PRODUCTION OF FOAMED COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING GYPSUM

Abstract: A foamed gypsum composition and process for making a foamed gypsum composition, comprising: (I) combining water and an amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b), whereby (a) represents: R<4>-(OC3H6)x-(C(O)NH(CH2)1-3)y-N(Z<1>)(Z<2>)0-1-ZCOOX, whereby (b) represents: R<4>-(OC3H6)x-(C(O)NH(CH2)1-3)y-N(Z<1>)(Z<2>)0-1-ZSO3X , wherein X is -H, a sodium, calcium, potassium, lithium or ammonium cation, or an amine of the formula -N<+>H(C1-20 alkyl)2 or N<+>H2(C1-20 alkyl); or when a Z<2> group is present there is no X group on -ZCOOX; R<4> is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substitued with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds; x is 0-1, y is 0-1, and x+y is 0-1; Z<1> and Z<2> are independently of each other H, CfH2f+1, or CfH2fOH, wherein f is 1 to 6 or, in formula (a), one of Z<1> and Z<2> may further be -ZCOOX, where Z is (CH2)f, CH2CH2OCH2CH2 or CH2CHOHCH2; and (II) foaming the resulting combination, provided that either: (A) the water in step (I) contains calcined gypsum slurried therein, and the foaming is carried out during or after the combining of the slurry with the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b), or (B) the process during or after step (II) further comprises an additional step (III) combining the product of step (II) and an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum.

Description: PRODUCTION OF FOAMED COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING GYPSUM This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Serial No. 09/078,959, filed on May 14, 1998. the priority of which is claimed herein. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to surfactant compositions and their use in forming foamed compositions with gypsum. In particular, the present invention relates to selected amphoteric surfactant compositions and their use in forming foamed compositions with gypsum. Background of the Invention It is conventional practice in the production of solid gypsum products to employ an aqueous slurry composed predominantly of "calcined" gypsum, which slurry is poured or formed into the desired shape of the final product and is then cured and dried. Calcined gypsum is one term customarily used in this field to denote calcium sulfate hemihydrate, CaS0 «l/2H 2 0. Aqueous slurries of calcined gypsum are fluid and gradually react with the water in the slurry to form hydrated calcium sulfate, CaS0 4 »2H 2 0, which is solid. The aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum conventionally contains functional additives such as accelerators, fibers, colorants, starches, and the like. This slurry also often contains small particles of hydrated calcium sulfate which serve as "seeds", i.e., nucleation sites. Construction products such as gypsum board are a familiar example of products formed using aqueous slurries of calcined gypsum. The board is typically formed by depositing an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum and other desired additives onto a horizontal substrate, typically heavy paper, which is destined to be one surface of the finished wall board product, following which a second sheet of heavy paper or the like is placed over the flat slurry to form a sandwich which is subsequently treated to dry and solidify the final wallboard product. In the production of gypsum board, and in the production of other articles from aqueous slurries of calcined gypsum, it is known to incorporate a surfactant component and to subject the water borne surfactant to foaming, before, during or after combination with the calcined gypsum. In this way, the slurry contains entrained air. Foaming techniques of this type have been found to provide advantages such as reduced consumption of calcined gypsum for a given quantity of final product, and accordingly reduced weight of the final product, while retaining a generally satisfactory level of strength in the final, dried product. Foaming techniques of this type are disclosed in published patent application WO 95/16515, which discloses foaming agent compositions comprising alkyl sulfate and alkoxylated alkyl sulfates; U.S. Patent No. 5,466,393, which discloses foaming compositions comprising a glycol species selected from alkylene glycols, alkylene glycol ethers and polyalkylene glycol ethers, mixed together with alkylpolyether sulfates; CA 124: 183886q which discloses foaming agents containing polyoxyethylene monoalkylether sulfate ester salts and ethoxylated lower alkanols; and U.S. Patent No. 5,158,612 which discusses narrow range alkoxylated alcohol sulfonates as well as U.S. Patent No. 4,168,370 which discusses sodium and ammonium salts of alcohol ether sulfates. There remains a need for foaming compositions and processes useful in the preparation of foamed gypsum compositions, which afford improved strength, or greater weight reduction, and which employ readily available materials which are easily adaptable to such applications. Brief Summary of the Invention One aspect of the present invention is a process for making a foamed gypsum composition, comprising: (I) combining water and an amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 )o.ι-(C(0)NH(CH 2 ),. 3 )o-ι-N(Z 1 )(Z 2 )o. 1 -ZCOOX (a) R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 )o-,-(C(0)NH(CH 2 ) 1 . 3 )o-ι-N(Z ! )(Z 2 )o.,-ZS0 3 X (b) wherein X is -H, a sodium, calcium, potassium, lithium or ammonium cation, or an amine of the formula -N + H(C 1 _ 2 o alkyl) 2 or -N + H 2 (Cι_ 2 o alkyl); or when a Z " group is present there is no X group on -ZCOOX; R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds; Z 1 and Z 2 are independently of each other H, C f H 2f+ ι or C f lU f OH wherein f is 1 to 6 and preferably 1, 2 or 3 or, in formula (a), one of Z 1 and Z : can be -ZCOOX, and Z is (CH 2 ) f , CH2CH2OCH2CH2, or CH 2 C(OH)HCH 2 ; and (II) foaming the resulting combination, provided that (A) the water in step (I) contains calcined gypsum slurried therein, and the foaming is carried out during or after the combining thereof with the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b), or (B) the process during or after step (II) further comprises (III) combining the product of step (II) and an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum. Another aspect of the instant invention is a fluid composition prepared by a process which comprises (I) combining water and an amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 ) x -(C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι. 3 ) y -N(Z 1 )(Z 2 )o.ι-ZCOOX (a) R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 ) x -(C(0)NH(CH 2 ),. 3 ) y -N(Z 1 )(Z 2 )o- 1 -ZS0 3 X (b) wherein X is -H, a sodium, calcium, potassium, lithium or ammonium cation, or an amine of the formula -NΗ(C ]-2 o alkyl) 2 or -N + H 2 (Cι- 2 o alkyl); or when a Z group is present there is no X group on -ZCOOX; R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds; x is 0-1, y is 0-1, and x+y is 0-1; Z and If are independently of each other H, C f H 2f+1 or C f H 2f OH wherein f is 1 to 6 and preferably 1, 2 or 3 or. in formula (a), one of Z 1 and Z" can be -ZCOOX, and Z is (CH 2 ) f , CH 2 CH 2 OCH 2 CH 2 . or CH 2 CHOHCH 2 ; and (II) foaming the resulting combination, provided that either: (A) the water in step (I) contains calcined gypsum slurried therein, and the foaming is carried out during or after the combining of the slurry with the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b), or (B) the process during or after step (II) further comprises an additional step (III) combining the product of step (II) and an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum. Additional aspects of the instant invention include solid gypsum articles produced by carrying out the aforementioned process or making the aforementioned fluid composition and then allowing the resultant fluid, foamed composition to cure and solidify. Further aspects and embodiments of the process and the composition of the present invention are set forth below. In an embodiment of the invention, step (I) comprises combining an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum and the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b), and wherein the combination of the slurry and amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is foamed during the combination thereof. In another embodiment of the invention, step (I) comprises combining an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum and the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b). and wherein the combination of the slurry and amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is foamed after the combination thereof. In another embodiment of the invention, the process further comprises, after step (II), the additional step (III) combining the combination formed in step (II) with an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum. In another embodiment of the invention, the process further comprises, during step (II), the additional step (III) combining the combination formed in step (II) with an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of fatty betaines, glycinates, iminopropionates, propionates, and mixtures thereof. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 )o- 1 -(C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι. 3 )o-ι~N(CH 3 )(CH 3 )CH 2 COO wherein R is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC ? H 6 )o_ι-(C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι. 3 )o-i-N(CH 2 COOH)CH 2 COOX wherein X is -H. a sodium, calcium, potassium, lithium or ammonium cation, or an amine of the formula alkyl) 2 or -N + H 2 (Cι. 2 o alkyl); and R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene. or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 (OC ? H 6 )o. 1 (C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι_ 3 )o-ι-N(CH 2 CH 2 COOH) 2 CH 2 COO wherein R is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. In still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 (OC 3 H )c.ι(C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι- 3 )o-ιN(CH 2 CH 2 OH)CH 2 CH 2 COOX and R 4 (OC 3 H 6 )o-ι(C(0)NH(CH 2 ) 1 . 3 )o-ιN(CH 2 CH 2 OH)(CH 2 CH 2 COOX)CH 2 CH 2 COO wherein X is -H, a sodium, calcium, potassium, lithium or ammonium cation, or an amine of the formula -N + H(Cι. 2 o alkyl) 2 or -N + H 2 (Cι_ 2 o alkyl); and R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 ) 0 . 1 -(C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι- 3 )o-ι-N(CH 3 )(CH 3 )(CH 2 ) 3 S0 3 wherein R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC 3 H 0 )o- 1 -(C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι. 3 )o-ι-N(CH 3 )(CH 3 )CH 2 CHOHCH 2 S0 3 wherein R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. It is understood that in any of these embodiments, one or more amphoteric surfactants of formula (a) or (b) may be used in the instant invention. In certain embodiments of the invention, supplementary surfactants, preferably anionic surfactants, are additionally combined with the water and the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) before the foaming step (II). These supplementary surfactants may be combined with the water or the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) at any time prior to the foaming step (II). Thus, these supplementary surfactants may be combined with either the water or the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) prior to the resulting mixture being incorporated with the other component, or the supplementary surfactant may be combined after or at the same time the water and the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) are combined. Indeed, each of the components may be added or combined at any time before or during the foaming step. The term "supplementary surfactant" as used herein includes, but is not limited to, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and cationic surfactants, and other amphoteric surfactants. Examples of such supplementary surfactants include -olefin sulfonates and ether sulfates, particularly those used in the examples presented herein. Such supplementary surfactants may be a major or a minor component of the surfactant blend. Brief Description of the Drawing Figure 1 is a graph of compressive strength versus density of foamed gypsum cubes made using different surfactants. Detailed Description of the Invention The amphoteric surfactant useful in the present invention comprises one or more amphoteric compounds which correspond to either of formulas (a) and (b). Formulas (a) and (b) embrace betaines, iminopropionates, glycinates, propionates, sultaines (sulfobetaines) and hydroxysultaines, all of which are commercially available and/or can readily be synthesized. Examples of preferred amphoteric surfactants include fatty betaines such as cocamidopropyl betaine (available from Witco Corporation under the tradename REWOTERIC® AM B-14) and N-lauryl-β-iminopropionic acid, mono-sodium salt (sodium N-lauryliminodipropionate) (available from Witco Corporation under the tradename REWOTERIC® AM-LP); glycinates such as N-cocoylamidoethyl-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)-7V-carboxymethyl glycine, disodium salt (available from Witco Corporation under the tradename REWOTERIC® AM-2C-W) and the N-lauroyl analog thereof (available from Witco Corporation under the tradename REWOTERIC®- AM-2L); propionates such as sodium cocoamphopropionate (available from Witco Corporation under the tradename REWOTERIC® AM-KSF-40); and sulfobetaines such as lauryl hydroxy sultaine (available from Witco Corporation under the tradename REWOTERIC® AM-HC) and cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (available from Witco Corporation under the tradename REWOTERIC® AM-CAS). A preferred Z group in formula (a) is either -CH 2 - or -CH2CH2- and in formula (b) a preferred Z group is -CH 2 C(OH)HCH 2 - Preferred compounds include those wherein one or both of Z 1 and Z 2 are -CH 3 ; or Z 1 is -CH 2 COONa or -CH 2 CH 2 OH or - CH 2 CH 2 COONa. and Z 2 when present is -CH 2 CH 2 OH. Preferred R 4 groups include alkyl and alkylene radicals derived from fatty acids. Other preferred R 4 groups include benzyl, and alkyl-substituted benzyl, R can contain 4 to 40 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 22 carbon atoms and more preferably 6 to 18 carbon atoms. Preferred surfactants include the following: R 4 C(0)NH(CH 2 ) 3 N(CH 3 ) 2 (CH 2 COONa) R 4 N(CH 2 CH 2 COONa)(CH 2 CH 2 COOH) R 4 C(0)NH(CH 2 ) 2 N(CH 2 CH 2 OH)CH 2 COONa) 2 R C(0)NH(CH 2 ) 2 N(CH 2 CH 2 OH)(CH 2 CH 2 COONa) R 4 N(CH 3 ) 2 (CH 2 C(OH)HCH 2 S0 3 ) R 4 C(0)NH(CH 2 ) 3 N(CH 3 ) 2 (CH 2 C(OH)HCH 2 S0 3 ) The surfactant compositions useful in this invention include amphoteric surfactants of formula (a) or (b) used without other surfactants, blends of two or more amphoteric surfactants of formula (a) or (b), and amphoteric surfactants of formula (a) or (b) (alone or as blends) combined with other supplementary surfactants, preferably anionic surfactants. As will be seen hereinbelow, for best results the choice of surfactants and the appropriateness of using surfactants of formula (a) or (b) or a mixture of surfactants of formula (a) or (b) with supplementary surfactants, is influenced by the choice of technique by which the desired foamed composition is prepared. In the final composition formed in accordance with the process of this invention, including the water and calcined gypsum, the total amount of the surfactants present (for example, surfactants of formula (a) or (b) and a-olefin sulfonates) present should comprise 0.001 wt.% to 0.5 wt.% of the total weight of the foamed composition, including surfactant, water, and gypsum. Preferably the combined amount of the surfactants present is in the preferred range of 0.005 wt.% to 0.1 wt.% of the total composition. An even more preferred range of the amount of the surfactants is from 0.01 wt.% to 0.06 wt.%. In the foamed composition, the gypsum component typically comprises 30 to 70 wt.% of the total amount of material present, including the water, and preferably comprises 40 wt.% to 60 wt.% of the total material present. On occasion, the combination of amphoteric surfactant addition to α-olefin sulfonate can lead to formation of a gel. This result is very undesirable in the production of gypsum articles. The tendency of any particular addition of given quantities of given materials to form a gel can readily be determined by a separate experiment, before incorporation into the production of the desired foamed compositions. If formation of such a gel is observed, the tendency to gel formation can be avoided by addition of a hydrotrope in addition to the amphoteric surfactant and α-olefin sulfonate. Among the useful hydrotropes for this purpose are isopropanol, ethanol, methanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene and polypropylene glycols, monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol, alkyl polyglucosides, and the like, and mixtures thereof. One useful technique, which is the preferred technique, for producing foamed compositions in accordance with the present invention is combining the surfactant component and water, and then foaming this mixture, and then combining this foamed mixture with an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum. The aqueous mixture of water and surfactant typically contains 0.05 wt.% to 1.0 wt.% of the surfactant component. The amount of water mixed with the calcined gypsum typically ranges from 0.3 to 1.5 grams of water per gram of calcined gypsum, and preferably 0.5 to 0.9 grams water/gram calcined gypsum. Foaming can be carried out in any of the typically practiced techniques to obtain rapid entrainment of air into the mixture, such as bubbling air into the mixture and/or mechanical agitation, or even mechanically induced shearing with forced injection of air. Other embodiments which achieve the same product can also be practiced and are within the present invention. One example is a variation of the above preferred technique, wherein foaming is carried out during the combination of the surfactant/water mixture with the aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum. Another embodiment is combining the surfactant component directly with an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum, and foaming the resultant mixture after it is formed or during its formation. After the foamed composition of calcined gypsum is formed, as described herein or otherwise, the resultant product is a fluid which can be poured or placed into any desired mold or form which is the shape of the eventual desired solid article. Then the fluid is permitted to cure (set) into a solid article; that is, the calcined gypsum is hydrated to gypsum and excess water is removed by evaporation. By "solid" is meant that the article has solidified regardless of the presence of entrained air bubbles and/or water in the solidified article. The foams produced by these embodiments exhibit satisfactory volume and stability. In addition, the solid articles which are produced by curing and drying the foamed compositions exhibit satisfactory and improved strength for a given density. Furthermore, the process of the present invention entrains air into the foamed compositions in a manner providing a relatively more uniform bubble size distribution. This is a useful feature in that it promotes the strength and the uniformity of the properties of the finished product. This invention can be used for thick structures such as statuary and blocks, but is particularly useful for thin structures less than 2 inches thick, and preferably 1 inch or less in thickness such as wall panels. The present invention is illustrated in the following examples, which are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting of that which is considered to be the invention. Example 1 Gypsum Cube Preparation and Compressive Strength Testing The calcined gypsum used in this study was #1 Molding Plaster, from Hamilton Parker, Columbus, Ohio. A seeding agent, also known as accelerator, was prepared in the lab by mixing the above calcined gypsum with water and allowing the slurry to set. The set gypsum which was the result of this step was then dried and ground to a fine powder (99% through 400 mesh) using a Bico pulverizer. This ground gypsum was used as the seeding agent. Various foaming agents were tested and are listed in Table 2 below. Procedure 870 grams of calcined gypsum was weighed into the bowl of a kitchen mixer (Kitchen Aid Model KSM90) and 5.22 grams of seeding agent was added. The dry mix was then thoroughly mixed using the mixer. 155.6 grams of tap water was weighed into a separate high-speed blender. 300 microliters of the surfactant mixture was added and this mixture was then mixed at 7000 rpm to generate foam. It is important to mix long enough to convert all of the liquid to foam. Mixing for 1 to 5 minutes is normally adequate. While the foam was being generated, 537 grams of tap water was weighed into a cylinder. After foam generation, the weighed water was added to the dry solids in the mixer, and was allowed to soak for 10 seconds. The slurry, containing predominantly calcined gypsum, was then mixed at medium speed for 5 seconds, followed by gentle mixing for 10 seconds using a spatula, to ensure all the dry ingredients were wetted. The foam was then quickly added to the slurry, and then it was mixed at the highest speed for 10 seconds. The resultant slurry was then poured into six cubic molds of approximately 5 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm (2 inch x 2 inch x 2 inch). Excess slurry on top of the molds was scraped off using a flat spatula, thus leveling the slurry surface with the mold surface. After 20 minutes of set time, the cubes were removed from the molds and weighed. The cubes were then placed inside a closed container for at least an hour to ensure complete hydration of the calcined gypsum to gypsum. The cubes were then dried in an oven (temperature = 40°C) until the cubes ceased to lose weight. The drying process normally took 48 to 72 hours depending on the number of samples in the oven. Twenty-four hours prior to compressive strength testing, the cubes were weighed and placed inside a closed box at room temperature and 45-50% relative humidity. Compressive strengths were measured using a "TINIUS OLSEN" model #153035, tensile/compressive strength tester. The head speed of the instrument used was 0.06 inches/min. for all tests carried out. The data in Table 2 are the averages of the measurements of all the cubes from each formulation. Cubes of different densities of a given surfactant blend were made by varying the speed of the foam generator, thus generating foams of different volumes. Amounts of ingredients were also varied, but the ratio of calcined gypsum to total liquid was kept constant for all studies. Table 1 lists amounts of individual ingredients. Tables 2A and 2B lists the specific formulations and the resulting density and compressive strengths of the gypsum cubes. Table 3 lists results obtained similarly using as the surfactant WITCOLATE® 1276 which is an ether sulfate representative of the existing commercial surfactants used for this purpose. The data are summarized in Figure 1 which shows the improved compressive strength of foamed gypsum made according to this invention compared to foamed gypsum made using conventional ether sulfates or a-olefin sulfonates without amphoteric surfactants.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS 1. A process for making a foamed gypsum composition, compπsmg: (I) combining water and an amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) R 4 -(OC 3 H6) -(C(O)NH(CH 2 )ι 3 ) y -N(Z 1 )(Z 2 ) 0 ,-ZCOOX (a) R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 ) x -(C(0)NH(CH 2 ) 1 3 ) y -N(Z 1 )(Z 2 ) 0 !-ZS0 3 X (b) wherein X is -H, a sodium calcium, potassium, lithium or ammonium cation, or an amme of the formula -N + H(Cι 20 alkyl) 2 or -N + H 2 (C] 20 alkyl); or when a Z 2 group is present there is no X group on -ZCOOX, R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds, x is 0-1, y is 0-1, and x+y is 0-1; Z 1 and Z 2 are independently of each other H, C f H 2f+ ι, or C f H 2f OH wherein f is 1 to 6 or, in formula (a), one of Z 1 and Z 2 may further be -ZCOOX, where Z is (CH 2 )f, CH 2 CH 2 OCH 2 CH 2 , or CH 2 CHOHCH 2 ; and (II) foaming the resulting combination, provided that either: (A) the water in step (I) contains calcined gypsum slurπed therein, and the foaming is earned out duπng or after the combining of the slurry with the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b), or (B) the process duπng or after step (II) further compπses an additional step (III) combining the product of step (II) and an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum. 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein step (I) compπses combining an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum and the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b), and wherein the combination of the slum' and amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is foamed duπng the combination thereof 3. The process according to claim 1, wherein step (I) compπses combining an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum and the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b), and wherein the combination of the slu and amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is foamed after the combination thereof 4 The process according to claim 1, further compnsmg, after step (II), the additional step (III) combining the combination formed in step (II) with an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum. 5. The process according to claim 1, further compnsmg, dunng step (II), the additional step (HI) combining the combination formed m step (II) with an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum 6 The process according to claim 1, wherein the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of fatty betaines, glycinates, lminopropionates, propionates, and mixtures thereof. 7. The process according to claim 1, wherein a supplementary surfactant selected from the group consisting of. anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and amphoteπc surfactants, is combined with the water and the amphotenc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) before or duπng step (II). 8. The process according to claim 7, wherein the supplementary surfactant is an α-olefin sulfonate or an ether sulfate 9. The process according to claim 1, wherein the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 ) 0 HC(O)NH(CH 2 )ι 3 ) 0 .ι-N(CH 3 )(CH 3 )CH 2 COO wherein R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. 10. The process according to claim 1, wherein the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 )o ι-(C(O)NH(CH 2 )ι 3) 0 ι-N(CH 2 COOH)CH 2 COOX wherein X is -H, a sodium, calcium, potassium, lithium or ammonium cation, or an am e of the formula -N + H(Cι 20 alkyl) 2 or -N + H 2 (Cι. 20 alkyl); and R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. 11. The process according to claim 1, wherein the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 (OC 3 Ff6) 0 ι(C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι 3 ) 0 ,-N(CH 2 CH 2 COOH) 2 CH 2 COO wherein R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. 12. The process according to claim 1, wherein the amphotenc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 (OC 3 H 6 )o ! (C(O)NH(CH 2 )ι 3 ) 0 . 1 N(CH 2 CH 2 OH)CH 2 CH 2 COOX and R 4 (OC 3 H 6 ) 0-1 (C(O)NΗ(CH 2 )ι 3 ) 0 iN(CH 2 CH 2 OH)(CH 2 CH 2 COOX)CH 2 CH 2 COO wherein X is -H, a sodium, calcium, potassium, lithium or ammonium cation, or an amine of the formula -N + H(Cι 20 alkyl) 2 or -N + H 2 (Cι 20 alkyl); and R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. 13. The process according to claim 1, wherein the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC3H 6 )o ,-(C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι 3 ) 0 -,-N(CH 3 )(CH 3 )(CH 2 ) 3 SO 3 wherein R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. 14. The process according to claim 1, wherein the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 )o.ι-(C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι- 3 )o-ι-N(CH 3 )(CH 3 )CH 2 CHOHCH 2 S0 3 wherein R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. 15. A fluid composition prepared by a process which comprises (I) combining water and an amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 ) -(C(O)NH(CH 2 )ι. 3 ) y -N(Z 1 )(Z 2 ) 0 -i-ZCOOX (a) R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 ) -(C(O)NH(CH 2 ) 1 _ 3 ) y -N(Z , )(Z 2 ) 0 - 1 -ZSO 3 X (b) wherein X is -H, a sodium, calcium, potassium, lithium or ammonium cation, or an amine of the formula -N + H(Cμ 2 o alkyl) 2 or -N + H 2 (Cι_ 20 alkyl); or when a Z 2 group is present there is no X group on -ZCOOX; R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon 1 ^ atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds; x is 0-1, y is 0-1, and x+y is 0-1; Z and 2f are independently of each other H, C f H 2f+1 or C f H 2f OH wherein f is 1 to 6 and preferably 1, 2 or 3 or, in formula (a), one of Z 1 and Z 2 can be -ZCOOX, and Z is (CH 2 ) f , CH 2 CH 2 OCH 2 CH2, or CH 2 CHOHCH 2 ; and ffl) foaming the resulting combination, provided that either: (A) the water in step (I) contains calcined gypsum slurried therein, and the foaming is carried out during or after the combining of the slurry with the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b), or (B) the process during or after step (II) further comprises an additional step (m) combining the product of step (II) and an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum. 16 The composition according to claim 15, wherein step (I) compπses combining an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum and the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b), and wherein the combination of the slurry and the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is foamed dunng the combination thereof 17 The composition according to claim 15, wherein step (I) compπses combining an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum and the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b), and wherein the combination of the slurry and the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is foamed after the combination thereof. 18 The composition according to claim 15, wherein the process further compπses, after step (II), the additional step (HI) combining the combination formed in step (II) with an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum. 19. The composition according to claim 15, wherein the process further compπses, duπng step (II), the additional step (HI) combining the combination formed in step (II) with an aqueous slurry of calcined gypsum 20. The composition according to claim 15, wherein the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of fatty betames, glycinates, lm opropionates, propionates, and mixtures thereof. 21. The composition according to claim 15, further compnsmg a supplementary surfactant selected from the group consisting of: anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and amphoteπc surfactants, which is combined with the water and the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) before or dunng step (II). 22 The composition according to claim 21, wherein the supplementary surfactant is an - olefm sulfonate or an ether sulfate. 23 The composition according to claim 15, wherein the amphotenc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 ) 0 .ι-(C(O)NH(CH 2 ) 1 _ 3 ) 0 . 1 -N(CH 3 )(CH 3 )CH 2 COO wherein R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. 24. The composition according to claim 15, wherein the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 ) u .,-(C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι- 3 )o-ι-N(CH 2 COOH)CH 2 COOX wherein X is -H, a sodium, calcium, potassium, lithium or ammonium cation, or an amine of the formula -N + H(Cι_ 20 alkyl) 2 or -N + H 2 (Cι. 20 alkyl); and R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. 25. The composition according to claim 15, wherein the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 (OC 3 H 6 )o- 1 (C(0)NH(CH 2 ) 1 _ 3 )o-ι-N(CH 2 CH 2 COOH) 2 CH 2 COO wherein R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds. 26. The composition according to claim 15, wherein the amphoteric surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 (OC 3 H 6 ) 0 -ι(C(O)NH(CH 2 ) 1 . 3 )o-ιN(CH 2 CH 2 θH)CH 2 CH 2 COOX and R 4 (OC 3 H 6 )o.,(C(0)NH(CH 2 )ι- 3 )o-ιN(CH 2 CH 2 OH)(CH 2 CH 2 COOX)CH 2 CH 2 COO wherein X is -H, a sodium calcium, potassium, lithium or ammonium cation, or an amme of the formula -N + H(Cι 20 alky 1) 2 or -N + H 2 (Cι 20 alkyl), and R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds 27 The composition according to claim 15, wherein the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 )υ ι-(C(O)NH(CH 2 )ι 3)0 ι-N(CH 3 )(CH 3 )(CH 2 ) 3 SO 3 wherein R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds 28 The composition according to claim 15, wherein the amphoteπc surfactant of formula (a) or (b) is selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R 4 -(OC 3 H 6 ) 0 HC(O)NH(CH 2 )! 3 )0 ι-N(CH 3 )(CH 3 )CH 2 CHOHCH 2 SO 3 wherein R 4 is straight or branched alkyl or alkylene, or cyclic or heterocyclic aromatic which is optionally substituted with alkyl, and contains 4 to 40 carbon atoms and 0-5 carbon-carbon double bonds 29 A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 15 30 A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 16 31 A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 17 32 A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 18 33 A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 19 34. A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 20. 35. A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 21. 36. A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 22 37 A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 23. 38. A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 24 39 A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 25. 40. A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 26 41. A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 27. 42. A solid article prepared by solidification of the fluid composition according to claim 28.

Inventors: MOJAHEDUL ISLAM, MOJAHEDUL, ISLAM
Applicants: MOJAHEDUL ISLAM, WITCO CORP, MOJAHEDUL, ISLAM, WITCO CORPORATION
Application year: 1999
Main classification: C04B24
IPC codes: C04B24, C04B28