Abstract: An environmentally acceptable method for cleaning the interior of vessels comprises contacting the interior of a vessel with a solvent for the contaminant contained therein to produce a contaminated solvent, collecting the contaminated solvent from the vessel, separating essentially all of the contaminant from the contaminated solvent to recover essentially all of the solvent essentially free of the contaminant and produce a contaminant composition which is incineratable or can be made incineratable by blending with a combustible composition, such as fuel oil.The contaminant may be separated from the contaminated solvent by distillation; in which case the overhead product may be washed with sulfuric acid and then neutralized with a base.

Abstract: A method for cleaning storm sewers, sanitary sewers, culverts and other drains and waterways is disclosed which includes the steps of prewetting the debris in the waterway with water from a first water directing means, plowing the prewetted debris loose with a plowing means, further wetting the prewetted debris with water from a second water directing means, said first and second water directing means directing water simultaneously, and sweeping the further wetted debris forward with a plunging means.

Abstract: A method of removing ferrous sulfide from ferrous metal surfaces comprising contacting the ferrous sulfide with an aqueous composition comprising an acid selected from the group consisting of maleic acid, maleic anhydride, and the alkali metal and ammonium salts of maleic acid.

Abstract: A contaminated article is subjected to vapor degreasing operations wherein the vapor degreasing solvent is a blend consisting essentially of methylene chloride and either 1,1,1-trichloroethane or trichloroethylene. Addition of methylene chloride to the solvent blend is found to stabilize the other component of the blend in the presence of contaminants encountered in the conventional vapor degreasing process; thus extending the normal life of the degreasing solvents.

Abstract: The surface of a diamond bonded to a shank is cleaned by subjecting the shanked diamond to an ultrasonically agitated aqueous bath, contacting the shanked diamond with a concentrated aqueous alkaline solution, contacting the shanked diamond with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, contacting the shanked diamond with a dilute aqueous citric acid solution, contacting the shanked diamond with an aqueous hydrofluoric acid-nitric acid solution, and rinsing the shanked diamond with water.

Abstract: Nickel aluminide and like coatings are stripped from nickel base superalloy substrates using a 60.degree.-71.degree. C. solution consisting essentially by volume percent of 43-48 nitric acid, 7-12 hydrochloric acid, balance water, and containing 0.008-0.025 mole/liter ferric chloride and at least 0.016 mole/liter copper sulfate. Coating removal is rapid while significant attack of the substrate is avoided.

Abstract: A high-pressure water cleaning device has an enclosure with an open bottom for movement over a floor surface and floor gratings. The cleaning device may be stationary, with objects to be cleaned moved past the enclosure. A rotating seal includes an upright spindle within said enclosure and secured thereto having an axial bore with a high-pressure water inlet and a series of radial discharge ports. A rotatable tubular body is journalled upon said spindle and has an internal annular high-pressure chamber communicating with the discharge ports and a series of radial outlets communicating with the chamber. Tubular arms mounting nozzles are laterally projected into said outlets for rotation with the body, the nozzles being adjusted for delivering streams of high pressure water within the enclosure at high pressure onto floor surfaces and gratings. The tubular body is power rotated.

Abstract: Vinyl decals are removed from a painted surface without damaging the painted surface by contacting the decal with a composition consisting essentially of one or more of the following aromatic solvents: toluene, xylene and aromatic naphtha; and methyl ethyl ketone or a mixture of glycol ethers. The composition may optionally contain a thickener. The composition remains in contact with the decal for a time sufficient to loosen the decal from the surface and then the decal is physically pulled from the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning glass or other nonporous surfaces having an applicator pad of open pored spongy material for juxtaposition with the surface to be cleaned. A disposable cloth or tissue is interposed between the pad and the surface to be cleaned. A flexible conduit directs moisture laden gas, usually human breath, from the user's mouth, to the applicator pad and thence to the surface to be cleaned where moisture condenses for easy removal of soil therefrom. The escape of gas in undesired directions is avoided by a hood element which confines the gas to the spongy material except where it contacts the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: The bottom portion of a drain or sewer, partially filled with flowing liq, is cleaned by placing a cleaning member therein. The cleaning member rolls freely along the bottom portion of the sewer at a lower speed than the flowing liquid. The interior of the cleaning member contains a braking material and throttle structure which tend to reduce the rolling speed of the cleaning member. The cleaning member has an asymmetrical outer surface formed by a plurality of non-intersecting ribs which are asymmetrical with respect to all meridian planes defined by a plurality of rolling meridians along which the cleaning member can roll. This asymmetrical outer surface structure induces a corresponding asymmetric liquid flow around the cleaning member and downstream thereof; thereby laterally deflecting the downstream flow and suspended contaminants out of the rolling path of the cleaning member.

Abstract: A method for washing a vehicle is disclosed in which a brush assembly, which includes a brush, a brush shaft supporting the brush, a brush motor for driving the brush shaft and a flexible coupling, is permitted to swing or tilt in response to the force exerted on the brush by the movement of the vehicle relative to the vehicle washing apparatus. The flexing of the flexible coupling, which couples the brush shaft to the support arm, permits the brush to tilt or swing in any direction. The brush motor rotates the brush in a direction which causes the brush to walk along the front of the vehicle. As a result, the cooperative action of the rotary reaction force of the brush and the flex of the flexible coupling causes the brush to turn the front corner of the vehicle and pass along the side of the vehicle. Similarly, the flex of the flexible coupling together with the rotary reaction force of the brush against the vehicle enables the brush to wash the side and turn the rear corner to wash the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: Oxidizable liquid organic chemical residues are removed from large vessels by a non-catalytic method comprising:a. heating the vessel by introducing a heat source and oxygen into the interior of the vessel, the emitted heat being sufficient to volatilize substantially all and decompose at least a portion of said oxidizable liquid organic chemical contaminating the interior of said vessel;b. exhausting from the vessel combustion gas resulting from the volatilization and decomposition of the liquid organic chemical during the heating step;c. filtering particulates from the combustion gas and decomposing with heat any volatilized organic chemical remaining in the combustion gas exhausted from the vessel; andd. venting to the atmosphere combustion gas essentially free of said particulates and oxidizable organic chemical.

Abstract: Exposed surfaces of a layer of a copper thick film paste on a multilayer substrate are cleaned after being fired so that such surfaces are readily solderable to the extent that conventional tin/lead solders will wet said surfaces. The substrate with the exposed surfaces of a layer of a fired copper thick film paste is cleaned by being immersed in a warm dilute solution of an acid containing a fluoride ion, such as HF or HBF.sub.4 for a short period of time. After the short period of time of immersion has elapsed, the substrate is removed from the dilute acid solution and rinsed to remove substantially all traces of the cleaning solution.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a spent HF-HNO.sub.3 pickle which contains ZrF.sub.4, which comprises heating said spent pickle to above 40.degree. C., adding dissolved NaOH to said so-heated pickle, thereafter cooling said so-treated pickle to a temperature below 20.degree. C. whereby to precipitate Na.sub.2 ZrF.sub.6 and removing said Na.sub.2 ZrF.sub.6 from said so-cooled pickle whereby to regenerate the same.

Abstract: A method for relatively low temperature cleaning of metal parts, particularly stainless steels, superalloys, solid solution superalloys and gamma prime hardened nickel alloy parts, in order to render them brazable or otherwise bondable. The method makes use of a C--O--H--F atmosphere as the primary cleaning material. The preferred source of the C--O--H--F atmosphere is by thermal decomposition of a fluorocarbon resin and addition of a low moisture containing hydrogen gas.

Abstract: The system comprises a plurality of on-line cleaning tanks, through which continuous metal strip is passed, and a plurality of storage tanks, each containing a different cleaning solution. Different combinations of cleaning solutions are transferred to the on-line tanks from the storage tanks by selecting a particular combination or sequence of cleaning solutions in accordance with the type or composition of metal or metal alloy comprising the strip and automatically feeding the cleaning solutions to the on-line tanks in accordance with the sequence selected. The on-line tanks and storage tanks are interconnected by a network of conduits, pumps and valves which are automatically conditioned by a control element to operate in response to the selection of a particular cleaning sequence. Upon completion of a cleaning operation, each of the solutions is returned to its corresponding storage tank.

Abstract: The method for cleaning metal parts, particularly crack damaged gamma prime hardened nickel alloy parts but also including stainless steels, superalloys, and solid solution superalloys in order to render them brazable or otherwise bondable. The method makes use of elemental fluorine as the primary cleaning material. A reducing gas such as hydrogen may be present. The preferred source of elemental fluorine is by thermal decomposition of a fluorocarbon resin. The cleaned part has a surface layer free of oxides and depleted of aluminum and titanium. It is brazable.

Abstract: Tacky adhesives are removed from a substrate by a non-stinging, non-drying, non-staining, non-solvent process. The process uses a volatile methylsiloxane fluid to detackify the adhered adhesive, after which it is easily removed. This process is particularly useful for removing tacky adhesives from the human skin. A highly preferred volatile methylpolysiloxane fluid is octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.

Abstract: The tube bundle is moved out of its shell utilizing a frame structure having a number of movable trollies associated therewith for supporting the tube bundle at spaced points along the length thereof, the trollies having rollers disposed on opposite sides of the central axis of the tube bundle. The tube bundle supported by the trollies is horizontally moved off of the frame structure by rolling the trollies off of the frame structure, preferably onto a protector, and then can be moved to desired maintenance stations. The trollies are latched into place on the protector for movement from station to station. The tube bundle can be transferred from the trollies to a second set of trollies for effecting rotation of the tube bundle about its central axis at the same time that washing fluid is sprayed thereon, and the tube bundle while supported by the trollies may be moved off the protector into an automated cleaning system.

Abstract: A machine, and method, for tumbling objects or parts, generally of plastic material, to remove thin flange-like projections left along mold mating lines and frequently referred to as "flash". An advancing belt-like conveyor has a portion disposed to define an object-supporting surface so upwardly sloped in the direction of conveyor advance, as to cause tumbling and consequent deflashing of a mass of objects supported on said surface. The conveyor is also movable between two positions in which the objects are, respectively, loaded upon and automatically discharged from the conveyor. In the illustrated apparatus these are upper and lower positions. Tumbling occurs in the upper position, and discharge takes place in the lower position, under the influence of the advancing movement of the conveyor. The system includes mechanism for effecting additional cleaning of the objects, while tumbling on the conveyor, by subjecting them to a blast of impact cleaning media.