Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and/or controlling membrane separation systems or processes are provided. The present invention utilizes measurable amounts of inert fluorescent tracer(s) added to a feed stream to evaluate and/or control the purification of such feed stream during membrane separation. The methods and systems of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of different industrial applications including raw water processing and waste water processing.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling hardness in an industrial water system is described and claimed. The method requires the use of a Compound that develops a separate detectable fluorescent signal in the presence of soluble hardness. A fluorometer is used to detect this separate detectable fluorescent signal of the Compound. The separate detectable fluorescent signal is used to ascertain the amount of soluble hardness present in the industrial water system.

Abstract: Investment casting binders containing a mixture of colloidal silicas having average particle size diameters of 4, 8 and 13 nanometers yield molds having high green strength and low fired strength.

Abstract: A formulation for use as a treating agent in the Bayer process is disclosed. The formulation comprises a blend of 200-300 ppm of starch and up to 10 ppm of another polysaccharide. When added to a liquor derived from the digestion of bauxite ore in a caustic solution to extract alumina, the formulation may result in increased filterability of the liquor. The formulation may also be used in conjunction with a filter aid in the filtration of a caustic sodium aluminate solution.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for monitoring and/or controlling treatment of aqueous systems including water cooling systems are provided. The present invention includes a self-contained treatment unit for controllably bleeding water from an aqueous system and delivering treatment agents, such as inhibitor agents and/or anti-biofouling agents, to treat conditions, such as scale, corrosion, biofouling or the like within the aqueous system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and/or controlling membrane separation systems or processes are provided. The present invention utilizes measurable amounts of inert fluorescent tracers and tagged fluorescent agents added to a feed stream to evaluate and/or control one or more parameters specific to membrane separation such that performance thereof can be optimized. The methods and systems of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of different industrial applications including raw water processing and waste water processing.

Abstract: The claimed invention is a method for separating Bayer process red mud from a Bayer process liquor which comprises adding to a Bayer process liquor containing red mud an effective amount of a water soluble synthetic flocculant, dextran and starch combination. The flocculant is added anywhere in the slurry containing the red mud suspended in Bayer process liquor, or in a liquor slurry containing bauxite prior to or during digestion. Once the flocculant combination is added, it is mixed sequentially with the Bayer process liquor and the red mud contained in the Bayer process liquor is removed by sedimentation, centrifugation or filtration.

Abstract: A method to enhance brightness in Chemical and Mechanical bleached pulps comprising adding an organic sulfide chelant to the Chemical and Mechanical pulp.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring and/or controlling biofouling in membrane separation systems are provided. The present invention utilizes measurable amounts of fluorogenic agent(s) added to a feed stream to monitor and/or control the level of microbial growth during membrane separation and, thus, the purification of such feed stream during membrane separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making and a method for using a corrosion inhibitor composition to reduce the corrosion rate of a metal by a fluid containing a corrosion agent. The corrosion inhibitor composition comprises at least a quaternized compound. Examples of the quaternized compound are quaternized imino imidazolines and quaternized amido imidazolines.

Abstract: A method of making a solid water treatment product with an optimal rate of dissolution is described and claimed. A fluorescent tracer is used to determine the rate of dissolution of the solid water treatment product and the composition and method of manufacturing the solid water treatment product are adjusted as needed to make the rate of dissolution optimal. The solid water treatment product can be used in many industrial water treatment systems. When the solid water treatment product is used, the amount of solid water treatment product present in the water of the industrial water system can be determined, and adjusted, by using a fluorometer to measure the fluorescent signal of the fluorescent tracer present in the product and relating that measurement to the amount of product in the water itself.

Abstract: Described and claimed is a Mirror Fluorometer comprising a rotatable mirror positioned such that it is capable of projecting a converging cone of excitation light onto one or more of the samples wherein the fluorescent signals emitted from fluorophores in the samples is detected. Also claimed is a method of using this Mirror Fluorometer for detecting fluorescent signals emitted by one or more fluorophores from samples from a natural or industrial water system. The fluorometer, when coupled with a controller is capable of monitoring and optionally controlling an industrial process or system, including a paper mill process.

Abstract: The invention is in a method of analyzing the water of an industrial water system wherein an analytical device is used to measure some parameter capable of being measured in the water of said industrial water system, the improvement involving using a water movement device that is capable of moving a sample of water into the sample chamber of said analytical device and is also capable of moving the same sample of water back out of said analytical device in a manner such that the filters present in the piping of said industrial water system are back flushed out every time the water movement device moves a sample of water in and out of said analytical device. Optionally an air sparge is used to enhance the cleaning of the filters.

Abstract: A coagulant which is the reaction product of a trivalent metal salt, excluding chromium salts, an acid phosphorous compound and an aluminum hydroxy chloride, and a process for preparing such coagulant. This coagulant may be effectively used to remove suspended solids and various impurities in most water treatment applications.

Abstract: Fluorescent monomers are described and claimed which are synthesized by reacting a substituted or non-substituted naphthalic anhydride with an amine and with a moiety containing a polymerizable group. Such monomers are useful for the preparation of tagged treatment polymers. Such tagged treatment polymers are useful as scale inhibitors in industrial water systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making and a method for using a corrosion inhibitor composition to reduce the corrosion rate of a metal by a fluid containing a corrosion agent. The corrosion inhibitor composition comprises at least a quaternized compound having a substituted diethylamino moiety. Examples of the quaternized compound having a substituted diethylamino moiety are quaternized diacrylamino imidazolines.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for the production of alumina trihydrate crystals. Through the addition of a hydroxamated polymer at various stages of the process for production of these alumina trihydrate crystals, an upward shift in the particle size distribution of the alumina trihydrate crystals occurs. In one embodiment, the hydroxamated polymer is added to a filtered aqueous solution, which comprises no more than about 10 mg of insoluble solids per liter. In another embodiment, the hydroxamated polymer is added to an aqueous solution comprising insoluble solids after precipitation of alumina trihydrate crystals has commenced. Optionally, alumina trihydrate seed crystals may be added to the aqueous solution to initiate or encourage crystal formation.

Abstract: This invention is directed to high molecular weight water-soluble zwitterionic polymers derived from zwitterionic and nonionic monomer units, and to the use of the polymers in papermaking processes.

Abstract: Described and claimed is a method of controlling a boiler in which control is based on information from a control Matrix applicable to the specific operating parameters of said boiler. This method is applicable for boilers being treated with any of several standard boiler treatment programs. By conducting the instant claimed method it is possible to automatically control a boiler using at least one fluorometer and one or more analytical devices and a controller.

Abstract: A method of automatically controlling the addition rate of Fresh Oxygen Scavenger Product and Ultimate Oxygen Scavenger Product to a Boiler System is described and claimed. The method is based on the inherent fluorometric properties of certain Fresh Oxygen Scavenger Products and certain Ultimate Oxygen Scavengers in their reduced (unreacted) form and also, for the Ultimate Oxygen Scavengers, in their oxidized (reacted) form. It has also been found possible to enhance the fluorescent signal of certain Oxygen Scavengers by adding a borate buffer to the sample stream. By using the method of the instant claimed invention it is now possible to improve the overall control of Boiler Systems using certain Fresh Oxygen Scavenger Products and certain Ultimate Oxygen Scavenger Products.