Abstract: A method is provided for measuring an electrolytically-active species concentration in an aqueous or non-aqueous solution for use in providing control of the concentration of the species in a source solution thereof based on the measurements. In the method, a sample containing an electrolytically-active species is added into a measurement cell that has a working electrode and an auxiliary electrode, and a constant current is applied to the measurement cell while the working and auxiliary electrodes are in contact with the sample with monitoring of voltage difference across the electrodes until a change in the voltage difference is detected. A feedback signal is generated based on a parameter of the change in the voltage difference that is directly proportional to the amount of the electrolytically-active species in the sample, which can be used for process control. An apparatus is also described.

Abstract: Microbicidal aqueous solutions including (a) monochloramine and (b) at least one peracid, are described. Components (a) and (b) can be present in an effective amount to control the growth of at least one microorganism and the aqueous solution is at a pH of from about 5 to about 12. Methods for controlling the growth of microorganisms are also disclosed.

Abstract: Microbicidal compositions including (a) monochloramine and (b) at least one peracid, are described. Components (a) and (b) can be present in a synergistically effective amount to control the growth of at least one microorganism. Methods for controlling the growth of microorganisms with the application of the monochloramine and at least one peracid are also disclosed.

Abstract: Microbicidal aqueous solutions including (a) monochloramine and (b) at least one peracid, are described. Components (a) and (b) can be present in an effective amount to control the growth of at least one microorganism and the aqueous solution is at a pH of from about 5 to about 12. Methods for controlling the growth of microorganisms are also disclosed.

Abstract: Microbicidal compositions including (a) monochloramine and (b) at least one peracid, are described. Components (a) and (b) can be present in a synergistically effective amount to control the growth of at least one microorganism. Methods for controlling the growth of microorganisms with the application of the monochloramine and at least one peracid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction is provided. The method involves measuring a temperature of a first reactant flowing at a first flow rate, contacting the first reactant with a second reactant flowing at a second flow rate to form a reaction product, measuring the temperature of the reaction product, and determining the temperature difference between the temperature of the first reactant and the temperature of the reaction product. The method can further involve adjusting the flow rate of at least one of the first reactant and the second reactant, or shutting down flow, based on the temperature difference. An apparatus to carry out the method is also provided. The method and apparatus can be useful in controlling many different reactions, including the reaction of sodium hypochlorite and ammonia to form monochloramine.

Abstract: The compositions and methods for control of microbial growth, for example, in oil and gas field fluids. The present invention also relates to microbicides, and more particularly, to the use of biocides in gas and oil field fluids.

Abstract: A method and composition is described for controlling the growth of fouling materials, such as scale, in aqueous systems using a tagged (fluorescent) polymer. The tagged polymer can be a fluorescent polymer which has at least one fluorescent monomeric unit derived from a fluorophore which has at least one terminal end comprising an olefinic group. The method of controlling the growth of at least one fouling material in an aqueous system can include the steps of adding the tagged polymer to the aqueous system to be treated, fluorometrically monitoring the concentration of the tagged polymer, and adjusting, as needed, the concentration of the tagged polymer and proportionally used water treatment compound or compounds effective to control the growth of at least one fouling material. The adjustment of pH before determination of the fluorescence signal can be employed to increase sensitivity of the fluorophore and minimize background interference.

Abstract: The compositions and methods for control of microbial growth, for example, in oil and gas field fluids. The present invention also relates to microbicides, and more particularly, to the use of biocides in gas and oil field fluids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating an aqueous system for biocide control, by adding an acidified solution that includes monoalkyldithiocarbamate salt and alkyl isothiocyanate to an aqueous system. A biocide feed system is also provided that is configured to generate a reproducible level of alkyl isothiocyanate. The method and system provide effective levels of alkyl isothiocyanate for rapid biocidal activity, along with levels of monoalkyldithiocarbamate salt which can decompose to form additional alkyl isothiocyanate and provide longer-term biocidal activity.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the growth of bacteria in ethanol fermentation systems with antibiotic alternatives, which can be nonoxidizing biocides, stabilized oxidizers, or any combinations thereof, are described. As an option, a process or composition of the present invention can include one or more polycyclic antibacterial peptides. The methods can provide improvements, such as increased ethanol yields with minimal carryover of biocide into co-products of the processes.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the growth of bacteria in ethanol fermentation systems with antibiotic alternatives, which can be nonoxidizing biocides, stabilized oxidizers, or any combinations thereof, are described. As an option, a process or composition of the present invention can include one or more polycyclic antibacterial peptides. The methods can provide improvements, such as increased ethanol yields with minimal carryover of biocide into co-products of the processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting corrosion of a metal surface with at least one alkyl sulfamic acid or salt thereof to the metal surface in an amount effective to inhibit corrosion of the metal surface. The alkyl sulfamic acid or salt thereof can be applied in any suitable manner to the metal surface, for example, flowing, coating, sponging, wiping, spraying, painting, showering, and/or misting.

Abstract: A method of controlling an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction is provided. The method involves measuring a temperature of a first reactant flowing at a first flow rate, contacting the first reactant with a second reactant flowing at a second flow rate to form a reaction product, measuring the temperature of the reaction product, and determining the temperature difference between the temperature of the first reactant and the temperature of the reaction product. The method can further involve adjusting the flow rate of at least one of the first reactant and the second reactant, or shutting down flow, based on the temperature difference. An apparatus to carry out the method is also provided. The method and apparatus can be useful in controlling many different reactions, including the reaction of sodium hypochlorite and ammonia to form monochloramine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating an aqueous system for biocide control, by adding an acidified solution that includes monoalkyldithiocarbamate salt and alkyl isothiocyanate to an aqueous system. A biocide feed system is also provided that is configured to generate a reproducible level of alkyl isothiocyanate. The method and system provide effective levels of alkyl isothiocyanate for rapid biocidal activity, along with levels of monoalkyldithiocarbamate salt which can decompose to form additional alkyl isothiocyanate and provide longer-term biocidal activity.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring an electrolytically-active species concentration in an aqueous or non-aqueous solution for use in providing control of the concentration of the species in a source solution thereof based on the measurements. In the method, a sample containing an electrolytically-active species is added into a measurement cell that has a working electrode and an auxiliary electrode, and a constant current is applied to the measurement cell while the working and auxiliary electrodes are in contact with the sample with monitoring of voltage difference across the electrodes until a change in the voltage difference is detected. A feedback signal is generated based on a parameter of the change in the voltage difference that is directly proportional to the amount of the electrolytically-active species in the sample, which can be used for process control. An apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A method and composition is described for controlling the growth of fouling materials, such as scale, in aqueous systems using a tagged (fluorescent) polymer. The tagged polymer can be a fluorescent polymer which has at least one fluorescent monomeric unit derived from a fluorophore which has at least one terminal end comprising an olefinic group. The method of controlling the growth of at least one fouling material in an aqueous system can include the steps of adding the tagged polymer to the aqueous system to be treated, fluorometrically monitoring the concentration of the tagged polymer, and adjusting, as needed, the concentration of the tagged polymer and proportionally used water treatment compound or compounds effective to control the growth of at least one fouling material. The adjustment of pH before determination of the fluorescence signal can be employed to increase sensitivity of the fluorophore and minimize background interference.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the growth of bacteria in ethanol fermentation systems with antibiotic alternatives, which can be nonoxidizing biocides, stabilized oxidizers, or any combinations thereof, are described. As an option, a process or composition of the present invention can include one or more polycyclic antibacterial peptides. The methods can provide improvements, such as increased ethanol yields with minimal carryover of biocide into co-products of the processes.

Abstract: The invention is a method to inhibit the growth of at least one microorganism in an aqueous system capable of supporting such growth. This includes controlling, and preferably preventing, slime formation in the aqueous system. The method mixes a persulfate salt, a bromide salt, and water under conditions sufficient to form an active bromine-containing, [Br+], solution and then adds an effective amount of the active bromine-containing solution to an aqueous system to inhibit the growth of at least one microorganism in the aqueous system. Also, the invention is a method to inhibit the growth of at least one microorganism on a substrate capable of supporting such growth. The method contacts the substrate with an effective amount of active bromine-containing solution to inhibit the growth of at least one microorganism on the substrate. Combining an amine source with the persulfate salt and bromide salts generates an active bromine-containing solution which also contains bromamines.

Abstract: The invention relates to control fungal growth on tanned hides, using cyanodithiocarbimates of formula (I): X is a halogen; R is a substituted or unsubstituted C1–C14 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C2–C14 alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C2–C14 alkynyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted group defined by Y—Ar—(CH2)m— or by Z—(CH2)n—; Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group selected from phenyl, or naphthyl; Y is H, halogen, NO2, R1, R1O, R1R2N; Z is NC, R1O, R1OC(O), R1OCH2CH2(OCH2CH2)p m ranges from 0 to 3; n ranges from 0 to 3; p ranges from 0 to 3; and R1 and R2 are independently H, substituted or unsubstituted C1–C5 alkyl.