US 7,541,386 B2
Wetting of water repellent soil by low HLB EO/PO block copolymers and enhancing solubility of same
Stanley J. Kostka, Cherry Hill, N.J. (US); and Paul Thomas Bially, Sewell, N.J. (US)
Assigned to Aquatrols Corporation of America, Inc., Paulsboro, N.J. (US)
Filed on Aug. 31, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/216,785.
Application 11/216785 is a continuation of application No. 10/265950, filed on Oct. 07, 2002, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/328027, filed on Oct. 09, 2001.
Prior Publication US 2005/0288389 A1, Dec. 29, 2005
Int. Cl. C09K 17/00 (2006.01); C09K 17/42 (2006.01); B01D 12/00 (2006.01); B01F 17/42 (2006.01); A01G 31/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 516—203  [516/204; 516/916; 516/920; 47/58.1  R; 47/58.1  SC] 6 Claims
 
1. A process for increasing the wetting rate of water repellent soil which comprises the steps of:
i) preparing an aqueous wetting agent composition consisting of
a) an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer wherein the copolymer has an HLB value of less than or equal to 2; an average molecular weight of greater than 3,000; and a percent hydrophile of less than or equal to 10; and
b) water; and
ii) intimately contacting water repellent soil with an amount of said wetting agent composition such that the block copolymer will provide a measurable increase in the wetting rate of the soil.