Abstract: A fire extinguishment composition is provided which demonstrates excellent synergistic effects of component materials. The fire extinguishment composition includes an effective amount of a first flame extinguishment agent and an effective amount of a second flame extinguishment agent. The first flame extinguishment agent may be any chemical substance which is capable of extinguishing a flame by decreasing the amount of oxygen concentration in an atmosphere required to support combustion, by decreasing the flame temperature, or combinations of the two mechanisms. The second flame extinguishing agent is any chemical substance which is capable of releasing an effective amount of chemical fragments so as to interfere with a chemical chain mechanism responsible for propagation of the flame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for determining surface tension of a liquid or interfacial tension between two dissimilar liquids by using a rigidly suspended probe with small sample sizes and by measuring probe force using a top-loading balance used for supporting the container of liquids under test. When a small sample size in a small container is used, capillary action between a probe and the container walls enhances the measured force, and an adjustment factor for the capillary action must be applied. A probe rigidly suspended to overcome capillary action between the probe and walls permits such measurements. For any sized sample, in accordance with Isaac Newton's third law of equal and opposite forces acting between objects, the force required for lifting a probe vertically from a liquid is equivalent to the reduction in weight of the liquid and container.

Abstract: A method for removing anions from water is provided. A complexing agent, such as a cationic polyelectrolyte, is added to untreated water. The cationic polyelectrolyte complexes with anions, such as chromate, and the complex if filtered out of the water. The complex is then treated with a regeneration agent, such as barium chloride or lead chloride to precipitate ions and to regenerate the complexing agent. The regenerated complexing agent can be reused for water treatment.

Abstract: A method for removing toxic anions from water is provided. A complexing agent, such as a cationic polyelectrolyte, is added to untreated water. The cationic polyelectrolyte complexes with anions, such as chromate, and the complex is filtered out of the water. The complex is then treated with barium chloride, lead chloride, aluminum, iron, or zinc to precipitate chromium ions and to regenerate the complexing agent. The regenerated complexing agent can be reused for water treatment.

Abstract: A method for reducing the concentration of target co-ions in a liquid feed mixture comprising target co-ions and counter-ions by adding a colloid such as a polyelectrolyte or surfactant comprising a colloidal ion and colloidal counter-ions to the feed mixture wherein the colloidal ion has the same type of charge as the target co-ion. The feed mixture containing the colloid is filtered through an ultrafiltration membrane having pores small enough to block the passage of the colloidal ion.