Abstract: A surfactant comprising a carboxylic acid ester or amide carrying a terminal strong acid group selected from carboxymethyl, sulphate, sulphonate, phosphate and phosphonate, suitable for stabilising dispersions of solids in organic liquids and oil/water emulsions, processes for the preparation of the surfactant and dispersions and emulsions containing the surfactant. A preferred species of the surfactant is a poly(hydroxyalkanecarboxylic acid) having the strong acid group attached, either directly or through a linking group, to a terminal hydroxy or carboxylic acid group.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a water-in-oil emulsion of a water-soluble polyacrylamide or polyacrylic acid polymer or copolymer by the inverse emulsion process characterised in that there is used as the emulsifying agent for the water-in-oil emulsion a water-insoluble, oil-soluble surface active agent of the formula (I):X-Y-Z Ior a functional derivative thereof, wherein X- represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing from 30 to 500 carbon atoms, -Y- represents a succinic anhydride residue carried terminally upon the group X-, and -Z represents a hydrophilic group carried by the group -Y-.

Abstract: A surfactant comprising a carboxylic acid ester or amide carrying a terminal strong acid group selected from carboxymethyl, sulphate, sulphonate, phosphate and phosphonate, suitable for stabilising dispersions of solids in organic liquids and oil/water emulsions, processes for the preparation of the surfactant and dispersions and emulsions containing the surfactant. A preferred species of the surfactant is a poly(hydroxyalkanecarboxylic acid) having the strong acid group attached, either directly or through a linking group, to a terminal hydroxy or carboxylic acid group.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive composition comprising a discontinuous phase containing an oxygen-supplying component and an organic medium forming a continuous phase wherein the oxygen-supplying component and organic medium are capable of forming an emulsion which, in the absence of a supplementary adjuvant, exhibits an electrical conductivity measured at 60.degree. C., not exceeding 60,000 picomhos/meter. Such conductivity may be achieved by inclusion of a modifier. The compositions exhibit improved storage characteristics.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a water-in-oil emulsion of a water-soluble polyacrylamide or polyacrylic acid polymer or copolymer by the inverse emulsion process characterized in that there is used as the emulsifying agent for the water-in-oil emulsion a water-insoluble, oil-soluble surface active agent of the formula (I):X--Y--Z Ior a functional derivative thereof, wherein X- represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain containing from 30 to 500 carbon atoms, --Y-- represents a succinic anhydride residue carried terminally upon the group X--, and --Z represents a hydrophilic group carried by the group --Y--.

Abstract: Drilling fluid compositions of the invert oil-based type incorporate (i) as the agent for emulsifying the brine phase in the oil phase, a block or graft copolymer of the general formula (A-COO).sub.m B, where A and B represent polymeric components derived from a specified type of oil-soluble complex monocarboxylic acid and from a water-soluble polyalkylene glycol or polyether polyol, respectively, and m is an integer at least 2, and (ii) as the agent for dispersing solid particulate matter in the oil phase a surfactant containing a C.sub.30-500 hydrocarbon chain as hydrophobic component, and a polar component adsorbable on to the particulate solid surface.

Abstract: Surfactant compositions suitable for the emulsification of methanol or ethanol in hydrocarbon liquids, especially diesel oil, consist of a blend of (i) from 10% to 90% by weight of block or graft copolymer in which one polymeric component is the residue of an oil-soluble complex monocarboxylic acid and another polymeric component is the residue of a water-soluble polyalkylene glycol or polyalkylenoxy polyol and (ii) from 90% to 10% by weight of a polyester obtained by condensation of a poly(isobutenyl) succinic acid or anhydride with a water-soluble poly(alkylene glycol).

Abstract: Surfactant compositions suitable for the emulsification of methanol or ethanol in hydrocarbon liquids, especially diesel oil, consist of a blend of (i) from 10% to 90% by weight of a block or graft copolymer in which one polymeric component is the residue of an oil-soluble complex monocarboxylic acid and another polymeric component is the residue of a water-soluble polyalkylene glycol or polyalkyleneoxy polyol and (ii) from 90% to 10% by weight of a conventional non-ionic surfactant having an HLB value in the range 11.0 to 18.0.

Abstract: Surfactant compositions suitable for the emulsification of methanol or ethanol in hydrocarbon liquids, especially diesel oil, consist of a blend of (i) from 10% to 90% by weight of block or graft copolymer in which one polymeric component is the residue of an oil-soluble complex monocarboxylic acid and another polymeric component is the residue of a water-soluble polyalkylene glycol or polyalkyleneoxy polyol and (ii) from 90% by 10% by weight of the salt of an aliphatic amino compound with a long-chain aliphatic carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Compositions useful as surfactants in the emulsification of oils in aqueous media are obtained by blending two types of polyester which are the products of condensation of an alk(en)yl succinic anhydride with a polyalkylene glycol, the one type being derived from an anhydride in which the alk(en)yl group contains 40-500 carbon atoms, e.g. polyisobutenyl succinic anhydride, and the other type being derived from an anhydride in which the alk(en)yl group contains 8-18 carbon atoms, e.g. dodecenyl succinic anhydride. The compositions are superior in effect to either type of polyester separately, in enabling emulsions of high stability to be produced with a low energy input.

Abstract: Demulsification of a water-in-oil, especially a water-in-crude oil, emulsion is effected by contacting it with a polyester obtained by condensation of a C.sub.9-18 alk(en)yl succinic anhydride, a water-soluble polyalkylene glycol of mol. wt. less than 500, and a polyhydric alcohol having three or more OH groups.

Abstract: Block or graft copolymers useful as surfactants in oil/water systems are described. The copolymers comprise at least two polymeric components of molecular weight at least 500 which are derived from an oil-soluble complex monocarboxylic acid and a polymeric component of molecular weight at least 500 which is derived from a water-soluble polyalkylene glycol. The copolymers may be either oil-soluble or water-soluble depending on their composition and may be used as wetting agents, dispersing agents, emulsifiers or emulsion stabilizers. The oil-soluble copolymers, and their blends with low molecular weight conventional surfactants, are of particular interest for the emulsification of water in hydrocarbon fuel oils.