For most applications, Celvol® polyvinyl alcohols must be dissolved in water prior to use. While S-grades are cold water soluble, all other grades must be cooked. The following procedure is recommended:

Celvol polyvinyl alcohols should first be dispersed in cold or room temperature water using sufficient agitation to wet out all particles with water. (As a general rule, the surface of the water should be moving vigorously.)

Addition rates, solids and cook out temperatures vary by grade as illustrated below. For best results, do not exceed maximum solids.

Elevate solution temperature to recommended levels (185-205°F/85-96°C) and hold for 30 minutes.

Celvol polyvinyl alcohols are in solution after cooking and can be used at any temperature.

While the cooking process is straightforward, please be aware of the following pitfalls:

• All tanks and lines must be free of borax to avoid coagulation.

• Tanks should have baffles and flush bottom valves to avoid dead spots where polyvinyl alcohol can agglomerate.

• Failure to reach the minimum temperature will result in undissolved polyvinyl alcohol no matter how long it is cooked.

• Celvol polyvinyl alcohols cannot be overcooked. However, boiling will induce foam.

• Avoid high speed, small diameter mixers. These agitators do not provide adequate mixing and tend to entrain air.

• If a defoamer is used, it is best to add the defoamer prior to the polyvinyl alcohol addition to the water. A defoamer is not required with Celvol 805, 823 and 840 polyvinyl alcohols.

• If solutions are kept for more than 24 hours, a biocide addition is recommended.

• Celvol polyvinyl alcohols may be jet cooked. Unlike starch, which explodes in a steam jet, Celvol polyvinyl alcohols will dissolve by shedding layers. Maximizing time in the jet and providing a holding tank for the polyvinyl alcohol solution after the jet (where solutions may be held for a minimum of 15 minutes) will ensure complete solubility.

Celvol Grade	Addition Rate	Maximum Recommended Solids	Minimum Cook-Out temperature
103	10 sec/bag	30%	200°F (93°C)
107	10 sec/bag	20%	200°F (93°C)
305	10 sec/bag	20%	200°F (93°C)
310	10 sec/bag	15%	200°F (93°C)
125	10 sec/bag	10%	205°F (96°C)
325	10 sec/bag	10%	200°F (93°C)
165	10 sec/bag	7%	205°F (96°C)
350	10 sec/bag	7%	200°F (93°C)
WS-724	1 min/bag	15%	195°F (91°C)
WS-53NF	1 min/bag	10%	185°F (85°C)
418	1 min/bag	12%	195°F (91°C)
425	1 min/bag	10%	195°F (91°C)
443	1 min/bag	7%	195°F (91°C)
203	2 min/bag	30%	185°F (85°C)
502	2 min/bag	30%	185°F (85°C)
205	2 min/bag	20%	185°F (85°C)
805	2 min/bag	20%	185°F (85°C)
513	2 min/bag	15%	185°F (85°C)
523	2 min/bag	10%	185°F (85°C)
823	2 min/bag	10%	185°F (85°C)
540	2 min/bag	7%	185°F (85°C)
840	2 min/bag	7%	185°F (85°C)
504	2 min/bag	30%	185°F (85°C)
508	2 min/bag	20%	185°F (85°C)
530	2 min/bag	10%	185°F (85°C)
518	2 min/bag	15%	185°F (85°C)