Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the degradation of highly toxic halogenated organic compounds, in particular polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF), contained in gases containing no SO.sub.2 by oxidation using preferably hydrogen peroxide. The SO.sub.2 -free gas is passed, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, over a substantially inorganic solid contact catalyst, in particular pyrogenic or precipitated silica or aluminum silicate. A residual PCDD/PCDF content of below 0.1 ng TE/Nm.sup.3 may be achieved in the thus treated gas; the highly toxic compounds are oxidized on the solid contact catalyst.

Abstract: A multi-bed process of removing sulfur oxides and/or other combustible sulfur-containing compounds from a gas stream including combusting the other combustible sulfur-compounds when present in the gas stream with air or oxygen to convert such sulfur-containing compounds to sulfur oxide and form a sulfur oxide enriched gas stream. The sulfur oxide enriched gas stream is contacted with first and second serially connected solid adsorbent beds for adsorbing the sulfur oxides in the form of inorganic sulfates and/or sulfur oxides. A third adsorbent bed is contacted with a reducing gas stream to regenerate the bed by reducing the retained inorganic sulfates and/or sulfur oxides to hydrogen sulfide and/or sulfur dioxide, to thereby form a hydrogen sulfide and/or sulfur dioxide bearing stream. The feeds to each of the beds are realigned to place the second and third beds in series with the sulfur oxide and/or sulfur dioxide enriched stream being fed to the second bed and to place the first bed in a regenerative mode.

Abstract: Novel furnace carbon blacks that impart advantageous properties to rubber and plastic compositions and may be utilized in place of lamp blacks, thermal carbon blacks and blends of carbon blacks. Also disclosed are novel rubber and plastic compositions incorporating the novel carbon blacks which exhibit advantageous combinations of compound processing and physical performance properties.

Abstract: A soil supplement and method of manufacturing same in which waste cellulosic fibrous material, such as waste paper, is finely shredded after which any metal component is removed and the shredded material is then thoroughly mixed with an agricultural wetting agent and a milk of lime until a temperature of about 120.degree. to 140.degree. F. is achieved after which a material selected from the group comprising silica diatomite plankton and non-swelling clay is added and the mixture is neutralized to a pH of about 7.

Abstract: Two nuisance waste products, namely sewage sludge ash and water treatment lime, are mixed together to provide an agricultural soil treatment composition which enhances the nutrient value and raises the pH of the soil for improved plant growth while simultaneously minimizing the risk of wind blown ash dust.

Abstract: A precipitate free concentrated aqueous stock solution formed from a dry solid fertilizer mixture and containing from about 0.1% to 50% by weight of dissolved solid fertilizer. The stock solution contains phosphorus and calcium and is prepared by bringing together the dry fertilizer mixture and water to make up a concentrated stock solution. The dry solid fertilizer mixture comprises 1% to 95% by weight of dry urea phosphate as the principal phosphorus source and 0.2% to 70% by weight of dry calcium phosphate in the form of monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate and mixtures thereof to contribute a desired amount of phosphorus and calcium for fertilization purposes.

Abstract: Three individual strains of anaerobic microorganisms are disclosed. Each has an ability to degrade nitroaromatic and nitramine compounds under anaerobic conditions. The strains, identified as LJP-1, SBF-1, and KMR-1, appear to be of Clostridium bifermentans. The strains were isolated from consortia of anaerobic microorganisms grown in a chemostat in which the "munitions" compounds TNT (as a representative nitroaromatic) and "RDX" nad "HMX" (as representative nitramines) were administered as sole sources of carbon for the microorganisms. The isolated strains, either individually or as mixtures thereof, can be used in methods for degrading, under anaerobic conditions (i.e., redox potential <-200 mV), a contaminant nitroaromatic and/or nitramine compound in water or soil (as an aqueous slurry, i.e., "fluid medium"). The strains will degrade nitroaromatics and nitramines in such fluid media either alone or with other microorganisms present in the fluid medium.

Abstract: In the device for selective non-catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides, a liquid nitrogen-containing reducing agent is sprayed through two-component lances into a stream of hot flue gases. Spraying occurs in pulsatory operation at a frequency of 5 to 70 per second, preferably 10 to 20 per second. As a result of this mode of operation, a spray cone of relatively coarse long-range drops and a spray cone of relatively fine short-range drops are produced alternately at each two-component nozzle. The reducing agent is ammonia dissolved in water (ammonia solution) at flue-gas temperatures of 1060.degree. C. to 1170.degree. C. The device for working the method comprises a flue-gas duct 3 incorporating a number of two-component lances 4 operated by a pressure medium.

Abstract: A synthetic soil/fertilizer for horticultural application having all the agronutrients essential for plant growth is disclosed. The soil comprises a synthetic apatite fertilizer having sulfur, magnesium and micronutrients dispersed in a calcium phosphate matrix, a zeolite cation exchange medium saturated with a charge of potassium and nitrogen cations, and an optional pH buffer. Moisture dissolves the apatite and mobilizes the nutrient elements from the apatite matrix and the zeolite charge sites.

Abstract: Transition metal carbides, having high surface areas and catalytic activity for use in pollution control, isomerization and hydrodesulfurization procedures, can be formed by the calcination of a mixture of an acyclic compound containing carbon-nitrogen-hydrogen bonding and a metal salt. The acyclic compound is preferably a compound of guanidine or a derivative thereof such as a deammoniated derivative of guanidine. The metal salt is preferably a metal halide such as a metal chloride.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of compositions for stimulating plant growth whereby coal ash is fused with a humic acid-bearing ore, and more particularly fusing fly ash with leonardite ore; compositions produced by such a process; and methods for use thereof for stimulating plant growth.

Abstract: A method of preparing liquid nonpolymeric controlled release nitrogen plant food composition by the condensation reaction of about one molecule ammonia, about two molecules of urea, and about three molecules of formaldehyde in base buffered aqueous solution at a minimum pH of 7 and a temperature of about 100.degree. C. and concentrating by evaporation until nitrogen concentration is between 20 and 30 percent before formation of polymers containing more than 3 urea moieties occurs. The new nonpolymeric aqueous liquid controlled release nitrogen plant food composition prepared exhibits high storage stability, low phytotoxicity, high nitrogen availability to plants, and contains less than 6 percent unreacted urea nitrogen, less than 1 percent unreacted ammonia nitrogen, and contains large amounts of 5-methyleneuriedo-2-oxohexahydro-s-triazine.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of pure amorphous silica from rocks containing non-crystalline silica is described. The process comprises the steps of: (a) dissolution of said rock in an alkaline solution comprising sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate, obtaining a solution of sodium silicate; (b) precipitation of pure amorphous silica by adding sodium bicarbonate into said sodium silicate and co-producing sodium carbonate, the weight ratio between SiO.sub.2 and Na.sub.2 O in said dissolution step is in the range of between 0.5 to 3.0; and (c) the sodium carbonate solution is transformed into crystalline sodium bicarbonate, by a salting out reaction with sodium chloride, being recycled to the process. According to a preferred embodiment, the alkaline solution is obtained by the caustification of sodium carbonate with calcium hydroxide. The preferred concentration of sodium hydroxide in said dissolution step is in the range of 4% to 14% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fertilizer composition comprising solution or dispersion of nutrient compounds and method for its manufacture. The solution/dispersion constitutes the discontinuous phase of a water-in-oil type (w-i-o) emulsion having a volume phase ratio, discontinuous phase: total volume in the range of 0.80-0.95. The fertilizer composition may additionally contain 0-60 weight % solid nutrient salts and/or urea. The oil or hydrocarbon component of the w-i-o emulsion comprises mineral, vegetable or animal oils, wax or mixture of these, and the emulsion comprises at least one w-i-o emulsifier. The hydrocarbon component may also contain 0.5-6 weight % of elastomer, preferably polyisobutylene. The method comprises dissolving or dispersing the nutrient compounds at a temperature of 5.degree.-15.degree. C.

Abstract: Methods of making agricultural materials for aiding and facilitating the growth of plants and crops are based on the combination of waste paper and other materials and the formation of such combinations into pellets. Where the agricultural material is for use in the casing layer of a mushroom tray, the agricultural material is made from a combination of waste paper and a pH adjusting material, which is preferably lime. Where the agricultural material is for general use in agricultural and horticultural applications, it is made from a combination of waste paper and compost material, the ratio of the compost used in the combination being between about 90% to 40% by weight.

Abstract: A high analysis suspension fertilizer containing predetermined amounts of nitrogen and other inorganic plant nutrients is produced from a low plant nutrient-containing organic material, such as animal manure or sewage sludge, by first preparing an aqueous initial suspension of the organic material by admixing with a sufficient amount of water for the organic material to be uniformly dispersed throughout the initial suspension and admixing with the initial suspension a sufficient amount of an acid, such as sulfuric acid, for reacting with the organic material and transforming it into colloidal form, the weight ratio of the acid to the total weight of the organic material in the initial suspension being within the range of about 0.2 to about 2 and the weight ratio of the acid to the total dry weight of the organic material being within the range of about 0.5 to 5.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preventing potassium bicarbonate from caking. Anhydrous potassium carbonate is dispersed throughout the potassium bicarbonate immediately after it is manufactured. Preferably, about 0.1 to about 2.5 wt % of the anhydrous potassium carbonate is used. Also disclosed is a composition made by that method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for composting solid waste and sludge into a usable state. The method consists of thoroughly mixing a predetermined amount of compostable solid waste and sludge for placement within a stackable modular container system. Each container having a predetermined controlled mixture depth of approximately 12 inches for composting in a fourteen day period. Upon removal of the composted material from the containers, the material is screened and packaged for distribution, or shredded then screened and packaged, the remainder of which is returned for repeat of the cycle.

Abstract: The tendency of aqueous solutions of urea and other NH-containing compositions to force instability of hardness factors has been found to be detrimental to processes and apparatus employing them. The reliability of these processes and apparatus is improved by the inclusion of hardness-suppressing compositions, which preferably include both a water-soluble polymer and a phosphonate. In particular, agricultural and NO.sub.x -reducing applications are improved, especially for solutions containing urea hydrolysis products and the salts of them.

Abstract: A spray-dried foliar fertilizer for enhancing plant nutrition and health, prepared by spray drying nutrient compounds. The foliar fertilizer is amorphous, free-flowing and water dispersible and may be applied directly to the plant foliage by dusting or spraying.