Abstract: An article comprising wood can be preserved by applying to the wood an effective amount for the preservation of the wood of a polymeric phenol sulfide having a tri- or higher sulfide bridge therein, which can be a polymeric alkyl phenol sulfide, such as one containing an alkyl group containing from one to about four carbon atoms in the alkyl group contained therein of the following formula, where R is the alkyl group,: where R is alkyl, m is from 1 to 3, n ranges from about 2 to about 10, and x is 3 or higher.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a polymeric phenol sulfide, which can be a polymeric alkyl phenol sulfide, such as one containing an alkyl group containing from one to about four carbon atoms in the alkyl group contained therein of the following formula, where R is the alkyl group,: where R is alkyl, m is from 1 to 3, n ranges from about 2 to about 10, and x ranges from 1 to about 4.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rheology of aqueous systems, particularly for those intended for underground use, includes injecting an aqueous fluid containing a surfactant gelling agent into the system. The surfactant gelling agents are, for example, fatty aliphatic amidoamine oxides, salts of an alkoxylated monoamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, and salts of an alkyldiamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. The surfactant gelling agents can be adsorbed onto particulate supports to facilitate delivery of the gelling agent. The additives may be incorporated in the viscoelastic fluid to tailor its use in hydraulic fluids, drilling muds, fracture fluids, and in applications such as permeability modification, gravel packing, cementing, and the like.

Abstract: Biocidal preservatives for use especially in preventing rotting and deterioration of wood include quaternary ammonium compounds which preferably have a fatty aliphatic substituent on the quaternary nitrogen atom. Especially preferred are cocoalkyl substituents. Other substituents can include alkoxy groups, arenes, and heterocyclic groups with or without ring substitutions, for example. The quaternary ammonium compound can also contain an amine nitrogen and can be complexed with copper.

Abstract: An article comprising wood can be preserved by applying to the wood an effective amount for the preservation of the wood of a preservative composition consisting essentially of a polymeric phenol sulfide having a tetra- or higher sulfide bridge therein alkyl phenol sulfide, such as one containing an alkyl group containing from one to about four carbon atoms in the alkyl group contained therein of the following formula, where R is the alkyl group,: ##STR1## where R is alkyl, m is from 1 to 3, n ranges from about 2 to about 10, and x is about 4.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rheology of aqueous systems, particularly for those intended for underground use, includes injecting an aqueous fluid containing a surfactant gelling agent into the system. The surfactant gelling agents are, for example, fatty aliphatic amidoamine oxides, salts of an alkoxylated monoamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, and salts of an alkyldiamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. The surfactant gelling agents can be absorbed onto particulate supports to facilitate delivery of the gelling agent. The additives may be incorporated in the viscoelastic fluid to tailor its use in hydraulic fluids, drilling muds, fracture fluids, and in applications such as permeability modification, gravel packing, cementing, and the like.