Method of improving the freeze resistance of particulate material at low temperatures
AssigneeApollo Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMark O. Kestner, Stephen H. Stoldt
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Abstract
The resistance of particulate material to clumping or solidification at below-freezing temperatures is improved by applying to the particles a coating of a polymer emulsion in water which drys to a water-insoluble film. A freeze-point-depressing substance is preferably combined with the emulsion in order to prevent the emulsion itself from freezing at the temperatures to which the particulate material is subjected. It is believed that said coating minimizes the strength of adhesion between the particles and any ice which may form between them and also minimizes the strength of such ice.
Claims30
A method of improving the flow of particulate material at low temperatures by inhibiting clumping or solidification of large masses of said particles which comprises applying to the particles a coating of a polymer emulsion in water which has the characteristic of drying to form a water-insoluble film, exposing the particles en masse to external watering conditions and to temperatures below the freezing point of water, and then subjecting the particles at low temperatures to an operation in which they are caused to flow from one point to another under conditions such that clumping or solidification of large masses of said particles are deleterious, said coating being applied at the rate of between 2.0-5.0 pints of treatment material per ton of particulate material, the treatment material comprising polymer solids in an amount between 3.5-25% by weight of said treatment material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.