The present invention relates to compositions in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion preferably comprising an aqueous phase, a natural wax, at least two surfactants, and a neutralizing agent.

Water-based stains are based on an oil-in-water emulsion having a binder that includes, consists of, or consists essentially of drying oil combined with a non-aqueous polymer dispersion. The compositions can be tinted using traditional water-based pigment dispersions, yet the overall hydrophobicity results in minimal interaction with the polar cellulosic structure of wood.

The invention relates to a wetting composition comprising (a) from 20 to less than 50 wt % of one or more C10 to C14 alcohol, (b) 25 to 70 wt % of a surfactant selected from a non-ionic, cationic, anionic and amphoteric surfactant, and (c) from 5 to 50 wt % of a polar component comprising at least one selected from (i) water, and (ii) up to 25 wt % of a water-miscible C1-C3 organic solvent, to methods for using the wetting composition, and products and aqueous compositions containing the wetting composition.

In one embodiment, a retarded acid system comprises an aqueous acid and a retarding surfactant. The aqueous acid may comprise from 5 wt. % to 25 wt. % of a strong acid, that is, an acid having a K.sub.a greater than or equal to 0.01. The aqueous acid may further comprise from 75 wt. % to 95 wt. % water. The retarding surfactant may have the general chemical formula R—(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.X—OH where R is a hydrocarbon having from 11 to 15 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 6 to 10. The retarding surfactant may have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance from 8 to 16.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods and formulations for enhanced oil recovery. In an embodiment, a method for treating oil-containing porous media for oil recovery includes introducing oil-containing porous media with a surfactant formulation described herein. Methods can be utilized for, e.g., wettability reversal or oil recovery. Surfactant formulations are also described.

The invention relates to aqueous composition having a continuous aqueous phase, wherein the composition comprises•a) a polymer having a polymer backbone having carboxylic acid groups covalently linked to the polymer backbone, dissolved in the continuous aqueous phase, wherein 10 to 100 mol-% of the acid groups are neutralized by a base selected from ammonia, and amines having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof, •b) a polyalkylene oxide terminated at one end by a hydrocarbyl group having 8 to 30 carbon atoms, and, •c) a compound according to formula (I) (Formula I)•wherein R.sup.1 is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon with 3 to 10 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is H or CH.sub.3 and n is 1 or 2, •wherein components a), b), and c) together have an acid value in the range of 20 to 200 mg KOH/g, •and wherein the polymer has one or more pendant groups (A) connected to the polymer backbone by a covalent link, wherein the pendant group (A) comprises a polyalkylene oxide segment and a hydrocarbyl segment having 8 to 30 carbon atoms, and wherein the polyalkylene oxide segment is located between the hydrocarbyl segment and the covalent link.

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Water-based stains are based on an oil-in-water emulsion having a binder that includes, consists of, or consists essentially of drying oil combined with a non-aqueous polymer dispersion. The compositions can be tinted using traditional water-based pigment dispersions, yet the overall hydrophobicity results in minimal interaction with the polar cellulosic structure of wood.

##STR00001##

##STR00002##

The present disclosure provides a composition. In an embodiment, the composition includes a mixture of an alcohol (1) and an alcohol (2). Alcohol (1) has the Structure (1): alcohol (2) has the Structure (2): wherein a is an integer from 1 to 2, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an alkyl group, with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is 7, and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of a butyl group, an isobutyl group, a pentyl group, and an isopentyl group.

##STR00001##

##STR00002##

The present disclosure provides a composition. In an embodiment, the composition includes a mixture of an alcohol (1) and an alcohol (2). Alcohol (1) has the Structure (1): alcohol (2) has the Structure (2): wherein a is an integer from 1 to 2, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an alkyl group, with the proviso that the total number of carbon atoms of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is 7, and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of a butyl group, an isobutyl group, a pentyl group, and an isopentyl group.

The object of the invention concerns a quaternary ammonium salt of formula (I) wherein the substituents R.sub.5, R.sub.6 are independently chosen between hydrogen H and a radical R.sub.0, wherein the radical R.sub.0 consists of the structure of formula (II) wherein the substituent R.sub.1 is chosen from the group consisting of: hydrogen, methyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, ethylenemethylthio, benzyl, para-hydroxybenzyl and 3-methylene-1H-indole, wherein the substituents R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 are independently chosen from the group consisting of: methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl, wherein m is an integer number comprised between 1 and 22, wherein the counteranion X.sup.− is chosen from the group of carboxylic acids consisting of: formic acid, acetic acid, unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, tartaric acid, adipic acid, aldaric acid, oxalic acid, phthalic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, pimelic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, suberic acid, citric acid, isocitric acid, fatty acids, acid amino acids, keto acids and aromatic carboxylic acids, and wherein n is comprised between 2 and 20.