Abstract: Organophosphorous compounds containing C—P chemical bonds are oxidized with alkaline peroxysulfate to yield orthophosphates. For example, phosphinates, including certain chemical warfare agents, as well as phosphinate salts produced by the solvated electron reduction of the chemical warfare agents, are oxidized to orthophosphates.

Abstract: Energetic materials, such as nitrocellulose, TNT, RDX, and combinations thereof, optionally in combination with chemical warfare agents, such as mustard gas, Lewisite, Tabun, Sarin, Toman, VX, and combinations thereof, are destroyed when chemically reacted according to the method of the invention. The method comprises reacting the energetic materials and chemical warfare agents, of present, with solvated electrons which are preferably produced by dissolving an active metal such as sodium in a nitrogenous base such as anhydrous liquid ammonia.

Abstract: The use of falling-film evaporation and a concentration means such as centrifugal separation to dehydrate and concentrate a water-in-oil polymer emulsion or suspension is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a water-in-oil polymer composition containing less than about 25% active polymer solids is dehydrated in falling-film evaporator to produce an evaporator concentrate containing less than about 5.0% water. The evaporator concentrate then flows to a separation device such as a centrifuge, wherein oil is removed to produce a composition that is substantially a polymer and emulsifying surfactant-in-oil composition containing in excess of about 60 weight % polymer solids. The centrifuge raffinate may optionally be treated in a second separation means to capture additional polymer solids, with optional recycle of the oil-rich raffinate. The concentrated polymer composition is preferably stabilized with a steric stabilizer to produce a free flowing liquid product.

Abstract: Methods for decontaminating toxic waste, particularly solid carrier materials, such as soil contaminated with a toxin, or solid mixed wastes are more efficiently decontaminated with solvated electrons by first extracting the toxin from the carrier with a nitrogenous base at elevated temperatures, followed by a temperature reduction before initiating chemical reduction of the toxin with solvated electrons. Pre-extraction of the toxin at elevated temperatures followed by temperature reduction minimizes competing side reactions, improves selectivity of solvated electrons for the toxin and improves the economics of the process with more efficient metal utilization. The process can be performed without separation of the toxin from the extraction vessel holding the solid carrier material. Alternatively, elevated temperatures can be used to perform one or more extractions of toxin with nitrogenous base followed by reduction with solvated electrons by performing the reaction in a separate reactor.

Abstract: A composition comprising aqueous cellulosic furnish, a high molecular weight cationic polymer, and a modified lignin wherein the ratio of the cationic polymer to the modified lignin is from about 10:1 to 1:10 on an active basis is disclosed. A process employing this composition for making paper or paperboard having improved drainage, retention and formation properties is also provided.

Abstract: The use of falling-film evaporation and a concentration means such as centrifugal separation to dehydrate and concentrate a water-in-oil polymer emulsion or suspension is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a water-in-oil polymer composition containing less than about 25% active polymer solids is dehydrated in falling-film evaporator to produce an evaporator concentrate containing less than about 5.0% water. The evaporator concentrate then flows to a separation device such as a centrifuge, wherein oil is removed to produce a composition that is substantially a polymer and emulsifying surfactant-in-oil composition containing in excess of about 60 weight % polymer solids. The centrifuge raffinate may optionally be treated in a second separation means to capture additional polymer solids, with optional recycle of the oil-rich raffinate. The concentrated polymer composition is preferably stabilized with a steric stabilizer to produce a free flowing liquid product.

Abstract: A composition comprising an aqueous cellulosic furnish, a high molecular weight cationic polymer, and an anionic polymer comprising a modified lignin wherein the ratio of the cationic polymer to the anionic polymer is from about 10:1 to 1:10 on an active basis is disclosed. A process employing this composition for making paper or paperboard having improved drainage, retention and formation properties is also provided.

Abstract: A composition comprising an aqueous cellulosic furnish, a high molecular weight cationic polymer, and an anionic polymer comprising a modified lignin wherein the ratio of the cationic polymer to the anionic polymer is from about 10:1 to 1:10 on an active basis is disclosed. A process employing this composition for making paper or paperboard having improved drainage, retention and formation properties is also provided.

Abstract: A composition comprising an aqueous cellulosic furnish, a high molecular weight cationic polymer, and a modified lignin wherein the ratio of the cationic polymer to the modified lignin is from about 10:1 to 1:10 on an active basis is disclosed. A process employing this composition for making paper or paperboard having improved drainage, retention and formation properties is also provided.

Abstract: The use of falling-film evaporation and a concentration means such as centrifugal separation to dehydrate and concentrate a water-in-oil polymer emulsion or suspension is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a water-in-oil polymer composition containing less than about 25% active polymer solids is dehydrated in falling-film evaporator to produce an evaporator concentrate containing less than about 5.0% water. The evaporator concentrate then flows to a separation device such as a centrifuge, wherein oil is removed to produce a composition that is substantially a polymer and emulsifying surfactant-in-oil composition containing in excess of about 60 weight % polymer solids. The centrifuge raffinate may optionally be treated in a second separation means to capture additional polymer solids, with optional recycle of the oil-rich raffinate. The concentrated polymer composition is preferably stabilized with a steric stabilizer to produce a free flowing liquid product.

Abstract: A method for clarifying phosphoric acid by flocculation or coagulation of solids wherein an effective amount of a carboxylic-type polymer having a portion of sulfonic functionality is used as the clarification aid. Preferred polymers are high molecular weight acrylic acid/acrylamido methylpropyl sulfonic acid-type polymers.

Abstract: A novel method of treating circulating water containing over-sprayed, water-borne paint, such as in a paint spray booth operation, comprises adjusting the alkalinity of the paint spray booth water to between about 20 and 600 ppm, on a calcium carbonate basis, by adding a designated alkalinity source thereto, adding a cationic potato starch to the water, contacting the over-sprayed, water-borne paint with the alkalinity-adjusted paint spray booth water after addition of the cationic potato starch, adding an effective amount of a polymer floccing agent to the paint spray booth water, and removing resulting sludge from the paint spray booth water.

Abstract: A method for improving gypsum slurry filtration in the production of wet process phosphoric acid wherein an effective amount of carboxylic-type polymer having a portion of sulfonic functionality is used as the filtration aid. Preferred polymers are high molecular weight polymers of acrylic acid and acrylamido methylpropyl sulfonic acid.

Abstract: A method for clarifying phosphoric acid by flocculation or coagulation of solids wherein an effective amount of a polymer having a predominantly sulfonic functionality is used as the clarification aid. Preferred polymers are high molecular weight acrylamide/acrylamido methylpropyl sulfonic acid-type (AM/AMPSA) polymers which are predominantly AMPSA.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for preparing free-flowing, water-soluble polymer gels comprising:(a) reducing the size of water-soluble polymer gels by a size-reduction means, so as to produce polymer gel particles which are less than 1/2 inch in their longest dimension; and(b) adding to the size-reduced polymer gels of Step (a) 0.001 to 20 percent, by weight, of an amphipathic compound, thereby reducing the adhesion of said gel particles to themselves and other substances.The instant invention is also directed to a free-flowing, water-soluble polymer gel admixture comprising:(a) size-reduced, water-soluble polymer gel particles, wherein said gel particles are less than 1/2 inch in their longest dimension; and(b) an amphipathic compound.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for preparing free-flowing, water-soluble polymer gels comprising:(a) reducing the size of water-soluble polymer gels by a size-reduction means, so as to produce polymer gel particles which are less than 1/2 inch in their longest dimension; and(b) adding to the size-reduced polymer gels of Step (a) 0.001 to 20 percent, by weight, of an amphipathic compound, thereby reducing the adhesion of said gel particles to themselves and other substances.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for preparing free-flowing, water-soluble polymer gels comprising:(a) reducing the size of water-soluble polymer gels by a size-reduction means, so as to produce polymer gel particles which are less than 1/2 inch in their longest dimension; and(b) adding to the size-reduced polymer gels of Step (a) 0.001 to 20 percent, by weight, of an amphipathic compound, thereby reducing the adhesion of said gel particles to themselves and other substances.The instant invention is also directed to a free-flowing, water-soluble polymer gel admixture comprising:(a) size-reduced, water-soluble polymer gel particles, wherein said gel particles are less than 1/2 inch in their longest dimension; and(b) an amphipathic compound.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of poly(dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride) comprising:(a) casting upon a continuous belt apparatus to form a film having a thickness of 1/4 inch to 1 inch an aqueous dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride solution having a monomer concentration of at least 65 percent, by weight, monomer, said monomer solution also containing a photoreducible dye in a concentration of 1.times.10.sup.-7 to 1.times.10.sup.-4 moles per liter, a mild reducing agent in a concentration of 1.times.10.sup.-5 to 1.times.10.sup.-2 moles per liter and thermal initiator in a concentration of 1.times.10.sup.-5 to 1.times.10.sup.-2 moles per liter;(b) passing of the solution under a series of lights which emit visible light at an intensity of 0.1 to 10,000 foot candles and controlling the temperature of the monomer solution in the range of 5.degree. C. to 65.degree. C.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for preparing free-flowing, water-soluble polymer gels comprising:(a) reducing the size of water-soluble polymer gels by a size-reduction means, so as to produce polymer gel particles which are less than 1/2 inch in their longest dimension; and(b) adding to the size-reduced polymer gels of Step (a) 0.001 to 20 percent, by weight, of an amphipathic compound, thereby reducing the adhesion of said gel particles to themselves and other substances.The instant invention is also directed to a free-flowing, water-soluble polymer gel admixture comprising:(a) size-reduced, water-soluble polymer gel particles, wherein said gel particles are less than 1/2 inch in their longest dimension; and(b) an amphipathic compound.

Abstract: Photopolymerization of monomers by visible light using a photoreducible dye, a reducing agent and a controlled level of copper ions allows for high molecular weight polymer formation. The molecular weight is found to be proportional to the copper ion concentration. At 10 to 1,000 ppb copper ion concentration, the molecular weight of the polymer is optimum.