Abstract: A method for increasing the production of fine particles is provided. The method uses at least two types of fluids to be processed, a raw material fluid containing at least one type of fine particle raw material and a fluid for treating the fine particle raw material. Fine particles are obtained by mixing the fluids to be processed in a thin film fluid formed between at least two processing surfaces which are disposed to be faced with each other so as to be able to approach to and separate from each other, at least one of which rotates relative to the other. The production of the fine particles is increased by introducing the raw material fluid from the centers of the processing surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a dispersion comprising non-lamellar amphiphile particles having improved phase behavior, particle size distribution and/or storage stability, said method comprising forming a dispersion of lamellar and optionally non-lamellar particles comprising at least one structuring agent in a polar solvent, heating said particles to an elevated temperature, followed by cooling, wherein said heating is to a temperature and for a period sufficient to provide, after cooling, a measurable improvement in phase behavior, particle size distribution and/or storage stability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to demulsifying and dehydrating formulations of heavy crude oil based block copolymers amine bifunctionalized with low polydispersities. These formulations can contain solvents whose boiling point is in the range from 35 to 200° C., preferably: dichloromethane, chloroform, toluene, xylenes, turbosine, naphtha or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a composition and method of inhibiting the formation of hydrate agglomerates in a fluid comprising water, gas, and optionally liquid hydrocarbon. The composition comprises the following formula and the method comprises adding to the fluid an effective anti-agglomerant amount of any of the following formula and optionally salts thereof. R1, R2, and R3 are each independently CnH2n+1 or benzyl. R4 is C4-C20 alkyl or alkenyl. n is an integer from 0 to 10. X? is a counterion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inhibiting the formation of foam in aqueous systems by adding foam control composition including a polyoxyethylene and/or a polyoxypropylene nonionic fatty acid derivative and a quaternary ammonium surfactant.

Abstract: A silicon nanoparticle fluid including a) a set of silicon nanoparticles present in an amount of between about 1 wt % and about 20 wt % of the silicon nanoparticie fluid; b) a set of HMW binder molecules present in an amount of between about 0 wt % and about 10 wt % of the silicon nanoparticle fluid; and c) a set of capping agent molecules, such that at least some capping agent molecules are attached to the set of silicon nanoparticles. Preferably, the silicon nanoparticle fluid is a shear thinning fluid.

Abstract: An aqueous fluid composition useful for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation, including a mixture of water, a water soluble polymer, an inorganic salt and at least one zwitterionic surfactant and methods of using same.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing silicate-comprising polyols, comprising (i) admixing an aqueous silica sol (K) having an average particle diameter 1-150 nm, silica content 1-60% by weight and a pH of 1-6, with a 0.1- to 20-fold amount of at least one organic solvent (L), (ii) admixing the resulting mixture with a polyol, (iii) removing at least partially water and the organic solvent (L) by distillation, (iv) admixing with 0.1-30 mol % of at least one compound (S) which has at least one at least monoalkoxylated silyl group and at least an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl substituent, which may contain heteroatoms, wherein the substituent optionally contains a group reactive toward an alcohol, an amine or an isocyanate, and (v) optionally adjusting the pH of the silicate-comprising polyol to 7-12 by addition of a basic compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safe, low-cost, effective composition and method for the remediation of contaminated subsurface material, the composition comprising solid alkaline material preferably in combination with stabilizing agents, that can be used to increase or maintain the pH of a subsurface zone and improve the performance of in situ treatment processes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a liquid dispersant of the formula I wherein T is selected from a polyethylene imine (PEI) or modified PEI moiety, polyvinylamine (PVA) or modified PVA, or polyallylamine (PAA) or modified PAA; B is a branched monomer; R1 and R2 independently of one another are hydrophobic groups; X is B with —OH terminal group, or R1 or R2, q is a number between 5-2000, with the proviso that q is less than the sum of all amine groups of PEI, PVA, PAA; and n is a number of 1-6.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a concentrated aqueous nano titania sol in the mild pH range (4.0 to 10.0) comprising contacting an acidic nano titania sol with a dispersant and with an alkalizing agent, and subjecting the nano titania sol to membrane filtration until the nano titania sol contains more than 300 g TiO2 nanoparticles/dm3. The nano titania sol may further be subjected to a coating treatment within any of the steps of the above described process. The concentrated aqueous nano titania sol of this disclosure is suitable for use in a variety of applications, including providing UV protection and photochemically degrading or inactivating contaminants.

Abstract: A process allows working with viscous petroleum referred to as “heavy and extra heavy crudes” such as 20 to 6° API by adding an appropriate biosurfactant to an aqueous phase containing a biosurfactant active compound. The surfactant can be alkyl glycosides, glycerol esters and alkyl betaines. The result is the formation of a stable crude/water emulsion even with salt present therein.

Abstract: A composition for promoting the release of bituminous materials and other adhesive materials from a substrate and methods of use thereof. More particularly, a composition comprising a silicone oil-in-water emulsion, which is stabilized by an alkoxylated polysiloxane surfactant, for use as a release agent that can be applied to a substrate, such as a truck bed, prior to use for promoting the free release of a bituminous material, such as asphalt, from the substrate.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition capable of imparting surface effects to a liquid by contacting the liquid with a partially fluorinated phosphate with an ammonium cation (NH2R1R2)+ wherein R1 and R2 are independently linear or branched organic groups containing at least one carboxylate moiety and one amino moiety, and optionally be substituted, interrupted, or both with oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen-containing moieties, or with cyclic alkyl or aryl moieties containing up to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An improved process for converting an oil suspension of nanoparticles (NPs) into a water suspension of NPs, wherein water and surfactant and a non-surfactant salt is used instead of merely water and surfactant, leading to greatly improved NP aqueous suspensions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stable, highly visible, multiple use, chemiluminescent composition of matter and aerosol system capable of articulating, communicating, displaying or marking, night-time chemiluminescent messages, in the form of written text, numerics, alpha-numerics, figures, drawings, emergency messages, trail markings, lanterns or distress calls, directly onto various substrates and surfaces, including dark or non-reflective objects and outdoor natural surfaces such as grass, trees or land. The invention functions by co-dispensing two vessels, each of which is pressurized by means of a non-flammable liquid or gaseous propellant. The chemical ingredients from each vessel are combined upon contact with the surface or by means of a mixing valve or upon attached to the actuators of each vessel, which simultaneously eject the contents of both vessels and produce a chemiluminescent aerosol spray.

Abstract: Provided are a deforming method and device that use laser-induced breakdown. The provided method and device make it possible to shorten the focal distance, thereby improving laser beam convergence, and increase the utilization efficiency of sound waves that contribute to defoaming. Pulsed laser light is focused and irradiated into a space inside an acoustic waveguide (4), thereby generating pulsed sound waves from the illumination point (7). The pulsed sound waves propagate down the acoustic waveguide as plane waves, then propagate beyond an open end (16) as spherical waves, and break up a foam outside the open end of the acoustic wave guide.

Abstract: Provided is a non-spherical silica sol containing non-spherical silica fine particles dispersed in a dispersion medium, the non-spherical silica fine particles having an average particle diameter in a range of 3 to 150 nm as measured by dynamic light scattering, a minor-diameter/major-diameter ratio in a range of 0.01 to 0.8, and a specific surface area in a range of 10 to 800 m2/g, and also having a plurality of wart-like projections on the surfaces thereof, and a process for producing the non-spherical silica sol. The non-spherical silica fine particles contained in the non-spherical silica sol have a unique structure different from the structure of ordinary non-spherical silica fine particles.

Abstract: Dual phase compositions for treating a hydrocarbon stream are disclosed, wherein the dual phase compositions are colloidal micellar solutions with an aqueous phase and an oil phase. Methods are also disclosed for reducing emulsions in a hydrocarbon stream by contacting the hydrocarbon stream with a dual phase composition.

Abstract: A hybrid film-forming composition is prepared by forming an aqueous mixture including an organofunctional silane, a metal chloride, and an acid, and boiling the mixture. A base is added to the aqueous mixture to substantially neutralize the mixture and to form a hydroxide of the metal. A colloidal suspension including the metal hydroxide and a siloxy compound is formed. A peroxide-based solution is added to the suspension to form a suspension including a peroxide of the metal. The suspension is allowed to equilibrate at room temperature. The suspension is boiled at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to form a hybrid film-forming composition including the condensation product of a siloxy compound and a metal peroxide. A coating formed from the hybrid film-forming composition may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic.