Abstract: A gear drive system is provided having a first gear and a second gear. The second gear has a first peripheral portion and a second peripheral portion. A first set of gear teeth can be defined peripherally over the first peripheral portion and/or the second peripheral portion. The first peripheral portion and/or the second peripheral portion can be more resilient, resulting in a first backlash between the first set of gear teeth and the teeth of the first gear, less than a second backlash between the second set of gear teeth and the teeth of the first gear. Each gear tooth of the second gear can have a gear tooth spacing between adjacent gear teeth. The gear tooth spacing over the first peripheral portion and/or the second peripheral portion can be less than the gear tooth spacing at portions other than the first peripheral portion and/or the second peripheral portion.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods and compositions for treating piles of particulate materials to inhibit and prevent the loss of valuable fuel or mineral dust from being released from storage piles or open containers. The method involves applying separately to the pile two different compositions. When separate the two compositions are low viscosity and easy to spray. When combined the two form a gel coating that is resistant to erosion but is flexible while the pile or payload is still settling, jostling, being bumped, and otherwise moving around. This coating is especially effective for coal piles, iron ore piles, and also for piles within and/or being moved by open topped railroad cars. The coating's flexibility prevents the coating from becoming brittle and shattering. The coating has better performance than its ingredients do alone. As a result the invention can both prevent unwanted dust pollution as well as save its users money by avoiding loss of blown away material.

Abstract: Scavenging compounds and compositions useful in reducing sulfide emissions from asphalt, such as polymer-treated asphalt, are disclosed. The scavenger compositions may include sulfide-scavenging agents. The scavenger compositions also include a metal-containing compound and optionally a solvent. Any of the compositions, sulfide-scavenging agents and metal-containing compounds may be anhydrous. Methods of using the compositions to reduce hydrogen sulfide emissions from asphalt are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system may automatically conduct hygiene cycles for a confined space such an interior space of a box suitable for storing and/or carrying packaged food. The system may include a hygiene device that can be attached to the box to conduct the hygiene cycles. The system may also automatically collect information related to the hygiene cycles and transmit the collected information to a network.

Abstract: A containment for crude oil that inhibits paraffin deposition thereon is described. One to twenty coatings of a composition including a polyacrylate are applied to a crude oil contact surface of a crude oil containment; the polyacrylate includes at least about 50 mole % acrylic acid residues or the conjugate base thereof. The coating compositions are suitably delivered from a water dispersion, solution, or emulsion and dried before applying a subsequent coating. Each of the one to twenty coatings are formed from the same or from different polyacrylate coating compositions. The coated containment surfaces inhibit deposition of at least 10 wt % and as much as 90 wt % of paraffin solids from a crude oil compared to the same crude oil contact in the absence of the one to twenty coatings. The coatings inhibit paraffin deposition at temperatures between about 60° C. and ?40° C.

Abstract: Caustic-free detergent compositions are provided. Detergent compositions including an aminocarboxylate, water conditioning agent, non-caustic source of alkalinity and water beneficially do not require the use of additional surfactants and/or polymers to provide suitable detergency and prevent scale build-up on treated surfaces. The detergent compositions are used with a sanitizer to employ the caustic-free detergent compositions are particularly suitable for use as low temperature ware wash detergents that beneficially reduce scale build-up. Methods of employing the caustic-free detergent compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions including up to 20 wt % of a paraffin inhibiting polymer and a non-polymeric ester compound, wherein the compositions flow at a temperature between about 0° C. and ?40° C., or between about ?20° C. and ?40° C. The non-polymeric ester compounds are liquids at 20° C. and atmospheric pressure, and have boiling points over 100° C., in many cases over 200° C. The compositions are useful to inhibit paraffin deposition during petroleum recovery, refining, storing, and transporting under field conditions, wherein the concentrates are pumpable and pourable, do not precipitate, and do not exhibit high pressure buildup inside enclosed containers at temperatures as low as ?40° C. and as high as 60° C.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and a system for assessing the performance of cleaning operations by utilizing an automatic read out routine for test strips subjected to a cleaning operation. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a computer program product capable of performing the process.

Abstract: Aluminum safe degreaser and pre-soak compositions, methods of making, and uses thereof are disclosed. In particular, a solid degreaser composition is described which provides soft metal protection against corrosion, avoids silicate staining, and maintains efficacy for removal of heavy baked-on carbon, shortening, caramelized, and greasy soils from bakery and deli wares.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a method for monitoring a CIP process previously performed. The method includes accessing CIP process data stored in a CIP library. The CIP process data includes CIP phase data associated with a plurality of CIP phases in the CIP process previously performed, equipment data associated with objects used in the CIP process during one or more of the CIP phases, and consumable data associated with consumables consumed by corresponding equipment in the CIP process. In addition, the method includes displaying at least a portion of the CIP process data, and providing a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is configured to: organize the CIP process data into at least one of (i) a plurality of CIP phases or (ii) consumable data, and sort equipment data according to one or more of the plurality of corresponding CIP phases or corresponding consumables.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to fluorescent marking compositions and their use to determine whether a surface has been cleaned. More particularly, the marking compositions comprise fluorescent polymers.

Abstract: A material supply assembly includes a valve assembly having an outer valve member and an inner valve member rotatable relative to the outer valve member. A plurality of discharge seals may be provide between the outer valve member and the inner valve member, with one of the discharge seals extending around openings of the outer valve member or openings of the inner valve member. A first circumferential seal may also be provided. An engagement structure including a plurality of spaced apart vertical engagement projections and a plurality of complementary configured engagement recesses may be provided between the valve assembly and the base. A locking arm having a locking member may be provided with the locking member positioned in a locking receptacle. A projection engages the locking arm to move the locking member from the locking receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs to a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser.

Abstract: Provided is a method of processing stillage from an ethanol production process. The method comprises treating stillage comprising oil, protein, and water upstream of a separation, concentration or evaporation step with at least one coagulant and at least one flocculant, thereby forming treated thin stillage comprising solids which include at least a portion of the oil and protein; and clarifying the treated stillage via a solid/liquid separation process thereby forming clarified stillage and a separated solids phase comprising at least a portion of the solids from the treated stillage.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and process agents for bitumen extraction from ore. More specifically, the method comprises contacting a process agent to the ore and adding water to form a bitumen-containing slurry. The process agent comprises sodium silicate, an aluminate, a dodecyl sulfate, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Detergent compositions and methods of preparing and using the detergent compositions are disclosed. The detergent compositions comprise a polymer system comprising at least one polycarboxylic acid polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer, an alkalinity source comprising an alkali metal carbonate, a nonionic surfactant and water. The detergent compositions are suitable at alkaline pH and reduce or prevent scale formation, improve soil dispersion, and provide effective detergency.

Abstract: The invention includes a solid rinse aid that is particularly designed for extrusion solid formation and which is effective for creating spotless surfaces after rinsing. According to the invention, application has identified the critical combination of solid surfactants, coupling agents, hydrotrope, and hardening agents that is acceptable in the extrusion process to create a solid. The hydrotrope includes one or more short-chain alkylbenzene and/or alkyl naphthalene sulfonates. The composition hardens quickly but not so quick as to negatively impact the extrusion process. The compositions may also be used to form pressed or cast solids.

Abstract: Water-free compositions suitable for application as a surface size to a cellulosic substrate, and methods of applying the water-free compositions to the surface of a cellulosic substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for preventing or reducing polymer formation and polymer deposition in equipment used in petrochemical processes. An antifoulant composition includes a combination of one or more antioxidants; one or more antipolymerants; one or more dispersants; and one or more solvents. A method of preventing or reducing fouling of process equipment used in an industrial process is also described. The method includes introducing into the process equipment an antifoulant composition, the antifoulant composition comprising a combination of one or more antioxidants; one or more antipolymerants; one or more dispersants; and one or more solvents.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for removing deposits in an oil or gas well by contacting the annular fluid in a batch-wise method with an effective amount of a composition comprising a water-soluble copolymer. These methods are advantageous because they can be used as needed to improve well operation. The methods use a water-soluble copolymer comprised of an acrylamide monomer and one or more cationic monomer.