Abstract: A process of de-inking waste paper can be operated under conditions using a simple combination of chemicals to result in a waste liquor that is substantially environmentally friendly. The process comprises forming a pulp from the waste paper in a aqueous medium that has a pH of between 6 and 9 and that is substantially free of dissolved phosphate and that includes an ink-dispersing amount of polycarboxylic acid dispersing agent, and separating the ink from the pulp. The use of a cationic surfactant for promoting flotation is particularly desirable.

Abstract: Paper is made by adding nonionic or anionic polymeric retention aid to a suspension that contains a high electrolyte content, shearing the flocculated suspension, aggregating the sheared suspension by adding anionic particulate material (especially bentonite), and draining the suspension.

Abstract: This invention relates to the encapsulation of active ingredient within polymeric material so as to protect the active ingredient from the ambient environment, for instance atmospheric moisture when the product is exposed to the air, or the liquid phase of a liquid detergent when the product is incorporated in such a detergent. A dispersion in oil of an aqueous solution of a matrix polymeric material containing enzyme or other active ingredient is subjected to distillation to provide a substantially anhydrous dispersion in oil of particles of matrix polymer containing active ingredient, and during or after the distillation the polymer solution is converted into a solid polymer. In the invention, we use a matrix polymer that is so hydrophobic that it partitions preferentially into the oil rather than into the aqueous solution of encapsulating polymer.

Abstract: A particulate composition comprises particles having a substantially anhydrous core comprising an active ingredient. Generally the core comprises a matrix polymer with the active ingredient distributed throughout this. Generally there is an outer protection shell of polymer, generally formed by coacervation. The invention is a value for the production of powders, dispersions in non-aqueous liquids (for instance when the active ingredient is a detergent enzyme) and dispersions in water (for instance when the active ingredient is an agrochemical.

Abstract: Bentonite swelling clay is provided to a paper making mill as a fluid concentrate containing more than 15% bentonite wherein swelling of the bentonite is prevented by inorganic electrolyte in the concentrate, and the bentonite swells upon dilution either before addition of the cellulosic suspension or after addition.

Abstract: Water soluble polymerizable acrylic prepolymers can be formed from ethylenically unsaturated monomers that include monomers that provide a pendant group that is a blocked, saturated, ethylenic group, followed by unblocking the pendant saturated ethylenic group to leave a pendant ethylenically unsaturated group. These prepolymers can be copolymerized through these unsaturated groups, for instance after impregnation into a permeable substrate as in chemical grouting or shut off processes, to form cross linked solid polymers. The polymerizable monomers that are ethylenically unsaturated but which also include the blocked ethylenic group are also novel.

Abstract: Agrochemical and other particulate compositions are formed by coacervation. The coacervate is preferably formed from two water soluble coacervating polymers and stabilizes the particles against agglomeration. The coacervate is preferably formed from a relatively low molecular weight cationic polymer and a relatively high molecular weight anionic polymer.

Abstract: A homogenous blend is formed of different water soluble polymer types, for instance of particular addition and condensation polymers, by forming one of the polymers from its monomeric starting material by polymerisation in a solution of the other polyer. The resultant solution has a concentration of above 10% but is homogenous. It can be used as a bulk solution or can be dried to powder or can be present as a reverse phase dispersion.

Abstract: Finely divided mineral ore is pelletized using a soluble synthetic polymer. Preferably the polymer is in the form of beads made by reverse phase polymerization and all having a size of below 300 .mu.m. When the ore gives a pH in water of below 8 the soluble polymer is preferably cationic.

Abstract: Finely particulate iron ore is pelletized using finely particulate, free flowing, anionic water soluble synthetic polymer having intrinsic viscosity of from 3 to 16 as binder.

Abstract: A dispersion of polymeric particles in a non-aqueous liquid is mixed with water with sufficient agitation to initiate substantial dissolution of the particles into water and is substantially homogeneously dispersed into the water substantially immediately, for instance in less than 50 milliseconds from the initiation of substantial dissolution. Preferred apparatus is an orifice mixer having a mixing chamber 41 leading to an orifice 51 and supplied by an inlet 46 for dispersion, the inlet terminating in a valve 47 and an orifice 44, and an inlet 45 for water. The effective outlet area of the orifice 51 is adjusted by an eccentrically mounted aperture plate 52 and there is a shear helix 57.

Abstract: The drainage and retention properties of an aqueous cellulosic suspension substantially free of filler and which is being used for the production of paper or paper board are improved by including a water soluble high molecular weight substantially non-ionic polymer and a bentonite-type clay.