Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and compositions for reducing the viscosity of black liquor. Also provided are methods of inhibiting deposition of scale and methods of processing black liquor. In some embodiments, the compositions include a carboxylate-containing polymer and an inorganic salt. In some embodiments, the compositions include a carboxylate-containing polymer, an inorganic salt, and a surfactant.

Abstract: Antifouling compositions are provided. The antifouling compositions include a dispersing agent including an imidazoline, a solvator including a phthalate, and a promoter agent including an acylamide. Methods of mitigating fouling caused by the polymerization of monomers using the compositions of the disclosure are also provided. The methods of mitigating fouling of monomers include a step of adding a composition of the disclosure to the monomer. In some instances, the monomer is an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, such as (meth)acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, an acrylic acid ester, methacrylamide sulfate, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, acrolein, an acrylate, a methacrylate, 1,3-butadiene, styrene, isoprene, and any combination thereof. Methods of preparing the antifouling compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A dishwashing machine is used for pre-rinse operation of soiled dishes. A cavity is configured and arranged to contain the soiled dishes. A nozzle is proximate the cavity and is in fluid communication with the cavity. An accumulator pan accumulates wash and rinse water including cleaning chemicals used in a previous cycle of the dishwashing machine. A fluid passageway interconnects the nozzle and the accumulator pan. A pump directs the accumulated wash and rinse water from the accumulator pan to the nozzle via the fluid passageway for pre-rinse operation of the soiled dishes in the cavity, and the nozzle directs the accumulated wash and rinse water into the cavity with the soiled dishes to assist in removing soil from the soiled dishes prior to a wash cycle of the dishwashing machine. The wash cycle utilizes fresh wash water.

Abstract: Creping adhesives and processes for making and using same. In some embodiments, the creping adhesive can include a solvent, a modified polyvinyl alcohol, and a crosslinked resin.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for determining a fluid level of and the amount of fluid remaining in a container. A portable measuring device can include a housing, a sensor, and a measurement system. The sensor can be supported by the housing and can detect a fluid level of the container. The measurement system can be configured to receive information including a measurement of the container, to determine an amount of fluid in the container based on a measurement of the container and a detected fluid level of the container, and to output the amount of fluid in the container and geometric information of the container. A method can include supplying such a device, placing the device proximal to or in abutment with and moving the device along an outer surface of the container, providing a signal to a user, and outputting the amount of fluid in a container.

Abstract: The invention relates to solidification of liquid amine oxide, betaine, and/or sultaine surfactants with a binder to form a solidified surfactant composition. In particular, the invention relates to solidification of liquid surfactants utilizing drying device(s), wherein the feed composition contains at least one liquid surfactant and a binder and optional carrier to form a solidified surfactant composition. The solidified surfactant compositions can be useful in various cleaning compositions.

Abstract: A method of controlling a chemical reaction is disclosed. The method may include feeding a solution at a first flow rate into a reactor and detecting a sound in the reactor using a sound sensor that is adjacent to the reactor. The sound sensor may convert the sound into a sound signal. After the sound signal is acquired, it is compared to a stored sound signal or a stored sound threshold to detect a reaction event. The method may include adjusting the flow rate of solutions into the reactor in response to the reaction event.

Abstract: Processes for imparting oil and grease resistance to paper products. In some embodiments, the process can include combining a plurality of fibers and water to produce a slurry; forming the slurry into a wet web; pressing and draining the wet web to produce a wet sheet; and drying the wet sheet to produce a dried sheet. A sizing composition and a barrier compound can independently be applied to at least one of the slurry, the wet web, the wet sheet, and the dried sheet. The sizing composition can include one or more alkenyl succinic anhydride compounds. The barrier compound can include a polyolefin dispersion, a styrene acrylate emulsion, a sucrose ester, a modified starch, styrene maleic anhydride, an ethylene acrylic acid dispersion, a styrene acrylic acid, a polyvinyl alcohol, an ethylene vinyl alcohol, or a mixture thereof. The dried sheet can have an average KIT Value of at least 3.

Abstract: Fluid delivery devices (114), systems (100), and methods are disclosed. A fluid delivery device (114) includes a body (115), a solution flow path (144), and a flush flow path (166). The solution flow path and the flush flow path are defined at the body. The solution flow path extends from a solution inlet (116), defined at the body, to a solution outlet (146), also defined at the body. The solution flow path includes a cross channel (148), an inlet channel (150), and an outlet channel (152). The inlet channel extends from the solution inlet to the cross channel. The outlet channel extends from the cross channel to the solution outlet. The flush flow path extends from a flush inlet (118), defined at the body, to a flush outlet (120), also defined at the body. The solution outlet fluidly connects the solution flow path to the flush flow path.

Abstract: A system for controlling the initiation of a cleaning process for an interior of an appliance may include a detection sensor and a processor in communication with the detection sensor. The detection sensor may be configured to generate detection sensor data based on a sensed condition in a field of detection of the detection sensor which may comprise one or more pre-determined locations. The processor may control the initiation of an appliance cleaning process. The appliance cleaning process may comprise receiving detection sensor data representative of a first time and a second time, generating an initial condition based on the received detection sensor data representative of the first time, and generating a new condition based on the received detection sensor data representative of the second time. The processor may be additionally configured to compare the initial condition and the new condition and determine if cleaning product is present.

Abstract: A method of creating a protective coating on an alkali metal hydroxide-containing solid is provided. The method includes providing carbon dioxide to an alkali metal hydroxide-containing solid and allowing the alkali metal hydroxide and carbon dioxide to react thereby forming a carbonate or bicarbonate-containing layer on the exterior of the solid wherein the carbonate or bicarbonate-containing layer is non-hygroscopic and water soluble, and wherein greater than 80% of the hydroxide in the hydroxide-containing solid does not react with the carbon dioxide, and further wherein the alkali metal hydroxide-containing solid is substantially free of lithium hydroxide. A method of testing for the presence of carbonate-containing coating on an alkali metal hydroxide containing solid is also provided. The method includes exposing the coated solid to 95 weight percent ethanol, collecting the ethanol effluent and testing the effluent for alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: The invention includes ware detergent compositions which provides superior cleaning and removal of oily and fatty soils, without the production of excessive foam. According to the invention applicants have discovered that use of a quaternary cationic surfactant in combination with a nonionic low foaming surfactant can provide oily soil removal from ware that is superior to traditional warewash detergent formulations. Compositions for alkaline, preferably solid, warewash detergents are disclosed, as well as their use in dish machines and methods of manufacture.

Abstract: Low concentration surfactant emulsions and methods of making and using the same are disclosed herein. The emulsions have the benefit of employing less surfactant than conventional emulsions. Further, the emulsions are dilutable and retain their stability upon dilution. A benefit of the emulsions is that they leave a low residue, preferably no residue, on a surface after contact.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions including at least one acid and at least one anionic surfactant are provided. In particular, food contact antimicrobial compositions including at least one acid and at least one anionic surfactant provide a no-rinse compositions efficacious against Norovirus, having acceptable use solution pH that do not require use of personal protective equipment (PPE), are surface compatible and do not leave residues on treated surfaces are provided. Methods of cleaning a surface with the compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a process fluid comprising applying electrical power to a first resistance temperature detector (RTD) in contact with a fluid to increase the temperature of the first RTD; allowing the first RTD to cool toward a fluid equilibrium temperature; analyzing the temperature decay profile of the first RTD over time to determine thermal characteristics; applying electrical power to a second RTD in contact with the fluid to increase the temperature of the second RTD; allowing the second RTD to cool toward the fluid equilibrium temperature; analyzing the temperature decay profile of the second RTD over time to determine thermal characteristics; comparing the thermal characteristics of the first and second RTD to determining one or more characteristics of the fluid based; and performing a corrective action. The first RTD has a first coating and the second RTD has a second coating different than the first coating.

Abstract: Detergent compositions effective for controlling hard water scale accumulation are disclosed. Detergent compositions employing phosphinosuccinic acid and mono-, bis- and oligomeric phosphinosuccinic acid (PSO) derivatives with alkali metal carbonate and/or alkali metal hydroxide reduce hard water scale accumulation on treated surfaces at alkaline conditions between about pH of 9 and 12.5. Methods employing the detergent compositions and preventing hard water scale accumulation are also provided.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of monitoring and analyzing deposit in an industrial water system are provided. The methods comprise heating a substrate while the substrate contacts industrial water in the industrial water system to form deposit on the substrate. A series of digital images of the substrate while the substrate contacts the industrial water in the industrial water system is created. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a deposit trend of the substrate in the industrial water system. Generally, the systems are configured so as to be capable of carrying out one or more of the methods.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a substrate contacting a fluid present in an industrial system is provided. The method comprises creating a series of digital images of the substrate while contacting the fluid present in the industrial system. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A corrosion feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The corrosion feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a corrosion trend of the industrial system. In certain embodiments of the method, the fluid is industrial water, and the industrial system is an industrial water system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to stable percarboxylic acid compositions comprising, inter alia, at least two stabilizing agents, and various uses for water treatments, including water treatments in connection with oil- and gas-field operations. The present invention also relates to slick water compositions and gel based compositions that comprise stable percarboxylic acid compositions and the use thereof in oil- and gas-field operations.

Abstract: The invention provides an associative polymer, a powder, and a process for making a powder including, networking one or more associative polymers and one or more optional surfactants to form a wet gel, and forming a powder from the wet gel, wherein the associative polymer(s) have a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.