SCUM

In a gas flotation unit, air is bubbled through oily water to capture oil particles which then rise with the bubble to form a scum at the surface of the flotation unit. The scum can be removed by rotating paddles. Chemicals are often added to destabilise the inlet stream and enhance performance. 

Before this treatment, the cassiterite content of the ore is increased by removing impurities such as clay, by washing and by roasting which drives off oxides of arsenic and sulphur. The crude tin obtained is often contaminated with iron and other metals. It is, therefore, remelted on an inclined hearth the easily fusible tin melts away, leaving behind the less fusible impurities. The molten tin is finally stirred to bring it into intimate contact with air. Any remaining metal impurities are thereby oxidised to form a scum tin dross ) on the surface and this can be skimmed off Very pure tin can be obtained by zone refining. 

Crude lead contains traces of a number of metals. The desilvering of lead is considered later under silver (Chapter 14). Other metallic impurities are removed by remelting under controlled conditions when arsenic and antimony form a scum of lead(II) arsenate and antimonate on the surface while copper forms an infusible alloy which also takes up any sulphur, and also appears on the surface. The removal of bismuth, a valuable by-product, from lead is accomplished by making the crude lead the anode in an electrolytic bath consisting of a solution of lead in fluorosilicic acid. Gelatin is added so that a smooth coherent deposit of lead is obtained on the pure lead cathode when the current is passed. The impurities here (i.e. all other metals) form a sludge in the electrolytic bath and are not deposited on the cathode. 

Detergents are made by, for example, treating petroleum hydrocarbons with sulphuric acid, yielding sulphonated products which are water soluble. These can also solubilise fats and oils since, like the stearate ion, they have an oil-miscible hydrocarbon chain and a water-soluble ionic end. The calcium salts of these substances, however, are soiu u-ic in water and, therefore, remove hardness without scum formation. 

Transfer the filtrate to a ceramic evaporating dish and heat on a water bath until a crystalline scum forms on the top. Cool the dish quickly then filter the mess on the vacuum Buchner to yield 96g of Methylamine Hydrochloride. Concentrate the filtrate once again to obtain a second crop of crystals, -IQg. Concentrate the filtrate a third time as far as possible using the water bath, then store the dish in a vacuum dessicator loaded with Sodium Hydroxide in the bottom for 24 hours. Add Chloroform to the residue left in the crucible to dissolve out Dimethylamine Hydrochloride (distill off the Chloroform to recover - good stuff) then filter on the venerable old vacuum Buchner funnel to yield an additional 20g of Methylamine Hydrochloride, washing the crystals in the funnel with a small poiiion of Chloroform ( 10mL). 

Detergents are designed to be effective in hard water meaning water containing calcium salts that form insoluble calcium carboxylates with soaps These precipitates rob the soap of Its cleansing power and form an unpleasant scum The calcium salts of synthetic deter gents such as sodium lauryl sulfate however are soluble and retain their micelle forming ability even m hard water... 

In dipping generally, but particularly with the anode process, it is desirable to use tanks that circulate the coagulant and latex compound, particularly the latter. Use of circulation keeps the Hquid surface clean and free from lumps, scum, or bubbles. Mechanical circulation can cause mbber particle instabihty, however, and eventually coagulate the compound. Therefore, tanks should be designed to minimize friction or shear action, and the compound stabilized to maintain mechanical stabiUty. 

Anionic surfactants are the most commonly used class of surfactant. Anionic surfactants include sulfates such as sodium alkylsulfate and the homologous ethoxylated versions and sulfonates, eg, sodium alkylglycerol ether sulfonate and sodium cocoyl isethionate. Nonionic surfactants are commonly used at low levels ( 1 2%) to reduce soap scum formation of the product, especially in hard water. These nonionic surfactants are usually ethoxylated fatty materials, such as H0CH2CH20(CH2CH20) R. These are commonly based on triglycerides or fatty alcohols. Amphoteric surfactants, such as cocamidopropyl betaine and cocoamphoacetate, are more recent surfactants in the bar soap area and are typically used at low levels (<2%) as secondary surfactants. These materials can have a dramatic impact on both the lathering and mildness of products (26). 

Barium carbonate prevents formation of scum and efflorescence in brick, tile, masonry cement, terra cotta, and sewer pipe by insolubilizing the soluble sulfates contained in many of the otherwise unsuitable clays. At the same time, it aids other deflocculants by precipitating calcium and magnesium as the carbonates. This reaction is relatively slow and normally requites several days to mature even when very fine powder is used. Consequentiy, often a barium carbonate emulsion in water is prepared with carbonic acid to further increase the solubiUty and speed the reaction. 

Both types of coalescence can be important in the foam separations characterized by low gas flow rate, such as batchwise ion flotation producing a scum-bearing froth of comparatively long residence time. On the other hand, with the relatively higher gas flow rate of foam fractionation, the residence time may be too short for the first type to be important, and if the foam is sufficiently stable, even the second type of coalescence may be unimportant. 

Mixing equipment To achieve optimum results aud to avoid scum buildup, mechauical mixiug is recom-meuded. 

Targe water plants, though a nuisance, are not the main environmental problem. Algae are very small single-ceiled plants that grow on a variety of surfaces, including that of water. They are not noticeable on water until they grow to excess and form the blooms —possibly better described as scum—that are... 

The detection and analysis, including quantification, of cyanobacterial toxins are essential for monitoring their occurrence in natural and controlled waters used for agricultural purposes, potable supplies, recreation and aquaculture. Risk assessment of the cyanobacterial toxins for the protection of human and animal health, and fundamental research, are also dependent on efficient methods of detection and analysis. In this article we discuss the methods developed and used to detect and analyse cyanobacterial toxins in bloom and scum material, water and animal/clinical specimens, and the progress being made in the risk assessment of the toxins. 

In the Slimmer of 1989, Rutland Water, the largest man-made lake in Western Europe and which supplies potable water to approximately 500 000 people in the East of England, contained a heavy bloom of Microcystis aeruginosa. By the end of the summer, a number of sheep and dogs had died after drinking from the bloom and concentrated scum. Analysis revealed that the cyanobacterial bloom material was toxic to laboratory mice, and that rumen contents from a poisoned sheep contained fivemicrocystin variants.Microcystins were detected in waters used for recreation in Australia at concentrations greater than 1 mg per... 

Not all cyanobacterial blooms and scums contain detectable levels of toxins. Indeed, the incidence of toxicity detection by mouse bioassay, and toxin detection by HPLC among environmental samples, ranges from about 40% to However, in view of this high occurrence, it is the policy of regulatory authorities and water supply operators in some countries to assume that blooms of cyanobacteria are toxic until tested and found to be otherwise. In the absence of available analytical facilities or expertise or for logistical reasons, this precautionary principle should be regarded as sensible and prudent. 

The final article, by S. G. Bell and G. A. Codd of the University of Dundee Department of Biological Services, is concerned with detection, analysis, and risk assessment of cyanobacterial toxins. These can be responsible for animal, fish, and bird deaths and for ill-health in humans. The occurrence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms and scums on nutrient-rich waters is a world-wide phenomenon and cases are cited from Australia, the USA, and China, as well as throughout Europe. The causes, indentification and assessment of risk, and establishment of criteria for controlling risk are discussed. 

Skim off oil and grease scum from the surface of the bath every day or more frequently, depending upon the amount of work being handled. 

Disposal of waste primer, paint, oil and grease scum... 

When most of the alcohol has distilled, a yellow scum forms on the surface of the red, viscous liquid. The distillation is stopped at this point. When the solution is cooled, the sodium derivative crystallizes with considerable expansion in volume. 

Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water Reacts slowly, forming heavy scum and liberating carbon dioxide gas. Dangerous pressure can build up if container is sealed Reactivity with Common Materials No hazardous reaction unless confined and wet Stability During Transport Stable if kept sealed and dry Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics Not pertinent Polymerization Not pertinent Inhibitor qf Polymerization Not pertinent. 

Septic Tank Untreated liquid household wastes (sewage) will quickly clog your absorption field if not properly treated. The septic tank is a holding tank in which this treatment can take place. When sewage enters the septic tank, the heavy solids settle to the bottom of the tank the lighter solids, fats and greases partially decompose and rise to the surface and form a layer of scum. The solids that have settled to the bottom are attacked by bacteria and form sludge. 

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