Abstract: A method for processing a polymer solution by changing the thermodynamic state of the solution to produce a dilute phase and a concentrated phase such that the thermodynamic state is sufficiently changed that the two phases are formed by spinodal decomposition.

Abstract: There is provided a process for recovering oil from oil bearing formations employing the use of a water treating medium, which medium comprises the inclusion of a novel stable emulsion copolymer of acrylamide and ammonium acrylate as well as the emulsion copolymer per se.

Abstract: Stable concentrated water-in-oil emulsions of water-soluble polymers such as polyacrylamide are provided by concentrating a water-in-oil preconcentrate emulsion of the water-soluble polymer containing an inverting surfactant in an amount sufficient to reduce the bulk viscosity of the preconcentrate emulsion.

Abstract: A method of treating salt water-in-oil dispersions comprises mixing with the dispersion a latex of a rubber having a high wet gel strength. The incorporation of the latex into the dispersion causes exudation of water from the dispersion with resulting thickening. If sufficient latex is used the dispersion may be transformed into a solid. Suitable rubbers include natural rubber, polychloroprene rubber, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, styrene butadiene rubber and poly (methyl methacrylate) graft natural rubber.The tackiness of solids formed using for example a natural rubber latex can be reduced by using in addition to the natural rubber latex, a latex of a low or zero wet gel strength polymer e.g. PVC, poly (vinyl acetate) or polystyrene. The effectiveness of the method of treatment may be improved by the use of a suitable compatible solvent e.g. toluene or a filler such as a clay filler.

Abstract: Invert emulsion polymers are prepared by continuously circulating a system comprising a non-polar liquid and an aqueous solution of polymerizable monomers, continuously adding components to said system and continuously withdrawing a portion of said system comprising the desired invert emulsion polymer. The method is conveniently effected in a loop reactor. It is particularly effective for the production of invert emulsion polymers of acrylamidoalkanesulfonic acids and their salts; e.g., 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: The abstract of the disclosure is a method of rapidly preparing a dilute aqueous solution of poly N,N lower dialkylaminomethyl acrylamide and copolymers thereof having a molecular weight greater than 500,000 and a cationic charge of 1-90% which comprises:A. forming a water-in-oil emulsion of polyacrylamide or copolymers thereof, said water-in-oil emulsion containing in weight percentages:(1) 5 to 60% polymer;(2) 5 to 75% hydrophobic liquid;(3) 0.1 to 21% water-in-oil emulsifying agent;(4) 2 to 90% water;B. adding to the water-in-oil emulsion of step A a water soluble salt of a secondary amine having alkyl groups containing 1-3 carbon atoms in an amount, so as to provide 0.1-1.1 moles of secondary amine for each mole of amide functionality on said polymer;C. preparing a dry formaldehyde composition by mixing together:(1) paraformaldehyde;(2) dry alkalinity control agent(3) water-soluble high HLB surfactant capable of inverting the water-in-oil emulsion of step A;D.

Abstract: A powdery graft copolymer is obtained by a process characterized in that a graft copolymer latex obtained by graft-polymerizing hard-polymer-giving monomers to an elastic trunk polymer is mixed, after the coagulation of the latex or in the presence of a coagulant, with an organic liquid which is hardly soluble in water and does not dissolve but can wet the graft copolymer, in such a volume ratio that a dispersion wherein water forms a continuous dispersion medium phase and the volume ratio of the organic liquid to the graft polymer is 0.9 to 7.5 is formed, whereby the coagulated graft copolymer is impregnated with the organic liquid and dispersed in water, and then the dispersed copolymer particles are recovered from the water medium. According to this process, a graft copolymer having excellent powder characteristics such as fluidity and particle size distribution can be obtained by the use of a small quantity of an organic liquid.

Abstract: A chemically initiated water-in-oil emulsion polymerization process is disclosed for making water-soluble anionic copolymers from water-soluble, ethylenically unsaturated, addition polymerizable monomers. Improved products are obtained by adding a water-soluble salt to the aqueous phase of the water-in-oil emulsion prior to polymerization.

Abstract: An amphoteric water-in-oil self-inverting polymer emulsion is prepared which contains a copolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer and (2) an amphoteric vinyl monomer or a terpolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer, (2) an anionic vinyl monomer and (3) a cationic vinyl monomer in the aqueous phase, a hydrocarbon oil for the oil phase, a water-in-oil emulsifying agent and an inverting surfactant. An example of a copolymer is a copolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer such as acrylamide or methacrylamide and (2) an amphoteric vinyl monomer such as a reaction product of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and monochloroacetic acid. An example of a terpolymer is a terpolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer such as acrylamide or methacrylamide, (2) an anionic vinyl monomer such as sodium acrylate and (3) a cationic vinyl monomer such as a triethyl ammonium ethyl methacrylate methosulfate salt.

Abstract: Spheres of cured vinyl ester resin of a size useful as a flattening agent in paper coating compositions are prepared by a process of adding an aqueous phase containing polyvinyl alcohol to a stirred vinyl ester resin phase containing a free-radical catalyst to form a resin-in-water dispersion followed by addition of a promoter and the resin allowed to cure.

Abstract: This invention provides a new one step polymerization process suitable for preparing latex and paste resins of PVC polymer or its copolymers. At the beginning of polymerization, a small amount of water (less than 1 part per 4 parts by weight of monomer) having a water-soluble initiator dissolved in it is suspended in a large amount of vinyl chloride monomer and comonomer so as to initiate the reaction. As the reaction proceeds the remaining initiator solution and an emulsifier solution are added continuously or batchwise over an extended period. At the end of the polymerization, a stable latex is obtained having polymer particles about one micron or greater in diameter.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a method for the preparation of finely dispersed polyurethane ureas. The method comprises the steps of first preparing a chain extended polyurethane from at least one diisocyanate, at least one polydiol, and diol chain extenders. The chain-extender component of the reaction is comprised of low molecular weight diols having side chains or ether groups, unbranched low molecular weight diols and/or monofunctional compounds having an active hydrogen such as the amines, amides or alcohols. The chain extended polyurethane is then treated with a nonionic emulsifier and emulsified first with warm water, and then with cold water. A diamine or a mixture of diamines is then added to the emulsion.