a method for the preparation of aqueous solutions of anionic polyelectrolytes by combining a stream of a high solid content alkenoic acid - alkyl acrylate latex with a stream of aqueous alkali metal hydroxide , mixing the combined streams under low shear conditions and heating the mixture to produce a polyelectrolyte solution . the use of these steps avoids the formation of high viscosity mixtures or rubber masses which are difficult , if not impossible , to further process into the desired polyelectrolyte solution .