Process for controlled gelation of polymeric solution

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for forming a polymeric solution or gel having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cps which includes the steps of dissolving an amine neutralized sulfonated polymer in a solvent to form a polymeric solution, a concentration of the amine neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solution being about 0.1 to about 20 wt. %, a viscosity of the solution being less than about 20,000 cps; and adding about 1 to about 500 vol. % of an inorganic base solution to the polymeric solution having a viscosity less than about 20,000 cps, the water of the inorganic base solution being immiscible with the solvent and the polymeric solution, the viscosity of said polymeric solution increasing rapidly upon the addition of said inorganic base solution from less than 20,000 cps to greater than 50,000 cps.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.