Abstract: This invention describes novel hydrophobically associating ter or tetra polymers which can contain sulfonate functionality which are useful as aqueous fluid rheology or flow modifiers. These high molecular weight water soluble polymers contain both water soluble and water insoluble monomers. The water soluble monomers are N, N dimethylacrylamide acrylamide (DMA) and optionally a salt of an ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acid (s) or N-vinylpyrrolidinone or a metal acrylate and the water insoluble monomer is a higher alkyl acrylamide (R). The process for their preparation relies on solubilizing the water insoluble monomer into an aqueous micellar solution containing one or more surfactants and the water soluble monomers. The surfactants are specifically selected to enable homogeneous dispersion of the hydrophobic monomer(s) in the presence of anionic sulfonate containing monomers.

Abstract: This invention describes novel hydrophobically associating ter or tetra polymers which can contain sulfonate functionality which are useful as aqueous fluid rheology or flow modifiers. These high molecular weight water soluble polymers contain both water soluble and water insoluble monomers. The water soluble monomers are N, N dimethylacrylamide acrylamide (DMA) and optionally a salt of an ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acid (s) or N-vinylpyrrolidinone or a metal acrylate and the water insoluble monomer is a higher alkyl acrylamide (R). The process for their preparation relies on solubilizing the water insoluble monomer into an aqueous micellar solution containing one or more surfactants and the water soluble monomers. The surfactants are specifically selected to enable homogeneous dispersion of the hydrophobic monomer(s) in the presence of anionic sulfonate containing monomers.

Abstract: This invention describes novel hydrophobically associating ter or tetra polymers which can contain sulfonate functionality which are useful as aqueous fluid rheology or flow modifiers. These high molecular weight water soluble polymers contain both water soluble and water insoluble monomers. The water soluble monomers are N, N dimethylacrylamide acrylamide (DMA) and optionally a salt of an ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acid (s) or N-vinylpyrrolidinone or a metal acrylate and the water insoluble monomer is a higher alkyl acrylamide (R). The process for their preparation relies on solubilizing the water insoluble monomer into an aqueous micellar solution containing one or more surfactants and the water soluble monomers. The surfactants are specifically selected to enable homogeneous dispersion of the hydrophobic monomer(s) in the presence of anionic sulfonate containing monomers.

Abstract: A method for dispersing an oil spill on sea water, which method comprises applying to the oil spill surface an effective amount of: (i) a blend of one or more hydrophilic and one or more lipophilic surfactants so balanced that they will form microemulsions with the sea water and the oil to be dispersed; (ii) a solvent which is miscible with the oil to be dispersed and in which the blend of surfactants is substantially soluble; and (iii) from 0 to about 10 weight percent water, wherein the blend of surfactants is such that it lowers the interfacial tension between the oil to be dispersed and the sea water to less than about 250 mdynes/cm when the blend is used at a treat rate of less than about 1 to 100 by weight, based on the oil to be dispersed, wherein the solvent is a hydrocarbon solvent selected from the group consisting of No. 2 diesel fuel oil, kerosene and white oil.

Abstract: A homogeneous micellar free radical polymerization process for the formation of a terpolymer having the structure of: ##STR1## wherein S is selected from the group consisting of SO.sub.3 M, phenyl SO.sub.3 M, CONHC(CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 M or COOM; M is selected from the group consisting of Groups IA, 1B, IIA and IIB of the Periodic Table of Elements, R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl group, R.sub.2 is hydrogen or a C.sub.4 to C.sub.18 alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl group, x is about 10 to about 90 mole %, y is about 0.1 to about 60 mole %, and z is about 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating water and oil from a sludge which contains water, oil and solids which method comprises (1) contacting the sludge with an effective amount of 1 or more surfactants chosen and balanced to form certain types of microemulsions with equal volumes of decane and 3% aqueous NaCl, (2) mixing said surfactants and sludge with sufficient agitation to obtain a uniform mixture, (3) allowing said mixture to stand under gravitational settling or centrifugation to obtain the separation from the bottom sediment of an aqueous phase which may contain solubilized oil with or without an additional floating oil phase, (4) decanting separately the oil and aqueous phases and (5) further treating the aqueous phase with heat and/or NaCl to separate the solubilized oil or further treating the bottom sediment with selected surfactants to release adhering oil.

Abstract: A water or brine soluble terpolymer having the structure: ##STR1## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## wherein x is about 1 to about 95 mole percent; y is about 0.1 to about 5.0 mole percent; R.sub.1 is methyl or hydrogen; z is 1 to 29 mole percent; R.sub.2 is an alkyl group of 1-5 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 is an alkyl group of 3 to 4 carbon atoms; R.sub.4 is an alkyl group of 1-5 carbon atoms; and R.sub.5 is an alkyl group of 4-20.

Abstract: Novel hydrophobically associating terpolymer compositions containing cationic functionality are described. These water soluble or water dispersible polymers contain both water soluble and water insoluble monomers. The water soluble monomers are ethylenically unsaturated nonionic monomers, such as acrylamide (AM), and cationic monomers, such as a salt of an amine base (C), such as 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC), 2-methacrylatoethyltrimethylammonium chloride (METAC) and diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DMDAAC). The hydrophobic or water insoluble monomer is a higher alkyl(meth)acrylamide or alkyl (meth)acrylate (R). These polymers are referred to as CRAM. While the novel compositions of this invention impart unusual properties to water based fluids, they are extremely efficient for clean-up of waste waters containing organic contaminants and for breaking oil-in-water emulsions.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing novel hydrophobically associating terpolymers containing cationic functionality which are useful for clean-up of waste waters containing organic contaminants. These water soluble polymers contain both water soluble and water insoluble monomers. The water soluble monomers are acrylamide (AM) and a salt of an unsaturated amine base (C) and the water insoluble monomer is a higher alkyl(meth)acrylamide or alkyl(meth)acrylate (R). These polymers are referred to as CRAM. The process for their preparation relies on solubilizing the water insoluble monomer into an aqueous micellar solution containing one or more surfactants and the water soluble monomers. The surfactants are specifically selected to enable homogeneous dispersion of the hydrophobic monomer(s) in the presence of cationic monomers, such as 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC), 2-methylacrylatoethyltrimethylammonium chloride (METAC), or diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DMDAAC).

Abstract: A terpolymer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 alkyl groups, C.sub.6 to C.sub.20 aryl groups and C.sub.6 to C.sub.30 alkylaryl groups; R.sub.2 is hydrogen or methyl group, n is about 1 to 60; y is about 2.0 to about 35.0 mole %, and x is about 65.00 to about 98.00 mole %, z is about 0.1 to about 3.0 mole % and n is about 1 to about 60 and M is a metal cation selected from the group consisting of Groups IA, IIA, IB and IIB of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein said terpolymer has an intri1sic viscosity of about 1 top about 25, wherein said terpolymer is formed by a free radical solution polymerization in the absence of a surfactant or emulsifier and comprises the polymerization of an acrylamide monomer, a metal acrylate monomer and an alkyl poly(etheroxy) acrylate monomer in the presence of a free radical initiation at a temperature of at least 5.degree. C. for at least 0.5 hours.

Abstract: A water or brine soluble terpolymer having the structure: ##STR1## wherein x is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## wherein x is about 70 to about 95 mole percent; y is about 0.1 to about 5.0 mole percent; z is about 1 to about 30 mole percent; R.sub.1 is methyl or hydrogen; a is about 1 to about 5; b is about 3 to about 4; R.sub.3 is an alkyl group of 3 to 4 carbon atoms; R.sub.4 is an alkyl group having about 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R.sub.5 is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbons, a hydrocarbon aryl group having about 6 to 20 carbons and an alkylaryl group having the structure of ##STR3## wherein A is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl groups, ethyl groups and propyl groups and mixtures thereof and c is about 6 to 20; and n is about 1 to 60.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dispersing an oil spill on sea water which method comprises applying to the oil spill surface an effective amount of: (i) a blend of one or more hydrophilic and one or more lipophilic surfactants whose ratio is so adjusted that they will form microemulsions with the sea water and the oil to be dispersed, (ii) a solvent which is miscible with the oil to be dispersed and in which the blend of surfactants is substantially soluble, and (iii) from 0 to about 10 wt. % water. The blend of surfactants is such that it lowers the interfacial tension between the oil to be dispersed and the sea water to less than about 250 mdynes/cm when the blend is used at a treat rate of less than about 1 to 100 by weight, based on the weight of the oil to be dispersed.

Abstract: A method of breaking an oil-in-water emulsion which comprises the steps of treating said oil-in-water emulsion with at least a de-emulsifying amount of a water dispersible terpolymer formed by polymerization from an acrylamide monomer, a water soluble cationic monomer and a water insoluble, hydrophobic monomer, and separating the formed water phase from the formed phase of terpolymer and the oil.

Abstract: A water soluble terpolymer having the structure: ##STR1## wherein x is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## wherein x is about 1 to about 95 mole percent; y is about 0.1 to about 5.0 mole percent; R.sub.1 is methyl or hydrogen; z is about 1 to about 30 mole percent; R.sub.2 is an alkyl group of 1-5 carbon atoms; R.sub.3 is an alkyl group of 3 to 4 carbon atoms; R.sub.4 is an alkyl group of 1-5 carbon atoms; and R.sub.5 is an alkyl group of 4-20.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an improved process for clean-up of waste waters containing organic contaminants. In addition, the process is useful for breaking or resolving oil-in-water emulsions, such as those produced during oil recovery operations. Both the extent of clean-up based on residual oil left in the waste water and the efficiency of clean-up based on the treat rate of additive have been found to be significantly improved using the novel process of this invention. The novel process involves the use of a low level of a water dispersible terpolymer consisting of acrylamide, acrylic acid or its salts, and alkylacrylamide or alkylacrylate or alkylmethacrylate; or copolymers consisting of acrylamide and alkylacrylamide or alkylacrylate or alkylmethacrylate alone or in combination with a cationic species used to control the charge, usually negative charge reduction to near neutral, of the oil or organic contamination droplets in the emulsion being treated.

Abstract: A process is described for producing unique and novel sulfonate-containing terpolymers of water soluble monomers with water insoluble monomers which are efficient viscosifiers of aqueous and brine media. The process relies on the complete solubilization of the water insoluble monomer by means of a dilute solution of a suitable water soluble surfactant. The type and concentration of surfactant are chosen to produce a clear, uniform, homogeneous aqueous dispersion of the hydrophobic monomers in the presence of both nonionic and anionic water soluble monomers, and, in addition, the reaction medium remains a clear, uniform, homogeneous mixture with no phase separation as the reaction proceeds to completion. Thus, the terpolymerization is effected without the formation of latexes or fine particulates of water insoluble polymer.The terpolymers, which may be isolated from the reaction mixture, provide efficient viscosification of water or brine solutions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for enhanced recovery of petroleum from a subterranean oil-bearing formation. More particularly, this invention relates to secondary or tertiary recovery of oil employing a polymer-thickened aqueous drive fluid. The polymeric viscosifier for the drive fluid is selected from a class of hydrophobically associating, water soluble polymers containing one or more water soluble monomers and a water insoluble monomer group. The water soluble groups are acrylamide and a salt of acrylic acid and the water insoluble group is a higher alkylacrylamide. These polymers, when dissolved in an aqueous brine solution, have the ability to substantially increase the viscosity of the aqueous solution. The control of displacement fluid mobility results in more uniform sweep efficiency and improved oil recovery.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for enhanced recovery of petroleum from a subterranean oil-bearing formation. More particularly, this invention relates to secondary or tertiary recovery of oil employing a polymer thickened aqueous drive fluid. The polymeric viscosifier for the drive fluid is selected from a class of hydrophobically associating water soluble polymers containing one or more water soluble monomers and a water insoluble monomer or group. The water soluble groups are acrylamide and a salt of an ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acid and the water insoluble group is a higher alkyl acrylamide. These polymers, when dissolved in an aqueous brine solution, have the ability to substantially increase the viscosity of the solution. The control of displacement fluid mobility results in more uniform sweep efficiency and improved oil recovery.

Abstract: Novel water soluble terpolymers of acrylamide, an alkali metal or ammonium salt of acrylic acid and an oil soluble or hydrophobic alkyl acrylamide monomer have been found to provide efficient viscosification of water or brine solutions. The polymers are prepared by a free radical micellar polymerization of acrylamide and alkyl acrylamide followed by base catalyzed partial hydrolysis. These terpolymers, called HRAM, impart unique and useful rheological properties to aqueous solutions. In a water or brine solution the hydrophobic groups associate to increase hydrodynamic size and enhance thickening efficiency. Solutions containing the HRAM terpolymers show increased viscosification at higher polymer concentration and reduced salt sensitivity relative to polyacrylamide based HPAM solutions.

Abstract: A method for reducing frictional drag of water in flow through pipes comprising adding about 5 to about 100 ppm of a water soluble copolymer to said water, said copolymer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl or cycloalkyl group having about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is the same or different alkyl group as R.sub.1 or hydrogen, x is about 90.0 to about 99.9 mole %, and y is about 0.1 to about 10.0 mole %.