Abstract: Aqueous and substantially anhydrous fluids having particularly low thermal conductivities and variable densities are disclosed. The fluids include: one or more organic and/or inorganic salts and at least one aprotic polar organic solvent, a mixture of aprotic and protic polar organic solvents, and/or a polar organic solvent having both protic and aprotic polar functional group linkages. The fluids optionally include one or more viscosifying agents and are free of cross-linking agents. Methods for formulating and using the fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aqueous and substantially anhydrous fluids having particularly low thermal conductivities and variable densities are disclosed. The fluids include: one or more organic and/or inorganic salts and at least one aprotic polar organic solvent, a mixture of aprotic and protic polar organic solvents, and/or a polar organic solvent having both protic and aprotic polar functional group linkages. The fluids optionally include one or more viscosifying agents and are free of cross-linking agents. Methods for formulating and using the fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aqueous and substantially anhydrous fluids having particularly low thermal conductivities and variable densities are disclosed. The fluids include: one or more organic and/or inorganic salts and at least one aprotic polar organic solvent, a mixture of aprotic and protic polar organic solvents, and/or a polar organic solvent having both protic and aprotic polar functional group linkages. The fluids optionally include one or more viscosifying agents and are free of cross-linking agents. Methods for formulating and using the fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aqueous and substantially anhydrous fluids having particularly low thermal conductivities and variable densities are disclosed. The fluids include: one or more organic and/or inorganic salts and at least one aprotic polar organic solvent, a mixture of aprotic and erotic polar organic solvents, and/or a polar organic solvent having both prone and aprotic polar functional group linkages. The fluids optionally include one or more viscosifying agents and are free of cross-linking agents. Methods for formulating and using the fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the removal of iron from aqueous solutions. The methods involve facilitating formation of an iron salt precipitate by introducing a source of anions to the solution and adjusting the pH of the solution through the addition of one or more acids, separating the iron salt precipitate from the aqueous solution, and removing residual anions in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for applying halide brine to surfaces requiring protection against freeze conditions, inhibition of snow and ice accumulating, deicing or freeze retardation, for example, or dust control with limited corrosion is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of forming an admixture of polyhydroxy carboxylate and polyalkoxylated amine dispersed in an halide brine solution in an amount effective to inhibit corrosion; and applying the admixture to surfaces. The method of this invention can be used to limit corrosion in the application of a halide brine to surfaces of dust-producing materials as well as surfaces requiring protection against freeze conditions.