Abstract: A water soluble polymer which is characterized by the formula: ##STR1## wherein x is 50 mole percent or 662/3 mole percent or 75 mole percent and y+z is 50 mole percent, when x is 50 mole percent, y+z is 331/3 mole percent, when x is 662/3 mole percent, and y+z is 25 mole percent, when x is 75 mole percent, wherein the molar ratio of y to z is about 100:1 to 1:100, and M.sup.+ is hydrogen or a metal cation selected from the group consisting of lead, aluminum, iron and Groups IA, IIA, IB and IIB of the Periodic Table of Elements and the level of sulfonation based upon the styrene monomer is about 75 to about 100 mole percent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sulfonated thermoplastic terpolymers which are terpolymers of p-methyl styrene, styrene and sodium styrene sulfonate wherein these sulfonated terpolymers function as viscosification agents when added to oil-based drilling muds which are the fluids used to maintain pressure, cool drill fits and lift cuttings from the holes in the drilling operation for oil an gas wells. The sulfonated thermoplastic terpolymer of the latex have about 5 to about 100 meq. of sulfonate groups per 100 grams of the sulfonated thermoplastic terpolymer, wherein the sulfonated groups are neutralized with a metallic cation or an amine or ammonium counterion. A polar cosolvent can optionally be added to the mixture of oil drilling mud and sulfonated thermoplastic polymer, wherein the polar cosolvent increases the solubility of the sulfonated thermoplastic terpolymer in the oil drilling and by decreasing the strong ionic interactions between the sulfonate groups of the sulfonated polymer.

Abstract: The synthesis, preparation and utilization of vesicle-containing viscoelastic monomer fluids mixed with anionic-alkyl containing copolymers are described. These fluid mixtures possess dramatic rheological behavior at very low concentrations as compared to the two individual components or even in comparison with most conventional water soluble polymers. Marked changes in solution properties are exhibited with minor modification in the structure of the copolymers, monomers, vesicle structure and monomer stoichometry.In addition, the synthesis, preparation and utilization of a novel family of polymerizable vesicles formed via anionic-cationic interactions are described. These structures are formed under very mild agitation conditions and the resulting solutions possess rheological properties substantially different than either of the individual monomers or conventional polymers formed with these unique monomers. Furthermore these vesicles could be useful in a number of encapsulation schemes.

Abstract: A polymeric solution comprising: water; about 0.005 to about 0.5 moles of an inorganic acid, an inorganic case or an inorganic salt per 100 ml of such water; and about 0.1 to about 5.

Abstract: The synthesis, preparation and utilization of cationic viscoelastic monomer fluids mixed with cationic-alkyl containing copolymers are described. These fluid mixtures possess dramatic rheological behavior at very low concentrations as compared to the two individual components or even in comparison with most conventional water soluble polymers. Marked changes in solution properties are exhibited with minor modifications in the structure of the polymers, monomer structure, and monomer stoichometry.

Abstract: Intramolecular polymer complexes synthesized from acrylamide, sodium styrene sulfonate, and methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, having viscosity-polymer concentration relationships that are invarient with the addition of high levels of acid, base, or salt to the fresh water system. These complexes possess a "balance" between conventional polyelectrolyte and polyamopholyte behavior.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the viscosification of an aqueous liquid which includes the steps of forming a solvent system of an organic liquid or oil and a polar cosolvent, the polar cosolvent being less than about 15 weight percent of the solvent system, a viscosity of the solvent system being less than about 1,000 cps; forming an interpolymer complex of neutralized sulfonated polymer (water insoluble) and copolymer of styrene/vinylpyridine in the solvent system to form a solution, a concentration of the water insoluble interpolymer complex polymer in the solution being about 0.01 to about 0.5 weight percent, a viscosity of the solution being less than about 200 cps; the admixing or contacting said solution with about 5 to about 500 volume percent water, the water being immiscible with the organic liquid and the polar cosolvent and interpolymer complex transferring from the organic liquid to the water phase, thereby causing the water phase to gel (i.e., thicken).

Abstract: A solution comprising(a) water; and(b) about 0.01 to about 10 weight % of a water soluble polymerizable monomer characterized by the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is a 6-22 straight chained or branched chained alkyl or cycloalkyl group and the ratio of t to s is about 1/5 to 5/1.

Abstract: A method for controlling the viscosity of organic liquids, said organic liquid having a solubility parameter of less than 9.5, a viscosity, as measured at 25.degree. C., of less than 200 centipoises and said organic liquid is selected from the group consisting of mineral oils, synthetic oils, naphthanes, alkanes, cycloalkanes and aromatics and mixtures thereof, which comprises incorporating in said organic liquid about 0.01 to 20 grams of polymer complex per 100 ml. of said organic liquid, said polymer complex being formed "in situ" in said organic liquid or dissolved in said organic liquid, said complex being comprised of polymer A, containing about 4 meq. to 500 meq. of neutralized sulfonate groups, and polymer B, containing basic nitrogen groups, both functional groups being present at a level of from about 4 to 500 meq. per 100 g. of polymer, wherein polymer B has the formula: ##STR1## wherein x is about 50.0 to 99.8 weight percent and y is about 0.2 to about 50.

Abstract: A water soluble or brine soluble rod-like polymer characterized by the formula: ##STR1## wherein n and n' are a 2 to 22 straight chained or branched chained alkyl or cycloalkyl group, and the level of sulfonation is about 20 to about 100 mole %, and M is a tertiary amine or a metal cation selected from the group consisting of alumina, iron, lead, Groups IA, IIA, IB ad IIB of the Periodic Table of Elements and level of alkylation is about 1.0 to 60 mole %.

Abstract: A homogeneous free radical copolymerization process for the formation of a copolymer of acrylamide and an cationic monomer derive from allyl halide and N,N-dimethyl alkylamines which comprises the steps of:(a) forming a mixture of acrylamide monomer and the cationic monomer derive from allyl halide and N,N-dimethyl alkylamines and under a nitrogen atmosphere;(b) adding deoxygenated water to said mixture to form a homogeneous reaction solution;(c) adding a free radical initiator to said homogeneous reaction solution to initiate polymerization of said acrylamide monomer and said cationic monomer derived from allyl halide and N,N-dimethylalkylamines; and(d) copolymerizing said acrylamide monomer and said cationic monomer derive from said allyl halide and said N,N-dimethyl alkylamines at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient period of time to form said copolymer of acrylamide without the formation of substantial amounts of particulates or phase separation occurring, said copolymer having an intrinsic visc

Abstract: A homogeneous free radical copolymerization process for the formation of a copolymer of acrylamide and a cationic hydrogen-bonding alkoxypropyl which comprises the steps of:(a) forming a mixture of monomer and the acrylamide-monomer under a nitrogen atmosphere;(b) adding deoxygenated water to said mixture to form a homogeneous reaction solution;(c) adding a free radical initiator to said homogeneous reaction solution to initiate polymerization of said acrylamide monomer and said cationic hydrogen-bonding alkoxypropyl monomer; and(d) copolymerizing said acrylamide monomer and said monomer at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient period of time to form said copolymer of acrylamide monomer and without the formation of substantial amounts of particulates or phase separation occurring, said copolymer having an intrinsic viscosity of about 1 to about 10 dl/g. said copolymer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 6 to 22 straight chained or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl group. X is about 90 to about 99.

Abstract: Intramolecular polymer complexes synthesized from acrylamide, sodium styrene sulfonate, and methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, having viscosity-polymer concentration relationships that are invarient with the addition of high levels of acid, base, or salt to the fresh water system. These complexes possess a "balance" between conventional polyelectrolyte and polyampholyte behavior.

Abstract: A process for fracturing a subterranean formation surrounding a gas or oil well which comprises:(a) injecting into said subterranean formation under hydraulic pressure a fluid comprising a solution of terpolymer dissolved in a solvent system, said solvent system comprising an organic liquid and a polar cosolvent, said polar cosolvent being less than about 15 weight percent of said solvent system, said terpolymer comprising a water-insoluble, oil-soluble terpolymer dissolved in said solvent system, the concentration of said terpolymer in said solution being about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent and the viscosity of said solution being less than about 2,000 cps, said terpolymer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 =C.sub.6 H.sub.5, C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --CH.sub.3, C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --(CH.sub.3).sub.3, Cn H.sub.

Abstract: A bitumen-containing composition which comprises;(a) bitumen;(b) about 0.5 to about 30 parts by weight of a polymer complex per 100 parts by weight of the bitumen; and(c) about 0 to about 100 parts by weight of a filler per 100 parts by weight of the bitumen.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for controlling the viscosity of organic liquids by incorporating in said liquid a minor amount of polymer complex, and optionally a cosolvent for the ionic groups of said polymer. The polymer complex comprises the reaction product of a metal neutralized sulfonated polymer and a basic nitrogen-containing polymer, wherein the polymer complex is substantially soluble in said organic liquid, and pendant sulfonate groups which are substantially insoluble in said organic liquid. The optional cosolvent is selected which will solubilize the pendant sulfonate groups and provide a reasonably homogeneous mixture of solvent, cosolvent and polymer complex. The preferred compositions prepared by the method of the instant invention comprise an organic liquid having a solubility parameter of from 6 to 10.5 in combination with a polymer complex containing from 0.2 up to 10.

Abstract: Intramolecular polymer complexes synthesized from acrylamide, sodium styrene sulfonate, and methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, having viscosity-polymer concentration relationships that are invarient with the addition of high levels of acid, base, or salt to the fresh water system. These complexes possess a "balance" between conventional polyelectrolyte and polyampholyte behavior.

Abstract: A process for flocculating solid fines from a solution comprising said solid fine and an organic liquid which comprises the steps of:(a) adding with mixing about 5 to about 10,000 ppm of an unneutralized or neutralized sulfonated polystyrene to said solution; and(b) heating at about 25.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. for about 1 to abou 45 minutes the mixture of said solution and said neutralized or unneutralized polystyrene.

Abstract: An oil-based drilling mud which comprises:(a) a hydrocarbon liquid substantially immiscible in water;(b) about 1 to about 100 parts by weight of water per 100 parts of the hydrocarbon liquid;(c) about 2 to about 50 lb/bbl. of at least one emulsifier;(d) about 0.5 to about 5 lb/bbl. of a wetting agent;(e) about 50 to about 750 lb/bbl. of a weighting agent;(f) about 0.1 to about 25 lb/bbl. of a water insoluble, oil soluble terpolymer, said terpolymer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a methyl group, wherein R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.3 H.sub.5, C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --CH.sub.3, C.sub.6 H.sub.4 (CH.sub.3).sub.2 and CnH.sub.2n+1, wherein n=1 to 30 and R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.5 H.sub.4 N, CnH.sub.2n NH.sub.3 and CnH.sub.2n N(CH.sub.3).sub.

Abstract: An oil-based drilling mud which comprises an organic liquid substantially immiscible in water; about 1 to about 10 parts by weight of water per 100 parts by weight of the organic liquid; about 20 to about 50 lb./bbl. of at least one emulsifier; weighting material necessary to achieve the desired density; and about 0.25 to about 4.0 lb/bbl. of a hydrocarbon soluble polymeric complex formed from a water insoluble anionic polymer and a cationic polymer.