Abstract: High molecular weight, water soluble polymers are dissolved to form liquid solutions at relatively low polymer concentrations and solid, water-plasticized composites at higher polymer concentrations by admixing finely divided polymer particles with ice particles at temperatures below, and preferably far below, the freezing point of water. The admixture is then allowed to warm causing the ice to melt and the polymer to dissolve in the water.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 20, 1983
Date of Patent:
February 26, 1985
Assignee:
General Technology Applications,Inc.
Inventors:
Albert F. Hadermann, Jerry C. Trippe, Paul F. Waters
Abstract: Chemically reactive liquids such as catalyzed monomers and prepolymers are mixed with finely divided solids to form a homogeneous blend by chilling the liquid to a temperature below its solidification point, forming it into finely divided solidly frozen particulates, chilling the finely divided solids to a temperature below the solidification temperature of the reactive liquid and mixing the materials together without allowing the temperature to rise to the liquid solidification point. The admixture may then be formed into a permanent shape by warming to a temperature whereat the frozen liquid melts and the liquid is caused to react.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 24, 1983
Date of Patent:
October 2, 1984
Assignee:
General Technology Applications, Inc.
Inventors:
Albert F. Hadermann, Paul F. Waters, Jerry C. Trippe
Abstract: Particles of two different normally solid materials are caused to react by generating free radicals on the surfaces of at least one of the solids by mechanical working, suitably by comminution, at cryogenic temperatures. At least one of the solids is preferably a polymeric material while the other may be a different polymer, a catalyst, a lubricity enhancing material, a filler, a pigment or the like.
Abstract: Spilled liquid hydrocarbon products ranging from crude oil to refined fractions and discrete compounds are converted from a liquid to a gel or to a semi-solid or solid state by contacting a liquid petroleum product with a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in a liquified refrigerant gas. The technique is particularly appropriate for control of oil spills in a water environment wherein the oil is either floating on or dispersed in water. Contact of the polymer particles with liquid hydrocarbons results in virtually instantaneous solvation of the polymer in the hydrocarbon to produce a cohesive gel or a semi-solid to solid material at a polymer concentration ranging generally from about 0.2% to 1% for gel formation and from about 1% to 30% for formation of a semi-solid to solid material based on hydrocarbon weight.
Abstract: Toxic liquids, especially halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, are immobilized within a container by dispersing cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in a surface active state throughout the liquid. The polymer is injected into a container holding the toxic liquid as a slurry of particles in a cryogenic refrigerant. Use of a heat, shear or radiation degradable polymer as the immobilizing agent allows the solidified liquid to be returned to a fluid state for later disposal by incineration.
Abstract: This invention provides a technique for extremely rapid dissolution, or dispersion on essentially the molecular level, of certain polymeric materials in compatible liquid vehicles. The polymeric materials are comminuted at cryogenic temperatures and are then introduced into a liquid vehicle preferably while still at or near cryogenic temperature. At low concentrations, the resulting blend or system displays reduced friction to flow while high concentrations may be used to immobilize the liquid vehicle and/or reduce its vapor pressure.
Abstract: Solid sorbents such as activated carbon and ion exchange resins are ballasted with finely divided particles of a non-corrosive, magnetic iron-chromium alloy to increase their effective specific gravity and to render them recoverable by magnetic means. The sorbents are used to selectively extract one or more constituents contained in a liquid as by contacting in a multi-stage fluidized bed.