1. Use, as cosmetic product, of a rigid gel containing at least 20% by weight of at least one water-soluble or hydrophilic gelling agent, it being possible for the said gel to be obtained from the said gelling agent in the presence of water, by mixing, blending, compression and extrusion in a twin-screw extruder.
2. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid gel may be obtained by a process in which the gelling agent and the water are introduced, at the extruder inlet, at room temperature, and are then brought to the transportation zone at a temperature of about 50 C., after which they are blended and compressed in various zones of the extruder maintained at a temperature ranging from 60 to 100 C.; the mass obtained is transported to the extruder outlet and extruded through a die.
3. Use according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the rigid gel may be made anhydrous by dehydration of the aqueous gelled network by a standard drying process.
4. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rigid gel has a compression strength of greater than or equal to 50 grams, at room temperature, after penetration by a cylindrical probe having a diameter of 0.8 cm into the gel matrix in a thickness of 5 mm, at a speed of 1 mms, maintenance of the said probe in the gel matrix for 15 seconds and removal of the said probe from the gel matrix at a speed of 1 mms.
5. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the water-soluble or hydrophilic gelling agent is chosen from the group formed by:
alga extracts;
seed extracts;
plant exudates;
microorganism exudates;
fruit extracts;
gelling agents of animal origin;
water-soluble gelling synthetic polymers;
silicone derivatives.
6. Use according to claim 5, characterized in that the water-soluble gelling agent is chosen from the group formed by agar-agar, carageenans, alginates, carob gum, guar gum, gum arabic, karaya gum, gum tragacanth, ghatti gum, xanthan gum, cellulose or derivatives thereof, modified celluloses, pectins; gelatin, caseinates, crosslinked polyacrylic acids, synthetic hectorites and aluminium magnesium silicates.
7. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the water-soluble or hydrophilic gelling agent is present in concentrations ranging from 20 to 80% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
8. Composition for cosmetic or dermatological use, characterized in that it consists of a rigid gel containing at least 20% by weight of at least one water-soluble or hydrophilic gelling agent relative to the total weight of the composition and at least one cosmetic or dermatological substance and in that the said gel may be obtained from the said gelling agent, from the said cosmetic or dermatological substance in the presence of water, by mixing, blending, compression and extrusion in a twin-screw extruder.
9. Composition according to claim 8, characterized in that the rigid gel may be obtained by a process in which the said gelling agent, the said cosmetic or dermatological substance and the water are introduced, at the extruder inlet, at room temperature, and are then brought into the transportation zone at a temperature of about 50 C., after which they are blended and compressed in various zones of the extruder maintained at a temperature ranging from 60 to 100 C.; the mass obtained is transported to the extruder outlet and extruded through a die.
10. Composition according to either of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the rigid gel may be made anhydrous by dehydration of the aqueous gelled network by a standard drying process.
11. Composition according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the rigid gel has a compression strength of greater than or equal to 50 grams, at room temperature, after penetration by a cylindrical probe having a diameter of 0.8 cm into the gel matrix in a thickness of 5 mm, at a speed of 1 mms, maintenance of the said probe in the gel matrix for 15 seconds and removal of the said probe from the gel matrix at a speed of 1 mms.
12. Composition according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the water-soluble or hydrophilic gelling agent is chosen from the group formed by:
alga extracts;
seed extracts;
plant exudates;
microorganism exudates;
fruit extracts;
gelling agents of animal origin;
water-soluble gelling synthetic polymers;
silicone derivatives.
13. Composition according to claim 12, characterized in that the water-soluble gelling agent is chosen from the group formed by agar-agar, carageenans, alginates, carob gum, guar gum, gum arabic, karaya gum, gum tragacanth, ghatti gum, xanthan gum, cellulose or derivatives thereof, modified celluloses, pectins; gelatin, caseinates, crosslinked polyacrylic acids, synthetic hectorites and aluminium magnesium silicates.
14. Composition according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the water-soluble or hydrophilic gelling agent is present in concentrations ranging from 20 to 80% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
15. Composition according to any one of claims 8 to 14, containing at least one inorganic filler andor an organic filler.
16. Composition according to claim 15, characterized in that it contains up to 80% by weight of filler relative to the total weight of the composition.
17. Composition according to either of claims 15 and 16, characterized in that when the filler or fillers have a density of less than 0.1 gcm3, they are present at up to 40% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, and when the filler or fillers have a density of greater than 0.5 gcm3, they are present in a proportion of from 2 to 80% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
18. Composition according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the filler or fillers are chosen from inorganic or organic fillers of lamellar or spherical structure, which are compactable or not readily compacted, and mixtures thereof.
19. Composition according to claim 18, in which the fillers of inorganic lamellar type are chosen from talcs or hydrated magnesium silicates, micas or aluminosilicates, clays such as sericites, kaolin or hydrated aluminium silicate, boron nitrides and titanium micas.
20. Composition according to claim 18, in which the fillers of inorganic spherical type are chosen from oxides of zinc and of titanium, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and hydrocarbonate, non-porous spherical silica, hydroxyapatite, silica microspheres with open or hollow porosity, which may be impregnated with a cosmetic active agent, and glass or ceramic microcapsules.
21. Composition according to claim 18, in which the fillers of organic spherical type are chosen from metal soaps derived from organic carboxylic acids having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, such as zinc, magnesium or lithium stearate, zinc laurate and magnesium myristate; non-expanded synthetic polymer powders; spheronized, crosslinked or non-crosslinked synthetic polymer powders; powders of organic materials of natural origin, microporous polymer powders which may be impregnated with cosmetic active agents; polymer microcapsules which are optionally crosslinked.
22. Composition according to any one of claims 8 to 21, characterized in that it also contains a fatty phase.
23. Composition according to claim 22, comprising up to 20% by weight of fatty phase and preferably up to 15% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
24. Composition according to either of claims 22 and 23, in which the fatty phase comprises oils andor waxes of animal, plant, inorganic or synthetic origin, alone or as mixtures.
25. Composition according to any one of claims 8 to 24, characterized in that it contains adjuvants chosen from pigments, surfactants, liposoluble active agents, liposoluble additives usually used in cosmetics, antioxidants, anti-free-radical agents, moisturizers, wetting agents and sunscreens.
26. Composition according to any one of claims 8 to 25, comprising at least one silicone gum.
27. Composition according to claim 26, in which the silicone gum is present in an amount ranging up to 40%, preferably from 5 to 10%, relative to the weight of the final composition.
28. Composition according to either of claims 26 and 27, in which the silicone gum is chosen from silicone gums having a molecular weight of less than 1,500,000, such as a polydimethylsiloxane, a polyphenylsiloxane or a polyhydroxysiloxane, andor from gums corresponding to the formula:
2
in which:
R1, R2, R5 and R6 are, together or separately, an alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
R3 and R4 are, together or separately, an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl radical,
X is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl radical or a vinyl radical,
n and p being chosen so as to impart a viscosity of greater than 100,000 mPas, preferably greater than 500,000 mPas, to the silicone gum.
29. Composition according to any one of claims 8 to 28, characterized in that it is in the form of a stick, a pencil or a cake.
30. Composition according to any one of claims 8, 9 and 11 to 29, characterized in that it is a care andor conditioning andor hygiene product for the skin, the mucous membranes, the scalp or the hair.
31. Composition according to any one of claims 8 to 29, characterized in that it is a make-up product.
32. Make-up powder, characterized in that it consists of an anhydrous composition with a matrix consisting of a dehydrated gelled network, as defined according to any one of claims 10 to 29, this composition having been reduced to a powder.
33. Process for the preparation of the composition in rigid gel form as defined in any one of claims 8 to 31, characterized in that it is obtained from at least one water-soluble or hydrophilic gelling agent, from the dermatological or cosmetic substance and optionally from the other constituents as defined in the proceeding claims, in the presence of water by mixing, blending, compression and extrusion in a twin-screw extruder, after which the rigid gel is optionally dehydrated by a standard drying process.
34. Process according to claim 33, characterized in that the starting materials are introduced, at the extruder inlet, at room temperature, and are then brought to the transportation zone at a temperature of about 50 C., after which they are blended and compressed in various zones of the extruder maintained at a temperature ranging from 60 to 100 C.; the mass obtained is transported to the extruder outlet and extruded through a die.
35. Cosmetic treatment process for the care andor conditioning andor hygiene of the skin, the hair, the scalp or the mucous membranes, characterized in that an aqueous solid composition according to any one of claims 8, 9 and 11 to 29 is used, in that this composition is made moist at the surface with water and in that the said partially rehydrated composition is applied to the skin, the hair, the scalp or the mucous membranes.
36. Process for making up the lips, the face or the eyelids, characterized in that an aqueous solid composition according to any one of claims 8, 9 and 11 to 29 is used, in that this composition is made moist at the surface with water and in that the said partially rehydrated composition is applied to the lips, the face or the eyelids.
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 process for providing at least a portion of steam produced by a boiler to a regenerating system, said process comprising:
producing a steam by combusting a fuel source in a boiler;
providing at least a portion of said steam to a set of pressure turbines fluidly coupled to said boiler, said set of pressure turbines including a high pressure turbine, an intermediate pressure turbine, and a low pressure turbine;
siphoning at least a portion of said steam provided to said set of pressure turbines through a siphoning mechanism to produce siphoned steam, wherein said siphoning mechanism is located at a position selected from a group consisting of a position between said boiler and said high pressure turbine, a position between said high pressure turbine and said intermediate pressure turbine, a position between said intermediate pressure turbine and said low pressure turbine, and combinations thereof; and
utilizing said siphoned steam as a heat source for a regenerating system fluidly coupled to said siphoning mechanism.
2. A process according to claim 1, wherein said siphoning mechanism is located at a position between said boiler and said high pressure turbine.
3. A process according to claim 2, wherein said set of pressure turbines further includes a back pressure turbine, said back pressure turbine fluidly coupled to said siphoning mechanism and said regenerating system.
4. A process according to claim 1, wherein said siphoning mechanism is located between said high pressure turbine and said intermediate pressure turbine.
5. A process according to claim 4, wherein said set of pressure turbines further includes a back pressure turbine, said back pressure turbine fluidly coupled to said steam siphoning mechanism and said regenerating system.
6. A process according to claim 1, wherein said siphoning mechanism is located between said intermediate pressure turbine and said low pressure turbine.
7. A process according to claim 6, further comprising a second siphoning mechanism located between said boiler and said regenerating system.
8. A process according to claim 6, further comprising a second siphoning mechanism located between said boiler and said high pressure turbine.
9. A system for regenerating an absorbent solution, said system comprising:
steam produced by a boiler;
a set of pressure turbines fluidly coupled to said boiler, said set of pressure turbines including a high pressure turbine, an intermediate pressure turbine, and a low pressure turbine;
a siphoning mechanism for siphoning at least a portion of said steam produced by said boiler, wherein said siphoning mechanism is located at a position selected from a group consisting of a position between said boiler and said high pressure turbine, a position between said high pressure turbine and said intermediate pressure turbine, a position between said intermediate pressure turbine and said low pressure turbine, and combinations thereof; and
a regenerating system fluidly coupled to said siphoning mechanism, wherein siphoned steam is utilized as a heat source for said regenerating system.
10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said siphoning mechanism is located at a position between said boiler and said high pressure turbine.
11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said set of pressure turbines further includes a back pressure turbine, said back pressure turbine is fluidly coupled to said siphoning mechanism and said regenerating system.
12. A system according to claim 9, wherein said siphoning mechanism is located between said high pressure turbine and said intermediate pressure turbine.
13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said set of pressure turbines further includes a back pressure turbine, said back pressure turbine is fluidly coupled to said steam siphoning mechanism and said regenerating system.
14. A system according to claim 9, wherein said siphoning mechanism is located between said intermediate pressure turbine and said low pressure turbine.
15. A system according to claim 14, further comprising a second siphoning mechanism located between said boiler and said regenerating system.
16. A system according to claim 14, further comprising a second siphoning mechanism located between said boiler and said high pressure turbine.
17. A system according to claim 9, wherein said regenerating system comprises a regenerator and a reboiler.
18. A system according to claim 17, wherein said reboiler provides a steam to said regenerator, said steam regenerating a rich absorbent solution in said regenerator.
19. A system according to claim 18, wherein said rich absorbent solution comprises a chemical solvent selected from the group of monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), diisopropanolamine (DIPA), N-methylethanolamine, triethanolamine (TEA), N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), piperazine, N-methylpiperazine (MP), N-hydroxyethylpiperazine (HEP), 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol, 2-(2-tert-butylaminopropoxy)ethanol, 2-(2-tert-butylaminoethoxy)ethanol (TBEE), 2-(2-tert-amylaminoethoxy)ethanol, 2-(2-isopropylaminopropoxy)ethanol, or 2-(2-(1-methyl-1-ethylpropylamino)ethoxy)ethanol.
20. A system according to claim 18, wherein said rich absorbent solution comprises ammonia.
21. In a system for regenerating an absorbent solution, the system comprising a first boiler generating a process stream and steam, an absorber for removing an acidic component from said process stream thereby forming a rich absorbent solution and a cleansed process stream, and a regenerator for regenerating said rich absorbent solution, the improvement comprising:
a second boiler generating steam; and
a reboiler coupled to said regenerator, wherein at least a portion of steam from said second boiler is provided to said reboiler.
22. A system according to claim 21, further comprising a pressure turbine coupled to said reboiler and said second boiler, wherein at least a portion of said steam from said second boiler is first provided to said pressure turbine prior and then to said reboiler.
23. A system according to claim 21, further wherein at least a portion of said steam from said second boiler is provided to a set of pressure turbines, wherein said set of pressure turbines includes a high pressure turbine, an intermediate pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine.