Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a random copolymer which consists essentially of a copolymer of (i) acrylic acid or methacrylic acid (together "(meth)acrylic"), (ii) acrylamide or methacrylamide (together "(meth)acrylamide"), and (iii) an alkoxyalkyl (meth)acrylate ester ("AAE") present in specified relative proportions. The copolymer is made in alcohol or a mixture of alcohol and water in the presence of an effective amount of initiator, without making a homopolymer or copolymer which is insoluble in water. The random copolymer need not be, and is not separated from the polymerization reaction mixture which is soluble in water, and is surprisingly effective in the treatment of industrial process water used in recirculating water systems, particularly with respect to inhibiting the deposition of calcium phosphate on surfaces of equipment used in such systems.

Abstract: In a method for inhibiting scale formation, a random copolymer which consists essentially of a copolymer of (i) acrylic acid or methacrylic acid (together "(meth)acrylic"), (ii) acrylamide or methacrylamide (together "(meth)acrylamide"), and (iii) an alkoxyalkyl (meth)acrylate ester ("AAE") present in specified relative proportions, is soluble in water, and is surprisingly effective in the treatment of industrial process water used in recirculating water systems, particularly with respect to inhibiting the deposition of calcium phosphate on surfaces of equipment used in such systems.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, this invention relates to a method for inhibiting formation of phosphate scale in water systems by the addition of a threshold amount of a water-soluble copolymer of 40 to 95 weight parts of an acrylic acid with 5 to 60 parts of a substituted acrylamide, based on a total of 100 parts of polymerized monomers.

Abstract: Copolymers which are substantially completely soluble in water at the low concentration in which they are used to treat process water, include copolymers of acrylic acid ("AA") or methacrylic acid ("MAA") and salts thereof (together referred to herein as "(meth)acrylic acid", and for brevity as "(M)AA"), and a lower alkenyl carboxylate ("LAC") such as vinyl acetate or propionate, optionally together with a salt of a lower alkenyl sulfonate ("SLAS"). Typical copolymers are those of (M)AA and vinyl acetate ("VOAc") present in a molar ratio in the range from 95:5 to about 60:40; and those of (M)AA, VOAc and sodium vinyl sulfonate ("SVS") in a molar ratio in the range from 95:4.9:0.1 to about 50:25:25. If desired, the foregoing copolymers may be hydrolyzed for use as their hydrolyzates, or the copolymers may be at least partially hydrolyzed, prior to or, during use as for example when used in alkaline boiler water systems.

Abstract: A random copolymer which consists essentially of a copolymer of (i) acrylic acid or methacrylic acid (together "(meth)acrylic"), (ii) acrylamide or methacrylamide (together "(meth)acrylamide"), and (iii) and alkoxyalkyl (meth)acrylate ester ("AAE") present in specified relative proportions, is soluble in water, and is surprisingly effective in the treatment of industrial process water used in recirculating water systems, particularly with respect to inhibiting the deposition of calcium phosphate on surfaces of equipment used in such systems.

Abstract: A two-step process is disclosed for preparing an essentially non-crosslinked random copolymer of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with esters of the acids which esters are formed by reaction with an alkylene oxide. Raw materials are (meth)acrylic acid and alkylene oxide. In a first step, a predetermined amount of a particular esterification catalyst is used, and with close control of process conditions, the (meth)acrylic acid yields both mono- and polyalkoxylated esters. In the second step polymerization is effected without separating the esterification catalyst or purifying the esters formed. The resulting random copolymer formed consists essentially of a terpolymer of (i) acrylic acid or methacrylic acid (together "(meth)acrylic"), (ii) a hydroxymonoalkylated (meth)acrylate, and (iii) a hydroxypolyalkyleneoxylated (meth)acrylate the monomeric moieties being present in specified relative proportions.

Abstract: A "one pot" process is taught for the preparation of a water-soluble interpolymer starting with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or mixtures thereof, and a lower aliphatic alcohol. The process comprises concurrently converting the lower carboxylic acid to an ester, and polymerizing reactants and reaction products under reflux conditions in the copresence of a strongly acid esterification catalyst and a free radical initiator for the polymerization; and, recovering the copolymer. In the reaction mixture there is simultaneous formation (i) of water, the removal of which determines the amount of ester formed, and (ii) of polymer. The initiator survives the strongly acid esterification catalyst, and polymerization is not adversely affected by the formation of water and the presence of the esterification catalyst, despite elevated temperature conditions.

Abstract: The compositions are formed as the reaction product, preferably in an organic solvent, of phosphorous acid or PCl.sub.3 and a water-soluble carboxyl polymer. A precursor of phosphorous acid, which precursor is capable of generating phosphorous acid in aqueous solution, may be used, and preferably, the water-soluble carboxyl polymer has a relatively low molecular weight, preferably in the range from about 400 to about 6000. The molar ratio of the reactants, namely of carboxyl polymer, calculated as carboxyl groups to phosphorous acid is in the range from about 10:1 to about 1:1. The carboxyl polymer, such as polyacrylic acid, may be derived from an .alpha.,.beta.-olefinically unsaturated monomer having a carboxyl group, or the carboxyl polymer such as an acid anhydride polymer may be derived from a monomer readily converted to one having a carboxylic acid group.