US4322329A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for controlled gelation of polymeric solution (C-971)
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1980-04-03
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Granted: 1982-03-30
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Expires: 2000-04-03
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a process for forming a polymeric solution or gel having a viscosity of less than about 50,000 cps which includes the steps of forming a solvent system of an organic liquid and a polar cosolvent, the polar cosolvent being less than about 15 wt. % of the solvent system, a viscosity of the solvent system being less than about 1,000 cps: dissolving a neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solvent system to form a solution, a concentration of the neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solution being about 0.5 to about 20 wt. %, a viscosity of the solution being about 5 to about 5,000 cps; and adding about 1 to about 500 vol. % water to the solution having a viscosity less than about 5,000 cps, the water being immiscible with the solution and the polar cosolvent transferring from the solution phase to the water phase thereby causing the viscosity of said solution to increase by a factor of at least 2 to less than 50,000 cps.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Lundberg
- 👤 Dennis E. O'Brien
- 👤 Henry S. Makowski, deceased
- 👤 Robert R. Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:12
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J3/00; C08J3/02; C08J3/09; C08J3/11; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/06; C08J2323/00; C08J2323/26; C08J2323/32; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S524/00; Y10S524/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A process for increasing the low shear solution viscosity which includes the steps of: (a) forming a solvent system of an organic liquid and a polar cosolvent, said polar cosolvent being less than about 15 wt. % of said solvent system, a viscosity of said solvent system being less than about 1,000 cps; (b) dissolving a neutralized solfonated polymer in said solvent system to form a solution, a concentration of said neutralized sulfonated polymer in said solution being about 0.5 to about 20 wt. %, a viscosity of said solution being about 5 to about 5,000 cps; and (c) adding about 1 to about 500 volume % water to said solution, said water being immiscible with said solution, with said polar cosolvent transferring from said solution to said water causing the viscosity of said solution or suspension to increase at least a factor of 2 but being less than 50,000 cps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A process for increasing the low shear solution viscosity which includes the steps of: (a) forming a solvent system of an organic liquid and a polar cosolvent, said polar cosolvent being less than about 15 wt. % of said solvent system, a viscosity of said solvent system being less than about 1,000 cps; (b) dissolving a neutralized solfonated polymer in said solvent system to form a solution, a concentration of said neutralized sulfonated polymer in said solution being about 0.5 to about 20 wt. %, a viscosity of said solution being about 5 to about 5,000 cps; and (c) adding about 1 to about 500 volume % water to said solution, said water being immiscible with said solution, with said polar cosolvent transferring from said solution to said water causing the viscosity of said solution or suspension to increase at least a factor of 2 but being less than 50,000 cps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said organic liquid has a boiling point greater than said polar cosolvent or said water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A process according to claim 2, further including the step of heating said solution having a viscosity of less than 50,000 cps to a temperature greater than the boiling point of said water and said polar cosolvent, but less than that of said organic liquid thereby isolating a water insoluble gel of said neutralized sulfonated polymer in said organic liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process according to claim 3, further including heating said solution or water insoluble gel to a temperature above the boiling point of said organic liquid thereby removing said organic liquid from said gel to form a solid neutralized sulfonated polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process according to claim 3, further including the step of depositing said gel on a substrate prior to heating said gel to said temperature above said boiling point of said organic liquid thereby forming a coating of said neutralized sulfonated polymer on said substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process according to claim 1 further including the step of heating said solution and said water to a temperature above the boiling points of said water, said polar cosolvent, and said organic liquid forming free neutralized sulfonated polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process according to claim 1, further including the step of separating said water from said solution having a viscosity less than 50,000 cps thereby forming a water insoluble gel of said neutralized sulfonated polymer in said organic liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The water insoluble gel prepared by the process of claim 3.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The water insoluble gel prepared by the process of claim 7.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A process according to claim 7, further including suspending an article in said solution having a viscosity less than about 5,000 cps, thereby permitting said water insoluble gel to be encapsulated within said substance having a viscosity at least two times that of the solution but less than 50,000 cps upon the addition of said water to said solution having a viscosity less than about 5,000 cps.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The water insoluble gel prepared by the process of claim 10.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1, further including an article having an opening therein and forming said solution having a viscosity less than 50,000 cps within said opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 1, further including an elongated member having a bore therein and forming said solution having a viscosity less than 50,000 cps within said bore.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said neutralized sulfonated polymer has about 5 to about 200 meq. of pendant SO 3 H groups per 100 grams of polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 14, wherein said SO 3 H are neutralized with an ammonium or metal counterion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 15, wherein said metal counterion is selected from the group consisting of antimony, tin, lead and Groups IA, IIA, IB and IIB of the Periodic Table of Elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 15, wherein said SO 3 H groups are at least 90 mole % neutralized.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said neutralized sulfonated polymer is formed from an elastomeric polymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 18, wherein said elastomeric polymer is selected from the group consisting of EPDM terpolymer or Butyl rubber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said neutralized sulfonated polymer is formed from a thermoplastic.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 20, wherein said thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, t-butyl styrene, ethylene copolymers, propylene copolymers, and styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said neutralized sulfonated polymer further includes a filler admixed therewith.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said neutralized sulfonated polymer further includes a polymeric substance admixed therewith.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said polar cosolvent has a greater polarity than said organic liquid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said polar cosolvent is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols, aliphatic amines, di- or tri functional aliphatic alcohols, water miscible amides, acetamides, phosphates, and lactones and mixtures thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said polar cosolvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said polar cosolvent has a solubility parameter of at least about 10 and is water miscible.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said organic liquid is selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, cyclic aliphatic ethers, aliphatic ethers and organic aliphatic esters and mixtures thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said organic liquid is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said organic liquid is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene and styrene and mixtures thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 30, wherein said neutralized sulfonated polymer is formed from polystyrene.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
The water insoluble prepared by the process of claim 3, wherein said neutralized sulfonated polymer is formed from polystyrene and said organic liquid is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene and styrene and mixtures thereof.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process according to claim 7, further including adding additional said water immiscible polar cosolvent to said gel thereby recreating said solution having a viscosity of less than 50,000 cps, said solution including said polar cosolvent, said organic liquid and said neutralized sulfonated polymer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1 where the viscosity of the solution is less than 5,000 cps and increases with water addition to greater than a factor of two but less than 50,000 cps.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said organic liquid is selected from the group consisting of oils which are predominantly paraffinic in composition.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said organic liquid is selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, and diesel fuels and paraffinic oils.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-03-29 | 1985-09-28 | 1986-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-29 | 1989-09-28 | 1990-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-29 | 1993-09-28 | 1994-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |