Abstract: The action of the bacterium Nitrobacter agilis to oxidize nitrite ions to nitrate ions in aqueous solutions is well known. We have found that if the nitrite ion concentration in solution is maintained at a level of at least 2.5 percent by weight and higher, that the activity of this bacterium is completely inhibited and the nitrite salt solutions remain stable over long periods of time.

Abstract: An improved hydration method heat avoids clogging for the transfer, solvation, and storage of dry particulate matter for a sealed solvation hopper chamber in combination with a liquid driven eductor and equipped to be connected to a storage container. Specifically, the improvement resides in the steps of reducing the flow of the dry particular matter and flushing the solvating hopper with water automatically at predetermined periodic intervals.

Abstract: An improved hydrator apparatus for the transfer and slurry storage of dry particulate matter comprises a sealed solvation hopper chamber in combination with a liquid driven eductor and equipped to be connected to a storage container as provided. The improvement resides in the provision of a flushing device that functions periodically and automatically in timed intervals, and without the need to shut down the operating hydrator, to remove solids accumulation in the hopper chamber.

Abstract: A coating formulation containing as a corrosion inhibitor an effective amount of a tertiary or quaternary organo ammonium nitrite having a solubility such that it produces a concentration of nitrite ions in water of from about 1.times.10.sup.-6 mol per liter to 5 mols per liter.

Abstract: A process for removing aluminum and sulfate values from an aqueous solution containing the same which comprises passing the solution through a semi-permeable membrane in a pressure vessel. The permeate solution is depleted of aluminum and sulfate ions and the concentrate solution is concentrated in aluminum and sulfate ions. The concentrate solution can be re-used in alum manufacture and the permeate solution can be discharged into public waterways without further purification.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an unloading pan for bulk dry particulate matter, such as soda ash. The pan comprises a pan inlet and a pan outlet. The pan is preferably designed wherein the source of particulate matter is a railroad car having a car outlet at the bottom to gravity unload therethrough. There is a means to position, and preferably attach, the pan container at the outlet to the source of particulate matter, i.e., the outlet of the railroad car.

Abstract: Sodium (bi)sulfites are produced by the steps of:(a) introducing a stream of aqueous sodium carbonate into the top end of a main packed column reactor;(b) introducing a stream of sulfur dioxide gas into the top end of the main packed column reactor concurrently with the stream of aqueous sodium carbonate;(c) allowing the aqueous sodium carbonate and sulfur dioxide to cocurrently flow downward from the top end of the main packed column reactor to the bottom of the column in a cocurrent flow, during which flow reaction occurs between the aqueous sodium carbonate and the sulfur dioxide to produce sodium (bi)sulfite; and(d) recovering the product sodium (bi)sulfite and a gas stream containing any excess sulfur dioxide from the bottom of the main packed column reactor. The product (bi)sulfite can be separated from the gas stream in a separate receiving vessel and then the gas is sent to a scrubber to remove residual SO.sub.2. The scrubber may be a second packed column reactor operating with cocurrent flow.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for expeditiously locating an emergency situation of a conveyor. An emergency switch is connected to a conveyor to indicate an emergency situation. When the emergency switch indicates an emergency situation, a light is illuminated by an indicator circuit. The indicator light system allows an emergency situation to be easily observed at a distance from the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adapter which is useful to receive dry bulk chemicals with a minimum of dust escaping to the environment and which screens the free flowing dry bulk chemicals.

Abstract: A tensioning car for a flexible continuous tram comprises a center beam structure adapted to support a segment of the transport belt and a pair of side beam structures, one on each side of the center beam structure and each having coupling devices for coupling it to an adjacent car of the tram. Guide bars join the side beam structures for limited movement relative to each other lengthwise of the tram and also support the center beam structure. Chain guides on each of the beam structures guide the crawler chain of the tram. A pair of hydraulic piston/cylinders, one adjacent each end of the tensioning car, are coupled between the side beam structures. A constant pressure accumulator connected to each cylinder supplies a hydraulic fluid under a substantially constant pressure to the respective cylinder so that the cylinders urge the side beam structures resiliently away from each other and thereby maintain a generally constant tension in the crawler chain.

Abstract: A one piece crawler pad has a substantially rectangular body portion having first and second narrow ends and first and second major surfaces. The interior space of a centrally located protrusion is sized to receive a portion of a chain link. Bolts passing horizontally through the central protrusion affix the crawler pad to the chain link.

Abstract: An elevated roadway for use with a self-propelled continuous haulage unit in underground mining consists of a multiplicity of substantially identical roadway units joined together end to end. Each unit has a pair of elongated bottom side beams joined by bottom cross beams, columns arranged in laterally opposite pairs and supported on the side beams and a pair of elongated track members supported on the upper ends of the columns and defining a track for trams to move over the roadway above the haulage unit. Longitudinal brace beams and transverse brace beams join the columns. The durability and rigidity of the unit is enhanced by diagonal brace beams connecting selected ones of the columns and by gussets at each joint between the bottom side beams and the bottom transverse beams.

Abstract: A method of treating lake water to remove suspended solids and to precipitate and inactivate phosphorus comprises adding aluminum hydroxide sulfate to the water in a concentration such that the pH of the water is maintained at a level of greater than 6.0 and precipitation of suspended solids and precipitation and inactivation of phosphorus occurs. This invention is advantageous in that it provides a method of removing suspended solids as well as precipitating and inactivating phosphorus in water while simultaneously preventing the solublizing of toxic amounts of aluminum into the water with subsequent detrimental effects to aquatic life.

Abstract: Permanganate based fabric bleaching processes, such as stone-washing processes, are substantially improved by utilizing a reducing composition comprising a metabisulfite and a sulfite in the washing step. The relative amounts of metabisulfite and sulfite in the reducing composition are selected so as to substantially eliminate the odor of sulfur dioxide during the washing step at the particular temperature selected. For washing temperatures of 100.degree.-140.degree. F. the preferred weight ratio of sodium metabisulfite to sodium sulfite is 7:3, which produces a reducing composition having a pH of 6.2 (in a 5% by weight solution). Such a composition not only allows operation at elevated temperatures without an odor of SO.sub.2, it also allows a reduction in the washing time and in the amount of reducing composition used.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transfer of a dry chemical is formed having a sealed solvation hopper positioned between a liquid driven eductor and a fitting for connection to a storage container, e.g. a railcar. At the inlet end of the solvation hopper is a chemical inlet pipe which connects the interior to the exterior of the hopper. Surrounding the chemical inlet pipe are a plurality of nozzles for the introduction of solvation liquid into the hopper. The nozzles are disposed such that the solvation liquid washes the interior surface of the hopper to prevent plugging by hydrates (solvates) which may be formed. At the outlet end of the hopper, the hopper is connected to the suction opening of a liquid eductor. In use, the exterior end of the chemical inlet pipe is connected to the dry chemical storage container. Liquid flowing through the liquid eductor creates a suction and draws dry chemical out of the storage container and into the hopper.

Abstract: Solid aluminum hydroxide compositions having improved solubility, stability and filterability are formed by adding at least a stoichiometric amount of a solid base to a concentrated solution of an aluminum salt (about 8.3% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or higher) and stirring vigorously. The base used has an alkali metal, alkali earth metal, or other metallic cation, and does not contribute an anion other than hydroxide to the solution. Particularly suitable bases are carbonate and bicarbonate.

Abstract: Soda values are recovered from waste water and impurities are rejected to bitterns ponds by a low temperature crystallization process. In the process, waste water, typically containing 7-14% equivalent soda ash, is reacted with lime to neutralize bicarbonate. The liquor is subsequently clarified and fed into a multiple effect evaporator cooling circuit where it, along with the recirculating cooling water, is heated. The heated clarified liquid is then fed to an evaporative cooling system. Water is evaporated in the cooling tower and the liquor is cooled. The effluent liquor from this system now contains 17-24% soda ash. Most of this stream is recycled back to the multiple effect evaporator's cooling circuit for reheating. Approximately 10% of this stream is fed forward to an air cooled cooler-crystallizer where sodium carbonate decahydrate is crystallized. The decahydrate crystallized is relatively pure, while the sulfate is concentrated in the mother liquor.

Abstract: Utilization of a cationic polymer as a settling aid in the recovery of the aluminum hydroxide and an anionic polymer to dewater the aluminum hydroxide prior to redissolution not only improves the process of making basic aluminum compounds by speeding settling and improving filterability, but also unexpectedly yields a product that has superior effectiveness as a water treatment chemical.According to the invention, a dilute solution of alum is neutralized with a base to a pH below about 6.0, preferably below 5.5, to form a suspension of aluminum hydroxide. A cationic polymer is then added to the suspension to assist in the settling of the aluminum hydroxide. When settling is substantially complete, the solution is decanted from the aluminum hydroxide and an anionic polymer is added to dewater the aluminum hydroxide. The dewatered material is collected as a filter cake containing amorphous aluminum hydroxide, the cationic polymer and the anionic polymer.

Abstract: A product containing calcium sulfate hemihydrate and polynucleate basic metal hydroxysulfate complex in solid form provides a positively charged polynucleate complex possessing charge neutralizing properties in systems containing suspended or colloidal negatively charged particles when dissolved in water. Preferred materials contain polyaluminum hydroxysulfate complex and polyferrihydroxysulfate complex, and calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The invention also relates to a method for producing the product by mixing a molten aluminum or iron (III) sulfate and a calcium compound, allowing the mixture to react to form a product, and cooling the product to form a comminutable or grindable solid product.

Abstract: Permanganate based fabric bleaching processes, such as stone-washing processes, are substantially improved by utilizing a reducing composition comprising a metabisulfite and a sulfite in the washing step. The relative amounts of metabisulfite and sulfite in the reducing composition are selected so as to substantially eliminate the odor of sulfur dioxide during the washing step at the particular temperature selected. For washing temperatures of 100.degree.-140 .degree. F. the preferred weight ratio of sodium metabisulfite to sodium sulfite is 7:3, which produces a reducing composition having a pH of 6.2 (in a 5% by weight solution). Such a composition not only allows operation at elevated temperatures without an odor of SO.sub.2, it also allows a reduction in the washing time and in the amount of reducing composition used.