Abstract: A device includes a heating zone having an inlet, and an outlet, a pump upstream of and in fluid communication with the heating zone, and capable of generating above-atmospheric pressure in the heating zone; an element for heating the heating zone; an expansion zone with an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of the expansion zone being connected to the outlet of the heating zone in such a way that a pressure drop is created, such that the expansion zone is at a lower pressure than the heating zone; and a back pressure generator downstream of the expansion zone configured to create a variable counter pressure in the expansion zone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coating composition, in particular a cool roof or solar reflective coating composition, which comprises an organosilane-functionalised colloidal silica and hollow microspheres, wherein the organosilane-functionalised colloidal silica comprises silica particles with one or more organosilane moieties bound to their surface, and wherein the hollow microspheres comprise a polymeric shell. The present disclosure also relates to substrate coated with the coating composition, and to a method for making such a coating composition.

Abstract: A device includes a heating zone having an inlet, and an outlet, a pump upstream of and in fluid communication with the heating zone, and capable of generating above-atmospheric pressure in the heating zone; an element for heating the heating zone; an expansion zone with an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of the expansion zone being connected to the outlet of the heating zone in such a way that a pressure drop is created, such that the expansion zone is at a lower pressure than the heating zone; and a back pressure generator downstream of the expansion zone configured to create a variable counter pressure in the expansion zone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coating composition, in particular a cool roof or solar reflective coating composition, which comprises an organosilane-functionalised colloidal silica and hollow microspheres, wherein the organosilane-functionalised colloidal silica comprises silica particles with one or more organosilane moieties bound to their surface, and wherein the hollow microspheres comprise a polymeric shell. The present disclosure also relates to substrate coated with the coating composition, and to a method for making such a coating composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for expanding a slurry of thermally expandable thermoplastic microsphere is disclosed. The apparatus and method expand the slurry of thermally expandable thermoplastic microsphere without any direct contact to a fluid heat transfer medium. The apparatus and method utilize a distribution pipe attached to an outlet pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for expanding a slurry of thermally expandable thermoplastic microsphere is disclosed. The apparatus and method expand the slurry of thermally expandable thermoplastic microsphere without any direct contact to a fluid heat transfer medium. The apparatus and method utilise a distribution pipe attached to an outlet pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material comprises unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (b) a treatment zone in heat transfer communication with a source of heat and in fluid communication with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is directly or indirectly contacted by heat within the treatment zone; and (c) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material comprises unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (b) a treatment zone in heat transfer communication with a source of heat and in fluid communication with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is directly or indirectly contacted by heat within the treatment zone; and (c) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of modifying cellulose fibers and of producing paper which methods include providing a pulp suspension of cellulose fibers and adding a cellulose derivative during the bleaching of the cellulose fibers in an acidic bleaching stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid powdery composition comprising unexpanded thermally expandable microspheres including a thermoplastic polymer shell encapsulating a propellant and from about 0.1 to about 50 wt % of at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of acids having a melting point below about 200° C. and precursors therefore. The invention further relates to preparation and use thereof, a composition comprising a polymeric resin, preparation thereof, a process for working a polymeric resin and a material obtainable thereby.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for the production of paper from a suspension containing cellulosic fibers, and optionally fillers, comprising adding to the suspension at least one cationic organic polymer and an aqueous silica-containing composition comprising an anionic naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde condensate and anionic silica-based particles, the composition having a weight ratio of naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde condensate to silica-based particles within the range of from 0.2:1 to 99:1, and containing naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde condensate and silica-based particles in an amount of at least 0.01% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous silica-containing composition, and with the proviso that the composition contains substantially no cellulose-reactive sizing agent. The invention also encompasses an aqueous silica-containing composition and a method for preparation of an aqueous silica-containing compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid powdery composition comprising unexpanded thermally expandable microspheres including a thermoplastic polymer shell encapsulating a propellant and from about 0.1 to about 50 wt % of at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of acids having a melting point below about 200° C. and precursors therefore. The invention further relates to preparation and use thereof, a composition comprising a polymeric resin, preparation thereof, a process for working a polymeric resin and a material obtainable thereby.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process for the production of paper from a suspension containing cellulosic fibers, and optionally fillers, comprising adding to the suspension at least one cationic organic polymer and an aqueous silica-containing composition comprising an anionic naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde condensate and anionic silica-based particles, the composition having a weight ratio of naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde condensate to silica-based particles within the range of from 0.2:1 to 99:1, and containing naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde condensate and silica-based particles in an amount of at least 0.01% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous silica-containing composition, and with the proviso that the composition contains substantially no cellulose-reactive sizing agent. The invention also encompasses an aqueous silica-containing composition and a method for preparation of an aqueous silica-containing compound.

Abstract: The invention concerns an aqueous slurry comprising thermally expandable microspheres comprising a thermoplastic polymer shell and a propellant entrapped therein, said slurry further comprising an at least partially water soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of gums, celluloses, chitins, chitosans, glycans, galactans, pectins, mannans, dextrins, polyacrylic acid, esters and amides and co-polymers thereof, polymethacrylic acid, esters and amides and co-polymers thereof, rubber latexes, poly(vinyl chloride) and copolymers, poly(vinyl esters) and co-polymers, poly(vinyl alcohol), polyamines, polyetyleneimine, polyethylene/polypropylene oxides, polyurethane, and aminoplast and phenoplast precondensates and polyamidoamine epichlorohydrin resins. The invention further concerns a process for its preparations, use thereof for the production of paper or non-woven, and a process for the production of paper or non-woven.

Abstract: The invention concerns an aqueous slurry comprising a thickener and thermally expandable microspheres comprising a thermoplastic polymer shell and a propellant entrapped therein, said slurry having a pH of at least about 2.5 and comprising a buffer having a pKa within about ±1 pH-unit of the actual pH. The invention further concerns a process for its preparations, use thereof for the production of paper or non-woven, and a process for the production of paper or non-woven.