Abstract: A titration system is disclosed for determining content of an analyte in a sample. The titration system comprises: a controller; a reaction vessel; a titration vessel and an indicator vessel in fluid communication with the reaction vessel; a spectroscopy unit; a sensor for outputting a signal to the controller based on a force exerted by the reaction vessel on the sensor. The controller executes a stored program to: (i) perform titration by delivering to the reaction vessel a first mass of a first fluid comprising the sample, a second mass of a second fluid comprising indicator, and a third mass of a third fluid comprising titrant; (ii) detect color change in the mixture in the reaction vessel based on a signal from the spectroscopy unit and stop titration; and (iii) calculate content of the analyte in the sample based on the first mass, the second mass, and the third mass.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The cleaning apparatus includes a roller system including a drive roller and one or more guide rollers configured to receive an elongated article to be cleaned. Each guide roller and the drive roller form a serpentine path for the article. The cleaning apparatus further includes a frame for supporting each guide roller and the drive roller; and a fluid delivery system for directing fluid at top and bottom faces of the article. The fluid delivery system includes one or more conduits. Each conduit is in fluid communication with a plurality of nozzles to direct fluid to the top and the bottom faces of the article. The cleaning apparatus further includes an actuator to linearly displace at least one of conduits back and forth during operation. The drive roller may be a sprocket for engaging and transporting the article. The article may be a conveyor belt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid fertilizer including: (i) an aqueous composition including ammonium thiosulfate; and (ii) a complex of a metal ion and a chelating agent, wherein the metal ion is selected from the group consisting of zinc, manganese, copper, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and molybdenum. The complex lowers the freeze point of the aqueous composition when creating a liquid fertilizer including the ammonium thiosulfate and the complex. Optionally, the liquid fertilizer includes borate ions. Methods of using the liquid fertilizer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method combine a first reactant with a second reactant to create a reaction product. A first pump is in fluid communication with a reaction vessel and a source of the first reactant. A second pump is in fluid communication with the reaction vessel and a source of the second reactant. A gas sparger is located in the reaction vessel, and the gas sparger is in fluid communication with a gas source for providing gas to the reaction vessel. A controller is configured to execute a program stored in the controller to: (i) receive a sensor signal based on a force exerted by the reaction vessel in a direction toward the sensor, and (ii) operate the first pump and the second pump to deliver to the reaction vessel the first reactant and the second reactant thereby causing a reaction that creates the reaction product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stable fertilizer composition including: a sulfur-containing compound; and a reaction product of a potassium-containing compound and a humectant selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, esters of polyhydric alcohols, polyalkylene glycols, and hydroxylated carboxylic acids. One version of the fertilizer composition also includes a nitrogen-containing compound; a phosphorous-containing compound; and at least one more additional macronutrient or micronutrient. The macronutrient may be selected from the group consisting of calcium and magnesium, and the micronutrient may be selected from the group consisting of zinc, manganese, iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, cobalt, boron, nickel, and molybdenum. The fertilizer composition may be essentially free of chelated metals and chelated metal salts. Methods of using a solution of the fertilizer composition for supplying plant nutrients to a plant are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for aiding extraction of an emulsified oil from an oil and water emulsion. The composition includes silicon containing particles at a level of 0.1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; an emulsifying agent at a level of 1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; and water at a level of 40 wt. % to 99 wt. %. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) dispersing silicon containing particles into the material using a mechanical blending device; and (b) separating the oil from the material. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a dispersion of silicon containing particles in water; (b) metering the dispersion into the material; and (c) separating the oil from the material.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for cleaning a membrane. The composition includes: (i) a non-ionic surfactant having the formula: R—O(CH2CH2O)nH, wherein R is a branched, substituted or unsubstituted, C11-15 alkyl group, wherein n is an average degree of ethoxylation, and wherein n is in the range of from 3 to 20; and (ii) at least one of an additional non-ionic surfactant, a water soluble solvent, or a hydrotrope. In one version of the composition, an upper limit of a range of molecular weights of the surfactant is 1300 grams or below. In another version of the composition, the composition has a gel point such that it will be in the liquid phase before and after dilution with any amount of water at all temperatures of 40° F. and above. A method of cleaning a membrane using the compositions is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for mixing a first fluid with one or more additional fluids to create a mixed fluid and for dispensing the mixed fluid is disclosed. The dispensing system includes a mixing tank; a first pump for the first fluid; a second pump for a second fluid; and a sensor positioned adjacent the mixing tank wherein the sensor outputs a signal based on a force exerted by the mixing tank in a direction toward the sensor. A controller of the system execute a program to: (i) receive the signal from the sensor, and (ii) operate the first pump for a first time period and operate the second pump for a second time period based on the signal from the sensor such that the first fluid and the second fluid are delivered to the mixing tank before being delivered to a storage tank for dispensing the mixed fluids.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for aiding extraction of an emulsified oil from an oil and water emulsion. The composition includes silicon containing particles at a level of 0.1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; an emulsifying agent at a level of 1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; and water at a level of 40 wt. % to 99 wt. %. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) dispersing silicon containing particles into the material using a mechanical blending device; and (b) separating the oil from the material. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a dispersion of silicon containing particles in water; (b) metering the dispersion into the material; and (c) separating the oil from the material.

Abstract: A system for mixing a first fluid with one or more additional fluids to create a mixed fluid and for dispensing the mixed fluid is disclosed. The dispensing system includes a mixing tank; a first pump for the first fluid; a second pump for a second fluid; and a sensor positioned adjacent the mixing tank wherein the sensor outputs a signal based on a force exerted by the mixing tank in a direction toward the sensor. A controller of the system execute a program to: (i) receive the signal from the sensor, and (ii) operate the first pump for a first time period and operate the second pump for a second time period based on the signal from the sensor such that the first fluid and the second fluid are delivered to the mixing tank before being delivered to a storage tank for dispensing the mixed fluids.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for aiding extraction of an emulsified oil from an oil and water emulsion. The composition includes silicon containing particles at a level of 0.1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; an emulsifying agent at a level of 1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; and water at a level of 40 wt. % to 99 wt. %. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) dispersing silicon containing particles into the material using a mechanical blending device; and (b) separating the oil from the material. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a dispersion of silicon containing particles in water; (b) metering the dispersion into the material; and (c) separating the oil from the material.

Abstract: Methods for depolymerizing polysaccharides are disclosed. In certain exemplary methods, polysaccharides having a first average molecular weight can be reacted with hydroxyl free radicals to produce polysaccharides having a second average molecular weight lower than the first average molecular weight. The hydroxyl free radicals can be formed by interaction of an oxidant with a catalyst comprising a polydentate ligand complexed with a metal ion. In certain exemplary embodiments, the oxidant can be hydrogen peroxide, and the catalyst can be iron methylglycine diacetate or iron-2,3,4,5,6 pentahydroxyhexanoate.

Abstract: A chemical concentration controller and recorder is disclosed for controlling and recording chemical concentrations in a cleaning system. The invention allows a user to control the concentration of two or more chemicals in the cleaning system simultaneously using either concentration-based feed or timed feed. The invention records and archives chemical concentration data from sensors in the cleaning system tanks or the cleaning system fluid conduits during operation of the cleaning system. The data may then be downloaded by a user and analyzed for efficiency and cost control purposes. For example, the data may indicate the overfeeding of chemicals to the cleaning system or leaking valves in the cleaning system.

Abstract: A method for cleaning an apparatus using a clean-in-place system is disclosed. The clean-in-place system is in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet of the apparatus. In the method, a cleaning composition having a measurable physical property (e.g., pH) is supplied from a cleaner tank into the inlet of the apparatus for a first period of time. A rinsing composition having the measurable physical property at a second measured value is then supplied from a rinse tank into the inlet of the apparatus for a second period of time. The measurable physical property is sensed versus time for fluids exiting the outlet of the apparatus, and a circulation time of the cleaning composition is determined. A closing time for a return valve of the cleaner tank is then determined for subsequent cleaning cycles such that minimal rinsing composition enters the cleaner tank during the subsequent cleaning cycle.

Abstract: A composition for use as a processing aid in the concentration of whole cheese whey and in the recovery of lactose from cheese whey by a separation process followed by a concentrating process via reverse osmosis filtration or evaporation, wherein, in one embodiment, the composition includes a sodium hexametaphosphate having phosphate chain lengths of 12 to 28 in combination with tetrasodium or tetrapotassium pyrophosphate. In another embodiment, a blend of sodium hexametaphosphate is employed having a phosphate chain lengths of 12 to 14 in one instance and 21 to 28 in another instance. The composition results in increased yields of lactose and an easily removable scale from processing equipment-mainly heat transfer equipment. A method of employing the processing aid composition is also presented.

Abstract: An anticoagulant for blood contains sodium hydroxide, citric acid and sodium hexametaphosphate. A method of preventing the clotting of blood using the anticoagulant also is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of removing undesired ions, such as chlorine, hypochlorite, chromium, cyanide and heavy metal ions, from an aqueous preparation containing one or more of said ions consists of adding to the aqueous preparation an effective amount of magnesium bisulfite to inactivate the undesired ions and then adjusting the pH of the mixture to an appropriate pH. Compositions containing magnesium bisulfite and divalent and trivalent ions are disclosed.