Abstract: A process in which a calcining step is used to provide a stable clinker containing the EAF dust. The clinker meets all of the applicable leaching standards. It also appears to be possible to use largely oxidic wastes from other processes, such as zinc electroplating residues, and the largely oxidic residues from refuse fuelled power generators. In this low temperature vitrification process a powder composition containing from 20% to 63% by weight waste material, from 30% to 73% by weight silica, and from 7% to 30% by weight alumina, is wetted to form a homogenous mass. The mass is fired in a furnace for a sufficient time and to a temperature of less than about 1,300.degree. C. to cause vitrification; and the vitrified product is recovered as a fired clinker. The clinker, after crushing, can be used as a road aggregate, in tarmac mixes, or after crushing to a suitably small powder, in the making of bricks and tiles having good abrasion and heat resistance.

Abstract: A reactor for processing a catalyst material comprises a reaction chamber including a support for the catalyst material. A laser radiation entry means, a gas inlet and an exhaust are provided, each in communication with the reaction chamber. The gas inlet permits entry in the chamber of an oxidizing gas which assists in processing the catalyst material when exposed to laser radiation entering the chamber. Any resulting exhaust gases are then removed from the chamber through the exhaust. A drive means is provided to move the support in a manner such that the catalyst is moved through the laser radiation. The apparatus is useful in reactivate deactivated catalysts, such as hydroprocessing catalysts.

Abstract: A novel bioadsorption composition suitable for removing heavy metal from waster water effluent, the composition comprising a biomass encapsulated sol-gel matrix. A process for preparing the biomass encapsulated sol-gel matrix is also provided. The bioadsorption composition may be suitably used to remove a substantial amount heavy metal (such as uranium) from a waste water effluent, particularly a dilute aqueous stream comprising a waste water effluent (such as mine water). Heavy metal may then be recovered from the bioadsorption composition, thereby rendering the latter as reusable.

Abstract: An improved process is described for agglomeration beneficiation of ground coal in which undiluted heavy oil or bitumen is used as the agglomerating vehicle. The ground cell, water and heavy oil or bitumen are mixed at an elevated temperature sufficient to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil or bitumen to a level permitting easy mixing and at an elevated pressure sufficiently high to prevent boiling of the water. This mixing causes agglomeration of the carbonaceous solids with the heavy oil or bitumen and the agglomerates obtained are separated from the tailings containing aqueous medium and inorganic solids. The separated agglomerates are preferably used with additional heavy oil or bitumen to form a slurry feedstock for a coprocessing unit. This provides a very efficient total process since the coal agglomeration beneficiation uses a portion of the same heavy oil or bitumen feedstock which is used for coprocessing and no additional hydrocarbon diluent is required.

Abstract: A process is described for separating and identifying organic sulphur compounds in petroleum distillates which comprises subjecting an aromatic-containing fraction to chromatography in a dual packed silica gel-alumina column employing pentane-ethyl acetate as a solvent to obtain a sulphur-containing eluate and analyzing the sulphur-containing eluate by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The aromatic-containing fraction is usually a naphtha fraction or a light gas oil fraction, with the gas oil fraction being subjected to chromatography on a silica gel column to obtain an aromatic fraction which is then subjected to the chromatography in the above silica gel-alumina column.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a catalyst or catalyst support having both high surface area, e.g. greater than 150 m.sup.2 /g, and large pore sizes, e.g. greater than 1.0 ml/g of macropores having diameters between 1 and 50 .mu.m. According to the method, a metal oxide is mixed with water and an acid to form a dilute metal gel, preferably containing at least 70% by weight water and consisting of a loose three dimensional network of oxide containing the water evenly dispersed throughout. This gel is slowly dried at a temperature below the boiling point of water whereby a substantial proportion of the water is removed from the interior of the pore structure, leaving the three dimensional network intact. Thereafter, the dried product is calcined to form a novel catalyst or catalyst support having both high surface area and large pore sizes. The novel catalyst is useful as a component of a catalytic cracking catalyst or a hydrocracking catalyst.