Baker Hughes Corporation

Tyco Fire + Security Gmbh

Tyco Fire Products LP

Chemguard, Inc.

Martin, Thomas Joseph

Thomas Joseph Martin

Peter S Anderson

Sarat Kakumanu

Odell R Tuttle

Charles Mohn

Daniel P Fuglewicz

Christopher A Sekula

Lu Chien Chou

William P Cottom

John Francis Motier

Jeffery R Harris

Lu-chien Chou

Ming Li

Novel fluorosurfactants are provided that contain perfluoroalkyl groups no longer than perfluorohexyl (C). The surfactants are useful in the preparation of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) and alcohol-resistant film-forming foams (AR-AFFF) for firefighting. Unexpectedly, these compounds have activity in AFFF and AR-AFFF applications that is comparable and even superior to conventional surfactants that contain perfluoroalkyl groups that are perfluorooctyl (C) and longer. Also provided are methods of making the novel surfactants, as well as foam concentrates, methods of making foam and methods of fighting fires using foam containing the novel surfactants.

Perfluoroalkyl composition with reduced chain length

New high molecular weight fluoropolymers (fluoropolymer surfactants) are provided that are useful in compositions for use as fire extinguishing concentrates. The fluoropolymers contain C-Cperfluoroalkyl groups, and substantially lack perfluoroalkyl groups containing more than 6 fluorine-substituted carbon atoms.

Perfluoroalkyl functionalized polyacrylamide for alcohol resistant-aqueous film-forming foam (AR-AFFF) formulation

A method of forming an alkoxylated fluoroalcohol is accomplished by providing a boron compound having or providing at least one boron-oxygen bond and an iodine source. The boron compound and iodine source are combined with reactants of a fluoroalcohol and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a base. The reactants are allowed to react to form an alkoxylated fluoroalcohol reaction product.

Method of forming alkoxylated fluoroalcohols

Polymer slurries of ultrahigh molecular weight polyalpha-olefins are made stable toward settling, separation and agglomeration by surface treatment with a combination of wax and optional relatively high-density particulates. The selection of the surface coating acts not only as an anti-blocking agent, or partitioning aid to keep the tacky polymer particles separated, but also provides the suspended polymer particle with a density that matches the carrier. This prevents separation of the slurry components over time. Such materials, ultimately used as pipeline additives to reduce the fluid drag and increase the volumetric throughput, can be stored and shipped for extended periods of time without degradation of the slurry quality. Upon injection into the pipeline, the polymer particle dissolves quickly, unhindered by the coating.

Methods of forming density-matched polymer slurries

Polymer particles of ultrahigh molecular weight poly(alpha-olefins) may be made stable toward agglomeration by suspension within a co-suspension of self-dispersing waxes. This combination prevents polymer agglomeration over time while maintaining good flowability properties. Such materials, ultimately used as pipeline additives to reduce the fluid drag and increase the volumetric throughput, may be shipped and stored for extended periods of time without irreversible loss of the suspension stability.

Self-dispersing waxes as polymer suspension aids

Density-matched polymer slurries

A method for producing a stabilized polymer drag reducing agent slurry comprising combining a fatty acid wax and a liquid carrier to form a dispersion; pre-treating the dispersion by heating to partially dissolve the fatty acid wax in the liquid carrier; and adding the polymer drag reducing agent thereto, to form a stabilized polymer drag reducing agent slurry. The resulting slurry is relatively stable against settling, separation and agglomeration.

Stabilized polymer drag reducing agent slurries

A process for continuously producing a polymer drag reducing agent (DRA) is described. The process concerns mixing a monomer and a catalyst in at least one continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) to form a mixture. The mixture is continuously injected into a volume continuously formed by a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene. The thermoplastic material is periodically sealed off to form a temporary container or bag. The monomer is permitted to polymerize in the temporary container to form polymer. In one non-limiting embodiment, the polymerization in the bag takes place within an inert, circulating fluid that accelerates heat transfer. The polymer and the temporary container are then ground together, preferably at non-cryogenic temperatures, to produce a particulate polymer drag reducing agent. In one preferred, non-limiting embodiment, the grinding or pulverizing occurs in the presence of at least one solid organic grinding aid. Finally, the particulate polymer drag reducing agent may be combined with a dispersing fluid.

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Mansfield, TX, United States of America

Thomas Joseph Martin