Abstract: A method for treating a heavy metal-contaminated solid, semi-solid, liquid or gaseous matrix, comprising contacting the matrix with an inorganic-sulfur containing material selected from the group consisting of magnesium sulfite, calcium magnesium sulfite, and mixtures thereof as well as with scrubber magnesium product.

Abstract: A micronutrient-containing leaf fertilizer has magnesium sulfate heptahydrate as a carrier material in such an amount that a solid nutrient combination of 13% to 15% by weight MgO, 0% to 3.5% by weight boron, 0% to 6.5% by weight manganese and 10.3% to 14% by weight sulfur is obtained by solely admixing manganese sulfate monohydrate and boric acid with the carrier and this combination being converted into a diluted leaf fertilizer solution by adding water.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the treatment of a solvent which has been used in nuclear fuel reprocessing or uranium ore purification, the solvent comprising an organophosphate ester and a hydrocarbon diluent. The process includes distilling the solvent under reduced pressure to remove substantially all the diluent and a major proportion of the organic ester, converting organophosphate to inorganic phosphate and encapsulating the residual material.

Abstract: A process for treating humid residues containing oxidizable organic mater. The process preferably comprises steps of: a) introducing the residues in a rotary furnace having a refractory lining and containing a thermo-transfer agent; b) heating the residues in admixture with the thermo-transfer agent at a temperature of at least 300° C. in the presence of chemically active species and UV radiation generated electrically, while rotating the furnace, so as to dry the residues and cause oxidation of the organic matter and formation of gases, the oxidation being catalyzed by the chemically active species and the UV radiation; and c) expelling the gases from the furnace. Such a process permits a low cost destruction of polluting material and/or oxidizable toxic material contained in the residues treated.

Abstract: An assemblage of granules including zinc sulfate heptahydrate and iron sulfate heptahydrate in a substantially integrated granular form is provided for use in e.g., the fertilizer industry. A binder, such as humate, may be used to form the granules. The granules may be dried until a slight melt is formed thereon. The granules may then be cooled to remove remaining free water. Related methods provide additional advantages.

Abstract: A method for using a chemical and biological warfare agent decontaminating solution having a peroxygen compound and bleach activator. The peroxygen compound and bleach activator are mixed in a surfactant system to generate a peroxycarboylic acid in-situ to detoxify warfare agents.

Abstract: A new process of preparing potassium sulfate fertilizer and other metal sulfates from the chlorides and other halides of these metals. The process utilizes the discovery that sulfur dioxide or trioxide, when introduced as a fluidizing medium into shallow beds of the halide salts at moderately elevated temperatures (1000° F.-1150° F.) in a counter current process results in the conversion of the metal halides into metal sulfates and the halide gas. The process is carried out in a series of true fluidized beds preferably but not necessarily arranged in a vertical configuration so that the solids flow downward due to the fluidized process and the sulfur dioxide or trioxide gases flow counter currently in an upward direction producing pure metal sulfates at the bottom and pure halide gas at the top.

Abstract: The invention relates to free-flowing, powder fertilizer compositions characterized by having enhanced aqueous dissolution rates and being able to produce drift reduced aqueous agricultural spray medium. Specifically, the compositions are water-soluble, nitrogen-containing fertilizers physically blended with a guar gum drift reduction agent and a silicone defoaming agent either encapsulated or absorbed in an agricultural carrier.

Abstract: A method of disposing of a rocket motor 12 comprises burning propellant contained within the motor and generating an enclosure 13 of liquid within which the burning occurs. Apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a nozzle/clamping unit 1 for securing the rocket motor 12 in place and generating the liquid enclosure 13. The liquid, which may be water and may include neutralising chemicals, is filtered and recycled.

Abstract: A system and method for filling, dewatering and sealing high integrity containers for storing high level radioactive debris has a support structure for receiving a container and a movable hood supported over the support structure. The movable hood is movable between a filling/dewatering position, an intermediate position, and a sealing position. Fill and dewatering lines extend through the hood and have flexible lower portions with connectors for interfacing with the container to be filled. The flexible lower portions are movable into and out of engagement with respective connectors on the container when the hood is in the filling/dewatering position. A plurality of valves are provided to isolate the fill and dewatering lines to minimize release of radioactive debris during connector mating and demating operations. A straw extends through the hood for removing water from an upper volume of the container when the hood is in the intermediate position.

Abstract: A waste treatment process includes containing a reactant metal alloy (210) in a reactant alloy container (202) substantially isolated from oxygen gas. The reactant metal alloy includes at least one chemically active alkaline metal and at least one radiation absorbing metal. After heating the reactant alloy (210) in the reactant alloy container (202) to a desired operating temperature, a waste material including radioactive isotopes to be alloyed is introduced into the molten alloy, preferably below the surface of the alloy. Non-radioactive compounds in the waste material react with metals in the reactant alloy (210) to produce useful halogen salts and other materials. The metal radioactive isotopes in the waste material are alloyed with the alkaline metal and radiation absorbing metals to create a storage product for long term storage.

Abstract: Methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.

Abstract: In a process for the disposal of low, mediun, and high-boiling secondary components formed during the preparation of (meth)acrylic acid the gaseous low-boiling secondary components are burned, whilst low-boiling and medium-boiling secondary components that are dissolved in water optionally together with high-boiling secondary components treated with solvent are added.

Abstract: Encapsulating calcined radioactive waste in strong, corrosion-resistant spheres of dimensions such that heat from the radiation melts the ice at a rate which brings the spheres to the bottom of the permanent icefield in a relatively short time, with the resulting waste ultimately being no more hazardous than natural uranium ore.

Abstract: A process for preparing a crystal suspension of an organic compound which has a &Dgr;H/RT value greater than 10, the process comprising dispersing a melt of the organic compound in a liquid dispersion medium to form an emulsion, cooling the emulsion below the melting point of the organic compound and subjecting the emulsion to ultrasonic vibration.

Abstract: Processes of reductive decontamination using an agent containing at least two kinds of components, and then decomposing the agent using an apparatus for decomposing at least two kinds of chemical substances in the agent, are employed in chemical decontamination. A catalyst decomposition column in an upstream side of an ion exchange resin column and a hydrogen peroxide injection apparatus in a further upstream side, reduce the amount of waste products caused by a chemical decontaminating agent where a mixed decontaminating agent for a composition trapped in a cation resin column and for a composition trapped in an anion exchange resin are used for the chemical decontaminating agent, selectively decompose the composition trapped in the cation resin column in an inlet side of a cleaning apparatus when radioactive nuclides in the decontaminating agent are cleansed using the cation resin column during decontamination, and decompose both compositions after completion of the decontamination.

Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.

Abstract: A method of wet granulation of fertilizer and other materials into granules. The method involves formation of the granule directly on the pan from the feedstock without intermediate steps or the use of seed materials. The result is a product having a completely uniform cross section. The feedstock is initially in the size distribution of −150 mesh with 90% or greater in the size range of 200 mesh. Moisture is maintained to facilitate a steady process without cycling. The method has the advantage of allowing granulation of materials either known to be hazardous or inherently difficult to granulate in a safe and expedient manner.

Abstract: A foliar fertiliser composition providing for an enhanced crop characteristic in a crop. The composition is made of soluble compounds of the following trace elements in the following ranges of relative proportions of the respective element by weight, 0.5 to 4.0 copper, 2.0 to 10.0 zinc, 2.5 to 12 manganese, 5 to 14.0 iron, 0.5 to 6.5 boron, 0 to 0.3 molybdenum.

Abstract: Process for partial oxidation in a Claus furnace of at least one gas stream having hydrogen sulphide, and including the steps of: (a) injecting at least one gas stream including hydrogen sulphide and at least one oxygen-enriched gas stream into the Claus furnace, wherein each of the streams is injected at a speed of injection which is substantially parallel, and (b) controlling the speed of injection of the gas stream including hydrogen sulphide and the speed of injection of the oxygen-enriched gas stream such that the speeds have a ratio between 0.8 and 1.2.