Abstract: Methods for passivating stainless steel after acid pickling treatment in the absence of nitric acid are provided. The methods include the steps of cleaning the pickled stainless steel with an alkaline composition to obtain clean steel, activating the clean steel with an activator composition to obtain activated steel, and passivating the activated steel with a passivating composition in the absence of nitric acid. In the preferred embodiment, the activator composition contains at least one activator, the activator having a significantly higher binding affinity for iron than for chromium as evidenced by their metal complex formation constants.

Abstract: The present invention provides decorative fountains, assemblies for fountains and decorative fountain kits. An assembly for a decorative fountain includes an overflow container defining a reservoir and an outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir, a support surface defining one or more apertures and positioned over the reservoir for supporting a drinking vessel, a support conduit defining a passageway for fluid and having a first end fluidly connected to the outlet and an opposite end defining an aperture. A bottle inlet is in fluid communication with the support conduit and is configured to mate with an inlet opening defined through the base of the beverage container so that the aperture is in fluid communication with the vessel. A pump is disposed within the reservoir and is operable to pump fluid from the reservoir through the passageway and into the vessel.

Abstract: A composition for adding to an aqueous rinse which is applied to a ferrous metal surface after treatment of the ferrous metal surface with an aqueous acid solution is disclosed. The composition includes a base. The base is present in the composition in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of the aqueous rinse to a value greater than 7.0 after the composition is added to the aqueous rinse. The composition also includes a salt of gluconic acid. The composition further includes a polyquaternium compound. An associated method for inhibiting stain formation on a ferrous metal surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for adding to an aqueous rinse which is applied to a ferrous metal surface after treatment of the ferrous metal surface with an aqueous acid solution is disclosed. The composition includes a base. The base is present in the composition in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of the aqueous rinse to a value greater than 7.0 after the composition is added to the aqueous rinse. The composition also includes a salt of gluconic acid. The composition further includes a polyquaternium compound. An associated method for inhibiting stain formation on a ferrous metal surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for adding to an aqueous rinse which is applied to a ferrous metal surface after treatment of the ferrous metal surface with an aqueous acid solution is disclosed. The composition includes a base. The base is present in the composition in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of the aqueous rinse to a value greater than 7.0 after the composition is added to the aqueous rinse. The composition also includes a salt of gluconic acid. The composition further includes a polyquaternium compound. An associated method for inhibiting stain formation on a ferrous metal surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide rinse aid solutions of the present invention added to hydrochloric acid rinse baths for acid pickled stainless steel enables hydrochloric acid rinse baths to easily remove stainless steel oxides and smutt from the surfaces of acid pickled stainless steel to produce a bright and clean finish that is comparable to the finish produced by nitric/hydrofluoric acid rinse systems.

Abstract: A hydrochloric acid pickling accelerator for batch and continuous hydrochloric acid pickling baths for all types of steel, comprising an admixture of from about 10 to about 15 percent by weight glycol, from about 20 to about 30 percent by weight calcium chloride, from about 3 to about 6 percent by weight phosphoric acid, from about 32 to about 57 percent by weight water, and from about 0.5 to about 2 percent by weight of a fluorinated surfactant.