1. A process comprising,
polymerizing a plurality of monomers to form one or more polymers, wherein the monomers are mixed with a first solvent, and a polymerization initiator is mixed with a second solvent, and
removing the second solvent almost fully from the polymers after the polymerization,
wherein the first solvent is different from the second solvent, and
wherein the first solvent has a flash point of more than 61\xb0 C.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second solvent has a flash point of less than 61\xb0 C.
3. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second solvent is removed to a level of below 5% by weight based on the polymer.
4. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymerization initiator is dissolved in the second solvent, diluted with the first solvent, and then mixed with the monomers.
5. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monomers are selected from the group consisting of vinyllactams, vinylamides acrylates, methacrylates, acrylarnides, and methacrylamides.
6. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monomers comprise a vinyllactam selected from the group consisting of vinylpyrrolidinone, vinylcaprolactam and a mixture thereof.
7. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monomers comprise N-vinyl-N-methylacetamide.
8. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monomers comprise N-isopropylmethacrylamide.
9. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reaction is conducted in one or more stages or continuously.
10. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first solvent has a flash point of more than 100\xb0 C.
11. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second solvent has a flash point of less than 35\xb0 C.
12. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second solvent has a flash point of less than 20\xb0 C.
13. A polymer obtained by the process claimed in claim 1.
14. A gas hydrate inhibitor comprising a polymer obtained by the process claimed in claim 1.
15. A method comprising,
mixing the gas hydrate inhibitor of claim 14 with a mixture comprising petroleum or natural gas mixtures.
16. The polymer as claimed in claim 13, wherein the polymer has a flash point of more than 61\xb0 C.
17. A method comprising,
inhibiting the formation of gas hydrates by mixing the polymer as claimed 13 with a mixture comprising gas molecules.
18. A process comprising,
polymerizing a plurality of monomers to form one or more polymers, wherein the monomers are mixed with a first solvent, and a polymerization initiator is mixed with a second solvent, and
removing the second solvent almost fully from the polymers after the plymerization,
wherein the first solvent is different from the second solvent, and
wherein said plurality of monomers comprise a vinyllactam selected from the group consisting of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylcaprolactam.
19. The process as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second solvent has a flash point of less than 61\xb0 C.
20. The process as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second solvent is removed to a level of below 5% by weight based on the polymer.
21. The process as claimed in claim 18, wherein the polymerization initiator is dissolved in the second solvent, diluted with the first solvent, and then mixed with the monomers.
22. The process as claimed in claim 18 wherein the reaction is conducted in one or more stages or continuously.
23. The process as claimed in claim 18, wherein the solvent has a flash point of more than 100\xb0 C.
24. The process as claimed in claim 18, wherin the second solven has a flash point of less than 35\xb0 C.
25. The process as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second solvent has a flash point of less than 20\xb0 C.
26. A polymer obtained by the process claimed in claim 18.
27. A gas hydrate inhibitor comprising a polymer obtanied by the process claimed in claim 18.
28. A method comprising,
mixing the gas hydrate inhibitor of claim 27 with a mixture comprising petroleum or natural gas mixtures.
29. The polymer as claimed in claim 27, wherein the polymer has a flash point of more than 61\xb0 C.
30. A method comprising,
inhibiting the formation of gas hydrates by mixing the polymer as claimed in claim 27 with a mixture comprising gas molecules.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A trench drain assembly comprising:
an elongated flow channel extending longitudinally between first and second ends and including sidewalls that extend upward to top surfaces, wherein the sidewalls have a constant height throughout the entire length of the channel; and
a frame for supporting the channel in a trench and including two longitudinal extending sidewalls connected by lateral braces, wherein the sidewalls have bottom surfaces for receipt on the top surfaces of the sidewalls of the channel and a height that increases consistently and gradually between first and second ends of the frame so that the frame creates a gradual slope for the channel to properly drain.
2. A trench drain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the slope created by the frame is a 516\u2033 drop for every 4\u2032 of length.
3. A trench drain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the channel comprises a female end and the second end of the channel comprises a male end.
4. A trench drain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ends of the channel extend at a slight angle with respect to the top surfaces of the sidewalls of the channel such that the ends of the channel will extend normal with respect to the top surfaces of the sidewalls of the frame when the channel is joined to the frame.
5. A trench drain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame further includes legs that extend outwardly from the sidewalls of the frame and are adapted to receive rebar for supporting the frame in a trench.
6. A trench drain assembly according to claim 1, wherein top surfaces of the sidewalls of the frame are horizontal while the bottom surface of the sidewalls of the frame are sloped.
6. A trench drain assembly according to claim 1, wherein top surfaces of the sidewalls of the frame are horizontal while the bottom surface of the sidewalls of the frame are sloped and the ends of the frame extend normal to the top surface.
7. A trench drain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sidewalls of the frame include spaced lugs that extend outwardly and the sidewalls of the channel include spaced lugs that extend inwardly to create an interference fit with the lugs of the frame so that the channel can be attached to the frame.
8. A trench drain assembly according to claim 7, wherein the frame further includes rims extending downwardly from the bottom surfaces of the sidewalls of the frame and the lugs extend outwardly from a distal end of the downwardly extending rim, and the sidewalls of the channel include upwardly extending rims on the top surfaces of the sidewalls of the channel for receipt around the downwardly extending rims of the frame, and the lugs of the channel extend inwardly from distal ends of the upwardly extending rims.
9. A trench drain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame further includes rims extending downwardly from the bottom surfaces of the sidewalls of the frame, and the sidewalls of the channel include upwardly extending rims on the top surfaces of the sidewalls of the channel for receipt around the downwardly extending rims of the frame.
10. A trench drain assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sidewalls of the frame include upwardly extending rims on the top surfaces of the sidewalls.
11. A trench drain assembly according to claim 10, further comprising an elongated grate received within the upwardly extending rims of the frame and extending between the sidewalls of the frame.
12. A trench drain assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an elongated grate received on the top surfaces of the sidewalls of the frame.
13. A trench drain assembly comprising:
an elongated flow channel extending longitudinally between first and second ends and including sidewalls; and
a frame for supporting the channel in a trench and including two longitudinal extending and laterally spaced sidewalls for receipt on the sidewalls of the channel;
wherein the sidewalls of the frame include spaced lugs that extend laterally outwardly and the sidewalls of the channel include spaced lugs that extend laterally inwardly to create an interference fit with the lugs of the frame so that the frame can be vertically placed on the channel so that the lugs of the frame pass between the lugs of the channel and then slid longitudinally with respect to the channel so that the lugs of the frame are positioned below the lugs of the channel to create the interference fit and secure the frame to the channel.
14. A trench drain assembly according to claim 13, wherein the frame further includes rims extending downwardly from bottom surfaces of the sidewalls of the frame and the lugs of the frame extend outwardly from a distal end of the downwardly extending rim, and the sidewalls of the channel include upwardly extending rims on top surfaces of the sidewalls of the channel for receipt around the downwardly extending rims of the frame, and the lugs of the channel extend inwardly from distal ends of the upwardly extending rims of the channel.
15. A trench drain assembly according to claim 13, wherein the sidewalls of the frame include upwardly extending rims on top surfaces of the sidewalls.
16. A trench drain assembly according to claim 15, further comprising an elongated grate received within the upwardly extending rims of the frame and extending between the sidewalls of the frame.
17. A trench drain assembly according to claim 13, further comprising an elongated grate received on top surfaces of the sidewalls of the frame.
18. A trench drain assembly according to claim 13, wherein the first end of the channel comprises a female end and the second end of the channel comprises a male end.
19. A trench drain assembly according to claim 13, wherein the frame further includes legs that extend outwardly from the sidewalls of the frame and are adapted to receive rebar for supporting the frame in a trench.
20. A trench drain assembly comprising:
an elongated flow channel extending longitudinally between first and second ends, wherein laterally spaced sidewalls of the channel have a constant height throughout the entire length of the channel; and
a frame for supporting the channel in a trench and including two longitudinal extending and laterally spaced sidewalls for receipt on the sidewalls of the channel, wherein the sidewalls of the frame have a height that increases consistently and gradually between first and second ends of the frame so that the frame creates a gradual slope for the channel to properly drain;
wherein the sidewalls of the frame include spaced lugs that extend laterally outwardly and the sidewalls of the channel include spaced lugs that extend laterally inwardly to create an interference fit with the lugs of the frame.