Abstract: Improved asphalt compositions and methods of preparing them. Methods according to the invention include mixing asphalt with lube stock and optionally with a gelling agent, surfactant and fillers. Fibers may, for example, include cellulose fibers, polyolefin fibers, and mineral wool. Inventive compositions provide viscosities suitable for ambient temperature applications as well as mid-temperature applications within the range of 150-275 F.

Abstract: Improved mopping grade asphalt compositions and methods of preparing them. Methods according to the invention include mixing asphalt with a gelling agent such as attapulgite or other clay and with thixotropic agents such as synthetic or organic fillers, and optionally with one or more of ether amine or other surfactants. Thixotropic agents may for example include cellulose fibers, polyolefin fibers, and mineral wool. The asphalt compositions are mixed in a shearing mixer at a temperature high enough to provide substantially uniform dispersion of each of the mixed ingredients in the completed composition. Inventive compositions provide viscosities suitable for application at 200-350 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, excellent adhesion, and superior sag resistance.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fiber-reinforced mats and asphalt coated sheets for use in roofing and water resistant membranes. Mats and sheets according to the invention exhibit superior tensile strength and resistance to wrinkling. The mat aspect of the invention comprises product and method for producing mats comprised of organic matting materials such as cellulose, paper, other wood products, or felt, and reinforcing fibers such as fiberglass, plastics, and other relatively high-strength natural and synthetic fibers, the fibers being incorporated within the matting material during production of the mat. The sheet aspect of the invention comprises product and method for mats of the type described above with added asphalt coatings to improve the water-proofing qualities of the mats.

Abstract: Fully oxidized cutback asphalts suitable for application in roofing, waterproofing, and sealing applications in all weather conditions, including as mastics and other sealants. Compositions according to the invention comprise unprecedented proportions of solids and asphalts yet remain workable to temperatures as low as 20° F. or below. In addition to fully-oxidized roofing-grade asphalts, preferred compositions according to the invention also comprise hydrophobic agents selected from the group comprising fatty acids and amine compounds and may be applied in rain or other wet conditions, and include polybutene or fatty acid peptizers to control the glass transition temperature of the completed mastic and thereby permit application of the composition at extremely low temperatures. Preferred embodiments optionally also comprise fillers such as cellulose fibers, diatomaceous earth, limestone, and asbestos for various advantageous purposes.

Abstract: A reflective asphalt emulsion is formed by dispersing asphalt into a slurry of colloidal clay at high shear and thereafter blending titanium dioxide and diatomaceous earth filler, and optionally acrylic latex, at low shear into the emulsion of clay and asphalt to form a white to light gray emulsion having a soft consistency and good shelf life. Particle sizes of the employed asphalt are controlled in order to preserve reflectivity of the finished emulsion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for production of asphalt coated sheets comprising materials highly prone to distortion under heat, including polyester and similarly deformable materials, in a coating machine comprising a mat puller adapted to pull the mat at a selectable rate, a coater, and a metering device. The metering device is optionally adapted to pull the mat at a selectable rate. The mat is pulled through the coater and coated with asphalt heated to 250° F. to 500° F., while the rates at which the mat puller and metering device pull the mat are independently and/or jointly adjusted to such that coated sheet may be produced at rates of more than 200 feet per minute, without wrinkling or necking in the mat.

Abstract: Fully oxidized cutback asphalts suitable for application in roofing, waterproofing, and sealing applications in all weather conditions, including as mastics and other sealants. Compositions according to the invention comprise unprecedented proportions of solids and asphalts yet remain workable to temperatures as low as 20.degree. F. or below. In addition to fully-oxidized roofing-grade asphalts, preferred compositions according to the invention also comprise hydrophobic agents selected from the group comprising fatty acids and amine compounds and may be applied in rain or other wet conditions, and include polybutene to control the glass transition temperature of the completed mastic and thereby permit application of the composition at extremely low temperatures. Preferred embodiments optionally also comprise fillers such as cellulose fibers, diatomaceous earth, limestone, and asbestos for various advantageous purposes.

Abstract: Product and method for making an asphaltic emulsion enjoying the weather-resistant and durability advantages of a fully-oxidized asphaltic base. Preferred compositions according to the invention comprise a fully-oxidized asphalt having a softening point of between about 110.degree. F. and about 160.degree. F. and a slurry, the slurry comprising water, a colloidal clay (preferably bentonite clay), barium chloride, and citric acid. Optionally sodium dichromate, fillers such as cellulose fibers, and biocidal agents are added as well. The method for making such asphalts comprises oxidation of a flux asphalt in an air still, preparation of the slurry, and combination of the oxidized asphalt and the slurry in a high speed mixing machine such as a colloidal mill.

Abstract: Process and composition for styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymer modified asphalt mixtures for use in roofing, sealing, paving, and waterproofing membranes. Powdered and pelletized SEBS is added to oxidized or unoxidized asphalt flux in high-shear processes, and is applied in hot and ambient uses such as cutbacks and emulsions, with or without added fillers, fibers, or other additives.

Abstract: Process and composition for styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymer modified asphalt mixtures for use in roofing, sealing, paving, and waterproofing membranes. A plasticized SEBS compound is added to oxidized or unoxidized asphalt flux in either low-shear or high-shear processes, and is applied in hot and ambient uses such as cutbacks and emulsions, with or without added fillers, fibers, or other additives.

Abstract: In an iron ore pelletization process in which particulate ore is mixed with particulate polymeric binder in the presence of moisture and the mixture is pelletised, the particulate binder is a blend of ionic synthetic water soluble polymer, such as a copolymer of acrylamide and sodium acrylate having intrinsic viscosity 2 to 16 dl/g, with a larger amount of a guar gum.

Abstract: A sedimentation or other dewatering process conducted on a suspension is controlled by filling a body (1) that is open at its top end (2) with the suspension, establishing quiescent conditions and allowing the suspension to settle to form a supernatant layer at the top end (2), generating light from an assembly (14) and measuring the amount of scattered light (19) from the supernatant layer by a collector (21) and utilizing the measured amount of scattered light to control the dewatering.

Abstract: Pellets of iron ore or other water insoluble particulate material are made from a mixture of the particulate material, moisture and a pelletizing binder by forming moist green pellets, a water displacing additive is applied to the surface of these pellets after they are substantially wholly formed, and the pellets are then dried. The preferred water displacing additive is a solution of a silicone in an organic solvent.

Abstract: Water absorbent particulate polymers and their uses are described. Friable aggregates may be made by bonding substantially dry polymer particles with an aqueous liquid and drying the aggregates. These aggregates can be broken down to the individual polymer particles upon mixing with an aqueous medium and thus can have the flow properties of relatively coarse particles and the performance properties of relatively fine particles. They may be soluble nd used as flocculants or viscosifiers or binders for, for instance, iron ore pelletisation. Alternatively they may be swellable and insoluble, for instance for converting a sticky particulate mass (such as coal fines filter cake) to a crumbly solid.

Abstract: Particulate material such as iron ore is agglomerated into pellets or other agglomerates by being homogeneously mixed in the presence of moisture with a binder followed by agglomeration of the moist mixture, and the binder comprises a water soluble anionic polymer having intrinsic viscosity of from about 2 to about 7 dl/g and containing 5 to about 20% by weight carboxylic monomer groups (measured as sodium salt). The preferred polymer of is the copolymer of acrylamide and 5 to 20%, preferably 5 to 15%, sodium acrylate. The binder may also comprise bentonite.

Abstract: Iron ore particles or other water insoluble non-swellable particulate material is converted into pellets or other agglomerates by mixing with substantially dry binder in the presence of moisture and is then bonded into agglomerates. The binder comprises substantially dry bentonite and particulate polymeric material, and the bentonite is blended with the insoluble particulate material and moisture before addition of the polymeric material.

Abstract: A heat and pressure fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to substrates such as plain paper, the toner comprising a thermoplastic resin. The apparatus includes two nip forming members which cooperate to form a nip having an asymmetrical pressure profile. Thus, the pressure profile through the nip, from entrance to exit, is such that toner images on a substrate passing through the nip are first subjected to relatively low pressure which continues until the toner begins to flow. Once toner flow commences, the images are subjected to pressure high enough to force the toner into the substrate. The nip is readily variable for accommodating different fusing speeds for different processors.

Abstract: Particulate metal ore is pellitized by use of a novel polymeric binder that comprises aggregates of polymer particles and that have a size mainly above 100 .mu.m and the aggregates are disintegrated during the process.

Abstract: Oil dispersions of water-soluble anionic polymer particles and water-soluble cationic polymer particles are mixed with water to form an aqueous solution containing one polymer in an amount in the range 10 to 40 mole % (moles of anionic groups) and the other polymer in an amount in the range 60 to 90 mole %. The solution is immediately applied to a surface to suppress release of dust from that surface.

Abstract: When flocculating an aqueous suspension of suspended solids using a high molecular weight synthetic polymeric flocculant the shear stability of the flocs is increased if the polymeric material includes polymeric particles of below 10 .mu.m dry size. The flocculated solids can therefore be subjected to shear without increasing the amount of discrete suspended solids in the aqueous medium and generally they are suspended to shear by shearing the aqueous medium containing them, either before dewatering, generally on a centrifuge, piston press or belt press, or by continuously agitating them, for instance in a chemical reaction medium. The polymeric material is generally formed by mixing into water polymeric particles made by reverse phase or emulsion polymerization in the presence of added cross linking agent. Alternatively particles insolubilized by insoluble monomer may be used. A reverse phase dispersion of water soluble polymer may be used if the particles remain undissolved, e.g.