Composition and process for inhibiting the movement of free flowing particles

Abstract

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.