Abstract: The use of alkoxylated alkyl alcohols having 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical and with a total of 2 to 12 ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide units per molecule as additive for paint stripper based on organic solvents, the paint stripper containing less than 5 wt. % of water; corresponding paint strippers based on alcoholic organic solvents; paint stripping process using these agents, particularly for non-ferrous metals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aqueous alkaline paint stripper compositions which contain one or more organic alcohols, a source of alkali, and at least one ethoxylation and/or propoxylation product of an alcohol bearing an aromatic cyclic substituent with 2 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide. The organic alcohols preferably comprise a mixture of b1) di- or triethylene glycol with b2) one or more alcohols bearing a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic homo- or heterocyclic cyclic substituent, in a weight ratio of b1) to b2) of 1:0.1 to 1:1. The compositions are particularly effective for removing paint or lacquer from metal surfaces with a reduction in processing times and in adverse environmental consequences.

Abstract: Described are water-in-oil emulsions containing an emulsion polymerizate which is soluble in or swells in water and an oil phase, consisting at least partly of monoether compounds, that is not miscible with water in all proportions. Also described are a method of preparing such emulsions and their use as agents for precipitation, sedimentation, and/or thickening.

Abstract: A process for demulsifying oil/water emulsions using an organic demulsifier which is added in the optimum amount by means of a controlling device for the metered addition, wherein the demulsification reaction is carried out at a temperature of from 60.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. with mixing.

Abstract: Process for controlling the breaking of an oil-in-water emulsion using an organic emulsion breaker comprising the steps of:A. adding the organic emulsion breaker to the emulsion by slow intermittent or continuous addition to produce a broken water phase;B. continuously passing a beam of light through the broken water phase;C. continuing the slow addition of the organic emulsion breaker to the broken water phase;D. continuously or intermittently measuring both the unadsorbed light passing through the broken water phase and the light scattered forward by oil droplets in the broken water phase;E. determining from the measurements in step D, the turbidity of the broken water phase; andF. discontinuing the addition of organic breaker when the turbidity reaches a first minimum value following a maximum value.