Composition and process for inhibiting the movement of free flowing particles
The invention relates to a composition and a process for inhibiting the movement of free flowing particles. The process comprises adding a mixture of (a) an aqueous alkaline solution of a phenolic resole resin, and (b) a liquid organic ester to the free flowing particles, which are to be immobilized.
1 . A process for inhibiting the movement of free flowing particles, which comprises adding a mixture of (a) an aqueous alkaline solution of a phenolic resole resin, and (b) a liquid organic ester to the free flowing particles, which are to be immobilized, wherein the weight ratio of (a) to (b) is from 90:10 to 70:30.
2 . The process of claim 1 wherein the viscosity of (a) is from 10 to 250 centipoise.
3 . The process of claim 1 where the mixture of (a) and (b) has a viscosity less than 100 centipoise.
4 . The process of claim 1 wherein (b) is selected from the group consisting of gamma-butyrolactone, dibasic ester, diacetin, triacetin, propylene carbonate and mixtures thereof.
5 . The process of claim 1 , 2 , 3 or 4 wherein the said particles are sand particles.
6 . The process of claim 5 wherein the flow inhibitor is applied to the sand particles by spraying.
7 . The process of claim 5 wherein the flow inhibitor is applied by impregnating the sand particles with the flow inhibitor.
8 . A mixture comprising (a) an aqueous alkaline solution of a phenolic resole resin, and (b) a liquid organic ester to the free flowing particles, which are to be immobilized, wherein the weight ratio of (a) to (b) is from 90:10 to 70:30.
9 . The mixture of claim 8 where the viscosity of said mixture is less than 100 centipoise.
10 . The mixture of claim 9 wherein (b) is selected from the group consisting of gamma-butyrolactone, dibasic ester, diacetin, triacetin, propylene carbonate and mixtures thereof.
11 . The mixture of claim 8 , which further comprises free flowing particles.
12 . The mixture of claim 9 , which further comprises free flowing particles.
13 . The mixture of claim 10 , which further comprises free flowing particles.
14 . The mixture of claim 11 wherein the free flowing particles comprise sand.
15 . The mixture of claim 12 wherein the free flowing particles comprise sand.
16 . The mixture of claim 13 wherein the free flowing particles comprise sand.