Abstract: A method of preparing a gel from carboxymethyl cellulose alkali metal salt, which is an anionic cellulose derivative, by using acid or acid solution. To increase the strength and the elasticity of a gel, a water-insoluble metal compound or organic reinforcement is added when mixing. The obtained gel is one of environmentally friendly type gels because the raw material is derived from plant.

Abstract: Low molecular weight gelators, methods of making such gelators, organogels comprising such gelators and systems and methods of using such gelators for the containment and/or remediation of a release and/or spill of a crude oil, a petroleum product and/or a chemical is described. In exemplary systems and methods, gels and/or emulsions formed from the combination and/or contact of such gelators and at least one of a crude oil, a petroleum product and a chemical from a release and/or spill into the environment can be used to recover these oils or chemicals while allowing the gelators to be recovered and reused to clean up or contain additional crude oil, petroleum products or chemicals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a stable sol-gel solution. The solution may be used to form coating materials for metallic substrates, such as silver-based substrates for use in mirrors. The process includes the steps of preparing a sol-gel solution by bringing one or more molecular metal and/or metalloid precursors into contact with a medium comprising an organic solvent, adding at least one mercaptoorganosilane compound to the solution, hydrolyzing the solution obtained, and then adding one or more complexing agents to the solution.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of at least one ARN acid or salt thereof comprising: (I) allowing at least one ARN acid salt to form during the production of crude oil in the presence of water; (II) removing at least 5 wt % of the formed at least one ARN acid salt, e.g. from the oil water interface; and optionally (III) converting said salt into an acid.

Abstract: The invention concerns the gelatinization of viscous aqueous or hydroalcoholic liquid components, buffered or not, intended for the production of films for the manufacture of soft capsules. These compositions are notable in particular in that gelatinization thereof is obtained extemporaneously starting with thickening agents that exhibit the unique property of gelatinizing instantly upon contact with complexing solutions, the elasticity of the films being obtained by introducing or not introducing a plasticizing agent, decomposition thereof being controlled by incorporating or not incorporating a surfactant or a polysaccharide, and preservation thereof being ensured or not ensured by the addition of preservatives, thus allowing it to contain oily and/or aqueous solutions. The invention also concerns a method for manufacturing films for such capsules, which comprises gelatinization of said films by applying a complexing agent to the mass by spraying and/or by immersion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a stable sol-gel solution comprising, in succession, the following steps: a) preparing a sol-gel solution by bringing one or more molecular metal and/or metalloid precursors into contact with a medium comprising an organic solvent; b) adding at least one mercaptoorganosilane compound to the solution obtained in a); c) hydrolyzing the solution obtained in b); and d) adding, to the solution obtained in c), one or more complexing agents chosen from carboxylic acids, ?-diketone compounds and hydroxamate compounds.

Abstract: A process for preparing a dry pesticidal composition including a glyphosate component comprising a water-soluble salt of glyphosate acid, a dicarboxylate component and optionally an adjuvant component. According to the process of the present invention, a glyphosate component is combined with a dicarboxylate component and optionally an adjuvant component to form an enhanced pesticidal composition. The glyphosate component and/or the dicarboxylate component may be combined in their salt form or either or both may be combined in acid form and reacted in the mixture with a base component to form the corresponding salt.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides biodegradable, porous structures that each include a structural framework, wherein the structural framework includes: (a) a solidified mixture of polymer molecules and amino acid molecules, wherein at least some of the amino acid molecules are linked to other amino acid molecules within the framework; and (b) a multiplicity of interconnected spaces defined by the structural framework. In some embodiments, the porous structures of the invention are adapted to physically support the growth of living cells in vitro or in vivo, and can be used to grow living tissue and/or living organs. The present invention also provide methods for making the biodegradable, porous structures of the invention.

Abstract: Liquid suspensions of particles in non-aqueous solvents are extremely stable over long periods of time with minimum separation of the solvent and no hard packing of the dispersed particles. The suspensions enable a user to rapidly add the suspension to water and to mix at low speeds without generating fugitive dust in the process. In addition, a liquid dispersion can provide an easy to use liquid containing higher concentrations of the active dispersed phase than can be accomplished by simply preparing an aqueous solution of the dispersed phase. Alternatively, highly water-soluble particles may also be suspended which have poor storage, freeze/thaw, or heat/cool stability. In some cases, liquid dispersions can yield controlled release of the dispersed phase because the dispersed phase is not in aqueous solution. The suspensions are environmentally safe and biodegradable and may be used in environmentally sensitive applications, such as for oil well treating fluids for offshore areas.

Abstract: An oil treating agent of W/O emulsion, wherein an aqueous dispersed phase is dispersed in an oily continuous phase, and wherein the dispersed phase is an alkaline mixture solution obtained by mixing water, a solution comprising water and an alcohol, or a water-free alcohol solution with an alkali hydroxide e.g. sodium hydroxide or with a metal alkoxide e.g. sodium alkoxide and the continuous phase comprises a liquid incompatible with the dispersed phase.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel synergistic reversible solid/semi-solid organic composition, said composition comprising (a) at least one saturated long chain fatty acid and/or its glycerol esters and (b) one or more liquid neutral organic compounds, said ingredients (a) and (b) being present in a ratio between 0.1 to 40% by weight, and a process for producing said synergistic reversible solid/semi-solid organic composition by mixing the ingredients (a) and (b) defmed above in a ratio between 0.1 to 40% by weight, at a temperature between 2 to 50° C. and at a pressure in the range of 200 torr to 2500 torr.

Abstract: An organomineral decontamination gel that is used to decontaminate surfaces, in particular metal surfaces. The organomineral gel is made up of a colloid solution containing the combination of a mineral viscosing agent and an organic viscosing agent (coviscosant) chosen from among hydrosoluble organic polymers and surfactants. The presence of an organic viscosing agent improves the rheological properties of gels and substantially reduces their mineral content which generates smaller quantities of solid waste. A decontamination process for metal surface which entails applying the organomineral gel onto the surface to be decontaminated, maintaining this gel on the surface and removing the gel from the surface in particular by rinsing is also provided.

Abstract: A stable emulsion composition is disclosed which comprises: (A) a metal overbased gelled composition, prepared by forming a mixture of (i) a carbonated overbased material in an oleophilic medium, which material contains a metal salt of at least one organic acid material containing at least 8 carbon atoms, and (ii) an alcohol or an alcohol-water mixture; (B) a surfactant; and (C) an aqueous liquid. The stable emulsion composition may further comprise at least one of a solute, a suspended solid or an oxidation inhibitor.

Abstract: A method of solidifying a liquid oil without heating the liquid oil. The method utilizes a solidifying agent for liquid oil which includes a gel-in-oil forming material (I) and a temporarily protective material (II) for the gel forming material (I), the solidifying agent sealed in a heat resistive container being heated as sealed therein and then mixed with the liquid oil.