Abstract: A boom system having a flexible barrier is supported by floats on offset arms. The offset arms and floats thereon are mounted to the barrier in a manner which allows the angle between the barrier and the offset arms to be easily varied. The orientation of the barrier with respect to the surface the boom system is disposed on can thus be easily varied to account for variations in wind, waves and currents. Furthermore, the orientation of the barrier is controlled without the use of ballast weights.

Abstract: A process for preparing a water-soluble polymer dispersion is herein provided which is characterized by polymerizing from about 10 to 50 mole percent of a monomer having a formula (II); from about 1 to 50 mole percent of N-alkylacrylamide, N,N-dialkylacrylamide or mixtures thereof; having a formula (III) from about 1 to 70 mole percent acrylamide; and optionally up to about 4 mole percent of a monomer having a formula (I) having a benzyl functionality. The polymerization is carried out in the presence of an aqueous solution of a polyvalent anionic salt which contains (1) a water soluble cationic polymer which is insoluble in the aqueous salt solution and (2) a water soluble cationic polymer which is soluble in the aqueous salt solution.

Abstract: A control system for automatically achieving and maintaining a desired sodium/phosphate ratio and phosphate concentration of the boiler water in an industrial boiler for minimizing corrosion. The system uses an adaptive controller that models the boiler which enables the system to predict boiler pH and phosphate concentrations at any future time given the feed rates, feed concentrations of high and low sodium/phosphate stocks, blowdown rate, mass of the boiler water, initial boiler phosphate concentration and initial pH. Once these future concentrations are determined, the controller then determines which feed rates will return the current boiler water state to, and then maintain the boiler water at, the desired sodium/phosphate congruency ratio in the least amount of time.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the attachment of microbes to surfaces in aqueous systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions of an alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin and poly(alkylene glycol) are effective at breaking water-in-oil emulsions in a liquid hydrocarbon. Preferably, the composition is employed in a crude oil desalting system.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for breaking oil and water emulsions are disclosed. Oil and water emulsions are broken by treating the emulsion with a copolymer of tannin and a cationic monomer. The preferred composition is an aqueous solution of a copolymer of tannin and a cationic monomer, a water soluble organic multivalent salt and a glycol. The preferred salt is aluminum chlorohydrate and the preferred glycol is hexylene glycol.

Abstract: In the thermal processing of crude alkanolamines, a method of inhibiting color formation in the alkanolamines comprising adding an amount, effective for the purpose, of an alkali metal hydroxide or sulfite, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Methods for providing a conversion coating to a metal surface are provided. The methods comprise applying to a metal surface an aqueous composition comprising a diglycidyl ether of Bisphenol A, a fluoacid, and a silicon compound containing a hydrolyzable group.

Abstract: A method and composition for controlling corrosion of metals in contact with an aqueous system is disclosed, which method includes introducing into the aqueous system a sufficient amount of a substantially zinc-free treatment comprising a phosphate compound, and glucoheptonic acid or a water soluble salt thereof.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting hydrogen sulfite evolution from molten sulfur is disclosed. The method involves adding a hypohalide to molten sulfur containing hydrogen sulfite. The hypohalide, such as hypochlorite, hyprobromite, and their sodium or calcium salts inhibit the evolution of hydrogen sulfite from molten sulfur.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing an aqueous solution containing sulfite or bisulfite ions and a water-soluble metal catalyst. The method comprises incorporating a stabilizing amount of a alpha substituted carboxylic acid or salt thereof or a vinyl carboxylic acid or salt thereof in the solution. The carboxylic acid inhibits sludge formation when the aqueous solution is stored. The preferred carboxylic acid, citric acid, also enhances the oxygen scavenging rate of the sulfite and bisulfite when the solution is used to treat aqueous systems for oxygen removal.

Abstract: Tannin containing polymers, their method of production and methods of using as water treatment agents are disclosed. The tannin containing polymers comprise copolymers of tannin and a cationic monomer. Another embodiment comprises tannin containing polymers of tannin, cationic monomer and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of an anionic monomer and a nonionic monomer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for accelerating the settling of finely divided, oil-and-water-insoluble solids in hydrocarbon fluids using an effective amount of an alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin alkoxylate having a molecular weight of about 500 to about 5,000. Preferably, the hydrocarbon is a fluid catalytic cracker slurry containing spent catalyst fines.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting organic fouling of heat transfer surfaces in contact with an alcohol distillation stream are discussed. The methods include adding to the alcohol distillation stream an effective inhibiting amount of a treatment including a high molecular weight anionic polymer.

Abstract: A water-soluble cationic copolymer having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein Z represents --C(.dbd.O)O(CH.sub.2).sub.n N.sup..sym. R.sup.4 R.sup.5 R.sup.6 X.sup..crclbar., --C(.dbd.O)NH(CH.sub.2).sub.n N.sup..sym. R.sup.4 R.sup.5 R.sup.6 X.sup..crclbar., ##STR2## or residual groups of --CH.sub.2 N.sup..sym. (R.sup.4 R.sup.5)CH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 X.sup..crclbar. or mixtures thereof, and n is 1 to 5; R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of H or C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl; R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl; and X is a halide, hydroxyl or alkylsulfate anion; and wherein x, y, and q represent molar percents of monomeric units in the copolymer such that q is 1 to 99 mol %, and the molar ratio of x to y is from 0 to 10.The copolymers of this invention are useful as flocculating agents and as drainage/retention aids in pulp and papermaking operations.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the carryover of foam in a delayed coker unit processing hydrocarbon liquids are disclosed. A non-silicone defoamer compound is added to the hydrocarbon until the foam height surpasses a predetermined value. A silicone defoamer compound is then added to the hydrocarbon to knock down the foam head and inhibit carryover of the foam.

Abstract: A process for the percolation leaching of minerals from a mineral-beating ore comprises agglomerating the mineral-bearing ore with an agglomerating agent of a cationic block copolymer having a polymeric segment and a block containing an ammonium cation optionally with a block derived from an acrylamide monomer, forming the ore/agglomerating agent mixture into a heap, and leaching the heap by percolation with a leaching solution for subsequent recovery of the minerals at an acidic pH.

Abstract: A cleaning and passivating treatment for metals comprising an amphoteric surfactant which is a caprylic acid derivative of imidazoline compounds. The treatment is substantially free of amines, alkanolamines and phosphates. The preferred treatment includes small quantities of borate ions and molybdate ions. In addition a nonionic surfactant may be added as a foam control agent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for using tracers to monitor industrial process equipment to which liquid is added and from which liquid is removed. In preferred embodiments, the methods are directed to detecting water leakage in a boiler in which an aqueous temperature control liquid is supplemented with feedwater at a known or unknown rate and is removed as blowdown, sootblower steam and steam at a known rate.

Abstract: A non-chrome, substantially siloxane free composition and method for passivating a galvanized metal surface is disclosed. The passivation treatment includes an alkyl methacrylate polymer.