Abstract: A method of stabilizing silica-containing anionic microparticles upon mixing of the silica-containing anionic microparticles with hard water comprising adding one or more hardness-abating additives to the hard water prior to mixing of the hard water and the silica-containing anionic microparticles; or adding an effective stabilizing amount of one or more hardness-abating agents to the silica-containing anionic microparticles prior to mixing of the hard water with the silica-containing anionic microparticles and a stabilized composition comprising silica-containing anionic microparticles and an effective stabilizing amount of one or more hardness-abating additives.

Abstract: A method of providing a continuous, sequential, and cyclic, if desired, liquid feed to a processor from a plurality of containers, which comprises feeding the liquid from a first of the containers through a first conduit to a reservoir having a float valve, to keep the level of the liquid in the reservoir high enough to maintain the float valve in an upper floating position that closes the float valve. The first conduit is uncontrolled by the float valve. The float valve controls a second conduit which connects with a second container. As liquid is withdrawn from the reservoir for processing, liquid from the first conduit and container replenishes the reservoir until it is exhausted. Then, the liquid level drops, and the float valve opens the second conduit for replenishing the reservoir with liquid from the second container. A crossover valve may be used so that the float valve controls flow from either container connected to the second conduit.