Abstract: The present invention is drawn to dewatering components and methods for their use. As particularly preferred, the invention relates to dewatering components comprising a cationic starch and/or a tannin capable of separating and/or resolving oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil emulsions, particularly in crude petroleum oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biomaterial and/or a biocomposite based on sunflower seed shells/husks. According to the invention, it is proposed that sunflower seed shells/husks are used instead of wood, bamboo or other wood-like fiber products as the original material for the biocomposite products and are used for the production of such products in order to improve the previous biomaterials, and in particular also to design said materials for improved cost efficiency and to improve their material properties.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to purge fluids, methods of using the purge fluids, and systems to be used for recycling the purge fluids. In some aspects, the purge fluid may be used to clean or purge an automated spray coating apparatus, such as a paint gun. The purge fluid may include a solvent and water. After the purge fluid is utilized for purging or cleaning certain system components, the purge fluid may be treated, subjected to a liquid-solid separation technique, and reused as a purge fluid.

Abstract: A first variant of an adhesive composition for making a lignocellulosic composite includes soy protein and/or lignin; at least one substantially formaldehyde-free curing agent that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide, or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the soy protein; and at least one compound selected from a boron compound, a group IA oxide or hydroxide, or a group IIA oxide or hydroxide. A second variant of an adhesive composition includes a first component selected from soy protein and/or lignin; and at least one substantially formaldehyde-free curing agent selected from a reaction product of epichlorohydrin with ethylenediamine, a reaction product of epichlorohydrin with bis-hexamethylenetriamine, or a reaction product of epichlorohydrin with hexamethylenediamine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for use in making a starch-based food or beverage container, the formulation allowing the container to be water resistant for a usable amount of time without the need for coatings or similar. An embodiment of the formulation comprising water, native and pregelatinized starch, an insolubilizing compound, proteins or natural polymeric compounds, fibers, a wax emulsion, and a fiber-sizing agent.

Abstract: The, present invention provides useful adhesive compositions having similar adhesive properties to conventional UF and PPF resins. The compositions generally include a protein portion and modifying ingredient portion selected from the group consisting of carboxyl-containing compounds, aldehyde-containing compounds, epoxy group-containing compounds, and mixtures thereof. The composition is preferably prepared at a pH level at or near the isoelectric point of the protein. In other preferred forms, the adhesive composition includes a protein portion and a carboxyl-containing group portion.

Abstract: Water-resistant, protein-based adhesive dispersion compositions and methods for preparing them are provided. The adhesive dispersions are prepared by copolymerizing a denatured vegetable protein, such as soy flour, that has been functionalized with methylol groups with one or more reactive comonomers, and preparing an acidic dispersion of the adhesive. The adhesive dispersions exhibit superior water resistance, and can be used to bond wood substrates, such as panels or laminate, or in the preparation of composite materials.