Abstract: The invention provides a water/oil/water duplex emulsion in which the external continuous phase is gelled. This gelling is obtained by having an osmotic pressure component, e.g. an electrolyte, in the internal aqueous phase which draws water from the external phase through the oil phase. The structure is firm but contains a considerable volume of available aqueous phase. The structure is of value in e.g. foods and cosmetics.

Abstract: The removal of organo-toxins from aqueous sources can be achieved efficiently by contacting the water source with hydrotalcite-like materials. The toxins include organo-chlorines, insect resist agents, and wool treatment byproducts.

Abstract: Washing process in an industrial washing machine, whereby a property of the wash liquor is measured which is dependent on the concentration of detergent product therein, and detergent product is added to the wash liquor, dependent on the property, characterized in that the wash cycle comprises a first period (t.sub.1) in which product is added during a fixed time period to obtain a high concentration in the wash liquor or until the measured property reaches a high set point where it is maintained by gradually adding detergent product, and a second period (t.sub.2) in which the property is kept at a low set point. There is also provided a device for controlling the dosing of detergent product to the process.

Abstract: A polyurethane foam contains, as a fire retardant, water-soluble silicate particles in an amount of at least 30 parts per 100 parts by weight of the polyol of the polyurethane, which silicate particles have an average size of at least 62 microns.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for refining glyceride oil, comprising the steps of:i) acidifying the oil with an acid;ii) partially neutralizing the acidified oil with alkali;iii) contacting the partially neutralized oil with an amorphous silica; andiv) removing solids from the glyceride oil.Preferably, water is removed from the mixture comprising the glyceride oil and the amorphous silica before any solids are removed.

Abstract: Concentrates of natural coloring agents such as carotene are prepared from organic media, particularly from palm oil, by a process in which the oil, together with a volatile solvent, is subjected to gel permeation chromatography. The concentrated coloring agent may then be used in food products such as margarine and ice cream.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for incorporating a perfume into a personal product, wherein the perfume is first combined with one or more non-ionic emulsifiers and an aqueous phase to form a structured emulsion containing liquid crystal structures, which surround the dispersed perfume, and thereafter this structured emulsion is dispersed into a personal product base. The invention also concerns the personal products thus obtained and the structured emulsions used in the process. The structured emulsions comprise 1-30% by weight of one or more non-ionic emulsifiers, 1-50% by weight of a perfume and 20-98% by weight of an aqueous phase. Preferably low shear mixing is used in preparing the emulsions.

Abstract: It is necessary to remove unbound reactive dyes from the surfaces of textile substrates treated with dyes of this class; this is to ensure the dyed substrate is fast. In the invention dye is removed from a wash medium by contracting the medium with an absorbent, preferably a hydrotalcite-like material, which removes suspended dye. This removal allows re-use of the wash medium or its disposal.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing fatty acid halide by reacting a fatty acid with a halogenating agent optionally followed by hydrolysis of unreacted halogenating agent and separating the fatty acid halide upper layer from the inorganic lower layer characterized in that a fatty acid nitrogen derivative, preferably a fatty amide has been incorporated in the reaction mixture. Preferably the fatty acid is a saturated or unsaturated C.sub.6 to C.sub.24 fatty acid and the halogenating agent a phosphorus halide, especially phosphorus trichloride.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a process for preparing a C.sub.6 to C.sub.24 fatty acid halide by reacting a fatty acid with a halogenating agent, such as phosphorus trichloride, optionally followed by hydrolysis of unreacted halogenating agent separating and removing an inorganic lower layer to leave a turbid layer containing the fatty acid chloride product. The clearing time of the turbid layer is reduced by the addition of from 3 to 20% by weight of clear fatty acid halide thereto.

Abstract: A fabric is dyed with a reactive dye in the presence of an alkali donor, added to the dyebath. The alkali donor is a liquid composition comprising potassium silicate and potassium hydroxide. A composition suitable for use as such an alkali donor comprises, by weight of the total weight of the composition, 20-75% potassium silicate, 10-35% of solid potassium hydroxide, and up to 20% sequestrant, the balance comprising water.

Abstract: Zeolites containing gallium in their crystalline framework structure are prepared by treating a zeolite material with a reagent capable of replacing a part of the aluminum of the framework structure of the zeolite material with the gallium. The method is especially applicable for the preparation of faujasitic materials of the formulaM.sub.(x+y/n) [ALO.sub.2 ].sub.x [GaO.sub.2 ].sub.y [SiO.sub.2 ].sub.zwherein:M is a charge balancing ion and n is the oxidation state thereof,x, y and z are the respective numbers of tetrahedra represented respectively by AlO.sub.2, GaO.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2,x+y+z=192, for a said faujasitic structure with no missing tetrahedra,x+y is from 0.1 to 71 inclusive, andy is from 0.01 to 60 inclusive.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for reducing the galactose content of galactomannan by means of a substantially specific galactosidase enzyme preparation in which the galactomannan is incubated in the form of a hydrated preparation containing 2-70 percent by weight of galactomannan. Preferable this preparation contains 8-50 percent by weight of galactommanan. The process yields galactomannans with a reduced content of galactose of which those containing 15 to 19 percent of galactose are novel compound. These latter products are used with advantage in foodstuffs and cosmetic preparations.

Abstract: Amorphous silica can be prepared in a stable and pumpable suspension, suitable for use in alcoholic beverage stabilisation, by adding a polysaccharide or inorganic gelling agent. Examples of polysaccharides are carboxy methyl celluloses, guar gum and Xanthan gum. Preferably the suspension contains sorbic acid, benzoic acid or a benzoate to give synergistic action with the polysaccharide.

Abstract: Gamma-decalactone is obtained from a source of ricinoleic acid, for example castor oil, by incubation with Sp. odorus or Rh. glutinis. The product lactone is obtained by lactonising the product hydroxydecanoic acid. The lactone is of value in perfumery and flavors.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing delta-lactones useful for incorporation in flavourings and fragrances, wherein a micro-organism which is preferably acceptable for making "food grade" products and which does not metabolize delta-lactones, is cultured aerobically in a culture medium containing as the substrate, an 11-hydroxy fatty acid having an odd number .gtoreq.5 of carbon atoms between the carboxyl group and the carbon atom carrying the hydroxy group. The preferred micro-organism is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae species. The delta-hydroxy-alkanoic acid reaction product of the process is lactonized either in the fermentation broth or after separation therefrom. Especially suitable is 11-hydroxy palmitic acid. The hydroxy fatty acid may be added either pure or as the mixture obtained by hydrolysis of an ester thereof. Enzymatic hydrolysis of such ester may be done in situ in the fermentation broth.