Metal-chelating compositions having the structure (1a) wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are independently selected from the following groups: (i) hydrogen atom, (ii) hydrocarbon groups (R) containing 1-12 carbon atoms; (iii) halogen atoms; (iv) —P(R.sup.5) (═O)OH groups; (v) —C(═O)OH groups; (vi) —S(═O).sub.2OH groups; and (vii) —OH groups, wherein R.sup.5 is selected from hydrocarbon groups (R) and —OH; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may optionally interconnect to form Ring A fused to the ring on which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are present; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may optionally interconnect to form Ring B fused to the ring on which R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are present; wherein Ring A and Ring B are optionally and independently substituted with one or more of groups (ii)-(vii). Methods of using the above-described compositions for chelating metal ions having an atomic number of at least 56 (e.g., Ba or Ra) are also described. ##STR00001##

Metal-chelating compositions having the structure (1a) wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are independently selected from the following groups: (i) hydrogen atom, (ii) hydrocarbon groups (R) containing 1-12 carbon atoms; (iii) halogen atoms; (iv) —P(R.sup.5) (═O)OH groups; (v) —C(═O)OH groups; (vi) —S(═O).sub.2OH groups; and (vii) —OH groups, wherein R.sup.5 is selected from hydrocarbon groups (R) and —OH; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may optionally interconnect to form Ring A fused to the ring on which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are present; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may optionally interconnect to form Ring B fused to the ring on which R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are present; wherein Ring A and Ring B are optionally and independently substituted with one or more of groups (ii)-(vii). Methods of using the above-described compositions for chelating metal ions having an atomic number of at least 56 (e.g., Ba or Ra) are also described. ##STR00001##

A fluorescent water treatment polymer comprises at least one water soluble carboxylic acid monomer other than maleic acid, at least one sulfonated pyrene-containing fluorescent monomer, and at least one phosphino group wherein the phosphorous atom of the phosphino group is in the polymer backbone. Additional monomers can be present, with the proviso that if maleic acid is present it comprises no greater than 75 mol % of the polymer. Surprisingly, it has been found that when the phosphino group is present the polymers exhibit an unexpectedly strong fluorescent signal strength. The signal strength of the fluorescent monomer in the polymer is further enhanced when the polymer comprises no greater than 75 mol % maleic acid.

A fluorescent water treatment polymer comprises at least one water soluble carboxylic acid monomer other than maleic acid, at least one sulfonated pyrene-containing fluorescent monomer, and at least one phosphino group wherein the phosphorous atom of the phosphino group is in the polymer backbone. Additional monomers can be present, with the proviso that if maleic acid is present it comprises no greater than 75 mol % of the polymer. Surprisingly, it has been found that when the phosphino group is present the polymers exhibit an unexpectedly strong fluorescent signal strength. The signal strength of the fluorescent monomer in the polymer is further enhanced when the polymer comprises no greater than 75 mol % maleic acid.

Formation of CaSO.sub.4 and Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 containing deposits is reduced in a pressure oxidation autoclave and/or adjacent circuits during pressure oxidation of gold-containing ore. The gold-containing ore is combined with water to create an aqueous slurry that is heated and introduced into the autoclave. The method includes providing a scale inhibitor that is free of an organic polymer and includes an inorganic phosphate according to formula (I), (XPO.sub.3).sub.m, wherein X is Na, K, H, or combinations thereof, and m is at least about 6, an inorganic phosphate according to formula (II), Y.sub.n+2P.sub.nO.sub.3n+1, wherein Y is Na, K, H, an organic phosphonate; or combinations thereof, and n is at least about 6. The method includes the step of combining the scale inhibitor and at least one of the gold-containing ore, the water, and the aqueous slurry to reduce scale.

Formation of CaSO.sub.4 and Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 containing deposits is reduced in a pressure oxidation autoclave and/or adjacent circuits during pressure oxidation of gold-containing ore. The gold-containing ore is combined with water to create an aqueous slurry that is heated and introduced into the autoclave. The method includes providing a scale inhibitor that is free of an organic polymer and includes an inorganic phosphate according to formula (I), (XPO.sub.3).sub.m, wherein X is Na, K, H, or combinations thereof, and m is at least about 6, an inorganic phosphate according to formula (II), Y.sub.n+2P.sub.nO.sub.3n+1, wherein Y is Na, K, H, an organic phosphonate; or combinations thereof, and n is at least about 6. The method includes the step of combining the scale inhibitor and at least one of the gold-containing ore, the water, and the aqueous slurry to reduce scale.

The invention provides a device with a steam function, wherein the device includes a water supply opening, a scale inhibitor dosing element, a flow control device, a heating unit, a scale collector element, and a water processing unit. Further, the flow control device provides a fluid including water to flow from the water supply opening via the heating unit to the water processing unit; the scale inhibitor dosing element provides a scale inhibitor to the water at a location in the heating unit and/or upstream of the heating unit; the heating unit includes heating the water in a heating mode and for converting the water into steam in a steam formation mode; and the scale collector element is arranged downstream of the heating unit and upstream of a flow restriction, wherein the scale collector element includes collecting scale particles from the fluid flowing through the scale collector element.

The invention provides a device with a steam function, wherein the device includes a water supply opening, a scale inhibitor dosing element, a flow control device, a heating unit, a scale collector element, and a water processing unit. Further, the flow control device provides a fluid including water to flow from the water supply opening via the heating unit to the water processing unit; the scale inhibitor dosing element provides a scale inhibitor to the water at a location in the heating unit and/or upstream of the heating unit; the heating unit includes heating the water in a heating mode and for converting the water into steam in a steam formation mode; and the scale collector element is arranged downstream of the heating unit and upstream of a flow restriction, wherein the scale collector element includes collecting scale particles from the fluid flowing through the scale collector element.

A composition for stabilizing iron compounds in an aqueous environment, includes a polycarboxylic acid or its salt(s), at least one monomeric or polymeric phosphonate including at least one phosphonic acid group, or its salt(s), at least one corrosion inhibitor including amino groups, and 1-15 weight-% of polycitric acid or a copolymer of citric acid with polyols or glycerol, calculated as an active ingredient from a total weight of constituents in the composition, as dry.

A composition for stabilizing iron compounds in an aqueous environment, includes a polycarboxylic acid or its salt(s), at least one monomeric or polymeric phosphonate including at least one phosphonic acid group, or its salt(s), at least one corrosion inhibitor including amino groups, and 1-15 weight-% of polycitric acid or a copolymer of citric acid with polyols or glycerol, calculated as an active ingredient from a total weight of constituents in the composition, as dry.