Abstract: To increase the efficiency of utilizing protein, lipid and starch by ruminants, feed and urea-formaldehyde polymer are mixed in quantities suitable for a crosslinking reaction. The mixture is heated at a temperature, moisture content and time sufficient to covalently bond the urea-formaldehyde polymer with the proteins and starches to thereby protect the proteins, starches and contained lipids from degradation by rumen microbes.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for separating gangue material from metallic sulfide ores. The compositions typically include a lignosolfonate and do not include a cyanide salt. Suitable lignosulfonates may include lignosulfonates, for example hardwood lignosulfonate having a weight average molecular weight of about 3 kDa to about 12 kDa and having a relatively low sulfur content and a relatively low sulfonate content.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to powder and granular emulsifiable concentrate pesticide formulations. As disclosed, emulsions from non-aqueous based liquid or solvent soluble pesticide actives may be prepared using a high purity, high molecular weight sulfonated lignin as the emulsion stabilizer. The resulting emulsions may then be dried to obtain a powder or granular emulsion concentrate where the high molecular weight sulfonated lignin acts as a solid matrix for the pesticide active. The powder or granular emulsifiable concentrate formulations thus formed have high loading rates, good storage properties and are easily reconstituted when added to water.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to powder and granular concentrate pesticide formulations. As disclosed, suspo-emulsions comprising pesticide actives may be prepared using a high purity, high molecular weight lignosulfonate as a stabilizer. The resulting suspo-emulsions may then be dried to obtain a powder or granular concentrate where the high molecular weight lignosulfonate acts as a solid matrix for the pesticide actives. The powder or granular concentrate formulations thus formed have high loading rates, good storage properties and are easily reconstituted when added to water.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for separating gangue material from metallic sulfide ores. The compositions typically include a lignosulfonate and do not include a cyanide salt. Suitable lignosulfonates may include lignosulfonates, for example hardwood lignosulfonate having a weight average molecular weight of about 3 kDa to about 12 kDa and having a relatively low sulfur content and a relatively low sulfonate content.

Abstract: An organic expander composition for improving the cycle life and the cold crank ability properties of lead-acid batteries as compared to standard or oxylignin organic expanders. The organic expander composition is obtained by a blend of oxylignin and kraft lignin.

Abstract: An improved non-dispersing set retarder additive for foamed cements, cement compositions containing the additive, and methods of cementing in a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore are provided. The set retarder additive includes a blend of a sulfonated lignin, preferably a lignosulfonate, with an alkali lignin, preferably a kraft lignin, having an organic sulfur content of 0-3.5% by weight in a ratio of about 6:4 to 8:2. The methods are basically comprised of the steps of preparing a foamed cement composition comprised of hydraulic cement, a non-dispersing set retarder, sufficient water to form a slurry, sufficient gas to foam the slurry and a foaming and foam stabilizing surfactant present in an amount sufficient to facilitate the formation of the foam and stabilize the foamed cement composition.

Abstract: An improved non-dispersing set retarder additive for foamed cements, cement compositions containing the additive, and methods of cementing in a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore are provided. The set retarder additive includes a blend of a sulfonated lignin, preferably a lignosulfonate, with an alkali lignin, preferably a kraft lignin, having an organic sulfur content of 0-3.5% by weight in a ratio of about 6:4 to 8:2. The methods are basically comprised of the steps of preparing a foamed cement composition comprised of hydraulic cement, a non-dispersing set retarder, sufficient water to form a slurry, sufficient gas to foam the slurry and a foaming and foam stabilizing surfactant present in an amount sufficient to facilitate the formation of the foam and stabilize the foamed cement composition.

Abstract: A modification to lignosulfonate is disclosed, the effect of which is to reduce the set retarding and air entraining properties normally experienced when using lignosulfonates as water reducing admixtures in cement compositions. The modified lignosulfonate is obtained by oxidative reaction of a lignosulfonate or one of its salts with ammonia or other amine in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to an animal feed composition and method of compounding animal feed utilizing a reactive grade of magnesium oxide as a lubricant, either alone or in combination with a binder such as a sulfonated lignin. The components are blended in proportions such that production efficiency and pellet durability can be increased simultaneously. One specific embodiment of the MgO lubricant comprises a mixture of 10% magnesium oxide and 90% lignosulfonate. The MgO lubricant is incorporated with the animal feed in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 0.2% on a dry weight basis.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating a pesticide with an ultraviolet protectant comprises the steps of forming a slurry of a pesticide and a lignin-containing material, and spraying a stream of acid and the slurry into contact with one another to precipitate the lignin-containing material onto the pesticide and form a protective coating on the pesticide. The pesticide is preferably a biopesticide, and the lignin-containing material is preferably kraft lignin. The method is easily adapted to industrial processes currently used for pesticide production by simply changing the spray drier from a single nozzle system to a dual spray nozzle and then adding the acid stream to the dual nozzle.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymerized alkali lignin material which comprises reacting an alkaline solution of alkali lignin obtained from an alkaline pulping process at a temperature between about 20.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. with between 5% to 80% by weight based on said alkali lignin of sodium persulfate at a pH of between about 7 to 12 for a sufficient time to form a polymerized alkali lignin. Optionally, the alkaline solution of alkali lignin may be oxidized for a period time sufficient to activate the alkali lignin prior to reacting the solution with sodium persulfate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of oxidized humic acids. The process of the invention comprises reacting humic acid bearing ores with oxygen under alkaline conditions at a temperature between 100.degree. C. and 200.degree. C. for at least 1/2 hour, but usually for 1-2 hours, to produce oxidized humic acids which are soluble at pH as low as 2.9 and which are formed in yields of at least 70%. The oxidized humic acids produced according to the process of the invention are also superior viscosity reducers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for production of acid soluble humates. Humic acid bearing ores are sulfoalkylated under alkaline conditions to produce high solids humic acid concentrates which are soluble at pH as low as 0.5 and in yields of at least 70 percent.

Abstract: A method for microencapsulating agriculturally active substances such as pesticides to provide improved resistance to environmental degradation, especially ultra-violet light. The method employs as the UV protectant lignosulfonates, such as sulfite lignin or sulfonated lignin, or alternately sulfonated lignite, sulfonated tannins, napthalene sulfonates or other related compounds in combination with a protein such as a high bloom gelatin to form a capsule wall. The capsule wall formed by the interaction of these components is durable and has an ultra-violet protectant as an integral part of its structure.

Abstract: A method for producing agriculturally active substances such as pesticides to provide improved resistance to environmental degradation, especially heat and ultra-violet light. The method involves the direct reaction of an active protein toxin of a biologically derived pesticide with a UV protectant to form a stable complex having the UV protectant as an integral part of its structure. The method employs lignosulfonates, such as sulfite lignin or sulfonated lignin, or alternately sulfonated lignite, sulfonated tannins, napthalene sulfonates or other related compounds as the UV protectant.

Abstract: A process for producing an oxidized lignosulfonate composition comprising admixing a lignosulfonate and nitric acid such that the amount of acid comprises from about 35% to about 100% by weight of dry solids of the lignosulfonate, and reacting said mixture for a time sufficient to form the oxidized lignosulfonate composition.

Abstract: A method for treatment of wood, whereby the wood is impregnated with a wood preservative composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of ammonium salt of lignin and ammonia complexes of certain metal cations such as Cu(NH.sub.3).sub.4.sup.++, Zn(NH.sub.3).sub.4.sup.++, and Hg(NH.sub.3).sub.2.sup.++. the lignin is selected from the group consisting of alkali lignin, organosolv lignin, partially desulfonated sulfite lignin, and modified alkali or organosolv lignin.