Abstract: A method for forming a dispersible nonwoven substrate comprising the steps of: a) emulsion polymerizing at least one mono-ethylenically unsaturated monomer an emulsion polymer; and b) neutralizing the emulsion polymer with a neutralizer selected from the group consisting of an amine having a pKb of 4 to 7, an alkali hydroxide, and combinations thereof to form the aqueous nonwoven binder; c) contacting a nonwoven substrate with said aqueous nonwoven binder to form a contacted nonwoven substrate; d) heating the contacted nonwoven substrate to a temperature of from 120° C. to 220° C. to form a heated contacted nonwoven substrate; and e) immersing the contacted heated nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium having a final pH of less than 5.5 to provide a dispersible nonwoven substrate wherein the aqueous medium contains a buffer comprising a mixture of citric acid and sodium citrate is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a dispersible nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of contacting a fibrous substrate with an aqueous nonwoven binder comprising an emulsion polymer having a polydispersity index of at least 10, a weight average molecular weight of less than 1,000,000 and from 8 weight percent to 22 weight percent acid monomer, based on the weight of the emulsion polymer, is disclosed. The aqueous nonwoven binder can be prepared by a method comprising the steps of: a) emulsion polymerizing at least one mono-ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one acid monomer in an aqueous solution using an initiator wherein the initiator is present in the aqueous solution in an amount in the range of from 0.5 weight percent to 1.

Abstract: A method for forming a dispersible nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium including: a) forming an aqueous nonwoven binder including a selected emulsion polymer wherein the polymer has been modified with a compound comprising a tri-substituted N-atom, the compound having a pKb of from 4 to 7; b) contacting a nonwoven substrate with the aqueous nonwoven binder; c) heating the contacted nonwoven to a temperature of from 120° C. to 220° C.; and d) immersing the contacted heated nonwoven in an aqueous medium having a final pH<5 is provided. A dispersible nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium formed by the preceding method and a method for providing a dispersed nonwoven in an aqueous medium are also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a dispersible nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium including: a) forming an aqueous nonwoven binder including a selected emulsion polymer wherein the polymer has been modified with a compound comprising a tri-substituted N-atom, the compound having a pKb of from 4 to 7; b) contacting a nonwoven substrate with the aqueous nonwoven binder; c) heating the contacted nonwoven to a temperature of from 120° C. to 220° C.; and d) immersing the contacted heated nonwoven in an aqueous medium having a final pH<5 is provided. A dispersible nonwoven substrate in an aqueous medium formed by the preceding method and a method for providing a dispersed nonwoven in an aqueous medium are also provided.

Abstract: A stable aquasol comprising colloidal silica having a surface area of from about 700 m2/g to about 1100 m2/g, and an S- value of from about 20 to about 50; wherein said colloidal silica is not surface treated; wherein the molar ratio of SiO2/Na2O in said colloidal silica is greater than about 13.0:1 and is less than about 17.0:1; and wherein said aquasols have a percent by weight SiO2 solids level of from about 7.00 percent to about 16.80 percent is described and claimed.

Abstract: A stable aquasol containing colloidal silica having a surface area of from about 700 m2/g to about 1100 m2/g, and an S-value of from about 20 to about 50; wherein the colloidal silica is not surface treated; wherein the molar ratio of SiO2/Na2O in the colloidal silica is greater than about 13.0:1 and is less than about 17.0:1; and wherein the aquasols have a percent by weight SiO2 solids level of from about 7.00 percent to about 16.80 percent is described and claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed are stable, aqueous colloidal silicas having surface area of greater than 700 m2/g and S-values of from 20-50. These colloidal silicas do not require treatment with surface treatment agents such as aluminum to achieve stability. These colloidal silica aquasols can be produced and stored at concentrations of greater than 7 percent by weight SiO2 solids, and even as high as 15 percent by weight solids or higher, and remain stable at room temperature for at least 30 days compared to art-known silica aquasols. These colloidal silica sols demonstrate advantageously improved performance over art-known colloidal silica sots in applications such as in drainage and retention in papermaking processes. Also disclosed are processes for making aqueous colloidal silicas of the invention and the use of such colloidal silicas in papermaking processes.

Abstract: Disclosed are stable, aqueous colloidal silicas having surface area of greater than 700 m2/g and S-values of from 20-50. These colloidal silicas do not require treatment with surface treatment agents such as aluminum to achieve stability. These colloidal silica aquasols can be produced and stored at concentrations of greater than 7 percent by weight SiO2 solids, and even as high as 15 percent by weight solids or higher, and remain stable at room temperature for at least 30 days compared to art-known silica aquasols. These colloidal silica sols demonstrate advantageously improved performance over art-known colloidal silica sols in applications such as in drainage and retention in papermaking processes. Also disclosed are processes for making aqueous colloidal silicas of the invention and the use of such colloidal silicas in papermaking processes.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of paper comprising the steps of:a) forming an aqueous cellulosic papermaking slurry;b) adding an effective coagulating amount of a coagulant and a flocculant to said cellulosic papermaking slurry, wherein said coagulant is prepared by blendingi) an effective coagulating amount of an aqueous conditioned colloidal silica sol with an average particle size within the range of from 1 to 150 nm and wherein the aqueous colloidal silica sol is conditioned by contacting said sol with a strong acid cation exchange resin, andii) an effective coagulating amount of a cationically-charged water-soluble polymeric coagulant;c) draining said cellulosic suspension to form a sheet; and,d) drying said sheet.The components of the invention are blended together so that addition is simultaneous. The colloidal silica is conditioned by passing over a cationic exchange resin prior to addition of cationic polymer.

Abstract: A method of detecting microbiological fouling of felts used in paper making machines is described. A felt suspected of containing microbiological deposits is contacted with iodonitrotetrazolium and then examined for a predetermined color change confirming the presence of bacteria on the felt. The felt assumes a red color in the presence of at least one million colony forming units of bacteria per gram of dry felt within thirty minutes after the iodonitrotetrazolium has contacted the felt.

Abstract: Biocide treatment of the water system of a papermaking process comprising the steps of encapsulating the biocide as the core of the capsule in a water suspension, in which the shell is degradable at high water dilution, and introducing the microcapsules into the water stream to undergo dilution release.