Abstract: Functionalized alpha-hydroxy alkyl ethers have been found to perform as non (or anti-) scaling hydrogen sulfide scavengers. A method of scavenging hydrogen sulfide includes contacting a fluid containing hydrogen sulfide with a treatment fluid including a functionalized alpha-hydroxy alkyl ether. Accordingly, the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ether reacts with the hydrogen sulfide to reduce the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the fluid. The functionalized alpha-hydroxy alkyl ether is functionalized with a phosphate group, phosphonate group, sulfate group, or sulfonate group. A broad range of alpha-hydroxy alkyl ethers are disclosed.

Abstract: A sterile surgical drape for protecting a robotic surgical system includes an oblong drape of a clear flexible plastic material, which unfolds from a compact packet. From the proximal side of the main panel of the drape there project two pocket flaps, which are separated by a medial trough. The two pocket flaps are configured to slip over one another and together enclose the top of the control tower in an overlapping fashion, such that the robotic manipulator arms extend on either side of the main panel, while the camera/endoscope arm extends through the medial trough. The open ends of the pocket flaps are folded over to form cuffs, wherein a nurse can insert his/her hand to draw the flap over the top of the tower without touching non-sterile surfaces. The unfolding of the main panel is controlled by adhesive tabs or tear strips, so that the bottom of the panel does not engage the cart's wheels or the floor.

Abstract: A method of performing a squeeze treatment comprises pumping a treatment fluid under pressure through a wellbore into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid includes a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound that adsorbs onto the subterranean formation in a region around the wellbore. Production fluids are then allowed to flow from the subterranean formation into the wellbore, wherein the production fluids contact the adsorbed hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound as the production fluids flow through the region around the wellbore, and wherein the production fluids contain hydrogen sulfide that reacts with the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound to reduce an amount of hydrogen sulfide in the production fluids before the production fluids flow into the wellbore.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for improving dewatering of Bayer Process alumina trihydrate slurry. The method comprises adding an R-Succinic Compound (such as octadecenyl succinic acid, hexadecenyl succinic acid, and/or dodecenyl succinic acid) to the slurry. The R-Succinic Compound removes water that would otherwise be trapped within the filtered slurry cake and therefore reduces the energy needed to calcine the resulting solids.

Abstract: Rheology modifying agents and methods of modifying the rheology of a slurry are disclosed. Methods for the prevention of fouling and methods for monitoring the rheology of a slurry are also provided. The slurry can be a lime slurry or a magnesium oxide slurry, for example. The rheology modifying agent can be polymer-grafted nanocrystalline cellulose. The rheology modifying agent can optionally include other components, such as a chelating agent.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting scale in a subterranean formation comprises pretreating the subterranean formation with a polyquaternary amine that serves as a squeeze life extension (SLE) agent, and then introducing a scale inhibitor pill into the subterranean formation, wherein the scale inhibitor pill includes one or more scale inhibitor compositions. For example, the polyquaternary amine may be a polymer having up to 5 quaternary amine centers, but is preferably a nonpolymeric diquaternary amine having a molecular weight of from 250 to 500. One such example is 1,3-propandiaminium, 2-hydroxy-N,N,N,N?,N?,N?-hexamethyl-, dichloride. The SLE agent is preferably introduced into the formation in a brine solution having a concentration from 0.1 to 20 weight percent. The SLE agents may be used with a variety of known scale inhibitors and scale inhibitor chemistries.

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: 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: The present disclosure provides for a method of preparing and using an emulsion for treating a papermaking process. The emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion of alkenyl succinic anhydride emulsified with a polymer comprising at least one primary or secondary amine containing monomer. The method comprises adding an oil-in-water emulsion to the papermaking process; wherein the oil-in-water emulsion comprises alkenyl succinic anhydride emulsified with a polymer comprising at least one primary or secondary amine containing monomer; and wherein the oil-in-water emulsion is added in an amount sufficient to improve sizing of the paper produced by the papermaking process. The primary or secondary amine may be a secondary amine comprising diallylamine, and the polymer may be a diallylamine-acrylamide copolymer.

Abstract: Stabilized catalyst detergent compositions are provided in solid formulations of detergents including an active oxygen source and/or a highly alkaline detergent composition. The compositions are suitable for use with additional detergent and/or bleaching compositions while providing stabilized catalysts within a polymeric matrix. Methods or process for manufacturing the compositions, and methods of use for cleaning are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for recovering energy and water from at least one energy-rich process water stream are provided. The methods optionally incorporate the use of filtration, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, water softening, forward osmosis, and membrane distillation. The methods can be used to recover energy and water from blowdown or condensate from a water-containing industrial process, which in certain embodiments may be a boiler system.

Abstract: An optical sensor may include multiple optical emitters configured to emit light into a fluid sample via an optical pathway. Light from the emitters can cause fluorescence from the sample and/or scatter off of the sample. Scattered and fluoresced light can be received by an optical detector in the sensor via the optical pathway, and used to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid sample. A second optical detector can provide reference measurements of the amount of light emitted to the sample. In one example, the optical detector can detect scattered and fluoresced light simultaneously. In another example, light is emitted and detected alternatingly. The sensor can be part of a system that includes one or more controllers configured to control the emitting and detecting of light to and from the fluid sample. The controller can use detected light to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid sample.

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 and/or liquid outputs of 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. The tool may include any number of flow meters, and may also include a flow meter connected to an outlet of a dispenser (22) for providing flow information.

Abstract: Described is a method of sanitizing animal carcasses using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C2-C4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C8-C12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses containing a mixture of one or more C2-C4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C8-C12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a formulation and a process for the removal of inorganic impurities from waste water. The formulation consists of a blend of at least one alkali metal aluminate, at least one cationic organic coagulant and optionally at least one alkalinating agent in pre-determined proportions. The process for decontamination using the afore-stated formulation includes steps such as admixing, settling, microfiltration and optionally acidification, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. The disclosure further provides an apparatus for the removal of inorganic impurities from waste water.

Abstract: Size press formulations and methods of treating a substrate using the size press formulations. The size press formulations may include solids. The solids may include a polyaluminum chloride compound, starch, an optical brightening agent, and a salt. Suitable polyaluminum chloride compounds include phosphated polyaluminum chloride, sulfated polyaluminum chloride, polyaluminum chloride, polyaluminum silica sulfate chloride, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are scavenging compounds and compositions useful in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the compounds and compositions as scavengers, particularly in applications relating to the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas.

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: 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 and enhance protein removal from the treated surfaces. Beneficially the detergent compositions have a concentrate pH less than about 11.5. The detergent compositions are used with a sanitizer to employ the low alkaline detergent compositions are particularly suitable for use as low temperature ware wash detergents that beneficially reduce scale build-up. Methods of employing the low alkaline detergent compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a virucidal composition comprising based on the composition from 80 to 99 wt-% of a C2-C4 monoalcohol or a mixture thereof, from 0.1 to lower 2 wt-% of an organic acid, from 0.1 to 1 wt-% of an alkoxylated monoglyceride and/or alkoxylated diglyceride, wherein the pH value of the composition is from pH 3.3 to 5 and the remainder up to 100 wt-% is water. The invention further describes a method of inactivating viruses, and a product comprising the virucidal composition and means for applying it.