Abstract: A method is provided for the removal of and the prevention of formation of salt deposits in critical sections of a plant. The salt deposits, especially ammonium nitrate deposits, are treated with steam, supplied in such amounts that a water vapor pressure is established which is higher than the existing saturated vapor pressure above the salt deposits at the existing temperatures. The physical requirements for salt removal are hereby immediately established with resulting instantaneous cleaning of all surfaces coated by deposits, independent of where these deposits are located.

Abstract: Titanium dioxide is removed from contaminated workpieces by immersing them in an alkaline solution containing calcium ions at approximately 30.degree. C. The cleaning solution is made from a concentrated aqueous alkaline hydroxide solution and a calcium salt or from a basic calcium salt, e.g., calcium oxide.

Abstract: A cold trap incorporated into a liquid metal circuit is cleaned by introducing an alkali metal hydroxide in liquid state into the trap and in excess compared with solubility limits of deposited impurities, then heating the trap to totally transform the impurities into liquid phases and draining off these liquid phases. The cleaning operation is carried out in the absence of water.

Abstract: An austenitic steel surface is cleaned of ferritic contaminations and other impurities by blasting it with a wet abrasive mixture containing 40-90% by volume, of corundum having an average grain size of 0.2 to 0.6 mm and of triangular faces. This wet abrasive mixture is accelerated and applied to the surface under a gas pressure of 2.5 to 5.5 atmospheres, 0.8 to 3 kg of corundum being applied per 100 cm.sup.2 of the surface to be cleaned. Before the surface has dried, a rinsing liquid is applied thereto.

Abstract: A contaminated article is subjected to vapor degreasing operations wherein the vapor degreasing solvent comprises a blend consisting essentially of perchlorethylene and trichlorethylene, wherein in the preferred embodiment, the perchlorethylene comprises about 81 volume percent of the degreasing solvent, while the trichlorethylene comprises the remaining 19 volume percent of the solvent blend.The solvent blend extends the normal life of perchlorethylene degreasing solvents alone, or in combination with stabilizers and the like, or, alternatively, allows the utilization of trichlorethylene at temperatures higher than those that would normally cause pyrolysis. The degreasing solvent blend not only extends the operational life of perchlorethylene-based vapor degreasing solvents, but also reduces the cost of conducting vapor degreasing operations.

Abstract: Heat transfer and associated surfaces in nuclear reactors are decontaminated by treating the surface with ozone to oxidize acid-insoluble metal oxides to a more soluble state, removing oxidized solubilized metal oxides, and removing other surface oxides using low concentrations of decontaminating reagents. Ozone treatment has been found very effective with alloys having surface metal oxides rendered more easily dissolved by ozone oxidation especially with chromium or chromium-nickel containing alloys.

Abstract: A method for clearing a railway roadbed of loose material employs elongate sweeper bristle elements, each element comprising a stem terminating in a knob portion which functions as a solid weighting mass and which forms a forward wearing surface. The method includes the steps of rotating a plurality of the sweeper bristle elements over the railway roadbed to be cleared so that the ends of the elements contact the loose material; imparting a centrifugal force on the stem and knob; and striking the loose material with the knob, thereby causing the loose material which contacts the knob to be driven away from the element.The preferred sweeper bristle elements are each comprised of a solid elastomeric stem preferably made of 80 durometer rubber. The stem extends substantially the length of the element and has upper and lower portions. A solid weighting mass forming a forward wearing surface and preferably made from 60 durometer rubber is attached to the lower portion of the stem.

Abstract: Proteinaceous matter lodged on the surface of a contact lens is removed in a short period of time by immersion of the lens in an aqueous hypertonic composition containing urea or a salt of guanidine and a reducing agent such as a sulfite, a pyrosulfite, etc. The cleaning effect of the composition increases markedly by addition of a proteolytic enzyme even in an amount not effective when the enzyme is used in the absence of urea or a guanidine salt.

Abstract: A cleaning composition and method for removing road film from transportation vehicles without the necessity of mechanical brushing or wiping of the surface using high pressure spray equipment. The composition comprises 2 to 30% by weight of chelating agent; 1 to 12% by weight of a bis(ethoxylated) quaternary ammonium compound; 0.5% to 5% by weight ethoxylated alcohol nonionic; 0-5% by weight sodium metasilicate and water. This concentrate is diluted with water and applied to the surface at a pressure of above 400 psi.

Abstract: A method of cleaning metal surfaces comprising spraying a metal surface with an aqueous solution containing(a) at least one soluble salt of a carboxylic acid having 6 to 12 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of aromatic carboxylic acids, aliphatic carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof,(b) at least one nonionic surface-active compound,(c) at least one quaternary ammonium surface-active compound,where the concentration of the active-substances (a), (b) and (c) in the aqueous solution is from 0.1% to 4% by weight and the weight ratio of (b) to (c) is from 20:1 to 1:1 and the weight ratio of (a) to (b)+(c) is from 20:1 to 1:20, where the pH of the aqueous solution is from 7.5 to 11.

Abstract: A method of removing aluminium containing alloy coatings from nickel or cobalt base alloy substrates in which the coated substrate is immersed in an aqueous mixture of nitric and sulphamic acids until coating dissolution is complete. A solution containing 5 to 30% vol./vol. nitric acid and from 5 to 30% wt./vol. sulphamic acid is preferred.

Abstract: Tortilla dough is shaped and precooked by being inserted in a region between the arcuate outer surface of a heated rotatable drum and the arcuate surface of a heated compression plate. The plate is pivotally-mounted and swung into position parallel to the surface of the drum to compress the dough while the drum is in a stop-phase of step motion. Thereafter, the plate is swung out of position and the drum is then rotated to cause the compressed dough to pass under the pivotally fixed end of the plate and out of said region.

Abstract: A metal blade on a rotary cleaning tool for cleaning heat exchanger tubes, is insulated from companion cutting blades circularly spaced on the tube. A direct current voltage of low level is applied through the flexible cable and central shaft of the cleaning tool and is a part of a circuit including a current amplifier input and the heat exchanger tube being cleaned. As the tool removes foreign matter from the tube, the resistance to current flow from the insulated blade to the tube decreases, and the current level increases. The current signal, which is thereby an input signal analog of the thermo conductance from the sensor blade to the tube, is converted to a voltage analog. The voltage analog signal is then rectified to smooth out the effect of sensor bounce and rotational effects of mechanical drive system for the tool.

Abstract: An implement for cleaning bolt tracks in a sailboat includes a fabric covered core for insertion into a bolt line track and a narrower skirt secured thereto in which longitudinally separated grommets are defined. The insertion core is engaged in the bolt line track and reciprocally moved therealong by means of a halyard secured to one grommet and a tag line secured to the other. Cleaning or lubricating agents may first be applied to said implement.

Abstract: Soiled foodware is cleaned in a batch-type machine in which the foodware is subjected to a washing cycle and a chemical sanitizing rinsing cycle. A controlled flow of fresh preheated rinse water is supplied to an accumulation tank during the wash cycle while a drying agent is optionally added to the water in the tank. Thereafter, the rinse cycle is initiated by pumping the accumulated fresh water into a rinse line at a predetermined pressure to provide uniform flow in the rinse line. A liquid chemical sanitizing agent is then introduced directly into the uniform flow of water in the rinse line. This sequence of operations provides a desired uniform water pressure, independent of water supply pressure, for effective rinsing action and accurate metering of sanitizing agent into the uniform flow of water in the rinse line.

Abstract: A process for cleaning the walls of heat exchangers or reactors which are covered with essentially titaniferous incrustations but which can also contain silico-aluminous incrustations formed during the attack of ores and causing a considerable reduction in the heat exchange capacity, the said process being intended to restore the fundamental characteristics of the said walls, which is characterized in that the incrustations are removed by means of an aqueous treatment liquor containing from 3 to 30% by weight of hexafluosilicic acid and at most 10% by weight of hydrofluoric acid. The aqueous treatment liquor can contain a corrosion inhibitor and the treatment can be carried out at a temperature between 20.degree. C. and 80.degree. C.

Abstract: Growth of Acinitobacter Sp. ATCC 31012 on certain substrates produces a new class of extracellular microbial protein-associated lipopolysaccharides (the ".alpha.-emulsans"). .alpha.-Emulsans exhibit a high degree of specificity in the emulsification of hydrocarbon substrates which contain both aliphatic and aromatic or cyclic components, which are typical of the hydrocarbonaceous residues found in oil-contaminated vessels, such as tankers, barges, storage tanks, tank cars and trucks, pipelines and other oil-contaminated containers used to transport or store crude oil in petroleum fractions. These oil-contaminated vessels may be cleaned by washing the oil-contaminated surfaces of such vessels with an aqueous solution in sea water or fresh water containing from about 10 mcg/ml to about 20 mg/ml of .alpha.

Abstract: A composition containing organic compounds for plasticizing resins, an emulsifying agent, a thickening and suspending agent and possibly an inert filler and/or water, is applied to an emulsion-painted wallpaper surface and left for several hours to allow the compounds to act on the binder resins in the paint coating. The resulting cohesive, plasticized paint film may then be removed by scoring and removing strips of the film and adhering wallpaper, starting from the score mark, any remaining paint and underlying paper being removed by scraping after possible application of water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for prevention of clogging of exhaust systems, especially the exhaust hoods and ducts above fused salt baths onto which salts splatter as they are being added by spraying from aqueous solutions. A fluid tight jacket surrounds a portion of the exhaust pipe and hood and a cooling fluid, preferably the aqueous solution of the salt being added is flowed through the jacket. This will condense the water of the solvent onto the inside of the hood and duct dissolving and washing away any splattered salt.

Abstract: .Iadd.The invention concerns a method of removing copper from a ferrous metal surface without excessive corrosion of the ferrous metal surface. In the method, the copper is dissolved with an aqueous alkaline solution containing a ferric chelate of an alkylene polyamine polyacetic acid chelating agent. .Iaddend.