Abstract: Stainless steel is pickled by a chemical and/or electrochemical pickling process using an acid liquid, containing substantially no nitric acid. The process uses a spent electrolyte solution from an electrochemical, neutral salt pickling tank, such as a sodium sulfate pickling tank. The spent electrolyte solution is added to an acid solution to form a pickling acid capable of pickling stainless steel, oxidizing Fe2+ to Fe3+ and reducing Cr6+ to Cr3+.

Abstract: A method for cleaning garbage disposals comprises the steps of: mixing the starting materials in order to form an effervescent tablet; packaging the tablet in a moisture resistant pouch; placing the tablet in a garbage disposal unit; running warm water into the garbage disposal unit and turning on the garbage disposal for about 20 seconds; turning off the water and the garbage disposal, permitting the foam generated to maintain contact with all surfaces for about five minutes; and followed by rinsing away any left-over residue with generous amounts of water.

Abstract: Brass articles having leachable lead are contacted with an aqueous caustic solution having a pH of about 10 to about 14 that contains a chelating agent. During contact, the brass articles can be sonicated. The brass articles can be optionally pretreated by contacting them with an aqueous solution containing an organic carboxylic acid and an inorganic per-salt. The brass article can optionally further be post treated by contacting them with an aqueous solution containing sodium persulfate.

Abstract: A method and kit are disclosed for removing or alleviating the severity or intensity of stains from aldehyde-based sterilizing solutions through the use of reducing agents. This invention is effective even for porous surfaces such as filter paper and porous nylon films as well as for smooth surfaces such as glass, aluminum, copper, brass and stainless steel. Also, the invention may be used in a variety of formats such as a kit useful for making or using solutions or gels to treat the aldehyde-based stained surfaces of, for example, medical devices, hospital bench or table tops, hospital floors and skin (if in appropriate pH range), etc.

Abstract: The dregs or other deposits in a beer pipe 10 are washed out by introducing strong alkaline electrolyzed water produced by an electrolyzed functional water generator 1, in which an outlet 71 is connected to the beer pipe 10 as shown in FIG. 2. In the next step, referring to FIG. 3, strong acidic electrolyzed water produced by the water generator 1 is introduced into the beer pipe 10 for exterminating bacteria/microorganisms inside the beer pipe 10. An electrolyte solution containing dissolved electrolytes such as sodium chloride (NaCl) is electrolyzed in the water generator 1. The thus strong alkaline electrolysed water contains a trace of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydroxide ions (OH−), which exhibit a soap-like action and dissolve beer dregs (proteins). The strong acidic electrolyzed water contains hypochlorous acid (HClO), whose bactericidal effect kills all bacteria/microorganisms.

Abstract: An improved chemical wash is used to cleanse the interior of an open Cathode Ray Tube (“CRT”) funnel before a coating of a carbon material is applied. The traditional ammonium bifloride wash for CRT funnels can be replaced with an aqueous solution of trisodium phosphate (“TSP”). The TSP solution is preferably sprayed under pressure into the open CRT funnels to cleanse each funnel before the interior coating of carbon material is applied. The TSP solution cleanses the funnels as well as the ammonium bifloride wash previously used, but does not tend to clog the wash sprayers. Moreover, the TSP solution does not need to be treated before it is released as waste and costs significantly less that the previous ammonium bifloride wash.

Abstract: An industrial sponge device and a method of manufacturing the same. The sponge is made from a polyvinyl acetal material with a process in which the pores are formed by gas to provide an open pore structure having no fibrils. Additionally, the sponge is purified by an extracting process which includes alternating exposure of the partially cross-linked sponge to solutions of high pH and low pH. The sponge is sterilized by electron beam radiation to destroy micro organisms that can cause contamination of the final product. The resulting sponge material is formed into an industrial sponge having a cylindrical body and a plurality of projections extending from the body. The projections are tapered truncated cones having a cross-sectional radius that decreases with distance from the body. The extracting process permits residual amounts of calcium, zinc, and other elements to be 2 ppm or less preferably 1 ppm or less.

Abstract: A method and composition for removing deposits of heavy hydrocarbonaceous materials and finely divided inorganic particulate matter from wellbore and flowline surfaces using a composition containing an alkyl polyglycoside, an ethoxylated alcohol, a caustic and an alkyl alcohol.

Abstract: A method of removing a thermal barrier coating from cooling holes in the surface of a component designed for use in a hostile thermal environment, such as the turbine, combustor and augmentor sections of a gas turbine engine. The method is particularly suited for completely removing a thermal insulating ceramic layer of a thermal barrier coating system that includes a metallic bond coat, such as a diffusion aluminide or MCrAlY coating, that bonds the ceramic layer to the component surface. Processing steps generally include removing the ceramic layer from the component surface surrounding the cooling hole, followed by removing that portion of the ceramic layer within the cooling hole by immersing the component in a liquid and then directing ultrasonic energy into the cooling hole.

Abstract: An aqueous alkaline composition for cleaning equipment used in the food industry wherein the composition contains potassium hydroxide or a mixture of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide and wherein the potassium hydroxide is present in an amount of at least 20% by weight, based on the weight of hydroxide present in the composition. A process for regenerating the cleaning solution is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nontoxic sanitizing cleaner comprising an organic acid having a pH less than 3, a chelating agent, and a surfactant. The invention also contemplates a buffering agent in the cleaner. In a preferred embodiment, the sanitizing cleanser is in the form of a solution containing 94% citric acid, 4% EDTA, 1% sodium laurel sulfate, and 1% monosodium phosphate, by weight. The invention also contemplates using the nontoxic sanitizing cleaner in a cosmetic lotion, and in processes for cleaning and sanitizing food processing equipment.