Abstract: An improved coal-water slurry of the type comprising at least 45% by weight of finely divided coal particles and a dispersing agent, said slurry being characterized as having a Brookfield viscosity at 60 rpm of less than 4,000 centipoise, the improvement which comprises adjusting the pH of said slurry to at least 6 and using as the dispersing agent, a water-soluble salt of an olefin/maleic acid copolymer having a molecular weight within the range of about between 3,000-50,000.

Abstract: Substituted succinic acids and salts thereof having the formula: ##STR1## where R is H or ##STR2## and M is H, alkali metal, or an amine, are useful as chelants and stabilizers for heavy metal ions.

Abstract: A series of microbicides which show 1- and 24-hour kill, 48-hour inhibition, and satisfactory simulated cooling tower inhibition against microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae prevalent in aqueous systems. The compounds are (2-hydroxy R) polyamines produced by reacting an R substituted alkylene oxide utilized in 1-2 mole quantities and reacted with a molar amount of an alkylene polyamine. The R substituent on the alkylene oxide is preferably alkyl where the chain length may be C.sub.6 -C.sub.20 as in epoxy alkanes, which may be straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated. The R substituent may also be aryl, aralkyl, or alkaryl, such as styrene oxide. The compounds are known as mono and bis (2-hydroxy R) polyamines depending upon whether 1 or 2 moles of the alkylene oxide are utilized. Protection in simulated cooling tower operation is achieved by dosages ranging as low as 1 ppm with an effective dosage range of 1-100 ppm.