Abstract: A method of preparing a plasticised particulate polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composition is provided, comprising: mixing, in a mixer, at a mixer speed and for a time sufficient that the mixture attains a temperature of at least 50° C.: particulate PVA resin in an amount from 80% to 90% by weight of the mixture; and plasticiser in an amount from 10% to 20% by weight of the mixture, wherein at least a portion of the plasticiser is water; monitoring the apparent viscosity of the mixture during mixing and continuing mixing until the apparent viscosity of the mixture has peaked to a maximum and dropped off to a substantially constant level, thereby to obtain a plasticised particulate mixture having a moisture content in the range from 7% to 14%; preferably adding an anti-caking agent in an amount from 0.05% to 0.

Abstract: An additive for improving the transfer efficiency of paint comprises an ultra high molecular weight polymer dissolved in a solvent selected from the group consisting of glycol ethers, halogenated aromatic materials and combinations thereof. UHMW acrylic polymers are one preferred group of polymers, and materials with a molecular weight in the range of 8,000,000-12,000,000 are particularly preferred. Also disclosed are methods for using the additive.

Abstract: An additive for improving the transfer efficiency of paint comprises an ultra high molecular weight polymer dissolved in a solvent selected from the group consisting of glycol ethers, halogenated aromatic materials and combinations thereof. UHMW acrylic polymers are one preferred group of polymers, and materials with a molecular weight in the range of 8,000,000-12,000,000 are particularly preferred. Also disclosed are methods for using the additive.

Abstract: Calcium carbonate sludge from sugar beet refining is recycled for use as a blast cleaning medium; and contaminate blast cleaning media is employed in the manufacture of cement. Also disclosed herein is the use of pumice as an additive to enhance the efficiency of blast cleaning media.

Abstract: A paint-stripping composition comprises, on a weight basis, at least 20% of a benzyl alcohol, together with 5-30% of methylene chloride, 1-10% of hydrogen peroxide and 10-60% of water. The composition may also include auxiliary ingredients such as thickeners, evaporation retardants, surfactants, pH control agents, accelerators, corrosion inhibitors, preservatives, coloring agents, and fragrances.

Abstract: Described is a method of separating and recovering metal values from a waste stream containing metal hydroxides comprising the steps of providing an aqueous waste stream containing metal values including chromium; subjecting the waste stream to an oxidation process to convert the chromium to chromium (VI); precipitating the other metal values in the aqueous stream by adjusting the pH of the stream to cause the precipitations; and separately recovering the chromium (VI) from the remaining metal values. The process described pertains to separating and recovering metal values such as those from an electroplating process or an electroless process wherein the metals may be iron, cobalt, zinc, cadmium, nickel, copper, silver, aluminum and chromium. The chromium recovery step is performed by oxidizing chromium (III) to chromium (VI) preferably in the presence of a manganese catalyst and preferably utilizing ultrasound waves. The remaining metal values are separated by the use of a chelating ion exchange resin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composition of matter useful for stripping paint and varnish from substrates comprised of the conventional industrial chlorinated solvents, e.g. methylene chloride (dichloromethane) solvent and a wax, such as paraffin wax, which composition is improved by the addition thereto of a novel class of evaporation retarding chemicals resulting in a far more effective stripping action and a much improved environmentally desirable composition, with respect to the concentration of methylene chloride in the ambient atmosphere surrounding the work situs. The evaporation retarding chemical can be a surfactant, a resin plasticizer or ethylene or propylene carbonate.

Abstract: A process for enhancing coal by removing the gangue (rock, shale, iron pyrites and the like) associated with the mined coal as it comes from the crushers before further treatment. The process described slurries the crushed run of the mine (ROM) coal with a heavy medium, such as perchloroethylene, for a short period of time at ambient or below temperatures, (i.e. slurry times of 5-30 minutes and temperatures of 90.degree. C. to below -10.degree. C.); thereafter allowing, in a substantially quiescent environment, the solids to settle or float as their inherent densities are greater or lesser respectively than the density of the heavy medium. After settling the float solids (mostly coal of lower sulfur and ash content) are separated from the heavy medium as one stream and the sink solids (mostly the gangue) as a second stream. These solids are each washed with hot (90.degree. C.-100.degree. C.) water and the vapor azeotrope which forms from the water and heavy medium mixture (azeotrope) removed.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming clear PET resin from bottles and other containers is disclosed. PET resin contaminated with a hot melt type polyethylene copolymer based glue is treated with a chlorinated solvent and optionally subjected to azeotropic drying.

Abstract: The in situ production of hydrochloric acid in a subterranean formation to increase the flow of gas or oil therefrom by decomposing a polyhalohydrocarbon in the formation is accomplished at lower temperature by injecting the polyhalohydrocarbon together with isopropyl alcohol or a Lewis acid, e.g. FeCl.sub.3, or a mixture of the alcohol and Lewis acid.

Abstract: Compositions containing 80 to 99 percent by volume of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons and 1 to 20 percent by volume of an alkylene glycol alkanoate or an alkylene glycol ether alkanoate have been found to be excellent for use in the vapor reflow of organic surfaces when the composition is employed in a superheated vaporous state.

Abstract: Compositions containing 80 to 90 percent by volume of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons and 1 to 20 percent by volume of an alkylene glycol alkanoate or an alkylene glycol ether alkanoate have been found to be excellent for use in the vapor reflow of organic surfaces.