Abstract: A melamine-formaldehyde detackifer having less than 0.15% free formaldehyde comprises a melamine-formaldehyde polymer detackifier to which has been added a formaldehyde scavenging agent comprising an effective amount of urea, and an enhancer selected from glyoxal and acetylacetone. The use of the low free formaldehyde detackifier is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of traditional scale inhibitors as fertilizers enhancers. More particularly, this invention relates to compositions which comprise: (a) a phosphate fertilizer and (b) a scale inhibiting compound. Further, this invention relates to a method of stimulating and increasing plant growth, and corresponding yields, comprising adding the above-defined compositions to the soil in which the plants being treated grow.

Abstract: The use as flocculants of ferric salt/water-soluble cationic polymer compositions having inorganic:polymer weight ratios of at least 5:1 is disclosed. These compositions are especially effective in low turbidity waters.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to synergistic antimicrobial admixtures comprising 2-bromo-2-bromomethylglutaronitrile, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and its use in inhibiting microbial growth.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for determining the concentration of sulfonate and/or polycarboxylate compounds in an aqueous solution comprising:(a) adjusting the pH of a portion of the aqueous solution to less than 3.0 when measuring sulfonate concentration or to between 3.0 and 12.0 when measuring polycarboxylate concentration;(b) adding an effective amount of an aqueous solution containing a metachromatic dye to the pH-adjusted portion of Step (a);(c) measuring the absorbance of the admixture resulting from Step (b) at a wavelength between 300 nm and 700 nm; and(d) comparing the absorbance from Step (c) with absorbances of standard samples containing known concentrations of sulfonate and/or polycarboxylate compounds and said effective amount of the dye solution of Step (b), thereby determining the sulfonate and/or polycarboxylate concentration of the portion of Step (a).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for controlling the formation of scale deposits in aqueous systems by adding an effective amount, preferably at least 0.1 ppm, of a maleic anhydride/quaternary ammonium-type polymer to the aqueous system being treated.

Abstract: A method for controlling zebra mussels in aqueous systems comprising treating aqueous systems which contain zebra mussels or which are prone to zebra mussel infestation with an effective amount of a water-soluble dialkyl diallyl quaternary ammonium polymer (polyquat). A preferred polymer is a poly(quaternary ammonium) compound having the recurring structure [DMDAAX.sup.- ] resulting from the polymerization of monomeric dimethyl diallyl ammonium X.sup.-, wherein X.sup.- is any suitable anion.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for controlling the formation of scale deposits in aqueous systems operated at high pH and/or calcite saturation levels by adding an effective amount, preferably at least 0.1 ppm, of an allyl sulfonate/maleic anhydride polymer to the aqueous system being treated.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and/or controlling a liquid/solid separation process is described. The method utilizes photodetectors to view the surface of the composition being dewatered, and correlate the corresponding signals from the photodetectors to dryness values.This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 122,976, filed Nov. 19, 1987 now abandoned.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to an admixture, and its use in inhibiting scale and corrosion in aqueous systems, comprising:(a) a water-soluble polymer having a weight average molecular weight of less than 25,000, as determined by low angle laser light scattering, comprising an unsaturated carboxylic acid and an unsaturated sulfonic acid, or their salts, having a ratio of 1:20 to 20:1, and(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of water-soluble polycarboxylates, phosphonates, phosphates, polyphosphates, metal salts and sulfonates.The instant invention is also directed to a method of inhibiting the formation of insoluble alluvial, metal oxide and metal hydroxide deposits in an aqueous system, comprising adding to the system at least 0.

Abstract: A melamine-formaldehyde detackifer having a less than 0.15% free formaldehyde which comprises a melamine-formaldehyde polymer detackifier to which has been added a formaldehyde scavenging agent selected from an effective amount of urea, acetylacetone, and a combination of urea with an enhancer selected from glyoxal and acetylacetone. The use of the low free formaldehyde detackifier is also described.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for controlling the formation of silica/silicate deposits in aqueous systems by adding an effective amount, preferably at least 0.1 ppm, of a designated phosphonate and, optionally, a carboxylic/sulfonic polymer or salt thereof to the aqueous system being treated. Borate or molybdate ion sources may also be added.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting scale in boilers is disclosed whereby high and low molecular weight blends of acrylic acid/acrylamide-type polymers are used to prevent boiler scaling. These polymer blends demonstrate synergistic hydrothermal stability and threshold scale inhibition characteristics at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A method of improving the retention of starch in papermaking using blends of high and low molecular weight acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for preparing free-flowing, water-soluble polymer gels comprising:(a) reducing the size of water-soluble polymer gels by a size-reduction means, so as to produce polymer gel particles which are less than 1/2 inch in their longest dimension; and(b) adding to the size-reduced polymer gels of Step (a) 0.001 to 20 percent, by weight, of an amphipathic compound, thereby reducing the adhesion of said gel particles to themselves and other substances.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion due to dissolved oxygen wherein trihydroxybenzene compounds, alone or in combination with conventional oxygen scavengers, preferably hydroquinone, are added to boiler water to prevent corrosion by reducing dissolved oxygen levels in boiler feedwater.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for determining the concentration of sulfonate and/or polycarboyxlate compounds in an aqueous solution comprising:(a) adjusting the pH of a portion of the aqueous solution to less than 3.0 when measuring sulfonate concentration or to between 3.0 and 12.0 when measuring polycarboxylate concentration;(b) adding an effective amount of an aqueous solution containing a metachromatic dye to the pH-adjusted portion of Step (a);(c) measuring the absorbance of the admixture resulting from Step (b) at a wavelength between 300 nm and 700 nm; and(d) comparing the absorbance from Step (c) with absorbances of standard samples containing known concentrations of sulfonate and/or polycarboxylate compounds and said effective amount of the dye solution of Step (b), thereby determining the sulfonate and/or polycarboxylate concentration of the portion of Step (a).

Abstract: An improved method for detackifying over-sprayed paint, lacquer or enamel entrained in the circulating water of paint spray booths comprises maintaining in the wash water a small amount of an alkaline zinc solution containing ammonium hydroxide and ammonium chloride.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for controlling the formation of silica/silicate deposits in aqueous systems by adding an effective amount, preferably at least 0.1 ppm, of an imine polymer, a phosphonate and, optionally, a source of molybdate or borate ions to the aqueous system being treated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of inhibiting the corrosion of copper and copper alloys in an aqueous system containing oxygen using an effective amount of a polymer prepared from:(A) about 30 to about 70%, by weight, of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid;(B) about 30 to about 70%, by weight, of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropylsulfonic acid or 2-methacrylamido-2-methylpropylsulfonic acid; and(C) about 15 to about 25%, by weight, of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropylphosphonic acid or 2-methacrylamido-2-methylpropylphosphonic acid, acrylamide or methacrylamide; wherein the polymer has an intrinsic viscosity of from about 0.05 to about 4.5 dl/g, in 1.0 M NaCl.