Organophilic clay gellants

An organoclay gellant slurry containing from about 20% to about 40% of an organophilic clay, from about 24% to about 78% water, and from about 2% to about 48% of an alcohol having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, wherein the water to alcohol ratio is in the range from about 97.5/2.5 to about 35/65.

The method of producing an organoclay gellant which comprises extruding a mixture containing a smectite clay, from about 75 to about 120 milliequivalents per 100 grams of 100% active clay of a quaternary compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary phosphonium salts, and mixtures thereof, from about 25% to about 100%, based on the weight of 100% active clay, of water, and from about 5% to about 30%, based on the weight of 100% active clay, of an alcohol containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and thereafter grinding the organoclay gellant without removing the water or alcohol therefrom.

The method of producing an organoclay gellant slurry which comprises extruding a mixture containing a smectite clay, from about 75 to about 120 milliequivalents per 100 grams of 100% active clay of a quaternary compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary phosphonium salts, and mixtures thereof, from about 20% to about 100%, based on the weight of 100% active clay, of water, and from about 5% to about 50%, based on the weight of 100% active clay, of an alcohol containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and thereafter shearing the extruded organoclay gellant in sufficient water and alcohol to produce said slurry, said slurry containing from about 20% to about 40% organoclay, from about 24% to about 78% water, and from about 2% to about 48% of said alcohol, wherein the water to alcohol ratio is in the range from about 97.5/2.5 to about 35/65.

A method of increasing the viscosity of an oleaginous liquid which comprises extruding a mixture containing a smectite clay, from about 80 to about 110 milliequivalents per 100 grams of 100% active clay of a quaternary compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary phosphonium salts, and mixtures thereof, from about 35% to about 100%, based on the weight of 100% active clay, of water, and from about 5% to about 30%, based on the weight of 100% active clay, of an alcohol containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and thereafter dispersing the extrudate into the oleaginous liquid without removing the water of alcohol therefrom.

A method of increasing the viscosity of an oleaginous liquid which comprises extruding a mixture containing a smectite clay, from about 80 to about 110 milliequivalents per 100 grams of 100% active clay of a quaternary compound selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary phosphonium salts, and mixtures thereof, from about 20% to about 100%, based on the weight of 100% active clay, of water, and from about 5% to about 50%, based on the weight of 100% active clay, of an alcohol containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, shearing the extrudate in sufficient water and said alcohol to produce a slurry, said slurry containing from about 20% to about 40% organoclay, from about 24% to about 78% water, and from about 2% to about 48% of said alcohol, wherein the water to alcohol ratio is in the range from about 97.5/2.5, to about 35/65, and thereafter mixing said slurry with said oleaginous liquid.