Abstract: A process for dissolving deposits of metal oxides, and preferably iron oxides including magnetite without materially impairing the surface on which the deposits reside, which comprises contacting the solid metal oxide with a liquid medium composition comprising (1) an alkali metal borohydride, (2) a chelating agent which forms a metal complex with the metal oxide, said chelating agent being preferably a dialkali metal salt of a polyalkylene polyamine tetraalkanoic acid. The process is particularly effective for the dissolution of Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 (magnetite) entrapped in the tube-to-tube sheet crevices of nuclear steam generators.

Abstract: An ultrasonic decontamination robot removes radioactive contamination from the internal surface of the inlet and outlet headers, divider plate, tube sheet, and lower portions of tubes of a nuclear power plant steam generator. A programmable microprocessor controller guides the movement of a robotic arm mounted in the header manway. An ultrasonic transducer having a solvent delivery subsystem through which ultrasonic action is achieved is moved by the arm over the surfaces. A solvent recovery suction tube is positioned within the header to remove solvent therefrom while avoiding interference with the main robotic arm. The solvent composition, temperature, pressure, viscosity, and purity are controlled to optimize the ultrasonic scrubbing action. The ultrasonic transducer is controlled at a power density, frequency, and on-off mode cycle such as to optimize scrubbing action within the range of transducer-to-surface distance and solvent layer thickness selected for the particular conditions encountered.

Abstract: Particulate contaminant is removed from surfaces by applying a coating of an aqueous solution of copolymer of maleic acid and monomer. The particulate contaminant becomes incorporated into the coating during drying and the coating detaches itself from the surface without the necessity of peeling or otherwise mechanically removing the contaminant laden coating.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning an endoscope, the open ends of an air/liquid supply valve cylinder, a suction valve cylinder, and a gas supply valve cylinder which are arranged in a control section of the endoscope are closed by stops. An air supply channel, a liquid supply channel, a suction channel, and a gas supply channel of the endoscope open at one end to a connector mounted on the distal end of the light guide cable of the endoscope. The connector is submerged in the liquid held in a tank. A cap is mounted on the distal end of the insertion section so that a nozzle communicating with the channels and a suction opening communicating with the suction channel open to the interior of the cap. The cap is connected to a suction pump by a suction tube. The pump is operated, thus sucking the liquid from the nozzle and suction opening through the four channels and the three cylinders, thereby cleaning the interiors of these channels and cylinders.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning an endoscope, the open ends of an air/liquid supply valve cylinder and a suction valve cylinder, both provided within a control section of the endoscope, are closed by stops. The ends of an air supply channel, a liquid supply channel and a suction channel, which open to a connector mounted on the distal end of a light guide cable, are connected to a connecting tube so that liquid may flow between these ends. The other end of the suction channel opening to the distal end of an insertion section is connected to a liquid tank filled with liquid through a liquid supply tube. The tank is connected to an air pump through an air supply tube. When the pump is operated, the liquid is supplied from the other end of the suction channel and discharged from a nozzle through the three channels, valve cylinders and the connecting tube, thereby cleaning the interiors of these channels and valve cylinders with the liquid.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning an endoscope, a stop is mounted on the open end of an air/liquid supply valve cylinder thereby closing the open end. A liquid tank is connected through a liquid supply tube to a first air supply port which opens to a connector of the endoscope and communicates with one end of an air supply channel. A connecting cap is attached to the connector so that a second air supply port communicating the air supply channel and a liquid supply port communicating with a liquid supply channel communicate with each other. An air supply pump is connected to the liquid tank. The pump is operated under this condition and supplies the liquid in the liquid tank to the first air supply port. The liquid supplied to the first air supply port is discharged from a nozzle communicating with the other ends of the air and liquid supply channels through these channels and the air/liquid supply valve cylinder, thereby cleaning the interior of these channels and the cylinder.

Abstract: A process for treating fluoride-contaminated scrap lining material from electrolytic reduction cells comprises mixing the material with 7-30 parts of sulphuric acid and sufficient water to bring liquid content to 60-80 parts per 100 parts of lining material, mixing in sufficient lime to at least neutralize the sulphuric acid and make the slurry slightly alkaline, the slurry then being allowed to set into a solid mass.The slurry should be of a paste-like consistency. The lime may be wholly calcium hydroxide, but a substantial proportion may be in the form of calcium carbonate.The scrap, before or after the above treatment with lime and sulphuric acid, is preferably heated to 150.degree.-500.degree. C. in the presence of water vapor to destroy cyanides.

Abstract: A wet blasting media involving fine particles having a mean diameter less than 0.5 mm, and a specific gravity of at least 1.5. The particles are formed by glass beads having an irregular plastics resin mass therearound, such as a polyacetyl or polycarbonate resin. The resin has a specific gravity of 1.3 or greater. The particles readily uniformly mix with water to permit uniform blasting of articles, and at the same time the glass beads provide the particles with the desired density but do not damage the surface of the articles being blasted.

Abstract: Halogenated contaminants are removed from soil by reaction schemes which are carried out in a slurry of the soil and a reagent mixture. The latter is made up of an alkaline constituent--an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal hydroxide/alcohol or alkali metal hydroxide/glycol mixture, or an alkoxide--and a sulfoxide catalyst.

Abstract: A vacuum filter system for swimming pools, which includes a filter tank carrying a plurality of replaceable filter cartridges, the filter tank being in the suction line from the pool, which tank has an outlet connected to a pump which has a return line to the pool, with air being purged from the filter tank by the vacuum created in the filter tank when in operation.

Abstract: Sugar cane is processed using an apparatus, which includes an input end with a comb back conveyor for controlling the quantity of cane passing to the remainder of the apparatus; an aligning, first cleaning and thin out section, where randomly oriented cane stalks are aligned and foreign bodies, especially stones and ferrous objects are removed from the cane; a billeting or cutting section for cutting the stalks into billets; a second cleaning section in the form of a cleaning tower in which vertically moving air is used to remove leaves, dust and any other trash from the flow of cane; a chute and pivotally mounted swing conveyor for distributing cane billets in an elongated, partitioned distributing hopper; a surge elimination chute; a billet aligner and delivery unit for delivering cane billets to a plurality of separators for separating the epidermis from the cane billets and separating the rind from the core; and a discharge section, including conveyors for discharging the separated material from the appar

Abstract: A method for preparing plates primarily intended for use in a dry charge battery includes washing pasted and formed battery plates in water flowing at a low flow rate until most, but not all, of the forming acid has been removed, and thereafter washing said plates in additional water flowing at a higher flow rate to remove residual acid; treating the additional wash water using an ion exchange bed to remove the acid and reusing the deacidified water as wash water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of cleaning sediment from the bottom of a large storage container of clean water comprising sanitizing a cleaning person and a suction pump to remove the majority of skin viruses, germs, bacteria and dirt from the surface of his skin and/or apparel and the suction pump; the cleaning person going underwater and slowly submerging; the cleaning person turning on the suction pump before reaching the bottom of the container; the cleaning person removing sediment from a spot on the bottom of the container before any part of his body disturbs the sediment; the cleaning person attaining footing in the clean spot; and the cleaning person removing the remainder of the sediment on the bottom of the container.

Abstract: Granular solids are thermally and pneumatically treated to remove organic and inorganic chemical additives which are bonded to the granular solids or in admixture with them, to provide a purified granular solid product which is suitable for reuse, for example foundry sand for use in high strength molded cores, or for other productive uses, such as landfill. Granular solid feed material is preheated in a dilute phase zone of a fluidized bed, organic chemical additives are thermally oxidized in a dense phase zone of the fluidized bed, and remaining inorganic chemical additives are separated and removed from the granular solids in a contiguous pneumatic impaction zone. The purified granular solids are removed from the pneumatic impaction zone and organic and inorganic materials are elutriated from the fluidized bed and removed from the head space.

Abstract: A photo-mask to be used in a light exposure step for manufacturing semiconductor devices is cleaned by wetting front and rear surfaces of the mask with a liquid, brushing the wetted surfaces with a pair of rotary brushes, wetting the brushed surfaces with an electrolytic solution containing sufficient electrolyte to substantially eliminate electrostatic charge from the surfaces, spraying and immersing the photo-mask in an organic liquid such as an alcohol, and then drying the photo-mask.

Abstract: A method for cleaning cathode and/or anode plates which are obtained in the electrolytic refining of metals and which are lifted in groups suspended on bars or lugs from the electrolytic bath and thereafter the plates are washed by passing in succession through the washing operation individually or in pairs inclined in substantially V-manner with respect to each other. Additionally, three or more plates, inclined away from each other substantially in fan manner, may pass through the washing operation. The flat sides of the plates are sprayed at least partially by nozzles which execute a relative movement along the flat sides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rinsing electroplating solution from the surfaces of articles so that substantially complete recovery of the electroplating solution is achieved. The apparatus is preferably receivable on a wall of an electroplating tank and comprises an open housing-like structure having a splash wall and an open trough beneath the splash wall, and a rack for supporting at least one plated article in front of the splash wall above the trough. For use of the apparatus in accordance with the method, an article is supported on the rack in front of the splash wall, and a rinse solution, such as water, is sprayed onto the article in order to rinse electroplating solution from the surfaces thereof. The rinse solution and any plating solution intermixed therewith gravitate downwardly from the article and the splash wall and are received in the trough and then transferred to the plating tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for mechanically washing articles of flat tableware, such as plates, saucers or the like, conveyed continuously, said process comprising the steps of subjecting the articles to a wet phase by rotary brushing under a projection of detergent water and then subjecting them to a phase of physical elimination of the wet residue by projection of a flat jet of air over the whole surface of the articles, maintained in inclined position, the flat jet of air pushing the remanent liquid film in the direction of gravity.

Abstract: In suppressing coal dust by the application of a foam to a falling mass of coal, a continued dust suppression effect is achieved by foaming a water-diluted emulsion of water, a surfactant, and an oil which exhibits a tacky characteristic when in the form of a film in the absence of water at temperatures within the range from approximately 21.degree. C. down to approximately -12.degree. C.

Abstract: A device constructed in one solid piece for scraping, directing and tamping garbage to and through flexible splash guards leading into an electric garbage disposal unit in a kitchen sink includes a cylindrically shaped main tamper body, a continuous ridge extending from the external surfaces of the main tamper body and bisecting these surfaces to form three distinct ridge sections, and a cylindrically shaped handle attached to the main tamper body and of a smaller diameter. A portion of the main tamper body and the ridge taper toward the handle.