Abstract: The invention relates to a solid material (primary drying product) containing alkali metal silicate with a modulus (molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 to M.sub.2 O, M=alkali metal) of 0.8 to 4 in homogeneous admixture with other inorganic and/or organic useful materials and/or auxiliaries, which has been dried from a finely sprayed aqueous preparation of mixtures of the alkali metal silicates and the inorganic and/or organic useful materials and/or auxiliaries by means of a hot gas stream. The solid material according to the invention is characterized in that, as a primary drying product in homogeneous admixture with the alkali metal silicate, it contains at least 10% by weight of water-soluble inorganic and/or organic salts, has apparent densities of at least 150 g/l, possesses a microporous absorbent internal structure and has been dried with superheated steam as the hot gas stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized process for conditioning a stream of superheated steam laden with steam-volatile organic components by condensation of the steam phase with recovery of the heat of condensation and at least partial separation of the steam-volatile organic components from the water-based condensate. The process operates with a first heat exchange stage in which the continuously introduced vapor stream is combined with a circulated and cooled liquid stream of condensed vapors. In a following second energy transfer stage, heat is indirectly removed from the liquid stream thus heated. A sidestream is removed from the liquid circuit of the condensed vapors and subjected to separation in a membrane process while the rest of the liquid stream is returned to the first stage.

Abstract: A process for producing free-flowing granules comprising the steps of (a) drying with superheated steam an aqueous mixture containing at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants to form carrier granules having a porous inner structure, and (b) impregnating the porous inner structure of the carrier granules with an aqueous coating composition selected from the group consisting of wetting agents, detergents, cleaning agents, and mixtures thereof, to form an impregnated carrier granule.

Abstract: Described is the use of surface-active alpha-sulfofatty acid di-salts as ecologically compatible emulsifiers of the W/O type and O/W type, respectively, in fluid and pumpable drilling fluids and other fluid drilling-hole treatment agents which comprise a continuous or a dispersed oil phase together with an aqueous phase and which are suitable for an environmentally acceptable exploitation of geological resources, for example oil or natural gas deposits. The invention further relates to inverted drilling fluids based on a continuous oil phase and, present therein, a dispersed aqueous phase which, in addition to the emulsifiers, contain further conventional auxiliary agents such as thickeners, fluid-loss additives, weighting agents, water-soluble salts and/or alkali reserves.

Abstract: Described is the use of oleophilic esters of ecologically compatible polycarboxylic acids with oil-soluble and ecologically compatible monofunctional alcohols and/or polyfunctional alcohols which may also be watersoluble as the oil phase or as a component of the oil phase of oil-based or water-based drilling fluids and other fluid drill-hole treatment agents. The oleophilic polycarboxylic acid esters are especially suitable as component of the continuous oil phase of inverted fluids of the W/O type. Here--if rheologically suitable compounds will be employed--they may comprise the at least predominant portion of the continuous oil phase; but also possible is the concomitant use of complex oleophilic polycarboxylic acid esters, which are not or just to a restricted degree fluid in a temperature range of from 0.degree. C. to 20.degree. C., as an additive in fluid oils of the class of the non-polluting oils.

Abstract: Substantially water-insoluble, oleophilic mono- and/or polyfunctional alcohols of natural and/or synthetic origin which have flash points of at least 80.degree. C., or corresponding solutions of mono- and/or polyhydric alcohols in ecologically acceptable water-insoluble oils as the dispersed oil phase of water-based O/W-emulsion drilling fluids, which are suitable for an environmentally-acceptable development of geological formations and which, if desired, contain insoluble, finely particulate weighting agents for the formation of water-based O/W-emulsions drilling muds and/or further additives, such as emulsifiers, fluid-loss additives, wetting agents, alkali reserves and/or auxiliary substances for the inhibition of drilled rock of high water-sensitivity.

Abstract: Soiled textile articles are washed by the addition of a determined amount of a detergent concentrate containing surfactants to the textile articles to be cleaned while the textiles are dry or only damp. The aqueous washing liquor is formed by the gradual addition of water to the textile articles while they are rotated. At room temperature, the detergent concentrate is to a substantial extent a paste-to dough-like substance, stable in form, and is applied to the textile articles in such an amount that the major portion of the surfactants together with further detergent constituents, if desired, are applied to the textiles or on an article of textile provided with markings for the correct detergent dose, as a dosing aid.

Abstract: A process for cleaning a soiled solid molded article in an aqueous detergent wash bath in the presence of ultrasound whereby pigmented and/or fatty soils are loosened from the soiled article. The wash bath is contacted with a soil-collecting polyfunctional quaternary ammonium compound which is at least substantially insoluble and/or is fixed to a solid which is substantially insoluble in the wash bath to collect from the wash bath at least a portion of the soils loosened from the article.

Abstract: The method of using polyfunctional quaternary ammonium compounds which are at least substantially insoluble in an aqueous fabric detergent solution and/or are fixed to solids correspondingly insoluble in such aqueous solution, as a soil-collecting, concentration-reducing agent for reducing the demand for conventional detergent components in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: Soil-collecting detergency enhancers for detergent solutions comprising a substantially water-insoluble polyfunctional quaternary ammonium compound or a water-soluble polyfunctional quaternary ammonium compound fixed to a water-insoluble solid carrier. The detergency enhancers may be used in the cleaning of soiled articles, particularly those soiled with pigments, in aqueous detergent solutions such as for washing fabrics.