Abstract: An air aspirating nozzle for propelling a stream of foam or a slurry of solid particulates to a target surface includes a stream shaping member within the nozzle to form a rotating, columnar stream of liquid and air that maintains a high degree of coherence over a considerable throw distance. The stream shaping member includes a cylindrical body portion held axially in place within the nozzle body by a plurality of vanes extending between the body portion and the inner nozzle wall. The vanes are arranged in a forward-raked attitude, and the vane surfaces are configured to impart a rotation to a fluid column passing through the nozzle.

Abstract: The performance and throw distance of a nozzle discharging a water stream is enhanced by injecting a liquified gas, suitably liquid nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide, into the water entering the nozzle at a point sufficently upstream from the nozzle to allow complete vaporization or solidification of the liquified gas before it leaves the nozzle. A second material, that may be a foam producing composition or a particulate solid, may be introduced into the water entering the nozzle simultaneously with the introduction of the liquified gas.

Abstract: A plurality of relatively high pressure, but low velocity, liquid entry streams, that may be of different pressures and flow rates, are directly combined to form a single exit stream of higher velocity but lower pressure by merging the streams in a waterway having an elongated, generally ovoid shape. The entering streams are arranged in an equi-spaced relationship about the longitudinal axis of the waterway, and the cross-section of each entering stream is configured as an ellipse that is oriented with the major ellipse axis generally parallel to the waterway longitudinal axis, but offset therefrom by a small angle. The entering streams mesh and rotate within the waterway to form a unified exit stream.

Abstract: Fires in tanks storing combustible liquids are extinguished using water from a settled layer at the tank bottom to form a foam that is transported to the top of the combustible liquid by the lifting action of an inert gas stream introduced into the tank at a location below the liquid surface. A stream of water is removed from the tank, mixed with a foam-forming concentrate, merged with a flowing stream of inert gas, and circulated back to the tank at a point below the surface of the stored liquid to form an upwelling foam column which explodes upon the liquid surface and spreads across that surface to extinguish the fire and prevent its reignition.

Abstract: A dry, particulate sorbent composition containing an organic absorbent, a combustible adsorbent, a water swellable polymer and a water soluble polymer is used to soak up and contain flammable liquids and to render the resulting product fire-safe by misting the product surface with water. Water contacting the polymers contained in the sorbent composition forms with those polymers a surface film which is resistant to the passage of combustible gases thus rendering the sorbed mass fire-safe even when briefly exposed to an open flame.

Abstract: Fires in tanks storing combustible liquids are extinguished by injecting a mixture of water, a foam-forming concentrate and an inert gas into the tank at a point below the surface of the stored liquid forming an upwelling foam column which explodes upon the liquid surface and spreads across that surface to extinguish the fire and prevent its reignition.

Abstract: Particles of water soluble polymers such as poly(olefin oxides) are formulated to readily dissolve without agglomerating by associating polymer particles with particles of gas producing compounds, suitably a bicarbonate and an acid salt, which are non-reactive to the polymer but produce gas when wetted with water whereby the generated gas maintains polymer particles in separation as the particles dissolve.

Abstract: An air aspirating nozzle for propelling a stream of foam or a slurry of solid particulates to a target surface includes a stream shaping member within the nozzle to form a rotating, columnar stream of liquid and air which maintains a high degree of coherence over a considerable throw distance. The nozzle assembly may include a flow control unit for the introduction of a foam concentrate or a fluid suspension of particulate solids into the nozzle.

Abstract: The performance of mechanical skimmers for the removal of oil from water is enhanced through use of an oil-avid contacting member consisting of a non-woven mat of oleophilic fibers; the fiber surfaces having a film coating of a non-crosslinked rubber. A drum-type skimmer having the drum surfaces covered with such an oil-avid mat may be operated at very high rim speeds to obtain high rates of oil recovery with little water contamination. A process for coating the fiber surfaces with a rubber film is also disclosed.

Abstract: Flammable liquids are soaked up and rendered safe from ignition by mixing with the liquid a particulate composition containing an absorbent solid, a first high molecular weight polymer soluble in the flammable liquid, a dry chemical fire extinguishing agent and, optionally, a second polymer which is not soluble in the flammable liquid but is soluble in water. The first polymer gels the flammable liquid and the solution of polymer and liquid serves to adhesively bind particles of absorbent solid together while the second polymer when wet with water forms a non-combustible film over all exposed surfaces.

Abstract: Fires, particularly fires of flammable liquids, are extinguished by applying to the burning surface an extinguishing composition containing particles of a thermoplastic polymer, suitably a rubber. The polymer particles are arranged in association with a sufficient quantity of a chemical extinguishing agent to protect the polymer particles during transit through flame to the burning surface. Upon striking the surface of a flammable liquid the polymer dissolves therein causing the liquid to gel and concentrating fire extinguishing agents on the liquid surface thus securing the liquid against reignition.