Abstract: A method of removing microplastic particles from a water-based liquid, comprising the exposure of the liquid to a solid surface on which is retained a sorbitan monooleate surfactant, in a concentration suitable for entrapping substantially all microplastic particles. The method is useful for removing microplastic particles and microfibres from fresh and saline natural waters, effluent water, such as grey water, storm water and waste waters from industrial processes, in addition to any kind of product based on water, such as mineral waters, milk, fruit juices, beverages, pharmaceutical and veterinary products.

Abstract: A process for preparing a gasoline including blending appropriate components together to prepare a gasoline having a final boiling point of less than 200° C. and contacting the blended gasoline as a whole with a decolorizing, activated carbon. The carbon removes at least some of the following trace impurities: indanes, naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, pryene, alkylbenzene, and mixtures thereof. The prepared gasoline, when combusted, can provide reduced deposits.

Abstract: A process for fuelling a marine vessel having a diesel engine and/or a boiler, which comprises providing the marine vessel with a storage tank for high internal phase ratio (HIPR) emulsions comprising 10-40% by weight water and a fuel oil comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of atmospheric residues, vacuum distillate residues, visbreaker residues and other heavy refinery streams in the substantial absence of hydrocarbon cutter stock. The absence of cutter stock avoids incompatibility problems and may allow for use of the emulsion without settling, filtering and centrifuging.

Abstract: A process for decolourising gasoline and for removing from liquid hydrocarbon fuels especially gasoline, at least some of trace impurities selected from the group consisting of indanes, naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, pyrene, alkylbenzenes and mixtures thereof, the process comprising contacting the liquid hydrocarbon fuel, especially gasoline, with a decolourising carbon. The product gasoline provides reduced engine deposit formation.

Abstract: A process for fuelling a marine vessel having a diesel engine and/or a boiler, which comprises providing the marine vessel with a storage tank for high internal phase ratio (HIPR) emulsions comprising 10-40% by weight water and a fuel oil comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of atmospheric residues, vacuum distillate residues, visbreaker residues and other heavy refinery streams in the substantial absence of hydrocarbon cutter stock. The absence of cutter stock avoids incompatibility problems and may allow for use of the emulsion without settling, filtering and centrifuging.

Abstract: A cyclic compound comprising m units of formula Ia and n units of formula (Ib) joined together to form a ring, wherein Y is a divalent bridging group which may be the same or different in each unit; R0 is H, a C1-C6 alkyl or a metal or ammonium cation; R5 is H or a C1-C6 alkyl; and j is 1 or 2; R3 is hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or a hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl group; each of R1, R2 and R4, which may be the same or different, is hydroxyl, hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl, with the proviso that at least one of R1, R2, R4 is hydroxyl, and m+n is 4 to 20, m is 1-8 and n is at least 3; and with the proviso that at least one of the conditions a) to e) below is satisfied: (a) the cyclic compound comprises at least one formula (Ia) unit in the form of a carboxylate anion, (b) the caclic compound comprises at least one formula (Ia) unit in the form of an alkaline earth metal or alkali metal carboxylate salt, (c) the cyclic compound comprises at least 2 units of formula (Ia) (d) the cyclic co

Abstract: A cyclic compound comprising m units of the formula Ia: and n units of the formula (Ib): joined together to form a ring, wherein Y and Y2 are divalent bridging groups which may be the same or different in each unit; R0 is H or (C1-C6) alkyl or is a metal or ammonium cation; R5 is H or (C1-C60) alkyl or OH group; j is 1 or 2; R3 is hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or a hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl group; each of R1, R2 and R4, which may be the same or different, is hydroxyl, hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl, with the provisos that i) at least one of R1, R2, R4 is hydroxyl, and m+n is 4 to 20, m is 1-8 and n is at least 3, and ii) in formula Ia at least one OH group is in the meta or para position to the COOR0 group and/or at least one R5 group is OH.

Abstract: A method of purifying a mixture, said mixture comprising an oil Product, at least one additive and water, wherein: said oil Product is a liquid fuel oil composition or lubricating oil composition, at least part of the water is in the form of a dispersion of water in said Product, and said additive is a cyclic compound comprising m units of the formula (Ia) and n units of the formula (Ib) joined together to form a ring, wherein each y and Y2 is a divalent bridging group which may be the same or different in each unit; R0 is H or (C1-C6) alkyl or is a metal cation, R5 is H or (C1-C60) alkyl; J is 1 or 2; R3 is hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or a hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl group; either R1 is hydroxyl and R2 and R4 are independently either hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or heterosubstituted hydrocarbyl, or R2 or R4 are hydroxyl and R1 is either hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl; and m+n is from 4 to 20, m is from 1 to 8 and n is at least 3; said method comprising: providing said mixture, coalescin

Abstract: A cyclic compound comprising m units of the formula Ia.

Abstract: A cyclic compound comprising m units of the formula Ia.

Abstract: A cyclic compound comprising m units of the formula Ia. and n units of the formula (Ib) joined together to form a ring, wherein Y and y2 are divalent bridging groups which may be the same or different in each unit; Ro is H or (C1-C6) alkyl or is a metal or amnmonium cation; R5 is H or (C1-C60) alkyl or OH group; j is 1 or 2; R3 is hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or a hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl group; each of R1, R2 and R4, which may be the same or different, is hydroxyl, hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or hetero-substituted hydrocarbyl, with the provisos that i) at least one of R1, R2, R4 is hydroxyl, and m +n is 4 to 20, m is 1-8 and n is at least 3, and ii) in formula Ia at least one OH group is in the meta or para position to the COORo group and/or at least one R5 group is OH.

Abstract: A dispersion of an ester polymer in at least one liquid wherein the ester polymer is a polymer consisting essentially of a first monomer with structural units derived from at least one ester (1) of an aliphatic carboxylic acid with an aliphatic alcohol, wherein one of the acid and alcohol is ethylenically unsaturated and the other of the acid and alcohol has a long chain group of 14-40 carbons. A second monomer is optionally present which is a monomer derived from a different ester (2) within the same definition as ester (1), such that the mole average carbon content of the long chain group is 15-35, and a third monomer with structural units derived from a corresponding ester (3) of an aliphatic carboxylic acid and an aliphatic alcohol. One of the acid and alcohol is ethylenically unsaturated and the other has an aliphatic group of 1-13 carbons, such that at least 30% of the said aliphatic groups have 15-35 carbons.

Abstract: A jet fuel composition having reduced tendency to discoloration of high temperatures comprises a cyclic compound comprising m units of the formula 1a.

Abstract: An HIPR emulsion of bitumen in water is prepared by a method which comprises directly mixing 70 to 98% by volume of bitumen having a viscosity in the range 200 to 500,000 mPa.s at the mixing temperature with 30 to 2% by volume of an aqueous solution of an emulsifying surfactant, percentages being expressed as percentages by volume of the total mixture. Mixing is effected under low shear conditions in the range 10 to 1,000 reciprocal seconds in such manner that an emulsion is formed comprising highly distorted bitumen droplets having mean droplet diameters in the range 2 to 50 micron separated by thin films of water.The emulsions can be cut back to provide stable emulsions of lower bitumen content which are useful in roadmaking and the formation of protective coatings.

Abstract: An HIPR emulsion of bitumen in water is prepared by a method which comprises directly mixing 70 to 98% by volume of bitumen having a viscosity in the range 200 to 500,000 mPa.s at the mixing temperature with 30 to 2% by volume of an aqueous solution of an emulsifying surfactant, percentages being expressed as percentages by volume of the total mixture. Mixing is effected under low shear conditions in the range 10 to 1,000 reciprocal seconds in such manner that an emulsion is formed comprising highly distorted bitumen droplets having mean droplet diameters in the range 2 to 50 micron separated by thin films of water.The emulsions can be cut back to provide stable emulsions of lower bitumen content which are useful in road-making and the formation of protective coatings.

Abstract: An HIPR (high internal phase ratio) emulsion of oil in water is prepared by directly mixing 70 to 98% by volume of a viscous oil having a viscosity in the range 200 to 250,000 mPa.s at the mixing temperature with 30 to 2% by volume of an aqueous solution of an emulsifying surfactant or an alkali, percentages being expressed as percentages by volume of the total mixture. Mixing is effected under low shear conditions in the range 10 to 1,000 reciprocal seconds in such manner that an emulsion is formed comprising highly distorted oil droplets having mean droplet diameters in the range 2 to 50 micron separated by thin interfacial films. The emulsions are much less viscous than the oils from which they are prepared and may, optionally after dilution, be pumped through a pipeline.