Abstract: Imides reduce odors. Imides are especially efficient at reducing the odors of odoriferous an amine or ammonia. The imides may be incorporated in pads which are the recipients of odoriferous waste materials, dispersed in holding tanks or lagoons or dispersed over human and animal wastes. Polysuccinimide, copolymers of polysuccinimide, polyglutarimide and mixtures thereof are especially useful for the reduction of odors, especially of ammonia and an amine.

Abstract: Zirconium compounds reduce odors. Zirconium hydroxide and sulfated zirconium are especially efficient at reducing the odors of primary, secondary and tertiary amines or ammonia. Zirconium hydroxide and/or sulfated zirconium may be incorporated in pads which are the recipients of odoriferous waste materials, dispersed in holding tanks or lagoons or dispersed over human and animal wastes.

Abstract: Polysuccinimide, polyaspartic acid and salts of polyaspartic acid may be prepared by means of heating aspartic acid in the presence of sodium bisulfate. The molecular weight of the polymers may be increased from that obtained without the use of sodium bisulfate. The polysuccinimide, polyaspartic acid or salt of polyaspartic acid obtained have low color. Polyaspartic acid may be obtained in this manner directly from the effluent of an immobilized cell or enzyme column which catalyzes the production of L-aspartic acid without the necessity of intermediate isolation steps.

Abstract: Polymers of maleic acid may be prepared by thermally polymerizing malic acid, maleic acid or fumaric acid with less than one equivalent of ammonia. The polymers are modified by the incorporation of amines, carboxylic acids or combinations thereof. The polymers formed are excellent inhibitors of alkaline earth salt deposition, dispersants, tartar control additives, detergent additives, and water treatment agents.

Abstract: Polysuccinimide, polyaspartic acid and salts of polyaspartic acid may be prepared by means of heating aspartic acid in the presence of sodium bisulfate. The molecular weight of the polymers may be increased from that obtained without the use of sodium bisulfate. The polysuccinimide, polyaspartic acid or salt of polyaspartic acid obtained have low color. Polyaspartic acid may be obtained in this manner directly from the effluent of an immobilized cell or enzyme column which catalyzes the production of L-aspartic acid without the necessity of intermediate isolation steps.

Abstract: Polymers of maleic acid may be prepared by thermally polymerizing malic acid, maleic acid or fumaric acid with less than one equivalent of ammonia. The polymers are modified by the incorporation of amines, carboxylic acids or combinations thereof. The polymers formed are excellent inhibitors of alkaline earth salt deposition, dispersants, tartar control additives, detergent additives, and water treatment agents.

Abstract: Polymers of maleic, fumaric or malic acids or maleic, fumaric or malic acid and ammonia with amino acids are prepared by heating at 180.degree.-350.degree. C., preferably 200.degree.-300.degree. C. The polymer formed may be converted to a salt by hydrolysis with a metal hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: Polymers of maleic acid may be prepared by thermally polymerizing malic acid, maleic acid or fumaric acid with less than one equivalent of ammonia. The polymers are modified by the incorporation of amines, carboxylic acids or combinations thereof. The polymers formed are excellent inhibitors of alkaline earth salt deposition, dispersants, tartar control additives, detergent additives, and water treatment agents.

Abstract: Polymers of maleic acid may be prepared by thermally polymerizing malic acid, maleic acid or fumaric acid with less than one equivalent of ammonia. The polymers are modified by the incorporation of amines, carboxylic acids or combinations thereof. The polymers formed are excellent inhibitors of alkaline earth salt deposition, dispersants, tartar control additives, detergent additives, and water treatment agents.