Aqueous dispersions

Abstract

Aqueous dispersions of cationic water-soluble polymers are provided, as well as processes for making and methods of using the same.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for dewatering or clarifying a process stream comprised of dispersed biotechnological solids, said method comprising (a) intermixing an aqueous dispersion of polymers, or an aqueous admixture prepared by intermixing said aqueous dispersion with water, in an amount effective for dewatering or clarifying, with said process stream, and (b) dewatering or clarifying said process stream, said aqueous dispersion being comprised of (i) a discontinuous phase containing polymer that is comprised of a first cationic water-soluble or water-swellable polymer having at least one recurring unit of the formula (I),  
                   wherein R 1  is H or CH 3 , A is O or NH, B is an alkylene or branched alkylene or oxyalkylene group having from 1 to 5 carbons, R 2  and R 3  are each individually methyl, ethyl, or propyl, R 4  is an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and X is a counterion; and (ii) a second water-soluble polymer that is different from said first cationic water-soluble or water-swellable polymer.    
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in    claim 1    wherein said aqueous dispersion is further comprised of an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of chlorides, sulfates, phosphates, hydrogenphosphates and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein said aqueous dispersion is further comprised of ammonium sulfate and sodium sulfate.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in    claim 1    wherein said first cationic water-soluble or water-swellable polymer is further comprised of recurring (meth)acrylamide units.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein said process stream is a fermentation broth.  
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein said R 4  is benzyl.  
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein said first cationic water-soluble or water-swellable polymer contains about 5% or greater of cationic recurring units, by mole based on total moles of recurring units in said first cationic water-soluble or water-swellable polymer.  
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein said aqueous dispersion is further comprised of an additive selected from the group consisting of glycerin, glycerol, and glycol.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein said first cationic polymer is water-soluble and branched.  
     
     
         10 . A method for dewatering or clarifying a process stream comprised of dispersed biotechnological solids, said method comprising (a) intermixing an aqueous dispersion of polymers, or an aqueous admixture prepared by intermixing said aqueous dispersion with water, in an amount effective for dewatering or clarifying, with said process stream, and (b) dewatering or clarifying said process stream, said aqueous dispersion being comprised of (i) a discontinuous phase containing polymer that is comprised of a first cationic water-soluble polymer having at least one recurring unit of the formula (I),  
                   wherein R 1  is H or CH 3 , A is O or NH, B is an alkylene or branched alkylene or oxyalkylene group having from 1 to 5 carbons, R 2  and R 3  are each individually methyl, ethyl, or propyl, R 4  is an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and X is a counterion; and (ii) a second predominately cationic water-soluble polymer that is different from said first cationic water-soluble polymer, wherein said aqueous dispersion is further comprised of an additive selected from the group consisting of glycerin, glycerol, and glycol.    
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in    claim 10    wherein said aqueous dispersion is further comprised of an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of chlorides, sulfates, phosphates, hydrogenphosphates and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in    claim 10   , wherein said first cationic water-soluble or water-swellable polymer is further comprised of recurring (meth)acrylamide units.  
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in    claim 10   , wherein said process stream is a fermentation broth.  
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in    claim 10   , wherein said R 4  is benzyl.  
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in    claim 10   , wherein said first cationic water-soluble polymer contains about 5% or greater of cationic recurring units, by mole based on total moles of recurring units in said first cationic water-soluble polymer.  
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in    claim 10   , wherein said aqueous dispersion is further comprised of ammonium sulfate and sodium sulfate.  
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in    claim 10   , wherein said first polymer is branched.  
     
     
         18 . A method for dewatering or clarifying a process stream comprised of dispersed biotechnological solids, said method comprising (a) intermixing an aqueous dispersion of polymers, or an aqueous admixture prepared by intermixing said aqueous dispersion with water, in an amount effective for dewatering or clarifying, with said process stream, and (b) dewatering or clarifying said process stream, said aqueous dispersion being comprised of (i) a discontinuous phase containing polymer that is comprised of a first cationic water-soluble polymer having at least one first recurring unit of the formula (I),  
                   wherein R 1  is H or CH 3 , A is O, B is an alkylene group having from 1 to 5 carbons, R 2  and R 3  are each individually methyl, ethyl, or propyl, R 4  is benzyl, and X is a counterion; and having at least one second recurring unit of the formula (I) wherein R 1  is H or CH 3 , A is O, B is an alkylene group having from 1 to 5 carbons, R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are each individually methyl, ethyl, or propyl, and X is a counterion; and (ii) a second predominately cationic water-soluble polymer that is different from said first cationic water-soluble polymer, wherein said aqueous dispersion is further comprised of ammonium sulfate and an additive selected from the group consisting of glycerin, glycerol, and glycol.    
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in    claim 18   , wherein said first cationic water-soluble polymer is further comprised of recurring (meth)acrylamide units.  
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in    claim 18   , wherein said process stream is a fermentation broth.