with the isocyanate moieties of the polyisocyanate d) a chain extender compound e) a urethane diol, being the reaction product of a cyclic carbonate and a compound containing an amino group and a further group selected from amino and hydroxy, said urethane diol comprising up to 80 wt % of the polyurethane polymer. The coatings have improved abrasion, water and stain resistance.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition (especially a paint or varnish for buildings, vehicles, furniture and metal or plastics containers) which can form coatings on surfaces at ambient temperatures which on drying have improved early hardness and tack-resistance. The coating composition comprises water, optionally pigment and other conventional ingredients and dispersed particles of a highly non-crystalline polyester containing repeating hydroxyalkanoate units (preferably 3-hydroxybutyrate or 3-hydroxyvalerate or their copolymers). The polyester is non-crystalline to the extent that at least 60 wt % of the particles have a density of less than 102% of Dmin where Dmin is the minimum density attainable by the polyester. The composition may also contain conventional film-forming polymers of the types used in aqueous paint or varnish.

Abstract: The free radical initiated addition polymerisation of ethylenically unsaturated, particularly acrylic monomers in which the dispersed phase is stabilised by a surfactant including at least one anionic surfactant compound of the formula (I): R1-(OA)n-X where R1 is C16 to C22 hydrocarbyl including at least two double bonds; OA is oxyalkylene group; n is from 2 to 60; and X includes at least one acidic H atom, and is particularly a phosphate ester group, or a salt thereof, is described. The use of the surfactants of the formula (I) enable efficient emulsification and thus polymerisation at temperatures above those at which non-ionic unsaturated surfactants are effective. The polymer latex products give polymer films having good water resistance properties.

Abstract: A plate, e.g. a bipolar plate, for fuel cells for (a) conducting current from the anode of one cell unit to the cathode of the adjacent cell unit and/or (b) distributing fluid which comprises a substrate with a coating of an electrocatalytically-active material comprising ruthenium oxide.

Abstract: A protective coating composition in an organic liquid carrier comprising a polymeric film forming binder, the polymeric binder comprising by weight: (a) 50% to 100% of an epoxy-polyester block copolymer being the reaction product of a preformed epoxy resin and a preformed carboxyl functional, and (b) 0 to 50% of a crosslinker where the sum of (a) and (b) is 100%, characterized in that the carboxyl functional polyester prepolymer is the reaction product of one or more polyols with one or more dicarboxylic acids or their anhydrides, where the dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides comprise a mixture of (i) 20% to 45% of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or its anhydride, (ii) 55% to 80% of cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, and (iii) 0 to 10% other aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, where the sum of (i), (ii), and (iii) is 100% based on the weight of the dicarboxylic acid and anhydride components.