Abstract: Unsaturated C3 and C4 perfluorocarbons are used to extinguish fires. These compounds have been found to extinguish fires as effectively as Halons with similar volatility, residue levels, materials compatibility and safety but with enhanced environmental acceptability.

Abstract: A process and system recycles and reuses gray water generated by dishwashers, showers, carwashes, and clothes washers while maintaining the same cleaning performance as current systems. Hollow-fiber membrane ultrafiltration is used to reduce fresh water supply demands and gray water generation where voluminous quantities of the latter are generated. For a clothes washer, the gray water reuse or recycle system consists of a closed-loop water recycle which can be redirected to a storage tank for other applications, or directly used in situ with a clothes washer for subsequent rinse cycles. The process uses, at a minimum, 50% less water than conventional residential and commercial washers, and also decreases detergent requirements by 30% because a portion of the rinse water can be re-used for subsequent wash cycles.

Abstract: An alcohol, specifically ethanol, methanol and isopropanol, is used to remove acid from a refrigeration system, a heat pump or an air conditioner. The alcohol vaporizes acid, primarily inorganic acid, in the system and, in the filter/dryer, reacts with surfaces or is adsorbed. The alcohol, the quantity of which is determined from the capacity of the filter/dryer, is introduced into the compressor oil sump for thorough mixing with the oil during compressor lubrication.