Molecular weight reduction of polysaccharides by electron beams
US7259192B2 · kind B2 · utility
14Cited by
26References
14Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 21, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K8/90
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of depolymerizing galactomannan-type polysaccharide polymers and xanthan, preferably galactomannans, to a pre-selected lower molecular weight by irradiation with high energy electron beams. The preferred galactomannans for treatment according to this method are guar gum, guar splits and hydroxypropyl guar. In a preferred embodiment the guar gum is depolymerized preferably to a molecular weight of about 150,000 Daltons to about 200,000 Daltons. The depolymerized guar has a polydispersity of less than about 3.0 and is useful in oil well fracturing to enhance oil production.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.