Abstract: Methods for controlling wax and other contaminants by improving the dispersion of these materials through the addition of treatment agents such as plasticizers, dispersants or wetting agents to the process of recycling paper and paperboard are disclosed. Preferred treatment agents include polymeric wetting agents, dispersants, plasticizers and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A continuous free radical polymerization process for the preparation of water-soluble copolymers from water-soluble monomers for further processing to dry polymers is disclosed. The process allows efficient polymerization of the monomers in aqueous solution in the presence of a free radical catalyst through backmixing. Water-soluble polymers with molecular weights of from about 3,000-30,000,000 and preferably from about 500,000-10,000,000 are obtained utilizing this process.

Abstract: A fitting is provided for attachment to a flexible bag. The combined flexible bag and fitting may be inserted into a container for filling the flexible bag with a material, such as a chemical requiring transport, and ultimately draining of the material following delivery thereof. The fitting allows for bottom filling of the container and elimination of head space as well as draining of the material without interference from the bag.

Abstract: A papermaking process with maintained retention and improved formation is provided. The papermaking process includes the step of adding bentonite to the white water prior to the exposure of the white water to the shear stages of the papermaking system. The bentonite may be added anywhere from the white water silo up to the introduction of the white water to the fan pump. The flocculant may also be added to the white water with or shortly after the addition of the bentonite or a split feed of flocculant may be provided whereby some of the flocculant is added to the white water and an additional portion of flocculant is added to the thin stock prior to the entry of the thin stock into the header box.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling biofouling in an aqueous medium by treating the aqueous medium with an oil-in-water emulsion comprising an antimicrobial oil phase and at least one emulsifier. This method efficiently controls biofouling in the aqueous medium by specifically targeting the antimicrobial oil phase directly to biofilms, cell surfaces and cell aggregates in a concentrated form.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements in the Bayer mining process, used for the recovery of alumina from bauxite ore. Water-continuous emulsion polymers are advantageously used to improve the clarification, filtration and scale control of red-mud containing liquors generated during the Bayer process. Preferred polymers are high molecular weight poly(methyl acrylate/acrylic acid), poly(methyl acrylate), poly(vinyl acetate/acrylic acid/methyl acrylate) and a combination of a high molecular weight poly(methyl acrylate/acrylic acid) with a lower molecular weight poly(methyl acrylate/acrylic acid).

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for dewatering difficult sludges, such as autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion sludges. The method incorporates a three-component treatment system. Initially, the difficult sludge is dosed with an inorganic coagulant and then the resulting sludge-inorganic mixture is dosed with a microparticle component. Lastly, the resulting mixture is dosed with a high molecular weight flocculant.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel organic phosphonate compounds which can be used as water treatment agents. More specifically, this invention relates to 1,1 -diphosphonic acid N-oxides and water-soluble salts thereof for control of corrosion and scale in aqueous systems. Preferred N-oxides are morpholinomethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid N-oxide and N,N-dimethylaminomethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid N-oxide.

Abstract: Anionic nanocomposites for use as retention and drainage aids in papermaking are prepared by adding an anionic polyelectrolyte to a sodium silicate solution and then combining the sodium silicate and polyelectrolyte solution with silicic acid.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing biofilms from surfaces submerged in a fouled water system by adding to the water system an alkyl polyglycoside having the chemical formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.16 alkyl chain and DP is from 0 to 3 carbohydrate units.

Abstract: Luminol derived monomers, and luminol derived water-treatment polymers formed from the luminol derived monomers, as well as methods for monitoring of the chemiluminescence of such water-treatment polymers are disclosed. The novel chemiluminescent polymers require only a very low level of incorporation of the chemiluminescent moiety, and are useful for monitoring, even in systems containing impurities which either quench fluorescence or fluoresce themselves.

Abstract: A method for binding ceramic materials in aqueous media is disclosed. The method utilizes water-soluble cross-linked polyamides prepared by condensation polymerization for binding various classes of ceramic materials.

Abstract: A method for improving retention and drainage performance in a papermaking process is disclosed. The method comprises forming an aqueous cellulosic papermaking slurry, adding an effective amount of a hydrophilic dispersion polymer to the slurry, draining the slurry to form a sheet and drying the sheet. The hydrophilic dispersion polymer is preferably a copolymer of diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride and acrylamide.

Abstract: A method for improving retention and drainage performance in a papermaking process is disclosed. The method comprises forming an aqueous cellulosic papermaking slurry, adding an effective amount of a hydrophilic dispersion polymer to the slurry, draining the slurry to form a sheet and drying the sheet. The hydrophilic dispersion polymer is preferably a copolymer of dimethylaminoethyl acrylate methyl chloride quaternary and acrylamide.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved method for monitoring the concentration of molecules and chemical treatment agents in ceramic slurries and powders.

Abstract: The inventors have discovered a new method of treating paper machine white water aqueous systems and surfaces in the paper machine white water aqueous systems that prevents or inhibits the adhesion of bacterial cells to the surfaces and thereby controls the biological fouling of the surfaces. The process comprises adding to the aqueous system an adhesion-inhibiting amount of vinyl cationic polymer. This method effectively inhibits the adhesion of the bacterial cells to exposed surfaces without killing the fouling organisms and also without harming non-target organisms. In addition, the method of the present invention advantageously does not cause the formation of harmful substances in the effluent from the systems treated.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for detecting and monitoring changes in frequency in a process stream. At least one probe is placed in the process stream that is capable of detecting a change in frequency due to a build-up of mass on the probe from scale, corrosion, biofilm or the like in the process stream. A processor receives the signal produced by the probe to produce an output signal indicative of the change in frequency which is proportional to mass detected by the probe. A feeder is capable of feeding a product into the process stream as a result of the detected change in frequency of the probe to combat the mass build-up from scale, corrosion, biofilm or the like in the process stream. The system and method are further capable of measuring anti-scalant, corrosion inhibitor, biocide efficacy and controlling product feed into the process stream based on the determined efficacy.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing and preventing the buildup of contaminants in papermaking wet press felts and on forming wires using a cleaning solution which contains at least one acidic cleaning compound and peracetic acid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the clarification of red mud-containing liquors generated in the Bayer process for the recovery of alumina from bauxite ore with a combination of high molecular weight emulsion polymer and lower molecular weight emulsion polymers. The invention is also a method for the same purpose utilizing a methyl acrylate emulsion homopolymer.

Abstract: A method for increasing the separation of solids from an aqueous slurry containing such solids is disclosed. The separation process is particularly useful in the separation of the solid components of a papermill furnish from water in the manufacture of paper. The method comprises the steps of adding to a paper mill slurry from about 0.003 to about 1.0% by weight based on total solids in the slurry of a phenolic enhancer and a nonionic (meth)acrylamide homopolymer methacrylamide, or anionic or cationic flocculant is added to the slurry in an amount of from about 0.003 to about 0.5% by weight based on total solids in the slurry. Addition order is non-critical. The flocculation of solid components of the paper mill slurry is increased leading to improved retention of filler and fiber on the sheet and increased drainage of water from the cellulosic sheet produced. The method is also applicable to the treatment of waste waters, mineral tailings, oily waste waters, municipal and industrial wastes, and the like.