Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing substantially dry water insoluble polymers from poly alkyl esters of vinylic monomers for use in a method for the clarification of red mud-containing liquors generated in the Bayer process for the recovery of alumina from bauxite ore. The polymers can be either homopolymers, copolymers or terpolymers. Preferably, the dried emulsion polymers are high molecular weight polymers of poly(methyl acrylate), poly(methyl acrylate/acrylic acid), poly(vinyl acetate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate), poly(t-butyl methacrylate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate) and poly(t-butyl acrylate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate).

Abstract: The present invention provides both reagents and a process for removing heavy metals from a caustic fluid stream by the addition of reagents which are not corrosive or deleterious. Specifically, the present invention is directed to removing heavy metals from a Bayer liquor in an aluminum processing plant. The reagents, dithiocarbamate and dithocarbonate groups, are added individually or in combination thereof to the Bayer liquor for the removal of heavy metals, such as zinc. The reagents form a complex with the heavy metal for the precipitation of the metal from the fluid stream. Once a complex is formed, the Bayer liquor is held in a quiescent state for a period of time sufficient for settling out of solution the precipitate. After settling out of solution, the precipitate is separated and removed and the Bayer liquor is then further processed into alumina.

Abstract: A synergistic composition and method for inhibiting microbiological growth which comprises a combination of stabilized sodium hypobromite with a mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl 4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the precipitation of soluble sodium oxalate in Bayer process liquor which comprises adding a surface active quaternary ammonium compound to the Bayer process liquor and then subsequently adding a mixture of a hydrophobic oil and at least one surfactant.

Abstract: Stable oxidizing bromine compounds are prepared by preparing a caustic solution comprising a halogen stabilizer, water and an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide, the halogen stabilizer being selected from the group consisting of R—NH2, R—NH—R1, R—SO2—NH2, R—SO2—NHR1, R—CO—NH2, R—CO—NH—R1 and R—CO—NH—CO—R1 wherein R is a hydroxy group, an alkyl group or an aromatic group and R1 is an alkyl group or an aromatic group, adding bromine chloride to the solution while mixing the solution, and cooling the solution.

Abstract: Stabilized bromine solutions are prepared by combining a bromine source and a stabilizer to form a mixture, adding an oxidizer to the mixture, and then adding, an alkaline source to adjust the pH of the mixture to at least 13.

Abstract: Biofilm formation is inhibited in commercial and industrial water systems through the addition of at least one plant oil.

Abstract: The simultaneous precipitation of soluble heavy metal ions from semiconductor wastewater containing abrasive solids and enhancement of microfilter operation is achieved through the addition of an effective amount of a water-soluble polymer containing dithiocarbamate functionalities to the wastewater.

Abstract: Anionic nanocomposites for use as retention and drainage aids in papermaking are prepared by adding an anionic polyelectrolyte to a sodium silicate solution and then combining the sodium silicate and polyelectrolyte solution with silicic acid.

Abstract: An improved method for separating electrically conductive components of an ore or mineral sand from electrically non-conductive components of the ore or mineral sand is disclosed which includes processing the ore, adding a polymer, such as an anionic polymer, to the processed ore, drying the polymer and ore, and then feeding the ore and polymer through an electrostatic separator. The addition of the anionic polymer to the processed ore increases the efficiency of the electrostatic separation process.

Abstract: Stable biocide formulations containing oxidizing bromine are provided for biofouling control in industrial water systems. The formulations contain at least one stable oxidizing bromine compound that is prepared from at least one oxidizing chemical reagent, at least one bromine source and at least one bromine or halogen stabilizer. The resulting products are a mixture of stable oxidizing bromine compounds that can be used as a biocide in an industrial water system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting the formation and deposition of silica scale in water systems. The method includes treating the water in such water systems with an effective amount of a polyamide that exhibits secondary amine and/or ether and amide functional groups.

Abstract: The invention is a method for preparing a stabilized aqueous alkali or alkaline earth metal hypobromite solution. The method comprises the steps of:a. Mixing an aqueous solution of alkali or alkaline earth metal hypochlorite having from about 5 percent to about 70 percent available halogen as chlorine with a water soluble bromide ion source;b. Allowing the bromide ion source and the alkali or alkaline earth metal hypochlorite to react to form a 0.5 to 70 percent by weight aqueous solution of unstabilized alkali or alkaline earth metal hypobromite;c. Adding to the unstabilized solution of alkali or alkaline earth metal hypobromite an aqueous solution of an alkali metal sulfamate in a quantity to provide a molar ratio of alkali metal sulfamate to alkali or alkaline earth metal hypobromite is from about 0.5 to about 7; and,d. Recovering a stabilized aqueous alkali or alkaline earth metal hypobromite solution.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the concentration of metal soaps of partially esterified phosphates from a hydrocarbon flowback fluid resulting from a hydraulic fracturing fluid operation using an alkaline aqueous-based additive solution.

Abstract: Stable oxidizing bromine compounds are prepared by preparing a caustic solution comprising a halogen stabilizer, water and an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide, the halogen stabilizer being selected from the group consisting of R--NH.sub.2, R--NH--R.sup.1, R--SO.sub.2 --NH.sub.2, R--SO.sub.2 --NHR.sup.1, R--CO--NH.sub.2, R--CO--NH--R.sup.1 and R--CO--NH--CO--R.sup.1 wherein R is a hydroxy group, an alkyl group or an aromatic group and R.sup.1 is an alkyl group or an aromatic group, adding bromine chloride to the solution while mixing the solution, and cooling the solution.

Abstract: An acid corrosion inhibitor composition is provided for petroleum wells and water wells subjected to stimulation with acid solutions. The inhibitor combines cinnamaldehyde and an organo-sulfur compound. The inhibitor provides a reduced rate of corrosion and fewer instances of pitting than inhibitors which include cinnamaldehyde alone. The inhibitor does not suffer from the well-known oil field aldehyde/polyacrylamide crosslinking incompatibility. The enhanced performance by the inhibitor of the present invention is provided by a synergistic action between the cinnamaldehyde and an organo-sulfur compound.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling biofouling in an aqueous medium by treating the aqueous medium with an oil-in-water emulsion comprising an antimicrobial oil phase and at least one emulsifier. This method efficiently controls biofouling in the aqueous medium by specifically targeting the antimicrobial oil phase directly to biofilms, cell surfaces and cell aggregates in a concentrated form.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for dewatering difficult sludges, such as autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion sludges. The method incorporates a three-component treatment system. Initially, the difficult sludge is dosed with an inorganic coagulant and then the resulting sludge-inorganic mixture is dosed with a microparticle component. Lastly, the resulting mixture is dosed with a high molecular weight flocculant.

Abstract: Anionic nanocomposites for use as retention and drainage aids in papermaking are prepared by adding an anionic polyelectrolyte to a sodium silicate solution and then combining the sodium silicate and polyelectrolyte solution with silicic acid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing biofilms from surfaces submerged in a fouled water system by adding to the water system an alkyl polyglycoside having the chemical formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.16 alkyl chain and DP is from 0 to 3 carbohydrate units.