Abstract: A vacuum impregnation system and processes that subject a part to a vacuum, immerse the part in a polymer impregnating liquid, and apply positive pressure to the part to introduce the polymer impregnating liquid into part porosities, releasing the pressure to atmospheric pressure and solidifying the polymer impregnating liquid, preferably without an active polymerization step.

Abstract: A circuit board water-proofing coating composition is provided comprising: at least one passivating agent, preferably containing a molecule comprising a thio-functional group, desirably a thiol group, an azolic moiety, or an azole, and combinations thereof; at least one binder component comprising an organic or inorganic film-forming polymer, and/or one or more polymer pre-cursors polymerizable on a substrate surface; and optionally one or more additive(s); also provided are methods of making and using the coating composition and coated circuit boards.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process that utilizes a modified Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) process to form a water-resistant coating in situ on a substrate. The process uses solvent soluble monomers, initiator and ligand to form a solvent insoluble water-resistant polymer coating that is deposited directly onto a metal trace on the substrate. The process is especially useful for providing a water-resistant coating to the circuits on a printed circuit board, wearable electronics, and biological sensors. The process can be run in an aqueous solvent in the open atmosphere and does not require a vacuum, heating steps or masking. The coating is deposited only on the metal trace and closely adjacent areas of the substrate.

Abstract: A process and a system for cleaning excess aluminum from coating baths, e.g. anodization bath solutions, so that they can be reused in an effective manner is provided. The process comprises first passing a portion of the anodization bath solution having excess aluminum through a strong acid cation exchange column in a Na+ form, allowing the effluent to age thereby precipitating cryolite from the effluent; removing the precipitated cryolite from the effluent and then passing the effluent through a strong acid cation exchange column in the NH4+ form, in a preferred embodiment back through the first column, to restore NH4+ to the anodization bath solution and then adding the effluent back in to the anodization bath solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for removing iron cations and/or zinc cations from an autodeposition coating bath by passing a limited number of bed volumes through a column containing a gel type SAC IEX resin when iron cations are to be removed and passing a substantially larger number of bed volumes through the column when zinc cations are to be removed. To prevent clogging when zinc cations are being removed the direction of the flow through the column is periodically reversed.

Abstract: A process for concentrating sterols and/or tocopherols from mixtures of fats and fatty derivatives and from residues left after they have been worked up is described. After splitting of the glycerides by hydrolysis and subsequent removal of the free fatty acids by distillation, the tocopherol/sterol esters still present are largely split into free tocopherols/sterols by an additional hydrolysis step.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for removing iron cations and/or zinc cations from an autodeposition coating bath by passing a limited number of bed volumes through a column containing a gel type SAC IEX resin when iron cations are to be removed and passing a substantially larger number of bed volumes through the column when zinc cations are to be removed. To prevent clogging when zinc cations are being removed the direction of the flow through the column is periodically reversed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for isolating sterols and tocopherols from mixtures of fats and fatty derivatives and from residues left after they have been worked up. After splitting of the glycerides by hydrolysis and subsequent removal of the free fatty acids by distillation, the sterol esters still present are largely split into free sterols by an additional hydrolysis step.

Abstract: A process for recovering isoflavone values from a biomass in which the isoflavone values are extracted from the biomass with a selective solvent for the isoflavone values, solid isoflavone values and the selective solvent are contacted with a nonsolvent or antisolvent for the isoflavone value which is miscible with the selective solvent. Optionally the nonsolvent or antisolvent is admixed with water during the contact with the solid isoflavone values to improve the purity and recovery of the solid isoflavone values.

Abstract: A process for producing a low sulfate organic sulfonate/sulfate aqueous solution from a soluble sulfate containing organic sulfonate/sulfate which comprises forming an aqueous solution of organic sulfonate/sulfate; and passing the aqueous solution of the organic sulfonate/sulfate containing the soluble sulfate over a nanofiltration zone at an elevated pressure to form a retentate with a reduced sulfate content and a permeate containing the soluble sulfate and organic material.

Abstract: A process for preparing high detergency or surfactant alkyl polyglycoside compositions and a purified alkyl monoglycoside and to compositions employing the polyglycosides for various end use applications. The process involves removal of a substantial portion of the monoglycoside present in a reaction product mixture containing alkyl polyglycosides resulting from the reaction of an alcohol and saccharide at elevated temperatures in the presence of an acid catalyst. Separation of the monoglycoside from the reaction product mixture may be carried out by molecular distillation.

Abstract: The use of selected cation exchange resins to remove dissolved multivalent cations ions such as iron, zinc, and chromium from used autodeposition compositions permits reuse of the autodeposition compositions without the need for added surfactant and without developing any undesirable graininess or other texture in the coatings formed. Iminodiacetate cation exchange resins are very effective for removing iron ions when they are the only multivalent ions to be removed, and can be efficiently regenerated with 0.5 to 4% by weight aqueous hydrofluoric acid. By proper choice of other cation exchange resins and operating conditions, zinc can be selectively extracted from autodeposition baths containing both iron and zinc, and either iron or zinc can be selectively displaced from the loaded ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A process for preparing high detergency or surfactant alkyl polyglycoside compositions and a purified alkyl monoglycoside and to compositions employing the polyglycosides for various end use applications. The process involves removal of a substantial portion of the monoglycoside present in a reaction product mixture containing alkyl polyglycosides resulting from the reaction of an alcohol and saccharide at elevated temperatures in the presence of an acid catalyst. Separation of the monoglycoside from the reaction product mixture may be carried out by molecular distillation.

Abstract: A system automated for providing at least periodic removal of metal ions and contaminants from a chemical bath, consists of a microprocessor programmed for controlling fluid circuits of pumps and valves, for in one state of operation circulating a first predetermined quantity of the chemical bath from a first tank, through an ion exchange column, and back to the first tank; for in a second state of operation circulating deionized water from a second tank into the IEX column for displacing residual chemical bath therefrom for return to the first tank; for in a third state of operation circulating deionized water through the IEX column, and discharging the rinse water from a waste port; for in a fourth state of operation circulating regenerant acid through the ion exchange column, and discharging the used acid from a waste port; for in a fifth state of operation circulating deionized water through the IEX column for rinsing acid regenerant therefrom and discharging the same out of a waste port; and for in a six

Abstract: A process for the separation of naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensates from water is provided. The process comprises contacting a mixture comprised of water and a naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensate (preferably a material selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde condensates of naphthalenesulfonic acids, formaldehyde condensates of lower-alkyl substituted naphthalenesulfonic acids, and mixtures of two or more of such materials) with a liquid organic phase comprised of a cationic lipophilic amine to form an aqueous phase depleted with respect to said mixture of naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensate and a liquid organic phase enriched in naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensate. The process further comprises separating said aqueous phase depleted with respect to said minute of naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensate and said liquid organic phase enriched with respect to naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensate.

Abstract: A system automated for providing at least periodic removal of metal ions and contaminants from a chemical bath, consists of a microprocessor programmed for controlling fluid circuits of pumps and valves, for in one state of operation circulating a first predetermined quantity of the chemical bath from a first tank, through an ion exchange column, and back to the first tank; for in a second state of operation circulating deionized water from a second tank into the IEX column for displacing residual chemical bath therefrom for return to the first tank; for in a third state of operation circulating deionized water through the IEX column, and discharging the rinse water from a waste port; for in a fourth state of operation circulating regenerant acid through the ion exchange column, and discharging the used acid from a waste port; for in a fifth state of operation circulating deionized water through the IEX column for rinsing acid regenerant therefrom and discharging the same out of a waste port; and for in a six

Abstract: A system automated for providing at least periodic removal of metal ions and contaminants from a chemical bath, consists of a microprocessor programmed for controlling fluid circuits of pumps and valves, for in one state of operation circulating a first predetermined quantity of the chemical bath from a first tank, through an ion exchange column, and back to the first tank; for in a second state of operation circulating deigned water from a second tank into the IEX column for displacing residual chemical bath therefrom for return to the first tank; for in a third state of operation circulating deigned water through the IEX column, and discharging the rinse water from a waste port; for in a fourth state of operation circulating regenerate acid through the ion exchange column, and discharging the used acid from a waste port; for in a fifth state of operation circulating deionized water through the IEX column for rinsing acid regenerate therefrom and discharging the same out of a waste port; and for in a sixth s

Abstract: Apparatus for use in an ion exchange unit or column comprising a riser pipe, a port coupled to one end of said pipe, a first rigid cylinder having apertures therein mounted concentrically on the pipe, a port coupled to the space between the pipe and said cylinder, a mesh sleeve concentrically mounted about the cylinder, a sieve mounted about the mesh sleeve, a second rigid cylinder concentric with the pipe and near its outer end, a second mesh sleeve mounted about said second rigid cylinder and a sieve bag containing the second mesh sleeve. The aperture size in said sieve material is only sufficiently fine to prevent the passage of ion exchange resin beads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for automated periodic removal of metal ions and contaminants from a chemical bath comprising a latex solution containing charged latex particles and having an acidic pH, used for forming a coating by autodeposition. The system includes a tank containing a chemical bath, an ion exchange column for removing the metal ion contaminants, circulating pump, metal composition sensors, and equipment for regeneration of the ion exchange column. The system particularly includes a filter located at the inlet to the ion exchange column for removing solid particulates, including coagulated latex and debris from the coating solution, while permitting the uncoagulated latex particles to pass through to the ion exchange column.

Abstract: A process for the separation of naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensates from water is provided. The process comprises contacting a mixture comprised of water and a naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensate (preferably a material selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde condensates of naphthalenesulfonic acids, formaldehyde condensates of lower-alkyl substituted naphthalenesulfonic acids, and mixtures of two or more of such materials) with a liquid organic phase comprised of a cationic lipophilic amine to form an aqueous phase depleted with respect to said mixture of naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensate and a liquid organic phase enriched in naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensate. The process further comprises separating said aqueous phase depleted with respect to said mixture of naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensate and said liquid organic phase enriched with respect to naphthalenesulfonate-based carbonyl condensate.