| abstract |
A method for increasing the viscosity of a solution of a preformed polymer which comprises combining, under conditions favourable to microbial growth, (a) an aqueous solution of the preformed polymer; and (b) a microorganism incapable of de novo synthesis of the polymer, but capable of increasing the viscosity of the polymer solution is disclosed. The present invention may be applied, for example, to oil recovery, water clarification and paper production. Polymers which may be treated by this method include guar gum, hydroxypropyl guar gum, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl hydexyethyl cellulose, xanthan gum, scleroglucan, locust bean gum, polyacrylamide, hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, poly (acrylic acid) and its salts, poly (2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulphuric acid (2 salt, ANPS), poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylate ester), poly (vinyl pyrrolidane), cellulose sulphate esters, poly (ethylene oxide), poly (vinyl alcohol), polyamine, poly (vinyl acetate-co-maleic anhydride) and poly (styrene sulphonic acid) and salts thereof. |