Abstract: Method for fracturing coal seams to improve the production (e.g. methane and/or water) therefrom. A water-based fracturing fluid is injected into the coal seam under pressure wherein the fracturing fluid contains both a wetting agent and a dispersant. The wetting agent contacts the fines which are formed during the fracturing of the coal and converts them from "hydrophobic" to "hydrophilic" while the dispersant serves to disperse and suspend the fines within the fracturing fluid. This prevents early screen-out of the fines from the fracturing fluid which allows the fluid to propagate fractures of longer lengths into a coal seam before the fines settle out to block further flow through a fracture.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method for converting phosphorus containing polymers from a two dimensional, layered structure into a three dimensional structure by crosslinking such layers. The method and the resulting crosslinked polymers may be used to encapsulate active materials such as catalysts, pesticides, etc. by intercalating such active materials between the layers prior to crosslinking. Thus, the egress of said active materials into the environment during use may be hindered or prevented. The crosslinking polymers, themselves, may also be used as catalysts or as selective sorbents.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method for converting phosphorus containing polymers from a two dimensional, layered structure into a three dimensional structure by crosslinking such layers. The method and the resulting crosslinked polymers may be used to encapsulate active materials such as catalysts, pesticides, etc. by intercalating such active materials between the layers prior to crosslinking. Thus, the egress of said active materials into the environment during use may be hindered or prevented. The crosslinked polymers, themselves, may also be used as catalysts or as selective sorbents.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method for converting phosphorus containing polymers from a two dimensional, layered structure into a three dimensional structure by crosslinking such layers. The method and the resulting crosslinked polymers may be used to encapsulate active materials such as catalysts, pesticides, etc. by intercalating such active materials between the layers prior to crosslinking. Thus, the egress of said active materials into the environment during use may be hindered or prevented. The crosslinked polymers, themselves, may also be used as catalysts or as selective sorbents.

Abstract: Coal-aqueous slurries having improved shear stability and lower viscosity are described. The use of a plurality surfactants each having hydrophilic portion with each surfactant hydrophilic portion having a different molecular weight are utilized in sufficient amounts to wet and disperse particulate coal and water. When two surfactants are utilized, coal-aqueous mixtures may be formulated having up to or over 70% by weight coal when the first surfactant has a hydrophilic portion comprising a relatively large number of ethylene oxide units and the second surfactant has hydrophilic portion comprising a relatively small number of ethylene oxide units.