Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for obtaining fatty acids with improved color, odor and heat stability which is characterized in that: (a) in a first step the crude acids are fed to a rectification (“precut”) column in order to remove low boiling by-products being present in the starting material as a top fraction, and (b) in a second step the bottom fraction of the precut column is fed to a sidestream column in order to obtain the pure fatty acids as the side fraction, to remove low boiling by-products which have been formed in the course of the first distillation as a top fraction and to remove high boiling by-products, either being present from the starting material or formed during the first distillation, with the residue.

Abstract: Processes for preparing conjugated fatty acid products are described wherein (a) a composition which comprises a fatty acid ester having at least two unconjugated, carbon-carbon double bonds is provided; (b) the fatty acid ester is conjugated in the presence of a water-free base; (c) phosphoric acid is added to the conjugated fatty acid ester such that phosphate salts are precipitated; and (d) the precipitated phosphate salts are removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new process for obtaining fatty acids with improved color, odor and heat stability which is characterized in that (a) in a first step the crude acids are fed to a rectification (“precut”) column in order to remove low boiling by-products being present in the starting material as a top fraction, and (b) in a second step the bottom fraction of the precut column is fed to a sidestream column in order to obtain the pure fatty acids as the side fraction, to remove low boiling by-products which have been formed in the course of the first distillation as a top fraction and to remove high boiling by-products, either being present from the starting material or formed during the first distillation, with the residue.

Abstract: Processes for preparing conjugated fatty acid products are described wherein (a) a composition which comprises a fatty acid ester having at least two unconjugated, carbon-carbon double bonds is provided; (b) the fatty acid ester is conjugated in the presence of a water-free base; (c) phosphoric acid is added to the conjugated fatty acid ester such that phosphate salts are precipitated; and (d) the precipitated phosphate salts are removed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polyol useful in the formation of an isocyanate casting resin or coating composition is presented involving the reaction of an essentially C18 fatty acid mixture with a monofunctional alcohol to form a fatty acid ester mixture, forming a epoxidized fatty acid ester mixture from the fatty acid ester mixture, and reacting the epoxidized mixture with an aliphatic alcohol to form a polyol. The polyol can be further reacted with an isocyanate to form a casting resin or coating composition. The fatty acid mixture contains at least 80 percent oleic acid. Polyols prepared by this method provide good color quality and improved color stability during storage when used in the production of isocyanate casting resins and coating compositions.

Abstract: Polyols which can be obtained by making epoxidized fatty acid esters of monofunctional C 1-8 alcohols react with aliphatic alcohols having a functionality ranging from 2-10. Fatty acid mixtures with mainly 18 carbon atoms represent the fatty acid component in the epoxidized fatty acid esters. The oleic acid content of the fatty acid mixtures is at least 80 wt %. The polyols are suitable for use in the production of isocyanate casting resins and coating compounds with enhanced colour stability.

Abstract: A process for producing coating compositions involving: (a) providing a reactive diluent, (b) providing an inert solvent, (c) providing a polymeric polyol, (d) providing an isocyanate, (e) reacting (a)-(d) in a reactive diluent comprising a ring opening product of a carboxylic acid ester epoxide with a dihycric or higher alcohol.

Abstract: A process for breaking an emulsion into a water phase and an oil phase involving: (a) providing an emulsion containing an oil phase and a water phase; (b) providing an alkoxylated C10-24 carboxylic acid ester derived by the addition of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide onto a ring opened epoxidized C10-24 carboxylic acid triglyceride which is ring opened with a C6-18 carboxylic acid; and (c) contacting the emulsion with a demulsifying effective amount of the alkoxylated C10-24 carboxylic acid ester. Said process has application on crude oil emulsions.

Abstract: A process for cleaning boreholes, drilling equipment and drill cuttings is presented involving the application of a cleaning composition to surfaces and the subsequent removal of the cleaning composition and soils. The cleaning composition contains a cleaning additive having alkoxylation products obtained by the reaction of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide or mixtures thereof with an OH-containing C10-22 carboxylic acid or derivative thereof, where structural units corresponding to formula (I): comprise one or both of the 9/10 or 13/14 positions, wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, an OH group or a OR2 group, R2 is an alkyl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group containing 2 to 18 carbon atoms or a group corresponding to formula (II): where R3 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group containing 1 to 21 carbon atoms or an alkylene group containing 2 to 21 carbon atoms. The cleaning composition is biodegradable.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane resin having an extended gel time by reacting a polyol component with a polyisocyanate in an NCO:OH ratio of from 10:1 to 1:10 wherein the polyol component contains from 0.1% to 100% by weight of a randomized castor oil prepared by heating castor oil for between about 0.1 and 15 hours at a temperature of between about 100.degree. C. and 280.degree. C. in the presence of a basic lithium salt.