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 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: A method of cleaning a pressing and/or curing apparatus includes providing a cleaning mat on the interior of the apparatus and subjecting the cleaning mat to elevated temperature and/or pressure. The cleaning mat is pre-treated with a cleaning composition which preferably includes sodium carbonate. The method obviates and/or reduces the need to disassemble a pressing apparatus (e.g., remove die sets) for periodic cleaning.

Abstract: Solid debris of rocks and scrap metal, etc., which are embedded in recoverable petroleum material such as solid or semisolid pitch or tar deposits, are separated from the petroleum material by a high pressure spray carried out in a closed separation vessel. The separation vessel includes a removable screen container for the solid petroleum material through which the material is sprayed with a heated liquid solvent using high pressure nozzles to melt and/or dissolve the pitch so that it flows through the screen container and is collected in a sump at the bottom of the separation vessel.

Abstract: A process for reducing the carbonization of the heat exchange surfaces in a tubular heat exchanger of boiler steel which, in particular, within a unit for the thermal cracking of hydrocarbons to alkenes and while producing steam, carries out the rapid cooling of the cracking products after they leave the cracking furnace. After the tubular heat exchanger is cleaned and before it is returned to service, the sides of the heat exchange surfaces which come into contact with the cracking products are treated under reducing conditions until the greatest possible reduction of the Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 on the surface to Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 has taken place, without submicron Fe powder being formed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cleaner for removing gunpowder residues from the surfaces of firearms and to a method of use of such a cleaner. The cleaner comprises a liquid solution of an oxidizing agent, a liquid detergent surfactant, a scenting agent and an alcohol which is applied to the surfaces of the firearm, preferably with a mild abrasive action. In its preferred form the oxidizing agent is a 3% by weight solution of hydrogen peroxide and is present in the cleaner in an amount of 95% to 99% by weight, the liquid detergent surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate in an amount of 0.5% to 1% by weight to the total cleaner solution and the scenting agent is citric acid in an amount of 0% to 1% by weight. The alcohol may be any normal alcohol and is present in an amount of 0.5% to 3% by weight. A coloring agent may also be added.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the removal of a liquid film disposed upon a road surface, preferably, environmentally unacceptable anti-freeze solutions such as ethylene glycol upon an airport apron. Apparatus comprises a unit for spraying the road surface with a fluid, preferably, water, and collecting the solution disposed upon the surface. The apparatus comprises a housing defining an inner chamber and having a lower edge operably adjacent and in close proximity to the surface and a portion defining an outlet operably in communication with extraction means by which the liquid is extracted from within the inner chamber; and spray means adjacent the housing for spraying the fluid at such a pressure upon the surface as to effect agitation and dispersal of the liquid in particulate form above the surface within the inner chamber for extraction through the outlet. The invention also includes the apparatus when part of a self-contained mobile spray and collection system.

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: Accumulation of carbonaceous deposits on the combustion chamber surfaces of internal combustion engines is responsible for increased fuel octane requirement to prevent knock. Treatment of these carbonaceous deposits with weak bases, such as aqueous ethylenediamine, aids in their removal and thereby reduces the octane requirement of an internal combustion engine. The method is also applicable for removal of carbonaceous deposits from metal surfaces generally.

Abstract: The method of cleaning internal combustion engine fuel injector structure, valves and combustion chambers, and employing a canister containing a liquid mixture that includes engine fuel and injector cleaning solvent, the steps that include charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level; communicating the interior of the canister with a passage extending to the injector structure and operating the engine, including a fuel pump to provide pressurized fuel discharge which is delivered to the passage; terminating operation of the fuel pump; continuing operation of the engine by allowing substantially continuous pressurized flow of the mixture in the canister to the injector structure, via the passage, and until the mixture in the canister depletes; and after pressure drops to a selected lower level, re-charging pressurized gas into the canister to a selected high-pressure level, and continuing the communication of the canister interior with the passage to flow more of the mixture to

Abstract: Processes for the regeneration of catalysts, such as hydrogenation catalysts, and the defouling of objects, which are contaminated with carbonaceous deposits. The catalyst or object is contacted with water, oxygen-containing gas, and at least one alkaline material maintained at a pH of at least 7.0, and at a temperature and pressure sufficient to combust at least a portion of the carbonaceous deposits. The process of the present invention enables one to remove carbonaceous deposits from catalysts or contaminated the leaching of metals from the catalysts or objects by acidic by-products of the combustion process.

Abstract: A food-safe composition for the pretreatment of a surface, preferably an oven or a broiler, which may be subjected to heat is liable to soiling by organic food deposits, especially baked-on food deposits.

Abstract: Compressors of gas turbines are cleaned with a solution consisting of heteropolar-compound, wash active agents consisting of:at least one substance selected from the group which consists of polymers and copolymers of organic unsaturated acids with a molecular weight of at least 500 capable of forming the heteropolar compounds with an alkaline cationic, wash active agents; andat least one substance selected from the group which consists of nonionic wash active agents, in a compressor-cleaning effective concentration, the solutions in use having a metal ion content of less than 25 ppm and a pH value at said concentration between 6 and 8.

Abstract: An oven-apparatus for koshering container or drum lids made of metal. The oven-apparatus has a substantially hollow interior through which are conveyed the lids after having passed through a bath, with the lids being conveyed through the hollow interior in a semicircular or arcuate path, with the entrance being positioned directly in-line with the exit of a conventional bath for initially washing the lids clean. The same conveyer system that conveys the series of lids through the bath is also used for conveying the lids through the oven-apparatus. After having passed through the oven-apparatus of the invention, the lids are conveyed in the conventional manner substantially parallel to but in the opposite direction by which they were conveyed through the bath. Within the hollow interior of the oven-apparatus, there are provided a pair of flame-burners. One flame-burner is mounted at a first corner of the housing of the oven-apparatus at an acute degree angle with respect the center line of the main housing.

Abstract: The compressors of gas turbines are cleaned on-line or off-line by scrubbing them with an aqueous solution of dimethyl esters of succinic acid, glutaric acid and adipic acid together with nonionic and/or cationic surface active agents. The scrubbing solution components are easily biodegradable or break down during the operation of the turbine without forming corrosives or environmentally harmful components.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to clean the intake system of an internal combustion engine including the intake valves. An air metering block is connected to the intake manifold of the engine by means of an adaptor tube. The only air that can get into the intake manifold of the engine is through inlet ports in the air metering block. An air adjusting screw selectively uncovers the inlet ports to vary the amount of air which can be introduced into the intake manifold. An electrically operated injector is fitted in the air metering block to inject solvent directly into the intake manifold. An adjustable injector driver varies the duty cycle or the on time of the injector to control the amount of flow of solvent into the intake manifold. A pumping unit is provided to pump solvent from a holding tank, through the injector, into the intake manifold.

Abstract: A process for the gasification of coal is disclosed, the process being characterized by the removal of flyslag deposits in the quench zone of the process by temporarily reducing or stopping the flow of the quench gas to melt the deposits, and then resuming the ordinary quench gas flow.

Abstract: Cleaning of gums, sludge and other adhering on a fuel injection valve in a fuel injection internal combustion engine can be done by driving of engine with a cleaning agent as a mixture of gasoline and an aromatic solvent. The mixture is adjusted the mixture rate thereof to satisfactorily combustion in an engine cylinder and dissolve gums, sludge and other adherings on the fuel injection valve. The cleaning agent is supplied to the engine cylinder through the fuel injection valve and during passing through the fuel injection valve it dissolves the adherings.

Abstract: A method for removing furfural-derived coke from metallic surfaces by heating in an oxygen-containing gas, such as air, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to change the crush strength of the furfural coke to a point which will permit easy removal of such coke, without such an evolution of heat that the metallurgical properties of said metal surfaces are undesirably changed.

Abstract: A method for removing furfural-derived coke from metallic surfaces by heating in an oxygen-containing gas, such as air, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to change the crush strength of the furfural coke to a point which will permit easy removal of such coke, without such an evolution of heat that the metallurgical properties of said metal surfaces are undesirably changed.

Abstract: A surface-treating low-stability water-in-oil emulsion composition particularly adapted for cleaning a surface comprising at least one liquid hydrocarbon oil solvent, water and an emulsifying agent comprising an N-alkanoyl-2,2'-iminobis(ethyl alkanoate). The emulsion composition may further include a compressed gas whereby the composition may be applied to a surface in the form of an aerosol.

Abstract: A composition for the pre-treatment in aqueous form of a surface, preferably of an oven, which is subjected to heat and is liable to soiling by baked-on organic food deposits. A food-safe, inorganic thickening agent, in an amount sufficient so that the composition is capable of forming a continuous coating adhered to all desired portions of the preferably cleaned surface, which coating also remains continuous as the coating dries, preferably by heating, is combined with an alkaline, water-soluble inorganic salt in an amount sufficient so that the composition is readily removable with water or an aqueous solution after the composition has been dried and soiled. The composition forms a continuous film after drying. After the film becomes soiled, it can be readily removed by contact with water or an aqueous solution.

Abstract: Deposits of flyslag on the walls of a heat exchange zone employed to quench and cool synthesis gas and flyslag particles produced from the gasification of coal may be reduced by (a) temporarily increasing the flow rate of the synthesis gas and flyslag particles during the process to a space velocity of greater than at least 12 meters per second; or (b) after a shutdown or incident where flyslag is deposited, utilizing a space velocity of the synthesis gas and flyslag of greater than 12 meters per second for a time sufficient to remove the deposits, and then utilizing flow rates which prevent or inhibit deposition of flyslag.

Abstract: A surface-treating low-stability water-in-oil emulsion composition particularly adapted for cleaning a surface comprising at least one liquid hydrocarbon oil solvent, water, and an emulsifying agent comprising an N-alkanoyl-2,2'-iminobis(ethyl alkanoate). The emulsion composition may further include a compressed gas whereby the composition may be applied to a surface in the form of an aerosol.

Abstract: A method for the removal of carbonizable, adherent coatings from the surfaces of metal parts, in which the metal parts are baked or pyrolyzed in the course of the method. The metal parts are brought to the carbonizing temperature in a substantially closed retort. Without leaving the retort, the adherent, carbonized coating is blasted off by means of heated blasting medium as the carbonization proceeds or after it ends. The heating of the metal parts is performed in a fluidized bed within the retort. The medium of the fluidized bed is simultaneously the blasting medium.

Abstract: The method of cleaning a fuel injection type internal combustion engine wherein the engine has a block, a combustion chamber, fuel injectors operatively connected to a fuel tank and a fuel pump, an engine starting mechanism and a fuel supply line connecting the fuel tank and the fuel injectors with the fuel pump imposed in the fuel supply line, and a fuel return line connecting the fuel injectors and the fuel tank, wherein the fuel pump is rendered inoperative and the fuel return line is blocked. A combination of fuel and cleaning fluids is imposed under pressure into the fuel supply line. The engine is then started and operated on the supply of fuel and cleaning fluid which have passed through the fuel injectors. After the engine has been operated for a period of time, perhaps 15 minutes or so, the engine is shut off, the fuel return line is unblocked, and the fuel pump is restored to its original condition.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing combustion chamber deposits in an internal combustion engine by the passage of an aqueous deadhering agent such as water to the combustion chamber at cold start conditions and permitting the engine to crank for a period of time until said deposits deadhere from the walls of the combustion chamber. The aqueous deadhering agent can be water or the same with a diluent, such as a lower alkyl ketone. This invention is applicable to combustion chamber deposits which have resulted from the use of an additive agent, such as an amine-urea type detergent additive in as low a concentration in gasoline fuel as 50 ppm.

Abstract: A process for cleaning surfaces of installations fouled by products of combustion of carbon-bearing materials, such as in particular boiler combustion chambers, rotary or static heat exchangers, combustion product ducts and flues, electrostatic filters, etc., which are to be cleaned without having to stop the combustion process, in order to maintain maximum thermal efficiency in order thereby to make a substantial energy saving, in which an aqueous solution of ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate is injected into the installation, the deposited substances being detached from the installation by means of sound sources.

Abstract: An improved method of cleaning carbonaceous matter from enclosed cavities in gas turbine engines is comprised of providing inlet and exit gas ports to the cavity, carefully heating the structure having the cavity to above 470.degree. C. and providing air at controlled temperature, flow, and pressure. The temperature, pressure and flow is controlled during the process to induce flow through cavities which are fully blocked initially, and to avoid over pressurization of cavities which are not adapted to sustain substantial pressure.

Abstract: A method of decoking (decarbonizing) surfaces of a cracking plant in which the cracking furnace is connected to a heat exchanger for cooling the cracked gas mixture, in which steam and air are admitted as a gas mixture to the cracking furnace and then the gas mixture is conducted through the cooler. The cooling medium is thus passed through the cracking gas cooler during the decoking operation while in a first stage the mixture is fed through the device at such a mass flow rate that the temperature of the deposits on the heat exchange surface is approximately at the temperature corresponding to cracking operations while, in a second stage, the gas flow rate is increased to raise the temperature of the deposits on the heat exchange surfaces of the cooler.

Abstract: An improved corrosion resistant pipe and method of manufacture is presented wherein a phosphorus copper or phosphorus copper alloy pipe is subjected to a special heat treatment step which forms an internal oxide coating. A pipe produced in accordance with the invention is characterized as having a carbon content on the inside wall of 0.05 mg/dm.sup.2 or less and an internal oxide coating having a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 5 microns. Notably this improved pipe has a good resistance to corrosion, even when exposed to chemically agressive liquids.

Abstract: The subject invention constitutes an uncomplicated, inexpensive means of loosening "frozen" cylinders under certain conditions in an internal combustion engine, by applying pressure to the piston by forcing grease from a grease gun applied to a fitting in the engine spark plug or injector hole.

Abstract: A method for producing etched metal bodies, particularly color television picture tube aperture masks, comprises the steps of applying a polyvinyl alcohol photoresist film to the metal substrate, exposing the film, developing the image produced by exposure, heat hardening the developed image, acid etching the metal body, heating the body to caramelize the remaining film, and stripping the caramelized film from the metal body using an aqueous caustic stripping solution. The heat caramelization step greatly enhances the caustic strippability of heat hardened polyvinyl alcohol films from metallic surfaces.

Abstract: An improved process for cleaning internal combustion cylinders including disconnecting the ignition mechanisms of preselected cylinders, introducing a combustible cleaning solvent mixture into the fuel intake, running the engine for a period of time, then repeating the process until each cylinder has been treated while its associated ignition mechanism is inoperative and finally running the engine to combust and exhaust all of the cleaning solvent mixture.

Abstract: Asphaltic material is dissolved by contact with a solvent composition for a time sufficient to dissolve the asphaltic material wherein the solvent composition is comprised of a liquid heavy aromatic solvent having a high flash point and a fused heterocyclic ring compound or compounds soluble in the heavy aromatic solvent. In another embodiment, the asphaltic material is the binder material of a degraded organic residue whereby dissolution of the asphaltic material enables the convenient disintegration of the degraded organic residue. In still another embodiment, the solvent composition is the oil phase of an oil-water emulsion.

Abstract: A method of removing contaminants from the surface of an article is comprised of the steps of providing abrasive particles comprised of a material having the characteristic of reacting with oxygen to form predominately gaseous products of reaction and directing the abrasive particles in impingement onto the contaminated surface. The method is particularly applicable in removing contaminants from the internal components of air-breathing machines such as gas turbine engines. The abrasive particles may be entrained in an air stream flowing through the gas turbine engine whereby the particles are directed in impingement against the contaminated components. The abrasive particles may be comprised by carbon content of at least 70% by weight and a volatile content of less than 8% by weight and may also have an erosivity within the range of 0.004 grams to 0.15 grams.

Abstract: An automatic method and system for removing organic contaminants from glassware and metals, wherein preset timers and a temperature controller direct a three-stage pyrolysis-oxidation process continually monitored by combustion detection systems and applied within a high temperature oven incorporating additional safety devices for the protection of personnel and equipment.

Abstract: Utilizing a CO monitor to control thermal de-sooting of a heat exchanger in order to prevent run-away reactions.

Abstract: Asphaltic material is dissolved by contact with a solvent composition for a time sufficient to dissolve the asphaltic material wherein the solvent composition is comprised of a liquid heavy aromatic solvent having a high flash point and a fused heterocyclic ring compound or compounds soluble in the heavy aromatic solvent. In another embodiment, the asphaltic material is the binder material of a degraded organic residue whereby dissolution of the asphaltic material enables the convenient disintegration of the degraded organic residue. In still another embodiment, the solvent composition is the oil phase of an oil-water emulsion.

Abstract: A method for removing carbon scale, comprising permeating carbonate or bicarbonate into the carbon scale formed on a metal surface of a heating furnace, reactor or the like in a chemical plant by bringing the former into contact with the latter and decomposing the thus treated scale through oxidation by applying heat.

Abstract: An improved by-product coke oven wherein the ends are heated through the doors or jambs to prevent condensation of the tar and the deposit of carbon and coal. This improved coke oven possesses improved sealing features and minimizes pollution during coking and during the extraction of the doors.