Abstract: The invention relates to a process of mechanically washing soiled articles with a wash liquor having a low pH and comprising silica material, to a mechanical dish washing composition producing a low pH and comprising silica, to a method of preparing a mechanical dish washing composition comprising silica, to silica granules as well as their preparation and to the use of silica material.

Abstract: A method for manually cleaning and disinfecting the post of a pierced-earring which includes moving the post in sliding contact with a pad of porous cellular material that is immersed in disinfecting solution, where the pad and solution are placed in a resealable, fluid-tight container. The disinfectant solution includes chlorhexidine gluconate.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of removing paint containing heavy metal from a surface without the production of hazardous wastes. Specifically, this method involves applying a coating preparation to the heavy metal containing paint prior to its removal from its surface. The preparation contains lead reactive chemicals such as phosphates, metal sulfides and organic sulfides. The preparation may also contain buffers such as magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide. These chemicals react with the heavy metals rendering them nonhazardous. The invention also involves the coating preparation itself.

Abstract: CO.sub.2 jet spray cleaning apparatus that monitors CO.sub.2 snow plume characteristics. The present invention is a CO.sub.2 jet spray cleaning system that comprises a holding tank for containing liquid CO.sub.2, a spray nozzle coupled to the holding tank, a valve coupled between the holding tank and the spray nozzle, and a temperature sensor coupled to the nozzle for sensing the temperature of a plume of CO.sub.2 that is sprayed by the nozzle and for providing a signal indicative thereof. The system may also comprise a display coupled to the temperature sensor for displaying the temperature of the plume of CO.sub.2 to an operator, or an alarm coupled to the temperature sensor for alerting an operator that the temperature of the plume of CO.sub.2 has risen to a predetermined level. Either the displayed signal or the alert signal indicates that the quality of the plume has diminished and that the liquid CO.sub.2 in the holding tank should be replenished. The present CO.sub.2 jet spray cleaning system and CO.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for decontaminating a surface of nuclear or fissile materials or both. The process includes impacting ortho-boric acid crystals onto the surface. The present invention also provides an abrasive media comprising ortho-boric acid crystals having a boron-10 content of at least 19 percent by weight.

Abstract: An quaternary phosphonium ion-exchanged clay and method of removing organic contaminants from air and/or water, by contacting the contaminants in the air or water with a quaternary phosphonium organo-clay. The clay is prepared by ion-exchange of an ion-exchangeable clay with (a) tetra-short chain alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) quaternary phosphonium ion or (b) a di- or tri-short chain alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) quaternary phosphonium ion having 1 or 2 mono-substituted or unsubstituted cycloakyl moieties, or one or two alkaryl moieties for removing air-laden and water-laden organic contaminants. The new organo-clays and methods are particularly adapted for removal of aromatic petroleum-based contaminants from water, such as benzene; alkylbenzenes, such as toluene; xylenes (o-, m- and p-isomers); and chlorinated 1 and 2 carbon compounds, such as CCl.sub.4.

Abstract: A method for cleaning an interior cavity of a container including the following described steps. Firstly, insert a hard pliant card with rapid elastic recovery to within 96% of original into an interior cavity of a container. Secondly, exert a force upon the card until the card deforms to assume an arcuate shape substantially conforming with the interior contours of the container. Thirdly, move the card along the interior contour of the container in a scraping action such that an edge of the card scrapes residue from the interior contour of the container.

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 modular jet spray device for use in cleaning submicron sized particles and molecular films using CO.sub.2 spray. The modular jet spray device comprises a valve body having first and second ends and an gas input for receiving a CO.sub.2 cleaning agent. A jet spray nozzle is removably secured to the first end of the valve body and comprises an input orifice and an output orifice. A sleeve assembly is removably secured to the second end of the valve body, and a needle assembly is removably secured to the sleeve assembly. The needle assembly has a needle that inserts into the input orifice of the nozzle. A micrometer is removably secured-to the sleeve assembly distal from the valve body and is coupled to the needle assembly for adjusting the position of the needle relative to the inlet orifice of the jet spray nozzle. A CO.sub.2 gas source is coupled to the gas input of the valve body. Optionally, a filter may be coupled between the CO.sub.2 gas source and the gas input of the valve body.

Abstract: A surfactant-fertilizer compound for enhancing the biodegradation of hydrocarbons in soil or water comprising the reaction product of guanidine and at least one carboxylic acid is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved process for absorbing and decontaminating an organic chemical spill comprising the steps of: partially composting plant material; mixing approximately 80% of the partially composted plant material with approximately 20% of dry plant material; inoculating the mixture with about 50 to 100 parts per million by weight of an organic chemical to form an absorbent; mixing the absorbent with about 20% to 40% by volume of spilled organic chemical; adding water; and allowing the mixture to incubate for a suitable time at ambient temperature until the organic chemical spill is neutralized. The plant material may be cotton gin trash or alfalfa hay; or cotton, legumes, alfalfa, tomatoes or their mixtures. The mixture of absorbent and spilled organic chemical may allowed to incubate in a perforated drum with a lid.

Abstract: An adsorbent composition containing sugar, vinegar, and diatomaceous earth is disclosed. The sugar, vinegar, and diatomaceous earth are preferably added together in about equal amounts by volume or in amounts of about 20 pounds of sugar, 2 gallons of vinegar, and 100 pounds of diatomaceous earth. The adsorbent composition has particular use in adsorbing petroleum oil from soil, water, or air and in water purification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the continuous reliable supply of sodium bicarbonate particles to a blasting nozzle employing pressured air or water for conveying such particles into contact with a surface to be cleaned. The apparatus includes a hopper at atmospheric pressure and a removable orifice through which the abrasive particles are directed from the hopper to an open ended pipe. One end of the pipe is connected to a media conveying line and a venturi passage provided in a blast nozzle whereby a pressurized fluid passing through the venturi passage creates a suction force in the conveying line and the pipe such that atmospheric air and abrasive particles are drawn from the air pipe to the blast nozzle. The amount of air flow permitted through the pipe can be adjusted by a valve to control the vacuum within the conveying line and along with the particle feeding orifice controls the concentration of abrasive particles in the air stream directed to the nozzle.

Abstract: Cleaning methods for rail cars that haul freight, such as covered hoppers, open hoppers, box cars, tank cars, autoracks, locomotives, flat cars, remove the residue from materials transported by the rail car itself. The rail cars have at least one surface. Freight includes, but is not limited to, agricultural products, industrial products, foodstuffs, living beings, and packaged goods. Methods include the steps of vacuuming excess materials remaining in rail car, removing clinging or otherwise persistent materials with a forced air system, which may be augmented with abrasive materials to a surface of the rail car, and vacuuming up or otherwise removing all remaining dust and debris, and repeating some or all of the steps as necessary. In addition, methods wipe down the surface with a dry rag (e.g., paper or cloth) and/or wipe down the surface with a damp rag. A rag could also be used to apply a sterilizing agent, which would depend upon the application and materials removed and shipped.

Abstract: A method for cleaning bulk bags which have been utilized to transport dry bulk, the method including the steps of providing a first bulk bag to be cleaned; mounting the bulk bag on a frame through its inlet and outlet spouts; providing a vertically inclined brush substantially the same length as the mounted bulk bag; introducing air in the mounted bulk bag from the frame to inflate the bulk bag to its filled configuration; rotating the brush against the wall of the bag which in turn causes the bag to rotate on its axis, thus cleaning the exterior wall of the bag, and shaking material off of its interior wall; suctioning off material removed from the brush; collecting the material from the interior of the bag in a collection compartment; and mounting a second bag on the frame while the first bag is being cleaned; following the cleaning of the first bag, rotating the frame to place the second bag in alignment with the brush; inflating the second bag; and rotating the brush against the wall of the second bag to

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating a contact lens are disclosed. In one embodiment, the composition comprises an ophthalmically acceptable liquid aqueous medium and a plurality of particles which possess a hardness gradient. The hardness gradient of the particles is due to the particles having a relatively inelastic, water-impermeable core and a soft, water-permeable outer layer surrounding the core. The particles afford both high specific pressure on a contact lens surface and textural softness, which diminishes surface abrasion.

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: An improved slurry blasting process is disclosed wherein a liquid carrier medium such as water contains a dispersed water-soluble particulate abrasive to enhance blast cleaning efficiency and wherein the liquid carrier comprises a saturated solution such as the dissolved particulate abrasive so as to minimize the dissolution of the particulate abrasive therein. Slurry blasting at relatively low pressures below 500 psi and at room temperature provides effective and cost efficient cleaning of substrates. The slurry can be recovered and continuously reused. A recrystallization agent can be added to the slurry to increase abrasive particulate growth in the saturated solution.

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: 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 for separating a polymer such as polypropylene from a layered plastic material that includes a layer of polypropylene together with a layer of vinylidene chloride is provided. The layered plastic material is agitated in a bath of water and sand to wet the surfaces of the material. The layered plastic material is then agitated in a wash liquor of hot water, caustic, sand, and a surfactant to crack and strip the vinylidene chloride material from the polypropylene material. Sufficient caustic is included in the wash liquor to raise the pH of the wash liquor to pH 12 or greater. Agitation is by reversibly rotating a perforating basket containing the layered plastic material and the wash liquor at 10-20 revolutions per minute and by blowing air into the basket. The wash liquor and stripped vinylidene chloride are then drained away from the polypropylene. The polypropylene is rinsed with water to wash away residual wash liquor and stripped vinylidene chloride.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of polymers of aspartic acid by reacting (a) maleic anhydride and (b) ammonia and/or primary or secondary amines without diluent in the (a):(b) molar ratio of 1:0.1 to 1:3 to give monoamides of maleic acid, fumaric acid or their ammonium salts at up to 100.degree. C. and subsequent condensation of the reaction products, with or without compounds capable of cocondensation, at above 100.degree. C. and, where appropriate, hydrolysis of the condensates and use of the polymers as scale inhibitor, as dispersants for pigments and as additive to detergents and cleaners.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a workpiece with abrasive CO.sub.2 snow operates with a nozzle for creating and expelling the snow. The nozzle includes an upstream section for receiving CO.sub.2 in a gaseous form, and having a first contour shaped for subsonic flow of the CO.sub.2. The nozzle also includes a downstream section for directing the flow of the CO.sub.2 and the snow toward the workpiece, with the downstream section having a second contour shaped for supersonic flow of the CO.sub.2. The nozzle includes a throat section, interposed between the upstream and downstream sections, for changing the CO.sub.2 from the gaseous phase along a constant entropy line to a gas and snow mixture within the downstream section at a speed of at least Mach 1.0. In this manner, additional kinetic energy is imparted to the snow by delaying the conversion into the solid phase until the gaseous CO.sub.2 reaches supersonic speeds.

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: In order to more especially to be able to dispose of appliance having foam materials containing propellant in a manner compatible with the environment such the same are introduced into a chamber (1) where foam materials are blasted or blasted off in order to render possible the detachment of the synthetic resin foam and to destroy the cell structure while releasing the propellant contained therein. In order to improve upon such disposal and more particularly to decrease the energy requirement there is the provision in accordance that the blasting or blasting away is performed by means of a cooled fluid flow, preferably, water whose temperature is below that of the boiling point of the propellant. As a result the propellants released are immediately liquified or remain liquid.

Abstract: A method for blast cleaning a solid surface using an abrasive composition of calcium carbonate, wherein the abrasive-blasting operation uses blasting apparatus including a blasting pot, a blasting hose and spray nozzle connected to the blasting pot, an air compressor and compressor air lines connected to the blasting pot, and blasting hose and spray nozzle, comprising the steps include filling the blasting pot with an abrasive composition of a coarse, medium, or fine grade of calcium carbonate, selecting a blasting spray nozzle having a specific size, adjusting the media flow valve connected to the blasting pot to set a specific blasting flow rate, setting the air pressure on the compressor air line connected to the spray nozzle, setting the air volume flow rate on the compressor air line, holding the spray nozzle a distance of 6" to 24" away from the surface to be cleaned, and moving said spray nozzle across the surface to be cleaned and wherein the above sequence of steps may be varied.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved blasting media which has a lattice fiber structure which is used as a carrier for other desired components. Desired abrasive component(s), polishing component(s) and/or absorptive component(s) are attached to the strands of the carrier components in order to form a plurality of individual, discrete granules which are readily propellable by conventional blasting equipment against the surface to be treated. The latticed fiber carrier component has improved integrity over prior art media carriers as it is not prone to readily break down during use and thereby facilitates regeneration of the blasting media once the effectiveness of the media has been substantially reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the blast cleaning of the surface of an object using solid carbon dioxide pellets as the abrasive projected by a gaseous carbon dioxide propellent. The method and apparatus of this invention subjects a portion of a quantity of liquified carbon dioxide contained within a storage vessel to adiabatic expansion to provide a solid phase carbon dioxide and then compressing or extruding the solid phase carbon dioxide to form a plurality of pellets. Another portion of the liquified carbon dioxide is vaporized to provide a volume of gaseous carbon dioxide at above atmospheric pressure which is then used as a carrier and propellent to project the carbon dioxide pellets against the surface of the object to be cleaned. This invention eliminates the need to use a separate compressed air or nitrogen propellent system for a blast cleaning operation.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved bioremediation process comprising the steps of: (a) inoculating cotton gin trash or an equivalent plant material with soil from a contaminated site; (b) composting the inoculated cotton gin trash; (c) mixing the contaminated soil at a ratio of about 1:1 to about 1:5 by volume with the composted, inoculated cotton gin trash and certain chemical accelerators; and (d) allowing the mixture to incubate for a suitable time at ambient temperature until the contaminated soil is cleansed.

Abstract: A method and system for removing a surface layer contaminated with radioactive and/or hazardous material and subsequently treating the waste to remove contaminants and provide an essentially contaminant-free final effluent. The contaminated material is removed by blasting the surface with a pressurized stream of air and sodium bicarbonate abrasive media, and the media is dissolved in water subsequent to the blasing operation. The resulting waste is treated in a sequence of steps including adjustment of pH, aeration and separation into primarily solid and liquid phases by precipitation of solids, which are removed for appropriate disposal. The primarily liquid phase is successively passed through a particle filter, a granulated activated carbon filter and a polishing unit to produce the clean final effluent.

Abstract: A substrate scrubbing and cleaning method in which a substrate is carried to a rotatable scrubbing arrangement, and both surfaces of the substrate are scrubbed by the rotatable scrubbing arrangement while the substrate is maintained substantially horizontal. In addition, a cleaning solution is applied to both surfaces of the substrate while the substrate is substantially horizontal and is linearly reciprocated.

Abstract: Contaminated material is decontaminated using a process in which fractions of the contaminated material are sequentially exposed to a polymeric sorbent to enhance removal of contaminants. The contaminated material is first converted into a slurry which may be divided into a sand slurry and a slimes slurry. A quantity of large polymeric sorbent particles are first contacted with the slimes slurry and then separated and contacted with the sand slurry. The sorbent particles are then separated from the sand slurry which is exposed to the action of a flotation cell. The concentrate removed from the flotation cell is then exposed to the polymeric sorbent particles. At least a portion of the sorbent particles are then thermally regenerated and recycled. One preferred material for the polymeric sorbent is nitrile-butadiene rubber.

Abstract: Argon gas and nitrogen gas are mixed together and cooled by a cooler to a liquefying temperature of argon gas specific to its pressure, to form argon fine droplets in the mixed gas. The gas is then jetted out of nozzles and blown into a vacuum chamber to adiabatically lower the temperature further and change fine droplets to solid fine particles which are used to clean the surface of an object.

Abstract: A blast media for stripping contaminants from a solid surface comprises water soluble abrasive particles and a surfactant which reduces the amount of water soluble residues of blast media remaining on the targeted surface and which enables any residues which remain to be readily removed by fresh water.

Abstract: A process for removing coatings from hard surfaces includes blasting the surfaces with a free-flowing particulate blast media entrained in a pressurized fluid, the blast media containing a major amount of relatively soft granular abrasive particles which have a Mohs hardness of less than 4.0 and a minor amount of free-flowing, separate relatively hard granular abrasive particles which have a hardness of greater than 5.0 on the Mohs scale, the granular abrasives having a particle size of from about 10 to about 2000 microns and being devoid of crystalline silica material.

Abstract: A process for cleaning a surface contaminated with an organic, acidic or basic contaminant. In the process, a liquid-state composition including an agent selected form the group consisting of an absorbant, an acid-neutralizing agent and a base-neutralizing agent is applied to the surface, and allowed to interact with the contaminant to form a product and to solidify into a solid-state matrix which sequesters the product. The solid-state matrix is then removed from the surface, thereby substantially cleaning the surface of the contaminant. There is also a process wherein a second liquid-state composition including a functionally different composition is applied to the surface. The second liquid-state composition may enhance the removability of the solid-state matrix from the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing particulate contaminants from an electrostatic chuck pedestal for a semiconductor workpiece by physical removal employing a soft material workpiece or by creating a plasma sheath which suspends the contaminants from the chuck surface and entrains them in the gas stream of the chamber vacuum exhaust system of the chamber. The contaminant removal processes are particularly effective in continuous plasma processes for the treatment of workpieces.

Abstract: A method for finishing a surface of a workpiece, having the steps of agitating the workpiece with a first mixture including a first plurality of discrete, homogeneous compressed felt chunks having a first particulate abrasive coating thereon, and then agitating the workpiece with a second mixture including a second plurality of discrete, homogeneous compressed felt chunks having a second particulate abrasive coating thereon with an abrasive size smaller than an abrasive size of the first particulate abrasive coating.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a surface of an external wall of a building includes applying a cleaning fluid containing a strippable film forming agent to the surface of an external wall of a building, drying the applied cleaning fluid to form a strippable film, and stripping the strippable film from the surface of the external wall. Thus, the cleaning fluid which contains soil is removed with the strippable film, so that the scattering of the cleaning fluid around the building can be prevented.

Abstract: A blast media for removing coatings from hard surfaces such as steel includes a major amount of a granular relatively soft abrasive having a Mohs hardness of less than 4 and a minor portion of a granular hard abrasive having a Mohs hardness of greater than 5.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning the tubes of a heat exchanger of a type having at least one header that defines a manifold chamber having a plurality of tubes extending therefrom, the tubes and the header defining tube openings to provide open communication between the tubes and the manifold chamber, the tube openings defining a peripheral seating surface, there being bores in the header, respective ones of which are in register with respective ones of the tube openings, the apparatus comprising a tubular member having a first end and a second end, the tubular member being dimensioned such that the first end can be received through at least one of the bores, a force transmitting lever assembly connected to the tubular member and operatively connected to the header whereby the tubular member can be urged toward the seating surface of a tube opening in register with a bore through which the tubular member is received, there being a seal formed between the tubular member and the seating surface.

Abstract: A method of cleaning and waxing of an aircraft's (or other vehicle's) exterior surfaces through a single application of a composition and use of simple wiping cloths. The composition is applied by spray bottle, agitated with a first cloth (or portion thereof), and wiped from the surface with a second cloth (or portion thereof). This process will both clean and provide a waxed finish to any smooth, polished vehicular surface.

Abstract: A particle blast cleaning apparatus for use with sublimable blast media, a source of compressed gas, and a discharge nozzle. The apparatus includes a mixing device for mixing the sublimable media with compressed gas, which mixing device includes a lower section having an outlet port formed therein and an upper section positioned over the lower section and having two sublimable media inlet ports and a compressed gas inlet port. A transfer member is mounted between the lower section and the upper section for reciprocal movement and has at least two transfer chambers for transporting sublimable media.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing spilled oil from shorelines, other solid surfaces, or from the surface of a body of water by adding to the surface a mixture of fine hydrophilic mineral solids dispersed in an aqueous liquid that interacts with the oil to form buoyant mineral fines-oil floccules. These floccules reduce the tendency of the oil to adhere to solid surfaces or to recoalesce, thus facilitating dispersion and removal of the oil.

Abstract: A cryoblasting process having a centrifugal accelerator for accelerating frozen pellets of argon or carbon dioxide toward a target area utilizes an accelerator throw wheel designed to induce, during operation, the creation of a low-friction gas bearing within internal passages of the wheel which would otherwise retard acceleration of the pellets as they move through the passages. An associated system and method for removing paint from a surface with cryoblasting techniques involves the treating, such as a preheating, of the painted surface to soften the paint prior to the impacting of frozen pellets thereagainst to increase the rate of paint removal. A system and method for producing large quantities of frozen pellets from a liquid material, such as liquid argon or carbon dioxide, for use in a cryoblasting process utilizes a chamber into which the liquid material is introduced in the form of a jet which disintegrates into droplets.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating, for example cleaning, sensitive, in particular highly contoured surfaces such as those of sculptures of wood, plaster, bronze and the like, comprises a mixing head (1) for mixing media supplied to the mixing head (1) and for spraying a treatment jet (50) formed therefrom. The mixing head (1) comprises a mixing chamber (30) into which under pressure a first jet with a liquid treating agent is introduced via a first supply conduit (10) through an inlet (12) and a second jet is introduced, the jet axis (22) of which is inclined at an angle (.gamma.) to the jet axis (11) of the first jet and extends eccentrically thereto. In this apparatus the inlet (12) for the first jet comprises an inlet opening (14) which is so formed and/or orientated that the jet axis (22) of the second jet intersects the first jet.

Abstract: A novel method and a novel article for cleaning a metal, glass, or plastic surface without scratching or scoring the surface. The novel method includes wiping the surface with the novel article, which is made from an open cell, hydrophilic, static-dissipative, polyurethane foam, and which is laundered so that the article in deionized water releases fewer than 36.0.times.10.sup.6 per square meter of apparent surface area of the article for particles of a size greater than about 0.5 .mu.m and fewer than about 2.5 parts per million of chloride, fluoride, sodium, sulfate, sulfite, or silicon ions. The novel article may be a wiper, a sponge, a roller, a swab mounted on a handle, or a plug having a generally cylindrical shape when unstressed and having particular utility where the surface is the interior surface of a metal, glass, or plastic tube. The plug is propelled through the tube, as by means of compressed air. The novel method also may include washing the surface with deionized water.

Abstract: A method and system for removing a surface layer contaminated with radioactive and/or hazardous material and subsequently treating the waste to remove contaminants and provide an essentially contaminant-free final effluent. The contaminated material is removed by blasting the surface with a pressurized stream of air and sodium bicarbonate abrasive media, and the media is dissolved in water subsequent to the blasing operation. The resulting waste is treated in a sequence of steps including adjustment of pH, aeration and separation into primarily solid and liquid phases by precipitation of solids, which are removed for appropriate disposal. The primarily liquid phase is successively passed through a particle filter, a granulated activated carbon filter and a polishing unit to produce the clean final effluent.

Abstract: A method of cleaning, either continuously or intermittently, a pneumatically operated pulverized coal system by injecting into this system a stream of generally uniformly sized coke breeze particles. This coke breeze stream would abrade the interior surface of the pulverized coal system thereby cleaning it. Additionally, due to the high carbon content of the coke breeze, this substance will replace or displace a portion of the coal stream delivered to the furnace. Furthermore, such use of coke breeze will eliminate the need to dispose of this by-product in cases where alternative uses are not available.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the cleaning of plastic flakes to be recycled. Water is added to the plastic flakes and high shear agitator is provided so that dirt, paper and other contamination are removed from the surface of the plastic flakes. The contaminant containing water is then separated from the cleaned plastic flakes. Batch and continuous embodiments of the present invention are disclosed.