Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the deacetylation of chitin and a process for the treatment of chitinaceous materials to obtain chitin which processes are conducted in a non-saponifiable, non-aqueous, water insoluble liquid having a flash point greater than about 100° C., preferably a non-aromatic hydrocarbon. The process for the deacetylation of chitin comprises suspending chitin in the hydrocarbon liquid, preferably from about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.2 g/cc, mixing therewith an alkali metal hydroxide solution, and heating the suspension at a temperature at least about 70° C. for a period of time sufficient to obtain the desired degree of deacetylation. The concentration of alkali metal hydroxide in the alkali metal hydroxide solution is at least 30% by weight, preferably at least 40% by weight, and most preferably at least 50% by weight, and the quantity of alkali metal hydroxide is sufficient to provide an alkali metal hydroxide to chitin weight ratio from about (0.35)(AMHMW)/40 to about (2.

Abstract: The invention provides an organic diacid anhydride-modified chitosan and a method of preparing the same under high shear conditions which eliminates the use of solvents and excessive amounts of aqueous liquids. Also provided are organic diacid anhydride-modified chitosans containing an inorganic basic material which enhances the aging stability thereof. The invention also provides fluids useful in various well drilling and servicing operations comprising an alkaline aqueous liquid containing an organic diacid anhydride-modified chitosan, as well as a method of drilling wells therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for and method of reducing the loss of fluid from well drilling, completion, or workover fluids during well drilling, completion, or workover operations, particularly for reducing or overcoming the lost circulation of drilling fluids. The composition comprises an aqueous liquid containing partially hydrated chitosan particles wherein the chitosan particles have been partially hydrated at a pH less than about 4.5, and wherein the aqueous liquid has a pH of at least about 6.5 such that any further solublizing of the chitosan is prevented. The aqueous liquid, preferably when mixed with a drilling, completion, or workover fluid, is effective in decreasing the loss of such fluids after introducing the partially hydrated chitosan-containing liquid or fluid into the flow passages in a well to which such fluids are being lost.

Abstract: Organophilic polymer adducts which are effective fluid loss control additives for oil base well-working fluids are prepared from an anionic or cationic water soluble polymer and one or more phosphatides. Preferred phosphatides are phosphoglycerides obtained from vegetable oils, most preferably commercial lecithin. Preferred polymers comprise polysaccharides or derivatives thereof and synthetic polymers.

Abstract: Organophilic polymer adducts which are effective fluid loss control additives for oil base well-working fluids are prepared from an anionic or cationic water soluble polymer and one or more phosphatides. Preferred phosphatides are phosphoglycerides obtained from vegetable oils, most preferably commercial lecithin. Preferred polymers comprise polysaccharides or derivatives thereof and synthetic polymers.

Abstract: Organophilic polymer adducts which are effective fluid loss control additives for oil base well-working fluids are prepared from an anionic or cationic water soluble polymer and one or more phosphatides. Preferred phosphatides are phosphoglycerides obtained from vegetable oils, most preferably commercial lecithin. Preferred polymers comprise polysaccharides or derivatives thereof and synthetic polymers.

Abstract: Organophilic polyphenolic materials which are effective fluid loss control additives for oil base well-working fluids are prepared from a polyphenolic material and one or more phosphatides. Preferred phosphatides are phosphoglycerides obtained from vegetable oils, most preferably commercial lecithin. Preferred polyphenolic materials comprise one or more of: humic acid; lignosulfonic acid; lignins; phenolic condensates; tannins, the oxidized, sulfonated, or sulfomethylated derivatives of these polyphenolic materials; and the water soluble or colloidally dispersible salts of these polyphenolic materials or these derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Organophilic polyphenolic materials which are effective fluid loss control additives for oil base well-working fluids are prepared from a polyphenolic material and one or more phosphatides. Preferred phosphatides are phosphoglycerides obtained from vegetable oils, most preferably commercial lecithin. Preferred polyphenolic materials comprise one or more of: humic acid; lignosulfonic acid; lignins; phenolic condensates; tannins; the oxidized, sulfonated, or sulfomethylated derivatives of these polyphenolic materials; and the water soluble or colloidally dispersible salts of these polyphenolic materials or these derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The electronegative surface charge of humic acid-containing materials is increased by treating the humic acid-containing material with anhydrous hydrochloric acid. The humic acid-containing material of enhanced surface charge is an effective viscosity reducing additive for water base drilling fluids and other aqueous suspensions of solids.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and compositions for reducing the fluid loss from a drilling fluid which allows a low colloid, enhanced penetration rate drilling fluid to be used in a drilling operation. The invention provides a concentrated suspension or pill of a fluid loss control additive and a seepage loss control additive in a liquid which is compatible with the drilling fluid. This pill is circulated throughout a borehole containing the drilling fluid and thereafter isolated from the drilling fluid upon reaching the surface. The fluid loss control additive and the seepage loss control additive deposit on the sides of the borehole, thus reducing the loss of fluid to the formations drilled, and the excess not deposited is subsequently isolated from the drilling fluid so as not to be dispersed throughout the drilling fluid and substantially increasing the colloid content of the drilling fluid.

Abstract: The addition of a hydrophobic, organophilic, water-wettable fibrous material to foundry sands increases the flowability of the sand and enables the production of molds or cores from the foundry sand which retain the sharp edges of the mold, inhibits expansion defects, and provides a cleaner pattern conformity. The hydrophobic, organophilic, water-wettable fibrous material has negligible smoke and/or fumes and does not waterproof clay binders.The preferred hydrophobic, organophilic, water-wettable fibrous material is prepared from raw cotton from which the oils have not been removed.

Abstract: The invention provides well-working fluid compositions containing certain hydrophobic organophilic water wettable fibrous materials to decrease the seepage loss of the fluid to subterranean formations in which the fluid is being used. Also disclosed is a process of reducing the seepage loss of well working fluids utilizing such fibrous materials.

Abstract: The invention provides novel organophilic derivatives of polyphenolic compounds which are readily soluble and/or dispersible in hydrocarbons to prepare oil base well-working compositions having a low filter loss. These fluid loss additives are obtained by reacting together one or more polyphenolic acid compounds with one or more polyamino compounds and a polyvalent metallic cation compound.The invention also provides a method of preparing organophilic ammonium salts of polyphenolic compounds of enhanced stability and oil solubility, and well-working fluids containing these salts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fine particle size hydrophobic organophilic water wettable cotton and its use as a seepage control additive in well-working fluids. Also disclosed is a process of preparing this additive which comprises reacting raw cotton, which contains its natural oils and waxes, with dry hydrochloric acid gas.

Abstract: Provided is a method of reducing the torque required to rotate the drill string in a rotary well drilling process which comprises adding to the drilling fluid which is being circulated in the wellbore a liquid organic lubricant and a hydrophobic, organophilic, water wettable sorbent. The sorbent preferentially sorbs the lubricant and deposits it in the wall cake on the sides of the borehole thus making it available for lubricating the drill string.

Abstract: A method of recovering useful polyester fibers and cellulosic material from textile wastes containing blended polyester/cellulosic fibers wherein the textile waste is treated with anhydrous hydrochloric acid gas under reaction conditions sufficient to degrade the cellulosic material, the treated waste is mechanically degraded to convert the reacted cellulosic material to a fine powder, and thereafter the cellulosic material is separated from the polyester fibers.