Treatment of hazardous materials with aqueous air foam of polyhydroxy polymer

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:5217903

Stern, R

A method is described for treating hazardous materials or other substrates with an aqueous air foam, comprising three steps. The first step involves preparing an aqueous solution or dispersion comprising: (a) a water-soluble polyhydroxy polymer having a plurality of hydrogen-bondable 1,2-and/or 1,3-diol structures capable of complexation with the borate anion, B(OH)4; (b) a polyvalent ionic complexing agent which crosslinks the polymer by hydrogen-bonding complexation; (c) a foaming agent to impart persistence to the fluid air foam generated upon aeration of the solution; (d) a pH modifier to impart an appropriate pH necessary for time-controlled formation of gelled or viscous air foam from the fluid air foam; and (e) water as the major component of the aqueous solution or dispersion by weight. The second step involves the solution to form a fluid, aqueous, aerated or air-entrained, low density foam which becomes viscous, generally at least 5 seconds after its formation; and the last step involves spraying, contacting or applying the fluid, aqueous air foam to the exposed surface of the substrate.

• Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., St. Paul (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5026735; A
• OSTI ID: 5217903
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
WASTE PROCESSING
AERATION
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
DECONTAMINATION
DISPERSIONS
PH VALUE
REMEDIAL ACTION
WATER POLLUTION
CLEANING
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MIXTURES
POLLUTION
PROCESSING
SOLUTIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)