Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting corrosion of metal surfaces in a furnace system are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, pulverized coal is burned as fuel in the presence of a copper ion catalyst/combustion aid. Corrosion is inhibited in these systems by the use of a blend of primary aminoalcohol such as 2-aminoethanol, tertiary aminoalcohol such as triethanol amine, and boric acid or water soluble salt form of the acid.

Abstract: A method of decreasing the viscosity of a mineral ore slurry is disclosed. The method comprises adding to a mineral ore slurry a viscosity modifying treatment such as copolymers of maleic anhydride and diisobutylene; copolymers of acrylic acid and allyl hydroxypropyl sulfonate ether, terpolymers of acrylic acid and 2-acrylamide-2-methypropane sulphonic acid salt and t-butyl acrylamide; copolymers of acrylic acid and polyethyleneglycol monoallyl ether sulfate; and copolymers of acrylic acid and 2-acrylamide-2-methypropane sulphonic acid salt; pentaphosphonates; polymethacrylates; and mixtures thereof to the mineral ore slurry.