Abstract: A method for efficiently cleaning a cleaning subject, especially a method for cleaning an electrophotographic photosensitive member enables a uniform and high quality image to be obtained without leaving image defects and irregular images. The method includes a cleaning step during which the circulation flow rate during dipping of the cleaning subject in a cleaning solution is different from the circulation flow rate when the cleaning subject is pulled up, and where the cleaning solution is showered on the surface of the cleaning subject when it is pulled up. The cleaning method may be used in a method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member for depositing a functional film by a plasma CVD method on a substrate.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and apparatus (kits) for treating petroleum and petro-chemical based contaminants within expended filtration components, wherein the filtration components are exposed to water and a small concentrated volume of dormant bio-oxidizing medium comprising freeze-dried microorganisms on a freeze-dried substrate.

Abstract: An improved approach for cleaning and recycling materials is based on pressurized solvents including liquid propane, butane, dimethyl ether, and supercritical carbon dioxide. The approaches are particularly suitable for cleaning sorbent materials. The approach allows for recycling of the sorbent materials, the solvent and the contaminents, typically oils and the like.

Abstract: A cleaning composition which includes a surfactant containing a phenyl group, a sulfonated aromatic compound, and water is prepared. The cleaning composition is especially useful for effectively removing deposited contaminants adhered mainly to a resist developing apparatus. Further, a derivative of aliphatic carboxylic acid and/or acetic ester can be added to the composition, as required. The cleaning composition is used mainly to clean a resist developing apparatus.

Abstract: A method for use in the manufacture of a microelectronic device is set forth. The method includes a first step in which a workpiece including exposed aluminum metallized surfaces and residues is provided. The workpiece, including the exposed aluminum metallized surfaces, is then treated with an alkaline, water-based solution containing one or more components that form an aluminosilicate on the exposed aluminum metallized surfaces. The solution reacts with the residues and assists in removing them from the workpiece. Preferably, the solution is comprised of DI water, and ammonium hydroxide based component, such as TMAH, silicic acid, and aluminum hydroxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing fatty substances. According to this process, the following steps are carried out:1) at least a first degreasing operation is carried out on the article to be treated, in the presence of a solvent mixture comprising at least one compound (a) chosen from C1-C4 dialkyl esters of at least one C4-C6 aliphatic diacid, and at least one compound (b) which is miscible in the compound (a) and which at least partially dissolves the fatty substance contaminating the article, 2) at least a second degreasing operation is optionally carried out, in the presence of a solvent mixture comprising at least one compound (a) and at least one compound (b) as defined above, with a compound (a)/compound (b) volume ratio of greater than or equal to 1, 3) a third degreasing operation is carried out in the presence of compound (a), 4) the article thus treated is rinsed with water.

Abstract: A cyclonic power wash system uses high pressure, high temperature water for selectively cleaning large, flat, concrete or asphalt surfaces. The sprayed water is reclaimed by vacuuming it through holes in the bottom of a reclamation ring attached to the underside of the mobile cyclone sprayer, filtering the vacuumed water and returning it to a storage tank for re-use by the system. The filtration tank initially filters out large matter in an inlet trough and smaller matter in a plurality of cascading chambers. A rotary union in the sprayer prevents the water, passing from the inlet of the rotary union to the discharge thereof, from leaking through or around a seal formed by pressing together a pair of hard, durable sealing surfaces, for example, silicon carbide, one of which is non-rotatably slidingly received in an upper recess of the union's fixed housing and the other, affixed to a spindle rotatably received and retained in a lower recess of the housing.

Abstract: Basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for cleaning hard surfaces are provided. Compositions safe for use on surfaces which are contacted by food intended for ingestion by humans or lower animals, even when the compositions are incompletely removed from the cleansed surface, are described. Liquid formulations comprising surfactant, such as sodium alkyl sulfate, sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, etc., and having a pH of above 11.6 are contacted directly onto hard surfaces to remove soil and unwanted deposits. Articles for applying the compositions to hard surfaces by spraying are disclosed.

Abstract: A waste object containing oil has a first opening formed therein at an upper portion thereof and a second opening positioned below the first opening. The first and second openings are connected to a recovery tank. Hot water of a predetermined temperature is held in the recovery tank and is caused to accumulate inside the waste object via the second opening. Oil that has floated upwards is recovered in the recovery tank via the first opening.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants from the surface of a substrate comprises contacting the substrate with a cleaning composition comprising at least one mono-, di-, or trialkoxy-substituted perfluoroalkane, perfluorocycloalkane, perfluorocycloalkyl-containing perfluoroalkane, or perfluorocycloalkylene-containing perfluoroalkane compound, the compound optionally containing additional catenary heteroatoms. The compounds exhibit good solvency properties while being environmentally acceptable.

Abstract: A composition useful for removal of organic deposits from a ceramic, glass, plastic, or metal substrate, and a method of use thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the invention pertains to a composition for cleaning an organically fouled smoking apparatus such as a pipe, a cigarette holder, or a water pipe, and to a process whereby the smoking apparatus is cleaned and disinfected.

Abstract: A method for removing phospholipids from vegetable oil miscella is provided. The method includes steps of feeding vegetable oil miscella to a conditioned polymeric microfiltration membrane, and recovering a permeate stream having a decreased weight percent of phospholipids compared with the weight percent of phospholipids provided in the miscella. The polymeric microfiltration membrane can be conditioned for the selective separation of phospholipids in the miscella. A method for conditioning a membrane for selective separation of phospholipids from vegetable oil miscella, and the resulting membrane, are provided. The membrane which can be conditioned can be characterized as having an average pore size of between about 0.1&mgr; and about 2&mgr;.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a calcium overbased detergent, of TBN at least 300, from at least two surfactants, at least one of which is a phenol surfactant or a salicylic acid surfactant. Overbasing is carried out in at least two steps, at a temperature of less than 100° C., at least one of the overbasing steps being followed by a heat-soaking step. The overbased detergents produced may be useful marine diesel lubricant additives.

Abstract: Compns. based on azeotropic or quasi-azeotropic mixts. of trichloroethylene and 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane are useful for replacing CFC or HCFC in cleaning and degreasing of surfaces (e.g., defluxing of printed circuits) and drying of surfaces. The ability of these compns. to dry surfaces is improved by addn. of RCONR(CH2)nNHCOR surfactants (R=C14-22 alkyl, n=1-5).

Abstract: An alkaline cleaner composition comprising an alkyl or alkylaryl ethoxy carboxylate, a strong chelating agent and a source of alkalinity, its manufacture and use in removing greasy soil from hard surface areas is described. The compositions are especially effective in removing lime-soaps in such greasy soil especially on institutional and commercial kitchen floors.

Abstract: There is disclosed a semiconductor device cleaning method involving placing a cleaning solution containing 24 wt. % sulfuric acid, 5 wt. % hydrogen peroxide, 0.02 wt. % hydrogen fluoride, 0.075 wt. % n-dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, and water into a quartz processing vessel and heating to no more than 100° C. A silicon wafer is immersed into the cleaning solution for 10 minutes and then washed by demineralized water for about 7 minutes. The surfaces of foreign particles on the wafer are etched by hydrogen fluoride, and n-dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid combines with the etched surfaces by sulfate ester bonding. The apparent diameter of the foreign particles increases and the repulsive force caused by zeta potential etc. increases, so that the foreign particles are unlikely to adhere to the surface of the silicon wafer permitting the foreign particles to be easily washed away in a water cleaning step.

Abstract: A method for removing carbon from utensils includes filling a tank with a batch of carbon removing solution for removing carbon from utensils, heating the solution prior to and/or during soaking of the utensils, soaking the utensils in the tank filled with carbon removing solution for a period from 2 to 24 hours, reusing the same batch of carbon removing solution for multiple soaking treatments until the effectiveness of the solution has deteriorated, automatically emptying the batch of carbon removing solution from the tank to waste, and refilling the tank with a fresh batch of carbon removing solution.

Abstract: A liquid cleaning composition is disclosed that is suitable for cleaning strippable surface. It has an ester solvent with a Hansen solubility parameter in the range of 9.5 to 11 which is present in amount of 3.0% to 7.2% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. There is also a surfactant system in an amount of 3.5% to 7.5% by weight of active material based on the total weight of the composition. The system has a natural soap and a nonionic surfactant; an abrasive in an amount of 0.5% to 4.0% by weight based on total weight of the composition; and at least 70% by weight of water based on total weight of the composition. Methods of using and preparing the composition are also described.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method utilizing sonic whistle and other agitation methods to enhance the soil removal and mass transport capacity of the liquid carbon dioxide at low process temperatures. Agitation devices disposed in or couple to a cleaning chamber, and cause the liquid carbon dioxide to ultrasonically emulsify and disperse non-miscible liquids or insoluble solids, such as remove low solubility oils and greases. Cleaning is accomplished at temperatures between −68° F. and 32° F., and the temperature of the liquid carbon dioxide is typically below 32° F.

Abstract: A method for removal of organic contaminants from solid particulate soil contaminated with the organic contaminants. The method comprises forming an aqueous slurry of a mixture of a hydrophobic adsorbent selected from foamed synthetic materials or natural materials which entrap gas, with the soil in the presence of water. The adsorbent has a density less than water. The slurry is mixed for a period of time, and a gravity separation of the adsorbent from the aqueous admixture thus obtained is effected.

Abstract: An aqueous liquid composition for cleaning and degreasing metal surfaces consists essentially of water and the following dissolved stably dispersed, or both dissolved and stably dispersed components: A) alkali metal borate salts; B) boric acid in excess of any generated by reaction of anions of component a) with water; C) nonionic surfactant; and D) anionic and/or amphoteric surfactants.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for pickling the surface of stainless steel strip feeds the stainless steel strip through a plurality of pickling tanks containing a hydrochloric acid pickling acid. The pickling acid bath is maintained at a temperature of at least about 40° C. An oxidizing agent is added to the acid solution in an amount to maintain at least about one third and preferably at least about half of the soluble iron in the form of ferric chloride based on the total amount of iron in the acid solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning compositions which, as powder or as aqueous formulation, comprise sodium bicarbonate and, as dispersants, polyaspartic acids and/or salts thereof, to the use of these cleaning compositions for the abrasive cleaning of hard surfaces, and also to a method of cleaning surfaces contaminated with deposits using these cleaning compositions.

Abstract: A process for descaling, derusting, dissolving, and removing machining lubricants coated on steel and other iron alloy objects, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing an alkaline cleaning solution consisting of: water; about 2.5% to 25% by weight of a water-soluble alkali; about 2% to 8% by weight of sodium gluconate; about 5% to 20% by weight of sodium xylene sulfonate; and about 2% to 20% by weight of a water-soluble surfactant consisting of C9-C11 alcohol ethoxylates and 6 ppm of ethylene oxides; and (b) contacting the soiled object with the alkaline cleaning solution at a temperature of about 60° F. to 200° F. for about 3 to 30 minutes, wherein the object is descaled, derusted, and the machining lubricant is dissolved and removed.

Abstract: A mutual solvent for use in oil and gas well operations comprising 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate and/or 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate, a coupling solvent, and an acid stable surfactant. The coupling solvent is selected from ethylene glycol monobutyl ether; diethylene glycol monobutyl ether; propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate; propylene glycol monomethyl ether; C1-C5 alkyl alcohol; and mixtures thereof. The invention also relates to an emulsion for use in oil and gas well operations comprising an aqueous acid or acid-salt brine solution and the mutual solvent as described above. An emulsion according to the invention is stable, non-toxic, and effectively removes asphaltenic and paraffinic hydrocarbons from drilling equipment and oil and gas wells.

Abstract: This invention relates to a foaming enzyme composition and delivery method useful for the cleaning and maintenance of moist conditions of the surfaces of soiled instruments, utensils and other devices prior to final cleaning and/or sterilization. The aqueous composition preferably consists of a combination of: (1) an enzyme cleaning solution, (2) foam-building ingredients; (3) a corrosion inhibitor; and (4) an antimicrobial agent. The composition may be dispensed from a pump spray as a stable foam which covers the surfaces of the instrument to be cleaned, and remains on the surface of the instrument for at least 30 minutes, and preferably until the instruments are finally cleaned and sterilized. The composition and delivery method of the present invention is particularly useful for the pre-cleaning of complex medical instruments such as endoscopes.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a surface by flooding and thereby cleaning a surface contaminated with deposits with a mixture containing water, wood chippings, and optionally, polyaspartic acid or a derivative of a polyaspartic acid.

Abstract: A system for cleaning disc drive components includes a rotary support member for receiving an assembled disc drive component. A rotary drive motor is coupled to the rotary support member for rotating the rotary support member and disc drive motor supported thereon together at a rotation speed to impart a centrifugal force on any excess lubricant contained by the disc drive motor of sufficient magnitude to draw the excess lubricant from the disc drive motor. The system may also or alternatively include an enclosure defining an interior having an oxygen-containing environment. A support platform is disposed within the oxygen-containing environment of the interior of the enclosure, for supporting a disc drive component within the oxygen-containing environment of the enclosure, for example, after the component is removed from the rotary support member.

Abstract: A surface treatment composition containing a complexing agent as a metal deposition preventive in a liquid medium, in which the complexing agent is an ethylenediaminephenol derivative of the following general formula (1) or its salt: wherein X1 and X2 are hydroxyl groups; Y1 to Y8 are respectively independently a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, a carboxyl group, a phosphonic acid group, a sulfonic acid group, a carbonyl group, a nitro group, a nitroso group, an amino group, an imino group, a nitrilo group, a nitrile group, a thiocyanate group, a hydroxyamino group, a hydroxyimino group, or an alkyl or alkoxy group which may have a substituent, provided that at least one of Y1 to Y8 is not a hydrogen atom; Z1 to Z4 are respectively independently a hydrogen atom, a carboxyl group or a sulfonic acid group; and R1 to R4 are respectively independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may have a substituent.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating marine cuttings, preferably in situ, so that the cuttings can be discharged back into marine waters without causing oxygen depletion of marine sediment. In a preferred embodiment, the treatment emulsifies and then encapsulates free hydrocarbons in the marine cuttings.

Abstract: Cleaning and surface treatment compositions which are particularly useful in the cleaning of leather, vinyl, plastic, rubber and other similar surfaces as well as providing a surface coating thereupon. The cleaning compositions include reduced amounts of emulsified silicone oils in an aqueous formulation. The compositions are readily dispensible from conventional dispensing devices, and provide simultaneous cleaning to a treated surface, as well as imparting a glossy surface coating.

Abstract: A non-toxic, non-hazardous, environmentally safe composition provides an effective, fast acting cleaning solution for removal of tar, oils, asphalt and other bituminous materials from industrial equipment surfaces. The composition is a mixture of a carrier monocyclic monoterpene and a nonionic surfactant such as an alkylphenol ethoxylate. The mixture is applied directly to surfaces to be cleaned, and rinsed with water in the absence of mechanical intervention.

Abstract: An acidic aqueous liquid composition for deburring/degreasing/cleaning metal, in particular aluminum, parts by mass finishing has as its active ingredients: (A) a nonionic surfactant containing halogen atoms, (B) nitrogen based surfactants such as n-alkyl pyrrolidone, builders such as silicates and boric acid, hydrotropes, corrosion inhibitors, and sequestering agents.

Abstract: A method of emptying vessels containing dispersions, solutions or suspensions of polymers in which during the emptying process the liquid medium also used to take up the polymers into the dispersion, solution or suspension is passed into the space within the vessel that is not filled by the solution, dispersion or suspension, wherein the liquid medium used to take up the polymers into the dispersion, solution or suspension is introduced in vapor form.

Abstract: A method for removing phospholipids from vegetable oil miscella is provided. The method includes steps of feeding vegetable oil miscella to a conditioned polymeric microfiltration membrane, and recovering a permeate stream having a decreased weight percent of phospholipids compared with the weight percent of phospholipids provided in the miscella. The polymeric microfiltration membrane can be conditioned for the selective separation of phospholipids in the miscella. A method for conditioning a membrane for selective separation of phospholipids from vegetable oil miscella, and the resulting membrane, are provided. The membrane which can be conditioned can be characterized as having an average pore size of between about 0.1&mgr;and about 2&mgr;.

Abstract: An aerosol assisted chemical cleaning method to remove wall deposition from reaction chambers is provided. The method generates cleaning chemicals in an aerosol state, and then feeds them into the reaction chamber by a carrier gas. The cleaning chemicals interact quickly with unwanted deposits on all internal surfaces of the reaction chamber. By controlling the pressure in the closed reaction chamber, the deposits can be stripped off from the wall and fall into a waste acid collector. The acid collector can then process the waste to prevent contamination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solvent composition that is environmentally safe and has a palatable odor. The solvent composition can be used in numerous applications such as cleaning metal and non-metal surfaces and as a thinning agent. The solvent composition of the invention includes acetone, methyl propyl ketone, isopropyl alcohol, and n-butyl acetate; includes less than 3% methyl isobutyl ketone; and is substantially free of other undesirable chemicals such as methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, methyl ethyl ketone, and toluene. The present invention also includes a method of cleaning a metal or non-metal surface and thinning a composition using the solvent composition of the invention.

Abstract: A nontoxic sanitizing cleaner comprising an organic acid having a pH less than 3, a chelating agent, and a surfactant. The invention also contemplates a buffering agent in the cleaner. In a preferred embodiment, the sanitizing cleanser is in the form of a solution containing 94% citric acid, 4% EDTA, 1% sodium laurel sulfate, and 1% monosodium phosphate, by weight. The invention also contemplates using the nontoxic sanitizing cleaner in a cosmetic lotion, and in processes for cleaning and sanitizing food processing equipment.

Abstract: An improved alkaline cleaning solution that has the ability to descale, derust, and completely dissolve machining lubricants coated on steel and other iron alloy objects, the alkaline cleaning solution consisting essentially of: (a) water; (b) about 10% to 95% by volume of a water-soluble descaling and derusting agent; and (c) about 2% to 8% by weight of a water-soluble sequestering agent selected from the group consisting of sodium gluconate and its functional equivalents.

Abstract: A liquid cleaning composition comprising a solvating agent and a rinsing agent, the ratio of the vapor pressure of said rinsing agent to the vapor pressure of said solvating agent being at least about 20 and the use thereof to clean substrates that have soil adhered thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning composition useful for dislodging fouling from process lines of oil refining or petrochemical plants and a cleaning method using the composition. The cleaning composition comprises 0.01 to 1 wt % of a C8 aromatic compound, 75 to 85 wt % of a C9 aromatic compound and 14 to 24 wt % of a C10 aromatic compound. When applied to the process lines, the composition is mixed at an amount of 2 to 20 vol % with Light cycle oil or light gas oil. Chemical cleaning with the composition effectively removes the fouling formed within the process lines and heat exchangers of oil refining or petrochemical plants, and recovers the processing capacity of heat exchangers to the start of run level, bringing about a significant economic profit.

Abstract: A source of oxidizing gas is coupled to a flow restrictor during a cleaning cycle in which the flow restrictor is heated to a temperature for a period of time sufficient to oxidize and remove built up residue from prior analysis. In one embodiment compressed air is supplied at a pressure of from 20 to 40 psi into the flow path for supercritical fluid, while at the same time the flow restrictor is heated to a temperature of from 300° to 400° C. to oxidize and remove built up residue. A heater assembly employs a resistance heater positioned to heat the restrictor for a period of approximately 12 hours, such that the system can be cleaned overnight when analyses are not normally performed.

Abstract: A non-hazardous, non-flammable, biodegradable composition for use in removal of paraffin accumulations in oilfield equipment may contain limonene, a glycol ether an ethoxylate(alcohol surfactant, an aliphatic alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof, a non-hazardous and biodegradable organic acid, and, sufficient water as a carrier and comprising such a major weight component of the composition as to virtually eliminate a measurable flashpoint therefor. Preferably the aliphatic alcohol is one or methanol, ethanol, or admixtures thereof. Preferably the organic acid is one of acetic acid, citric acid, or formic acid. The glycol either is preferably ethylene glycol monopropyl ether.

Abstract: The invention provides a solvent mixture including n-propyl bromide, a mixture of low boiling solvents and, preferably, a defluxing and/or ionics removing additive and/or at least one saturated terpene. The invention also provides a method of cleaning an article (e.g., an electrical, plastic, or metal part) in a vapor degreaser using the solvent mixture. The solvent mixture of the invention is non-flammable, non-corrosive, and non-hazardous. In addition, it has a high solvency and a very low ozone depletion potential. Thus, using the solvent mixture of the invention, oil, grease, rosin flux, and other organic material can be readily removed from the article of interest in an environmentally safe manner.

Abstract: The use of high flash point, low vapor pressure compositions for injection into, and coating of, gas and oil wells and surrounding underground hydrocarbon bearing formations and processing equipment for the purpose of removing scale, paraffins, tars, and other viscous constituents. Treatment results in increased flow of gas and/or oil and decreased adhesion of soils and scale in all aspects of oil and gas recovery, including hydrocarbon bearing formations, casings, lines, and pumping equipment. The composition contains about 40 to 99 wt. % of a fatty acid alkyl ester blend and about 1 to 25 wt. % of at least one lower alkyl glycol ether.

Abstract: To replace compositions based on CFCs or CFHCs in applications for cleaning or drying solid surfaces (in particular defluxing), the invention proposes azeotropic or quasi-azeotropic compositions based on 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane and, optionally, methanol.

Abstract: A method for removing a stain from a surface of a structure which includes the steps of spraying an aggregating agent comprising a cationic linear organic polymer onto the surface of such structure having a stain produced thereon, dissociating the stain particles by use of Coulomb force f generated between the stain particles and the aggregating agent, displacing slightly the stain particles along the surface of the structure to cause peeling thereof from the surface to be cleaned, and simultaneously, aggregating the same for cleaning. Another embodiment includes maintaining water permeability of a road by easily eliminating a stain adhering to the surfaces of granular aggregate particles forming a drainage-type pavement layer of a road without the use of various mechanical tools.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a semiconductor wafer which includes the sequential steps of cleaning the wafer in a dilute hydrofluoric acid bath, cleaning the wafer in a first ozone bath, cleaning the wafer in a dilute hydrofluoric acid/hydrogen peroxide/hydrogen chloride bath, followed by cleaning the wafer in a second ozone bath. The method uses the dilute hydrofluoric acid/hydrogen peroxide/hydrochloric acid bath instead of the conventional DHF bath and RCA2 bath. Hence, the amount of chemicals consumed and the number of baths used by the cleaning station are lowered. In addition, ozone is passed into an overflow loath so that the highly reactive ozone can be utilized to clean the wafer without putting additional load on the cleaning station. Therefore, the cleaning operation can be carried out in a smaller cleaning station using somewhat lower temperature and lower concentration chemical solutions. The efficiency is as high as a multi-bath station, but chemicals are not wasted.

Abstract: Compositions are disclosed which are suitable for the safe cleaning of delicate surfaces, i.e. marble and lacquered surfaces, e.g. lacquered wooden floors. The compositions disclosed herein comprise at least one anionic surfactant, they are free of strong builders, they are formulated in the mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH range, and they comprise positive divalent ions in amounts so as to saturate the anionic surfactant in the composition.

Abstract: A method for removing thermal grease from an electronic card having plated via holes and including electronic components thereon, the method including the steps of providing a substantially water free solution having an alcohol and at least one compound of a neutral ammonium salt of an organic acid and immersing the electronic card in the solution for a predetermined period of time remove the thermal grease from the electronic card.