Abstract: A method of delinting cotton seeds with an alkanesulfonic acid comprises the steps of applying the alkanesulfonic acid to surfaces of linted cotton seeds, optionally heating the linted cotton seeds, and applying mechanical force to the surfaces of the linted cotton seeds. A composition for delinting cotton seeds comprises an alkanesulfonic acid (e.g. methanesulfonic acid (MSA)), a surfactant, and water.

Abstract: A method for degumming and esterification of an oil comprising fatty acid glycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipids comprises the steps of mixing the oil, a C1 to C5 monohydric alcohol, and methanesulfonic acid to form a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to esterify the free fatty acids and produce a fatty acid alkylester and water, and to degum the oil. The method further comprises the steps of causing a phase separation between a first phase comprising the C1 to C5 monohydric alcohol, phosphorous compounds, and water, a second phase comprising the fatty acid glycerides and the fatty acid alkylester, and a residual solid phase. Once the phase separation occurs, the second phase is separated from the first phase and the residual solid phase.

Abstract: A method of dissolving and/or inhibiting the deposition of scale on a surface of a system comprises the step of bringing the surface of the system into contact with a composition. The composition can comprise from about 3 to about 15 parts by weight of a chelating component. The chelating component is selected from the group of MGDA, NTA, HEDTA, GLDA, EDTA, DTPA, and mixtures thereof. The composition can further comprise from about 3 to about 15 parts by weight of an acidic component, which is different than the chelating component. The composition can further comprise at least about 60 parts by weight of water. Each of the parts by weight ranges above are based on 100 parts by weight of the composition. The composition may further comprise a surfactant component and/or a corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: A graft polyol includes a natural oil including at least 50% by weight of a natural oil polyol. Particles are dispersed in the natural oil and comprise the reaction product of a macromer polyol, a polymerizable monomer, a chain transfer agent, and a free radical initiator. The macromer polyol and the polymerizable monomer react in the presence of the natural oil. The graft polyol is formed by providing the natural oil and providing the macromer polyol, the chain transfer agent, the free radical initiator, and the polymerizable monomer. The natural oil, the polymerizable monomer, the macromer polyol, the chain transfer agent, and the free radical initiator are combined, and the polymerizable monomer, the macromer polyol, the chain transfer agent, and the free radical initiator react to form particles dispersed in the natural oil.

Abstract: A graft polyol includes a natural oil including at least 50% by weight of a natural oil polyol. Particles are dispersed in the natural oil and comprise the reaction product of a macromer polyol, a polymerizable monomer, a chain transfer agent, and a free radical initiator. The macromer polyol and the polymerizable monomer react in the presence of the natural oil. The graft polyol is formed by providing the natural oil and providing the macromer polyol, the chain transfer agent, the free radical initiator, and the polymerizable monomer. The natural oil, the polymerizable monomer, the macromer polyol, the chain transfer agent, and the free radical initiator are combined, and the polymerizable monomer, the macromer polyol, the chain transfer agent, and the free radical initiator react to form particles dispersed in the natural oil.

Abstract: A composition for dissolving and/or inhibiting deposition of scale on a surface of a system comprises an acidic component, a wetting agent, and a corrosion inhibitor. The composition may further comprise water. The acidic component comprises an alkanesulfonic acid, e.g. methanesulfonic acid (MSA). The wetting agent comprises a surfactant. The corrosion inhibitor comprises an amphoteric surfactant. The alkanesulfonic acid is present in an amount of at least about 50 weight percent (wt %), the surfactant is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 30 wt %, and the amphoteric surfactant is present in an amount of from about 0.025 to about 20 wt %, each based on 100 wt % of the alkanesulfonic acid, the surfactant, and the amphoteric surfactant combined. A method of dissolving and/or inhibiting deposition of scale on the surface of the system comprises the step of contacting the surface of the system with the composition.

Abstract: A method of dissolving and/or inhibiting the deposition of scale on a surface of a system comprises the step of bringing the surface of the system into contact with a composition. The composition can comprise from about 3 to about 15 parts by weight of a chelating component. The chelating component is selected from the group of MGDA, NTA, HEDTA, GLDA, EDTA, DTPA, and mixtures thereof. The composition can further comprise from about 3 to about 15 parts by weight of an acidic component, which is different than the chelating component. The composition can further comprise at least about 60 parts by weight of water. Each of the parts by weight ranges above are based on 100 parts by weight of the composition. The composition may further comprise a surfactant component and/or a corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: A method of reducing a content of a residual styrene monomer in a polyol utilizes a polyol, a peroxide, an adjustment of temperature, and an application of a vacuum to separate the residual styrene monomer from the polyol. The residual styrene monomer is classified as a volatile organic compound. The peroxide includes monoperoxycarbonates and peroxyketals. Peroxide radicals, present in the peroxide, react with and polymerize the residual styrene monomer to form a polymer having decreased volatility. Applying the vacuum physically separates the residual styrene monomer from the polyol by increasing a vapor pressure of the residual styrene monomer. Separating the residual styrene monomer from the polyol forms an improved polyol which includes less than 20 parts per million of the residual styrene monomer in the polyol.

Abstract: A graft polyol is used to form a polyurethane article including the reaction product of the graft polyol and an isocyanate. The graft polyol is formed from a method including the steps of providing a polymerizable monomer, providing a chain transfer agent, providing a carrier polyol, and providing a free radical initiator. The polymerizable monomer includes styrene and acrylonitrile. The chain transfer agent includes from three to nine carbon atoms, at least one thiol moiety, and at least one hydrophilic moiety. The carrier polyol includes a polyetherol and the free radical initiator includes a diimide. The method also includes the step of combining the polymerizable monomer, the chain transfer agent, the carrier polyol, and the free radical initiator including free radicals. The method further includes the step of reacting the polymerizable monomer and the free radicals to polymerize the polymerizable monomer and form the graft polyol.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for formation of a preformed stabilizer for use in formation of graft polyols. The preformed stabilizer has a reduced level of transesterification products and results in less reactor fouling. The preformed stabilizer is prepared in the presence of phosphorous compounds, which reduces the unwanted transesterification products.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for formation of a preformed stabilizer for use in formation of graft polyols. The preformed stabilizer has a reduced level of transesterification products and results in less reactor fouling. The preformed stabilizer is prepared in the presence of phosphorous compounds, which reduces the unwanted transesterification products.

Abstract: The invention provides curable coating compositions comprising an aqueous dispersion comprising a stabilizing resin (P1) and a compound (P2) comprising functional groups reactable with a crosslinking agent. Compound (P2) is dispersed into stabilizing resin (P1). The coating compositions of the invention may further comprise an optional crosslinking agent (P3) which may or may not be dispersed into stabilizing resin (P1). In a particularly preferred embodiment, both the stabilizing resin (P1) and compound (P2) will comprise functional groups which are carbamate or are convertible to carbamate.

Abstract: The invention provides curable coating compositions comprising an aqueous dispersion comprising a stabilizing resin (P1) and a compound (P2) comprising functional groups reactable with a crosslinking agent. Compound (P2) is dispersed into stabilizing resin (P1). The coating compositions of the invention may further comprise an optional crosslinking agent (P3) which may or may not be dispersed into stabilizing resin (P1). In a particularly preferred embodiment, both the stabilizing resin (P1) and compound (P2) will comprise functional groups which are carbamate or are convertible to carbamate.