Abstract: The invention provides an associative polymer, a powder, and a process for making a powder including, networking one or more associative polymers and one or more optional surfactants to form a wet gel, and forming a powder from the wet gel, wherein the associative polymer(s) have a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

Abstract: Compositions and colloidal particles are provided that may be used to improve a papermaking process. The compositions and colloidal particles may include a polymer and an inorganic salt. A papermaking process carried out using the presently disclosed compositions and colloidal particles may produce a paper product that has increased strength properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for strengthening paper. The methods may include a step of spraying an anionic polymer onto a paper sheet to increase the strength of the paper sheet. The anionic polymer may have amino groups, amide groups, or a combination of amino groups and amide groups. These groups may be functionalized with an aldehyde. Methods may also include a step of adding a wet end composition to a wet end of the papermaking process.

Abstract: A process for making down a powder is provided. The process comprises making down a powder comprising one or more acrylamide-based polymer(s) to form a made down powder solution, comprising blending a mixture of the powder and a solvent for no more than about 15 minutes to yield the made down powder solution, wherein the powder comprises particles having been dry-cut to a median particle size of from about 200 microns to about 10,000 microns.

Abstract: A solution including an associative polymer, a cyclodextrin polymer, and a solvent is provided. The associative polymer is a powder in the absence of the solvent. Additionally, a method of making down an associative polymer powder to form a solution is provided. The method includes blending a mixture of the powder, a cyclodextrin polymer, and a solvent to yield the solution, wherein the powder includes particles having been dry-cut to a median particle size of from about 200 microns to about 10,000 microns. Additionally, a powder product is provided. The powder product includes from about 80 wt. % to about 99.9 wt. % associative polymer; and from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a cyclodextrin polymer.

Abstract: Compositions and colloidal particles are provided that may be used to improve a papermaking process. The compositions and colloidal particles may include a polymer and an inorganic salt. A papermaking process carried out using the presently disclosed compositions and colloidal particles may produce a paper product that has increased strength properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are a composite absorbent and a method for using same in the absorption and conversion of ethylene oxide for the coupling co-production of ethylene carbonate. The composite absorbent comprises an ionic liquid and ethylene carbonate, wherein the ionic liquid is an imidazole ionic liquid, a quaternary ammonium ionic liquid and a quaternary phosphonium ionic liquid. The composite absorbent is used for absorbing ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide, and is also used in the absorption and conversion of ethylene oxide for the coupling co-production of ethylene carbonate.

Abstract: A system and a process for co-producing dimethyl carbonate and ethylene glycol. The system comprises an interconnected ethylene carbonate preparation unit and an ethylene carbonate alcoholysis unit. The ethylene carbonate preparation unit comprises a fixed bed reactor and a light-component stripping column connected to each other. The fixed bed reactor is filled with a supported ionic liquid catalyst. The process comprises the steps of: reacting carbon dioxide and ethylene oxide as raw materials in the fixed bed reactor to produce ethylene carbonate, purifying the ethylene carbonate and then mixing it with an alcoholysis reaction catalyst, and reacting the mixture with methanol in a reactive distillation tower, producing dimethyl carbonate and ethylene glycol. The process increases the conversion rate of ethylene oxide and avoids the need for a process of separating conventional homogeneous catalysts from ethylene carbonate, thereby reducing process energy consumption and simplifying process procedures.

Abstract: A method of incorporating a low molecular weight polymer (e.g., polymer strength aid) into an industrial process (e.g., papermaking process) is provided. The method comprises treating an industrial process (e.g., paper sheet precursor) with a powder or wetted powder, wherein the powder comprises a polymer dry polymer (e.g., polymer strength aid), wherein the polymer dry polymer (e.g., polymer strength aid) has a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for improving performance of flocculants in an industrial production process. Methods include pH triggered cross-linking reaction between a flocculating agent, such as dextran, and a composition comprising a boronic acid-containing polymer. The pH trigger can be provided by a fluid having a pH of 8 or more. The production process can be a Bayer Process and the fluid is caustic liquor or slurry in the fluid circuit of the Bayer, wherein the reaction time is reduced over conventional methods and the cross-linked dextran composition effectuates improved flocculation of the trihydrate particles.

Abstract: A system and a process for co-producing dimethyl carbonate and ethylene glycol. The system comprises an interconnected ethylene carbonate preparation unit and an ethylene carbonate alcoholysis unit. The ethylene carbonate preparation unit comprises a fixed bed reactor and a light-component stripping column connected to each other. The fixed bed reactor is filled with a supported ionic liquid catalyst. The process comprises the steps of: reacting carbon dioxide and ethylene oxide as raw materials in the fixed bed reactor to produce ethylene carbonate, purifying the ethylene carbonate and then mixing it with an alcoholysis reaction catalyst, and reacting the mixture with methanol in a reactive distillation tower, producing dimethyl carbonate and ethylene glycol. The process increases the conversion rate of ethylene oxide and avoids the need for a process of separating conventional homogeneous catalysts from ethylene carbonate, thereby reducing process energy consumption and simplifying process procedures.

Abstract: A transitional treatment composition and methods of treating coal refuse are provided. The transitional treatment composition comprises an anionic acrylate-acrylamide copolymer having from about 30 mole percent to about 50 mole percent (meth)acrylate, from about 50 mole percent to about 70 mole percent (meth)acrylamide, and a reduced specific viscosity of from about 18 dL/g to about 30 dL/g. The transitional treatment composition can be made down in an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A solution including an associative polymer, a cyclodextrin polymer, and a solvent is provided. The associative polymer is a powder in the absence of the solvent. Additionally, a method of making down an associative polymer powder to form a solution is provided. The method includes blending a mixture of the powder, a cyclodextrin polymer, and a solvent to yield the solution, wherein the powder includes particles having been dry-cut to a median particle size of from about 200 microns to about 10,000 microns. Additionally, a powder product is provided. The powder product includes from about 80 wt. % to about 99.9 wt. % associative polymer; and from about 0.1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a cyclodextrin polymer.

Abstract: Papermaking additives that include various polymers and/or micropolymers are disclosed. The micropolymers may have a network structure that can be created by crosslinking or other means. The micropolymer may be an acrylamide based polymer having a boronic acid moiety. The weight average molecular weight of the micropolymer may be greater than 1,000,000.

Abstract: The invention provides an associative polymer, a powder, and a process for making a powder comprising, networking one or more associative polymer(s) and one or more optional surfactant(s) to form a wet gel, and forming a powder from the wet gel, wherein the associative polymer(s) have a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

Abstract: The invention provides an associative polymer, a powder, and a process for making a powder including, networking one or more associative polymers and one or more optional surfactants to form a wet gel, and forming a powder from the wet gel, wherein the associative polymer(s) have a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

Abstract: A process for making down a powder is provided. The process comprises making down a powder comprising one or more acrylamide-based polymer(s) to form a made down powder solution, comprising blending a mixture of the powder and a solvent for no more than about 15 minutes to yield the made down powder solution, wherein the powder comprises particles having been dry-cut to a median particle size of from about 200 microns to about 10,000 microns.

Abstract: A method of incorporating a low molecular weight polymer (e.g., polymer strength aid) into an industrial process (e.g., papermaking process) is provided. The method comprises treating an industrial process (e.g., paper sheet precursor) with a powder or wetted powder, wherein the powder comprises a polymer dry polymer (e.g., polymer strength aid), wherein the polymer dry polymer (e.g., polymer strength aid) has a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

Abstract: A process for flocculating filler particles in water is provided. The process comprises adding a flocculant to a mixture comprising filler particles and water, wherein the flocculant has a reduced specific viscosity (“RSV”) of from about 5 dL/g to about 16 dL/g, a viscosity average molecular weight of from about 1,200,000 to about 7,500,000, and a cationic charge of from about 5 mol % to about 50 mol %. Flocs formed by flocculation of the filler particles and the flocculant have a median particle size of from about 10 ?m to about 150 ?m. The filler is not precipitated calcium carbonate alone. The flocs provided by the process are useful in increasing ash content of a paper product.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for improving performance of flocculants in an industrial production process. Methods include pH triggered cross-linking reaction between a flocculating agent, such as dextran, and a composition comprising a boronic acid-containing polymer. The pH trigger can be provided by a fluid having a pH of 8 or more. The production process can be a Bayer Process and the fluid is caustic liquor or slurry in the fluid circuit of the Bayer, wherein the reaction time is reduced over conventional methods and the cross-linked dextran composition effectuates improved flocculation of the trihydrate particles.