Abstract: Buoyed mats for reservoir vapor management are described. In one aspect, the buoyed biomats are made from an interconnected structure comprising biomass materials. A support structure is attached to the interconnected biomass. Floatable components are attached to the support structure to facilitate flotation of the mats.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling evaporation from a body of water. The method of the invention uses a water insoluble compound and a water soluble polymer, which interact with each other by non-covalent bonding interactions.

Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a device including array of aciive regions for use in reacting one or more species in at least two of the active regions in a sequential process, e.g., sequential reactions. The device has a transparent substrate member, which has a surface region and a silane material overlying the surface region. A first active region overlies a first portion of the silane material. The first region has a first dimension of less than 1 micron in size and has first molecules capable of binding to the first portion of the silane material. A second active region overlies a second portion of the silane material. The second region has a second dimension of less than 1 micron in size, second molecules capable of binding to the second portion of the active region, and a spatial distance separates the first active region and the second active region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools of standing water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributes a chemical solution that reduces evaporation and heat loss by forming a film or monomolecular layer over the surface or substantial surface area of the swimming pool or water pond.

Abstract: A system for on site monitoring and controlling the characteristics of a body of water by measuring the water characteristics in a first position and adjusting the water characteristics in a second position through either adding dispensable materials to the water or changing the energy of the water or both.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reclamation of waste fluids. A conditioning container is employed for receipt of waste material on a continuous flow for treatment within the container by immersible transducers producing ultrasonic acoustic waves in combination with a high level of injected ozone. The treated material exhibits superior separation properties for delivery into a centrifuge for enhanced solid waste removal. The invention discloses a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling of flowback, or frac water, which has been used to stimulate gas production from shale formations. The apparatus is mobile and containerized and suitable for installation at the well site.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for generating aqueous chlorine dioxide solutions when the device is contacted with liquid water. The device comprises an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chlorite, e.g., sodium chlorite, and a chemical reagent comprising an acid or a material capable of releasing an acid upon exposure to liquid water, e.g., sodium bisulfate. The chlorite and the reagent are either combined as a mixture or are disposed as separate components adhered to the surface of one or more substrates. Upon exposure to liquid water, the chlorite and the reagent produce boundary layers. The chlorite and the reagent are disposed upon, and adhered to, the surface(s) of the substrates in a manner such that upon exposure to liquid water, the chlorite boundary layer comes into contact with the reagent boundary layer to thereby produce an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution.

Abstract: A composition for retarding water loss and/or heat loss from a body of water comprises a polyoxyethylene ether having the general structure of R—(OCH2CH2)nOH where R is an alkyl group or mixture of alkyl groups, and n is the average number of ethylene oxide units in the polyethylene glycol segment, wherein R is lauryl alcohol and n is 2. The composition can be delivered as a neat liquid, solution, or dispersion in a solvent or carrier, without additional dispersants or spreading agents, and without hazardous or flammable solvents. Embodiments may include a thickening agent to stabilize the dispersion until use. Preservatives, colorants and fragrance can be added. The range for delivery of the composition in dilution is from about 0.1% to about 90% by weight in one embodiment, and from about 0.5% to about 50% by weight, and from about 1% to about 20% by weight in other embodiments.

Abstract: The invention provides a fluid UV sterilization system capable of automatically and stably keeping the fluid level, which includes a channel, a UV lamp module group, an electrical controller and a mounting bracket for UV lamp module(s), each UV lamp module comprising a frame and a plurality of UV lamps, the orientation of the frame and the lamps is perpendicular to or forms an angle with the general flow direction in the channel. A baffle is provided on either or both of the upstream and downstream of at least one of the UV lamp module(s), and the bottom of the baffle extends to such an extent towards the bottom of the channel that it at least reaches within the effective radiation distance of the UV lamp module group towards the fluid surface. The fluid UV sterilization system according to the present invention can control the fluid level automatically and stably, and can be used for the sterilization of domestic sewage, industrial sewage, recycled water, tap water and other kinds of water.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for disrupting biofilm and for inhibiting biofilm formation in an aqueous environment that comprises contacting said environment with an effective amount of D-tagatose.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for generating aqueous chlorine dioxide solutions when the device is contacted with liquid water. The device comprises an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal chlorite, e.g., sodium chlorite, and a chemical reagent comprising an acid or a material capable of releasing an acid upon exposure to liquid water, e.g., sodium bisulfate. The chlorite and the reagent are either combined as a mixture or are disposed as separate components adhered to the surface of one or more substrates. Upon exposure to liquid water, the chlorite and the reagent produce boundary layers. The chlorite and the reagent are disposed upon, and adhered to, the surface(s) of the substrates in a manner such that upon exposure to liquid water, the chlorite boundary layer comes into contact with the reagent boundary layer to thereby produce an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution.

Abstract: Methods of extracting and removing hyperpolarized gas from a container include introducing an extraction fluid into the container to force the hyperpolarized gas out of an exit port. The hyperpolarized gas is forced out of the container separate and apart from the extraction fluid. Alternatively, if the fluid is a gas, a portion of the gas is mixed with the hyperpolarized gas to form a sterile mixed fluid product suitable for introduction to a patient. An additional method includes engaging a gas transfer source such as a syringe to a transport container and pulling a quantity of the hyperpolarized gas out of the container in a controlled manner. Another method includes introducing a quantity of liquid into a container and covering at least one predetermined internal surface or component with the liquid to mask the surfaces and keep the hyperpolarized gas away from the predetermined internal surface, thereby inhibiting any depolarizing affect from same.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to save labor, reduce cost, and to make detergents and wax unnecessary. Water quality improving materials used in a washing device are provided, wherein; raw ceramic powder material containing tourmaline is adhered on the surfaces of ceramic carriers, and then fired to form tourmaline containing films, whereby washing powder is improved by activating water and the contained boric silica S1, S2 . . . adheres onto the surface W of an automobile, etc. As a form thereof, the boric silica S1, S2 . . . is adhered by an electrode position action due to the electrical charges generated by tourmaline and the water is activated by these electrical charges.

Abstract: Parent disclosure, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,133 B1, taught a calcium hydroxide containing evaporation retardant having particles that mutually repel one another because of water-induced ionization. Calcium hydroxide makes the retardant unsuitable for treating overly alkaline agricultural soil, and to substitute plain calcium sulfate for calcium hydroxide would degrade the particle repulsion effect. Substitutable acidified gypsum is made by absorbing about 5 milliliters sulfuric acid per 300 grams calcium sulfate. Blending unemulsified detergent range alcohol in a parts by weight ratio of about one-to-ten with the acidified gypsum produces a soil treatment product for suppressing evaporation of water from treated soil without impairing water infiltration into the same soil.

Abstract: Dispersibility of thickener is constant for every lot and viscosity difference is little. Fine bubbles existing in the thicker in ink follower are removed. A step of homogenizing the thickener at any temperature within a range of 40° C. to 130° C. is included. Preferably, a step of homogenizing the thickener at any temperature within a range of 100° C. to 130° C. is included.

Abstract: This invention relates to ink follower for a water-base ballpoint pen with its bubbles removed, time-dependent stability, less oil separation, and greatly reduced lot-to-lot viscosity difference and associated performance difference, and a method for manufacturing the same. After addition of thickener, the follower is made depressurized preferably at 0.2 atm or lower. Simultaneous heating and stirring are preferable. When the ink follower is solely debubbled in advance, fine bubbles contained in particulate silica, clay thickener, etc. can be very highly removed even if the centrifugal debubbling is not so strong and there is no bad affection to the writing property of the pen. It is also possible that, after adding the thickener, a centrifugal force greater than or equal to 200-fold of the gravitational acceleration is applied to debubble.

Abstract: The invention pertains to enhancing the dispersion on the surface of a still or moving body of a polar liquid, such as water, of particles of a powder of the composition essentially comprising a monolayer-forming constituent, such as hexadecanol or octadecanol or a blend thereof, together with a high proportion of a soluble or sparingly soluble alkaline earth metal hydroxide, more particularly about five times the monolayer-forming constituent's weight when the hydroxide constituent is—as preferred for potable water evaporation reduction—calcium hydroxide procured as inexpensive pre-powdered agricultural hydrated lime. A melt-processing manner of producing the composition is described. When particles of the composition contact the body of water, so long as lime remains present in any floating particles, they will be individually positively charged, resulting in their repulsion from one another. This enhanced dispersal effect is due to the ionization of the calcium hydroxide.

Abstract: A device for applying an evaporation-inhibiting film to an exposed liquid surface of a liquid body, which includes an impeller disposed below and coplanar with the exposed liquid surface; means for rotating said impeller; means for delivering the evaporation-inhibiting film to the exposed liquid surface at a location immediately above said impeller; and means for bringing liquid from beneath the exposed surface of the liquid body to above said impeller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid evaporation inhibitor which is suitable for use in high temperature applications; e.g., above 70.degree. C. The evaporation inhibitor liquid comprises a mixture of an alkane, a non-volatile oil, preferably a vegetable oil and a surfactant. The alkane is present in the mixture in an amount sufficient to provide a density which promotes floating on an aqueous medium and to cover an aqueous medium. The non-volatile oil is present in the mixture in an amount sufficient to inhibit evaporation of the mixture at temperatures above 70.degree. C. The surfactant is present in the mixture in an amount sufficient to maximize the contact surface area between the evaporation inhibitor liquid and the aqueous medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid evaporation inhibitor which is suitable for use in high temperature applications; e.g., above 70.degree. C. The evaporation inhibitor liquid comprises a mixture of an alkane, a non-volatile oil, preferably a vegetable oil and a surfactant. The alkane is present in the mixture in an amount sufficient to provide a density which promotes floating on an aqueous medium and to cover an aqueous medium. The non-volatile oil is present in the mixture in an amount sufficient to inhibit evaporation of the mixture at temperatures above 70.degree. C. The surfactant is present in the mixture in an amount sufficient to maximize the contact surface area between the evaporation inhibitor liquid and the aqueous medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunohistochemical staining method using improved reagents. In one aspect, the method uses an evaporation inhibitor liquid to prevent evaporation of reagents applied to an assay region of a slide.

Abstract: A preservation process and apparatus which serves to preserve respiratory agricultural produces, such as plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables, cereal grain and the like, without necessitating the use of chemical coatings, chemical preservatives, fumigants, or the like. The invention is predicated on the concept of imposing a small positive pressure gradient on the product from the outside to the inside. The selected positive pressure gradient may be of the order of 1-5 psi, which is sufficient to insure positive partial vapor pressure gradients from ambient partial vapor pressure to the internal partial vapor pressure of the product. Such a positive pressure sufficient to ensure a positive partial pressure gradient neutralizes the outward diffusion of moisture and nutrients from the product, and it also retards the respiration rate and thus retards its rated maturity.

Abstract: This invention relates to an anti-freeze separator assembly connected to a piece of equipment in outdoor freezing conditions in order to take a fluid, such as water, and treat same for subsequent disposal without freezing. The anti-freeze separator assembly includes 1) a main container housing; 2) a material retainer member mounted within the main container housing to receive and hold a treatment chemical therein; 3) an enclosure cap assembly releasably mounted on the main container housing; 4) a main fluid inlet assembly connected to the main container housing to transfer a fluid to be treated therein; and 5) a main discharge assembly connected to the main container housing to transfer a treat fluid therefrom. The main discharge assembly includes a discharge pipe member connected to a transfer pipe assembly with a diaphragm valve assembly therebetween.

Abstract: Shear stable antimisting properties are provided to a wide variety of formulations comprising aqueous liquids through the use of a viscoelastic surfactant which comprises a surfactant compound having a hydrophobic moiety chemically bonded to an ionic, hydrophilic moiety and an electrolyte having a moiety that is capable of associating with the surfactant ion. Optionally, an additional amount of electrolyte can be added to the viscoelastic surfactant to further reduce misting. The viscoelastic surfactant can also be a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: A bath water heater and circulator-purifier apparatus that removes microorganisms and other organic substances found in bath water and maintains the temperature of water at a given level without changing water.An apparatus according to the present invention comprises a removable filter for filtering bath water pumped up from a bath tub, a heater for heating the pumped up water, a temperature sensor for controlling the heater, an ejector for ejecting the filter and heated water into the bath tub with air bubbles having a cleansing and skin-stimulating effect and a container for adding to the bath water a water purifying agent having an effect of separating and agglomerating organic substances as well as an effect of sterilizing and deodorizing bath water and suppressing generation of steam.

Abstract: Shear stable antimisting properties are provided to a wide variety of formulations comprising aqueous liquids through the use of a viscoelastic surfactant which comprises a surfactant compound having a hydrophobic moiety chemically bonded to an ionic, hydrophilic moiety and an electrolyte having a moiety that is capable of associating with the surfactant ion. Optionally, an additional amount of electrolyte can be added to the viscoelastic surfactant to further reduce misting. The viscoelastic surfactant can also be a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: A protective product for treating fresh concrete or mortar. The products are a mixture of (a) an aqueous dispersion A of a film-forming synthetic polymer (the synthetic polymer is compatible with fresh concrete or mortar) having little or no permeability to water vapor with (b) at least one coagulant for the film-forming synthetic polymer when in the presence of calcium ions. The coagulant is introduced in the form of an aqueous or aqueous alcoholic solution and/or by means of an aqueous wax emulsion and/or by means of an aqueous dispersion B of a synthetic polymer which is slightly permeable or impermeable to water. The aqueous dispersion B is prepared by polymerization in the presence of the coagulant. When applied by spraying to the surface of fresh mortar, the products form a continuous waterproof film, which is readily removed by peeling.

Abstract: A composition for protection of the liquid surface from heat- and mass-trfer, for example from evaporation, contains a polymer limitedly swelling in the protected liquid or a mixture of said polymer with a neutral filler having a density lower than the density of the protected liquid.A method for protection of the liquid surface from heat- and mass-transfer comprising application of said composition on the surface of a liquid, for example petroleum, in an amount of from 0.1 to 2 kg per m.sup.2. Upon contacting of the polymer with the liquid the polymer rapidly swells and forms a continuous gel-like covering which hinders the heat- and mass-transfer on the liquid surface.

Abstract: An aqueous gel comprising water and a cross-linked polyacrylamide provides a transparent, thermally insulating cover for a solar pond. Heat losses from the top of the pond to the atmosphere due to convection currents are minimized as well as losses due to evaporation. Advantage is taken of convection currents to maximize heat extraction efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed are cell-free, stable, aqueous blood gas controls containing a proteinaceous foaming agent. The addition of foaming agent to the blood gas control permits generation of a gas impermeable foam within the head space of a sealed ampule in which the control is packaged. Upon agitation of the ampule prior to opening, the foam thus generated effectively isolates the control fluid from the ambient environment, thereby maintaining the concentration of gases dissolved within the fluid at their assigned values.

Abstract: A method for treating a body of water forming a solar pond includes applying oil to the surface of the pond from at least one predetermined area of the surface, collecting oil from the surface, purifying the collected oil, and then recirculating the purified oil to said at least one predetermined area. Apparatus is provided for performing the method and includes wind-activated nozzles for applying the oil at an upwind peripheral location, a trough for collecting the oil at a downwind peripheral location, a filter for purifying the collected oil, color and spreadability sensors for examining the collected oil, and a quality improvement device for controlling the quality of the collected oil in accordance with the sensor output. A pump and pipe recirculate the treated oil from the trough to the nozzles.

Abstract: A drain cleaner package which reduces the hazards of handling a caustic material, such as sulfuric acid, or an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution in a container by providing a layer of immiscible liquid in the container above the caustic material. In a preferred embodiment, the container is a bottle with a narrowed neck.

Abstract: Heat loss and evaporation from contained bodies of water are reduced by generating a cured polysiloxane foam on the surface of the water. The foam is formed by reacting an organohydrogenpolysiloxane with the water in the presence of a rhodium catalyst or an inhibited or chelated platinum catalyst.

Abstract: An electrical current of potential is fed to or measured in test leads associated with underground piping, casings and the like through the use of a cathodic test station for flushing mounting in the ground. The test station includes a hollow cylindrical housing having a flanged upper end and an implanted lower end receiving test leads and anchored in the ground by a bar extending therethrough and by ribs projecting radially from the outer surface of the housing. A carrier forms an airtight pocket within side walls projecting from a solid end wall having a flange extending outwardly for recessed support on a shelf in the flanged upper end of the housing. A clamp within the airtight pocket of the carrier supports a terminal block. In one form, the clamp is produced by protrusions from the side wall of the carrier and in another form, a clip extends across the face of the end wall of the carrier. Ends of the clip are spaced from the end wall to support a mounting wall of a terminal block member.

Abstract: A process for preparing microcapsules comprising a core of highly viscous liquid substance encapsuled with a wall of an aggregate of finely divided silica powder, which comprises adding the highly viscous liquid substance into a powder bed of the finely divided silica powder under stirring with a cutter. The microcapsules thus obtained have such a structure that the core of highly viscous liquid substance is coated with a wall of an aggregate of the finely divided silica powder and a gelatinized layer formed between the wall and the liquid core substance.

Abstract: A method and composition for forming a thin film of evaporation retarding agent upon a water surface by applying to the water, solid macroscopic particles of a saturated, aliphatic, interface-active hydrocarbon in solid solution with a spreading agent, e.g., a polyethylene glycol, that is soluble in both water and the hydrocarbon. Preferably, the particles are admixed with solid macroscopic particles of a filler material capable of generating a gas upon contact with water and compacted into a tablet, pellet or other solid unitary form for application to a water surface.

Abstract: A method and composition for forming a thin film of evaporation retarding agent upon a water surface by applying to the water, solid macroscopic particles of a saturated, aliphatic, interface-active hydrocarbon in solid solution with a spreading agent, e.g., a polyethylene glycol, that is soluble in both water and the hydrocarbon. Preferably, the particles are admixed with solid macroscopic particles of a filler material capable of generating a gas upon contact with water and compacted into a tablet, pellet or other solid unitary form for application to a water surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for suppressing and/or retarding the evaporation of water from dry cooling towers. The compositions contain: from 99.5 to 99.9 wt. percent of a light lubricating oil; 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent of an alkaline earth metal sulfonate and 30 to 150 parts per million of a polyacrylate-based defoaming agent.