Abstract: An improved foamable protein hydrolysate based concentrate is provided containing multivalent cations and a water soluble polymer, which remains stable in storage for at least six months and which, when diluted with 10 to 50 parts of water and mixed with air to generate a foam, produces a foam which lasts essentially unchanged for at least three days.

Abstract: Fire-fighting foam effective against burning hydrophilic or polar liquids like lower alcohols, ketones, etc. is made from concentrate containing thixotropic thickener dissolved in large amount, up to 1.5% or more, yet has a tolerable viscosity so that it can be poured or pumped. Heteropolysaccharide-7 or chain-shortened modifications of it are particularly suitable for this purpose. Higher concentrations are made practical by including in the concentrate urea, thiourea, ammonium cyanate or ammonium thiocyanate, to reduce the concentrate's viscosity and keep the polysaccharide from separating out upon freezing. Magnesium salts can also be dissolved in concentrate to improve fire extinguishing action when diluted with fresh water.

Abstract: Fire-fighting foam effective against burning hydrophilic or polar liquids like lower alcohols, ketones, etc. is made from concentrate containing thixotropic thickener dissolved in large amount, up to 1.5% or more, yet has a tolerable viscosity so that it can be poured or pumped. Heteropolysaccharide-7 or chain-shortened modifications of it are particularly suitable for this purpose. Higher concentrations are made practical by including in the concentrate urea, thiourea, ammonium cyanate or ammonium thiocyanate, to reduce the concentrate's viscosity and keep the polysaccharide from separating out upon freezing. Magnesium salts can also be dissolved in concentrate to improve fire extinguishing action when diluted with fresh water.

Abstract: Fire-fighting foam effecting against burning hydrophilic or polar liquids like lower alcohols, ketones, etc. is made from concentrate containing thixotropic thickener dissolved in large amount, yet has a tolerable viscosity particularly when stirred. Heteropolysaccharide-7 or chain-shortened modifications of it are suitable for this purpose. The concentrate can also be made suitable for fighting fires on hydrophobic liquids by adding surfactants that cause aqueous film formation over such liquids.

Abstract: Bot eggs are readily removed from horse's hair by first applying to the eggs a thickened aqueous solution of an imidazoline or betaine surfactant in which the hydrophobe is a C.sub.7 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbyl group. This loosens the adhesion of the eggs so they can be scraped off easily, even by the use of a pad of metal wool.

Abstract: Aqueous foam formed with solution containing thixotropic polysaccharide in addition to foaming agent, will gel when projected onto a burning hydrophilic liquid, and such foam is not destroyed by the liquid, so that it is suitable to fight fires on hydrophilic liquids as well as on hydrophobic liquids and on solids that are compatible with the foam. The thixotropic character enables the ready pumping of the foam and of the solution from which it is formed. A substantial content of N-methyl pyrrolidone-2 in a concentrate for such foam-producing solution can make such concentrate more adaptable for ready dilution and also improves its stability. Urea can be added to help solubilize the polysaccharide, and it will also reduce the viscosity of a concentrate. Other ingredients can also be included such as to form films over hydrophobic liquids to improve the stability of the foam that is formed and to increase the thixotropic action.

Abstract: Aqueous foam formed with a solution containing a thixotropic polysaccharide in addition to foaming agent, will gel when projected onto a burning hydrophilic liquid, and such foam is not destroyed by the liquid, so that it is suitable to fight fires on hydrophilic liquids as well as on hydrophobic liquids and on solids that are compatible with the foam. The thixotropic character enables the ready pumping of the foam and of the solution from which it is formed. A substantial content of N-methyl pyrrolidone-2 in a concentrate for such foam-producing solution makes such concentrate more adaptable for ready dilution and also improves its stability. Other ingredients can also be included such as to form films over hydrophobic liquids to improve the stability of the foam that is formed and to increase the thixotropic action.

Abstract: Certain fluorocarbon surfactants combined with certain silicone surfactants provide mixtures that reduce the surface tension of water to 19 dynes or less per centimeter, and when foamed are particularly effective in fighting fires involving lighter-than-water hydrophobic liquids. Mixtures are further improved with certain other surfactants and use less of the fluorocarbon surfactants to provide fire fighting effectiveness of prior art compositions which do not contain silicone surfactants. Hydrophilic resins and sequestering agents can also be contained in the mixtures.

Abstract: Certain fluorocarbon surfactants combined with certain silicone surfactants provide mixtures that reduce the surface tension of water to 19 dynes or less per centimeter, and when foamed are particularly effective in fighting fires involving lighter-than-water hydrophobic liquids. Mixtures are further improved with certain other surfactants and use less of the fluorocarbon surfactants to provide fire fighting effectiveness of prior art compositions which do not contain silicone surfactants. Hydrophilic resins and sequestering agents can also be contained in the mixtures.