Abstract: A method for chemically removing hydrocarbons from oil contaminated material is described. The method comprises contacting the material containing the oil with a combinations of surfactants in an oil carrier similar to or identical to the oil to be removed. This process avoids the use of water. Therefore the process does not compromise the quality of the oil by having water as a contaminant and thus eliminating the possibility of oil contaminated water getting into the environment. In certain examples, when the process is used to remove oil from land based well bore cuttings, the processed well bore cuttings contain high levels of chlorides, which is an environmental problem. In such examples the method also includes contacting the well bore cuttings with a solution of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate in water to reduce the chloride concentration. An apparatus designed for this purpose is also described.

Abstract: An infant's food dish includes a sound unit which is enabled by a switch, the state of which can be changed merely by bringing an object into proximity with the switch. Suitably the switch is magnetically operable and the object is the magnetized tip of a feeding utensil such as a spoon.

Abstract: A method is described for improving the removal of toxic resin acids and fatty acids from pulp and paper effluent and from other streams containing resins and fatty acids. The addition of an anionic material, such as albumin, gelatin, alginate or alginic acid prior to clarification with conventional or state of the art cationic coagulation clarification or retention will improve the removal of resin acids and fatty acids.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for suppressing dust comprising contacting a dust-producing material with an emulsion comprising: (a) 20-99.5%, by weight, water and (b) the balance a composition comprising at least one methacrylate polymer, at least one hydrophobic liquid, and at least one emulsifying surfactant. The instant invention is also directed to the above described emulsions.