Slurry compositions containing mixed branched alkyl organoclay compositions

Abstract

A slurry composition comprising: a base oil; a nonionic surfactant; a hydrophilic polymer; and a mixed branched alkyl organoclay composition comprising: a phyllosilicate clay; and a mixture of quaternary ammonium ions, each ion having a formula of [N—RRRR]wherein, within such mixture of quaternary ammonium ions, one or more of R, Rand Ris each a mixture of branched alkyl groups, each branched alkyl group having 12 to 22 total carbon atoms, a linear backbone and one or more Cto Cbranching alkyl groups each attached to the linear backbone at a branching carbon position, and within each quaternary ammonium ion and within the mixture of branched alkyl groups, the Cto Cbranching alkyl groups are linked to the linear backbones at different branching carbon positions as a distribution; and wherein when one or more of Rand Ris not a branched alkyl group, Rand Rare a first linear alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, wherein Ris selected from the group consisting of a second linear alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group, and combinations thereof.