Hexitol borate compositions as freeze conditioning agents for particulate solids
AssigneeICI Americas Inc.
InventorsKenneth E. Clapp, William D. Luzier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Hexitol borate salt solutions in combination with polyols effectively reduce the strength of ice crystals formed therefrom to enable solid particles coated therewith to remain substantially free flowing at temperatures as low as -20.degree. C. Treatment of materials such as crushed coal, ore, stone and the like with compositions containing 5-60% by weight sorbitol borate salt and especially sodium sorbitol borate prior to freezing reduces the need for special handling to break up the frozen mass which occurs at temperatures below 0.degree. C. A particularly useful sprayable aqueous solution contains 40-60% by weight sodium sorbitol borate and 20-40% ethylene glycol.
Claims10
A sprayable freeze conditioning agent for application to particulate solids which comprises effective amounts of a water soluble hexitol borate salt additive and a viscosity control agent and freezing point lowering compounds selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight mono, di and trihydroxy alkanes, and higher molecular weight polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene derivatives of polyols in an aqueous solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.