Abstract: Used or partially used devices or instruments which have been in contact with animal tissue are decontaminated and made available for reuse by a three step process effective for removal of protein tissue, bone tissue, and lipids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the interior of a container or one or more objects suspended therein comprising generating a fluid vapor column by forming an air column having a direction of air flow. The air column is passed through a heating means, so as to heat the air, and then the cleaning fluid is injected into the air column against the direction of air flow. The fluid vapor column is then brought into contact with the interior of the container so that the vapor condenses on the interior of the container or on objects suspended therein.

Abstract: A part subjected to cleaning is cleaned or rinsed with a cleaning agent or rinsing agent having a nonaqueous type solvent or a hydrophilic solvent as a main component thereof. Then the cleaning agent or rinsing agent adhering to the cleaned or rinsed part subjected to cleaning is removed with a cleaning agent having perfluorocarbon as a main component thereof or the vapor of the cleaning agent. The part is subsequently dried. Otherwise, after the part subjected to cleaning has been cleaned with an aqueous type solvent or wash with water, the part is cleaned and dried with a cleaning agent having perfluorocarbon as a main component thereof or the vapor of the cleaning agent. The cleaning agent having perfluorocarbon as a main component thereof or the vapor of the cleaning agent can be used for cleaning or rinsing the part subjected to cleaning.

Abstract: It has been discovered that organic photoresists may be quickly, conveniently, and completely stripped using a hot hydrogen atmosphere. The substrates are preferably exposed to such atmosphere utilizing a hydrogen conveyor furnace. The gases from the furnace are burned to carbon dioxide and water thereby eliminating the need to dispose of a stripping agent.

Abstract: Contaminated material is treated with heat and steam to remove halogenated organic compounds from the material. The heating temperature can be lowered by admixing an additive with the contaminated material. A short passage of steam at a flow rate of about at least 0.5 pounds of water by weight per minute per ton of soil immediately following the heating and holding stage, substantially removes the halogenated organic contaminants to below ten parts per million in the treated material.

Abstract: The invention is a process for removing oxides, dirt, and organic impurities during repair of airfoils without damaging or effecting surface bond coats or base metal substrates of the airfoils. The process is especially suited for cleaning deep, tortuous cracks in the airfoils prior to brazing or alloying repair operations. The process entails using an autoclave with an organic caustic solution to fully remove the unwanted oxides, dirt, and organic impurities.

Abstract: An improved method for heating the aqueous slurries of soils contaminated with tarry/oily organics and volatile compounds. The method includes the steps of heating the slurry (containing inorganic and carbonaceous solids below 1/8 inch) with atmospheric pressure steam in a specially designed slurry heater(s), contacting the hot (95.degree.-99.degree. C.) slurry with the contaminated feed soil (top size 5 inch) in a hydraulic feeder, processing the resultant slurry in a tumbler at temperatures up to 90.degree. C., separating the -1/8 inch solids from the slurry exiting the tumbler and recycling a portion of the -1/8 inch solids in slurry back to slurry heater(s). In order to reach the required temperature in the tumbler, the -1/8 inch slurry has to travel through the tumbler at mass flow rates 1.5-4.0 times higher as compared to those for the soil feed stream.

Abstract: This invention relates to non-stabilized or at least only lightly stabilized n-propyl bromide-based solvent systems which are suitable for use in the presence of metals which normally and easily catalyze the dehydrobromination of brominated hydrocarbons, such as isopropyl bromide.

Abstract: A process for the removal of organic materials from the surfaces of drive components, particularly for the removal of meltable organic coatings, fillings or damping materials. The organic material is first melted in a bath of the same or similar organic material and an adhering residual film is diluted and stripped off from the preheated drive component by applying tempered oil thereto. After this, a diluting and striping off of a material film, which essentially consists of oil molecules still adhering to the surface, is conducted by applying an organic cleaning agent, which is free of fluorochlorohydrocarbons and chlorohydrocarbons. Then a post-treatment of the surfaces of the drive component is effected by one or more steps of applying diluted cleaning solutions with intermediate rinsing and/or drying steps, in which the cleaning solutions are increasingly diluted stepwise.

Abstract: Avivage deposits on and between the dents of a reed, especially in an air weaving loom, are removed by heating at least a portion of the reed dents in the vicinity of the weft insertion channel to a temperature sufficient to melt the avivage which can then be discharged from the reed dents and the spaces between the reed dents by dripping downwardly, for example, into a collecting trough.

Abstract: Stripping contaminants/impurities from a filter includes subjecting the filter to a negative gauge pressure and applying superheated solvent vapor to the filter while maintaining the negative gauge pressure. The filter can be heated prior to being subjected to the negative gauge pressure. The superheated vapor may be composed of the same compounds as impurities being removed from the filter. The filter may be an activated carbon filter.

Abstract: A process for removing accumulated meltable matter from a pipe includes introducing inside a pipe a cylindrical travelling element or pig made of low density, high elasticity foam. A mixture of reagents which, after a certain period of time will cause a highly exothermic reaction to occur, is introduced inside the pig so that by displacing the pig the meltable deposits within the pipe will melt and will be carried by the pig to a place from which they will be removed together with the pig.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a fixture utilized in an electrostatic spray painting process to remove adhered paint particles from the fixture utilizing inductive heating to heat the paint particles to a temperature sufficient to thermally decompose the paint particles to ash and gaseous combustion products. Also disclosed are apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing a thermal barrier coating that has been deposited on the surface of an article. Thermal barrier coatings that can be removed by the process of this invention are generally composed of a ceramic layer that is bonded to the surface of an article by a metallic bond layer. The process generally involves heating the article and its thermal barrier coating to a temperature of at least about 870.degree. C., and exposing the thermal barrier coating to a halogen-containing agent for a duration sufficient to deteriorate the bond between the thermal barrier coating and the article to the extent that the coating separates from the article without damaging the underlying surface. The process can be carried out within various types of heated enclosures, including those within which the halogen-containing agent is introduced in a gaseous state, or those in which the halogen-containing agent can be prepared as a powder mixture that changes to a vapor when heated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to minimize contamination in a furnace comprising placing a case to accommodate material to be heat treated in the furnace, forming a gas flow into the case from inside of the furnace, heating the work maintained in the case to evaporate organic matters contained in the work, evacuating the vapor containing the organic matter to the outside of the furnace through an internal evacuation duct provided through the furnace, liquefying the vapor containing the organic matters under reduced pressure by introducing same into a liquefying trap and thereafter continuously collecting these liquefied organic matters.

Abstract: An improved system and method are provided for removing material coatings or contaminants such as paints from a structure. The system and method include a radiant energy source, such as a flashlamp, for irradiating the target area of the structure with the radiant energy sufficient to initiate the pyrolysis and/or ablation of the coating or contaminant and a low temperature carbon dioxide stream which is directed at the target area to disperse the material from the structure, clean the exposed surface and cool the underlying substrate. The low temperature carbon dioxide stream is formed from a liquid carbon dioxide from a liquid carbon dioxide source which undergoes phase transition to yield a predetermined amount of low temperature carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide snow. The system and method eliminate the need for a carbon dioxide pelletizer, a carbon dioxide pellet transport hopper, and a compressed carrier gas which are used in related systems.

Abstract: A method of removing B.sub.2 O.sub.3 encapsulant from a structure which includes providing a structure having a melting temperature and having a layer of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon. This structure with the layer of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon is placed in a chamber at a temperature in excess of 400.degree. C. and below the melting temperature of the structure and at some pressure and the pressure in the chamber is decreased, preferably to about -14.7 psig, until the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 foams. Then the temperature in the chamber is lowered to below 400.degree. C. and preferably to about ambient temperature external of the chamber. The structure with the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon is washed in an alcohol, preferably one of methanol and isopropanol, after the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 has foamed and the structure is then washed with the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon after the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 has foamed in a liquid non-reactive with the structure to remove the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 from the structure, preferably water.

Abstract: A method for maximizing electrical contact between contact surfaces, consisting essentially of a volatile cleaning agent and an oxidation occluding agent. The method uses an applicator device for cleaning and protecting electrical contact surfaces utilizing this composition.

Abstract: A part subjected to cleaning is cleaned or rinsed with a cleaning agent or rinsing agent having a nonaqueous type solvent or a hydrophilic solvent as a main component thereof. Then the cleaning agent or rinsing agent adhering to the cleaned or rinsed part subjected to cleaning is removed with a cleaning agent having perfluorocarbon as a main component thereof or the vapor of the cleaning agent. The part is subsequently dried. Otherwise, after the part subjected to cleaning has been cleaned with an aqueous type solvent or wash with water, the part is cleaned and dried with a cleaning agent having perfluorocarbon as a main component thereof or the vapor of the cleaning agent. The cleaning agent having perfluorocarbon as a main component thereof or the vapor of the cleaning agent can be used for cleaning or rinsing the part subjected to cleaning.

Abstract: A method for cleaning an oil tank containing residues wherein the oil residues are fluidized by a fluidizing agent and are discharged from the tank in liquid state and are separated into fractions, and wherein the fluidizing agent primarily used is a portion of the oil residues discharged from the tank which, following purification and heating, is recycled to the tank and distributed by spraying above the layer of oil residues.

Abstract: A process for the thermo-chemical cleaning of storage tanks which contain sludges from petroleum oil or related products. The process is carried out by the combined action of an organic solvent and the generation of nitrogen gas and heat, whereby produced heating in situ, agitation by turbulence and flotation of the fluidized sludge, which after being collected and transferred to tanks or desalting units can be reintroduced in the usual refining flow.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the heat treating of a part suspected of containing a lubricant in which the part is preheated to a temperature at which the lubricant vaporizes, the vaporized lubricant is converted to at least one gaseous by-product, the concentration of at least one of the by-products is then measured and heat treating of the part is conducted when the concentration of the measured by-product or total C--H bonds thereof reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A process for stripping of used parts or reject parts, in particular of polycarbonate (PC) or of a polycarbonate blend, preferably with polybutylene terephthalate (PBT/PC), for the purpose of recycling the plastic. In this process the plastics parts are first mechanically comminuted to a pourable size and then are circulated together with anhydrous alkalified diethylene glycol or propylene glycol in a mass with mutual abrasion of the plastics chips at elevated temperatures of at least 50.degree. C., preferably from 80.degree. to 100.degree. C., until complete removal of the paint. Thereafter the stripped plastics chips are separated from the stripping agent, flushed and then dried. The quantity of glycol added corresponds to from 1 to 10% of the volume of the mass to be treated, so that the circulated parts are only wetted by the glycol, but with stripping agent being circulated continuously through the treatment space of the mass from a relatively large reservoir.

Abstract: A method for removing a surface coating by impinging an area of impingement of the surface coating with photon energy while simultaneously impinging the area of impingement with a cryogenic particle blast flow.

Abstract: A method of degrading hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) comprising heating the HOCs in the presence of a microorganism capable of metabolizing the HOCs to cause degradation thereof, an embodiment of such method including contacting at ambient temperature said HOCs with a microorganism capable of metabolizing the HOCs for a period of time sufficient to degrade some but not all of the HOCs, heating the HOCs not degraded, and thereafter contacting the HOCs not degraded with a microorganism capable of metabolizing said HOCs.

Abstract: A lost core process for removing an overmoulded lost core from within a hollow product which has been overmoulded over the core, wherein the core is melted and removed by a vapor contact method. Heat is transferred to the core by condensation of vapor of a heat transfer fluid, which has a boiling point higher than the melting point of the core and lower than the melting point of the product. The heat of condensation transferred to the core by the vaporized heat transfer fluid melts the core which then flows from the hollow part. This lost core process allows the manufacture of high quality surfaces on the insides of hollow parts, while permitting close wall tolerances to be maintained, and may be used to manufacture complex parts such as water pump housings and intake manifolds.

Abstract: A method for drying semiconductor wafers produces ultra-clean wafers without conventional drying chemicals. The method involves slowing draining a rinsing fluid from a processing tank while heating the wafer at the fluid interface as the wafer emerges from the rinsing fluid. The portion of the wafer surface at the fluid interface is heated to a temperature greater than the rinsing fluid to drive contaminant particles away from the wafer surface. An apparatus for performing this drying method also is provided.

Abstract: There are herein disclosed a rubber composition for cleaning a mold which comprises 100 parts by weight of a natural rubber and/or a synthetic rubber, 2 to 30 parts by weight of an amino-alcohol salt in terms of an amino-alcohol content, 5 to 50 parts by weight of a glycol, 30 to 90 parts by weight of an adsorbent and 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of an organic peroxide, and a method for cleaning the mold by the use of this rubber composition.Since the amino-alcohol is fixed as the salt, the generation of ammonia odor at the time of kneading or at room temperature can be prevented to improve a working environment, and the volatilization of the amino-alcohol can be inhibited, whereby a mold cleaning effect can be maintained even after the lapse of a long time.

Abstract: Improved methods of removing coating films from resin substrates includes first treating the resin substrates in an aqueous alkali solution with a concentration of 0.1 wt % or more at a temperature of 110.degree. C. or more, which temperature is lower than the melting point of the substrates and then polishing the surfaces of the substrates by either bringing them into contact with each other in suitable equipment such as a screw feeder, or using an abrasive in suitable equipment such as a high-speed vessel type stirrer, or subjecting the substrates to a liquid honing process.

Abstract: A process is provided for clean-up of soils contaminated with highly viscous coal tar and/or petroleum derived organics. This new invention is based on application of the modified Clean Soil Process integrated with modified thermal desorption technology. This new invention utilizes the unexpected advantages of integration of the Clean Soil Process and conventional thermal desorption which cannot, when applied separately or in sequence (Clean Soil Process followed by Conventional Thermal Desorption), furnish satisfactory clean-up, but when integrated have the capacity to clean the most difficult contaminated soils (including soils contaminated by manufactured gas plants) to about 100 ppm, or less of total soluble organics and less than 3 ppm of PAH's.

Abstract: In order to utilize separately steel pipe and coating resin as recycling resources, resin-coated steel pipe, which is produced by adhering a thermo-plastic coating resin on the surface of steel pipe with an adhesive, is heated by high-frequency induction heating to at least the melting temperature of the coating resin, and the coating resin is scraped off while the inner layer thereof is in a melted condition and the outer layer is in a softened condition. Coating resin and steel pipe can be recovered without the composition thereof being damaged. The scraping of coating resin is complete and efficient and requires only minimal energy since it occurs when the inner layer of the coating resin is in a melted condition and the outer layer is in a softened condition.

Abstract: Used or partially used orthopaedic implants or similar medical devices which have been in contact with animal tissue are decontaminated and made available for reuse by a three step process effective for removal of protein tissue, bone tissue, and lipids.

Abstract: An object to be cleaned is cleaned with an cleaning agent which mixes a base cleaning agent such as silicon-containing cleaning agent or an isoparaffin containing cleaning agent with a surfactant or a hydrophilic solvent to promote the cleaning power. The object is rinsed with the base cleaning agent alone after it goes through the first cleaning step as described above. Then, this is followed by the finishing treatment by the use of hot air or steam drying. The base cleaning agents can be recovered and recycled, improving economy in the case with the use of two or more cleaning agents in combination. The excellent properties of degreasing and dewatering, comparable to those of flon system, can be obtained using a mixture of silicon-containing or isoparaffin-containing cleaning agents with surfactants and hydrophilic solvents and maintaining safety in environment.

Abstract: A method of unsticking contacting elements (11, 17) of a micro-mechanical device (30). The device is exposed to either a low surface tension liquid with a surfactant (32) or to a supercritical fluid (62) so as to avoid damage to fragile components of the device (30). The exposure conditions are controlled so as to provide optimum results without damage to the device.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a desired surface which is liable to soiling by organic food deposits by applying to the surface a food-safe composition containing a food-safe, inorganic thickening agent which is substantially insoluble in an alkaline aqueous composition and which is present in an mount sufficient so that the composition is capable of forming a continuous coating adhered to all desired portions of the surface; an alkaline, food-safe, water soluble inorganic salt in an mount sufficient so that the composition is readily removable with water or an aqueous solution after the composition has been dried and soiled; a food-safe silicone polymer of the formula (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO[SiO(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ].sub.n Si(CH.sub.3).sub.

Abstract: A quick cleaning method for hydrocarbon processing is described which avoids using the time honored steamout as a cleaning step by isolating the equipment to be cleaned from the rest of the hydrocarbon processing units, establishing a circulation loop and by pumping through the equipment an aqueous solution at an elevated temperature, of an extractant, such as a terpene, and a surfactant mixture which extracts and traps contaminants in an emulsion which is normally subjected to a high shearing step before recirculation to the equipment.

Abstract: When removing a laminar deposit existing in a thin film forming operational system of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, a mixture gas prepared by mixing nitrogen trifluoride gas with a fluoric gas is introduced into the thin film forming operational system so as to be brought into contact in a non-plasma state with the laminar deposit.

Abstract: Simply stated, in the process of the present invention a hydrocarbon contaminated substrate, such as a hydrocarbon contaminated soil, is separated preferably by wet-sieving, into a coarse fraction and a fines fraction. Thereafter, the coarse fraction is subjected to a floatation process to remove hydrocarbon contaminants from it and the fines fractions is treated with a hydrocarbon solvent followed by an aqueous solution of a surfactant to remove hydrocarbon contaminants from it.

Abstract: The parts are heated by conduction and radiation while the chamber is evacuated, whereupon the chamber is sealed air-tight and the parts are also heated by condensation of vapors from the grease and oil. When the parts reach a constant temperature the chamber is again evacuated, causing the temperature of the parts to drop as condensate thereon evaporates. Finally, the chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure and the cleaned parts are removed.

Abstract: A method for killing zebra mussels from a bottom surface of a waterway and from the surfaces of watercraft, docks, pilings and similar facilities located within a waterway. The surfaces to be treated are isolated in a batch of water enclosed within a chamber. The isolated batch of water is thereafter heated to a temperature lethal to the zebra mussels and held at that temperature for a sufficient time to kill the zebra mussels. The isolated batch of water and the treated surface are thereafter released from the chamber and the isolated state.

Abstract: A method of cleaning metal filters of a solvent spun fibre production plant. The method comprises the step of (a) dissolving dope from the filters using a hot solvent for the dope, (b) washing the solvent from the filters using hot water, (c) pyrolysing remnants of dope or solvent in the filters, (d) ultrasonically washing the pyrolysed particles from the filters, (e) reheating the filters to dislodge pyrolysed particles, (f) ultrasonically rewashing the filters and (g) drying the filters.

Abstract: The process of the present invention is directed to the remediation of wood that has been treated with a preservative, such as pentachlorophenol or other non-ionic organic biocides, using supercritical fluids, with or without the addition of modifiers.

Abstract: A method of removing from a stainless steel surface a difficultly removable soil originating from an animal or vegetable source comprising the step of contacting the soil adhered to the surface with an amount of a noncorrosive chemical composition effective to ultimately essentially chemically remove the soil from at least 51% of the surface. The difficultly removable soils that can be removed by the method of the invention are otherwise ultimately essentially chemically removable from at least 51% of the surface, at the temperature at which the above contacting step is conducted, only by contact with at least one corrosive chemical composition. The method is both safe for the user and highly effective to remove the above-described soils.

Abstract: This invention comprises a small, mobile, energy-efficient, batch-type soil roaster which can be utilized directly at a contamination site. Hydrocarbon contaminated dirt or soil is placed into a rotating drum. The soil is fired or roasted utilizing a burner until all hydrocarbons are completely evaporated out of the soil. The hydrocarbon gases that are vaporized from the soil go through a water scrubber filter and an afterburner system where the hydrocarbon component of the vapors or gases are burned off and destroyed at high temperatures. A vortex effect is created within the integral afterburner/stack unit, causing the hydrocarbon gases to remain in the stack longer, thereby ensuring a more complete burning of the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a prosthesis in a microwave oven. The inventive method preferably uses a container having an opening at the top thereof, a cover which is removably positionable over the opening, and a holding assembly removably positionable in the container, for holding the prosthesis. Since most prostheses contain at least somes metallic parts, the container and cover are each composed of a microwave insulating material. The inventive method provides for the quick and efficient cleaning of prostheses and facilitates the removal of dangerous fungal and bacterial deposits therefrom.

Abstract: A localized surface area of an open foam type metal substrate of an electrochemical cell electrode, where the substrate is filled with active material and compressed, is subjected to light pressure scrubbing by a heated soldering iron tip subjected to ultrasonic vibration to quickly dislodge the active material network of the open foam type metal substrate. Compressed air at approximately 100 psi is blown through the open foam type metal substrate to remove dislodged active material particles from the foam type metal substrate to permit effective welding of a metal terminal connection to the substrate at the localized area after cleaning. Alternatively, both opposite surfaces of the open foam type metal substrate at the localized area may be brushed to initially dislodge the active material from the pores of the open foam type metal substrate and the dislodged particles blown through the substrate from one surface to the other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing contaminants, including hydrocarbon and metal, from contaminated particulate material, such as gravel, soil, and the like. Initially, contaminants are removed by contact with water at a temperature higher than a melting temperature of the contaminants to remove them by melting. The removed contaminants are then subjected to specific gravity separation in water and filtration, including ion exchange and activated carbon filtration.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the interior surfaces of a vessel which includes a cleaning head supported and guided into the vessel by a rigid air shaft. The cleaning head is supplied with a process fluid and directs and removes the process fluid from a cleaning zone located on the interior surface of the vessel. The process fluid is heated by a heat exchanger hose assembly that is connected to the air shaft. The apparatus utilizes turbulent fluid flow, thermal shock, ultrasonic vibration and/or piezoelectric vibration to dislodge particulates from the inner surfaces of the vessel. The apparatus is useful for cleaning chemical vapor deposition reactors and other similar vessels.

Abstract: A method of processing contaminated soil whereby the soil in the form of feed stock is heated in a combustion chamber of a processor with the hydrocarbons being evacuated to a condensing system resulting in a petroleum product while the soil feed stock is detoxified in an afterburner to form clean soil for general use.

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds and other volatile contaminants are removed from soils and granular solids by contacting the soil with steam at superatmospheric pressure and thereafter rapidly reducing the pressure by flashing off steam and vaporized contaminants leaving a cleaned soil product. The steam fraction containing the contaminant compounds is condensed and the contaminants can then be separated from the water for recovery or disposal.