The present invention relates to a method for producing polymers that are suitable for absorbing and storing aqueous liquids, and to polymers that can be obtained by this method. This invention further related to the use of such polymers. The method comprises the following steps: i. crosslinking free-radical polymerization of a monomer composition M comprising a) at least one monomer A having an ethylenic double bond and at least one neutralizable acid group or a group hydrolyzable to a neutralizable acid group, b) optionally one or more comonomers B which are different than the monomers A and have one ethylenic double bond, and c) 0.05 to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of monomers A and B, of at least one crosslinker C, in the presence of at least one polysaccharide-comprising substance S, in an aqueous liquid, where the weight ratio of the monomer composition M to the substance S is in the range from 9:1 to 1:9; and ii. at least partial neutralization of the acid groups and/or hydrolysis of the groups hydrolyzable to neutralizable acid groups in the polymer obtained in step i.;
wherein the polymerization and/or the neutralization is performed in the presence of urea.

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a bio-derived, environmentally friendly soil conditioner to facilitate the removal of overburden (also known as spoil) in tunneling and mining operations. The bio-derived, biodegradable, and non-toxic formula may be injectable into the soil-cutter interface, and can thicken the tunnel water and disperse the soil to improve the removal of the spoil. The biodegradable soil conditioner may comprise: 1) about 45% to about 75% triglyceride oil by weight; 2) about 20% to about 50% super absorbent polymer by weight; and 3) about 1% to about 4% surfactant by weight. Further, the biodegradable soil conditioner may comprise about 0.1% to about 1.0% viscosity thickening agent.

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a bio-derived, environmentally friendly soil conditioner to facilitate the removal of overburden (also known as spoil) in tunneling and mining operations. The bio-derived, biodegradable, and non-toxic formula may be injectable into the soil-cutter interface, and can thicken the tunnel water and disperse the soil to improve the removal of the spoil. The biodegradable soil conditioner may comprise: 1) about 45% to about 75% triglyceride oil by weight; 2) about 20% to about 50% super absorbent polymer by weight; and 3) about 1% to about 4% surfactant by weight. Further, the biodegradable soil conditioner may comprise about 0.1% to about 1.0% viscosity thickening agent.

A process allowing the encapsulation of a polymerization accelerator comprising the steps of: a) providing an reverse emulsion containing, in an oil phase, a water solution/dispersion containing the polymerisation activator, the oil phase including a heat curable mixture of an isocyanate and a polyalkyldiene hydroxylated or polyol, b) pouring the reverse emulsion in a water phase to make a multiple emulsion water/oil/water, containing drops of activators as the internal water phase, and then, c) heating the multiple emulsion obtained in step b) to cure the polyisocyanate in polyurethane and obtain drops of activator enclosed in shells of polyurethane dispersed in water. The invention also relates to aqueous gelling systems comprising the encapsulated polymerization accelerator with water soluble or dispersable monomers and a polymerization initiator dispersed in said monomers, useful i.a. for sealing subterranean environments or consolidation of a soil or sealing of a subterranean structure.

This invention relates to end-modified branched block copolymers for soil treatment applications. The end-modified branched block copolymers contain an alkoxylated block copolymer modified with a hydrophobic end group such as an alkysuccinic acid ester, a fatty acid ester, or an ether. Soils treated with these copolymers exhibit improved soil water penetration properties with enhanced atmospheric moisture absorption and provide overall healthier turf and/or plants contained therein.

The present disclosure is generally directed to sulfur polymers and their method of formation. In embodiments of the present disclosure, a sulfur polymer comprising a polysulfide chain, an aliphatic group and a stabilizing group are described. In embodiments, a method for forming a sulfur polymer is described, the method comprising: heating a mixture comprising polysulfides, a crosslinking agent, a diallyl sulfide, a stabilizing agent and an aliphatic group.

The present disclosure is generally directed to sulfur polymers and their method of formation. In embodiments of the present disclosure, a sulfur polymer comprising a polysulfide chain, an aliphatic group and a stabilizing group are described. In embodiments, a method for forming a sulfur polymer is described, the method comprising: heating a mixture comprising polysulfides, a crosslinking agent, a diallyl sulfide, a stabilizing agent and an aliphatic group.

An agricultural product may comprise an aqueous carrier phase, a neutral surfactant or a reaction product thereof, and a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty acid. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer may be obtained in the presence of water and a hydroxide base (optionally in the presence of the neutral surfactant). The saccharide polymer comprises a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty acid may be present at a concentration effective to lower surface tension of the neutral surfactant and may be highly biodegradable as evaluated by OECD 301B. Compositions comprising the reaction product of the saccharide polymer and the fatty acid may be applied to an untreated soil to form a treated soil that absorbs water faster or to a greater extent than does the untreated soil.

A method for treating hydrophobic surfaces is provided. The mixture comprises: a wetting agent comprising; a compound of Formula I:

##STR00001## wherein: R.sup.1 is a core group derived from a linear, cyclic or branched polyol with 1-55 carbons or a linear, cyclic or branched polyamine with 1-22 carbons wherein hydrogens on the alcohol group or hydrogens on the amine group are replaced with (CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.n or R.sup.1 is defined by R.sup.6(C(O)O).sub.m; R.sup.2 is a hydrophobic group preferably selected from the group consisting of R.sup.3, the elements necessary to form an ester, specifically COR.sup.4, or the elements necessary to form a urethane, specifically CONHR.sup.5; R.sup.3R.sup.5 are each independently an alkyl of 6-22 carbons, wherein the alkyl is a linear, cyclic or branched and preferably linear; n, on average is 4-100; x is 2-20; R.sup.6 represents a bond or a linear, cyclic or branched alkyl with 6-22 carbons; and m is 2-20.

A method for treating hydrophobic surfaces is provided. The mixture comprises: a wetting agent comprising; a compound of Formula I:

##STR00001## wherein: R.sup.1 is a core group derived from a linear, cyclic or branched polyol with 1-55 carbons or a linear, cyclic or branched polyamine with 1-22 carbons wherein hydrogens on the alcohol group or hydrogens on the amine group are replaced with (CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.n or R.sup.1 is defined by R.sup.6(C(O)O).sub.m; R.sup.2 is a hydrophobic group preferably selected from the group consisting of R.sup.3, the elements necessary to form an ester, specifically COR.sup.4, or the elements necessary to form a urethane, specifically CONHR.sup.5; R.sup.3R.sup.5 are each independently an alkyl of 6-22 carbons, wherein the alkyl is a linear, cyclic or branched and preferably linear; n, on average is 4-100; x is 2-20; R.sup.6 represents a bond or a linear, cyclic or branched alkyl with 6-22 carbons; and m is 2-20.