Abstract: The addition of a nucleating or coalescing agent (e.g., urea) to liquid ammonia reduces the size and persistence of a deadly, fog-like cloud of ammonia droplets that tend to form when liquid ammonia is accidentally released to the atmosphere. In addition, high purity ammonia is obtained by evaporating ammonia from the ammonia- and nucleating agent-containing composition.

Abstract: NO.sub.x removal is accomplished by contacting a NO.sub.x -containing stream under reducing conditions with a urea-ammonia-water composition.

Abstract: Aqueous thiocarbonate solutions are stabilized by the addition of base, sulfide and/or polysulfide, and the stability and safety of the more concentrated solutions containing 1 weight percent or more equivalent CS.sub.2 as a thiocarbonate are achieved as reflected by significant reduction of CS.sub.2 partial pressure in such solutions.

Abstract: High purity ammonia is quantitatively produced from urea by reaction with water in the presence of acid. A major advantage of the invention is that urea can be safely transported to a conversion site, then converted to ammonia. The net result is that high purity ammonia is available wherever it is needed without the toxic hazard presented by transporting ammonia.

Abstract: Cellulosic materials are physically and/or chemically modified by contact with a combination of urea and sulfuric acid in which at least 25 percent of the sulfuric acid is present as the monourea adduct of sulfuric acid. The cellulosic materials thus treated possess uniquely modified physical and chemical properties. The methods of the invention can be employed to weaken the physical structure of the cellulosic material and thereby to assist in clearing land of vegetation and vegetation residue and in compacting and other processing of waste cellulosic materials. The methods of the invention can also be employed to increase the food value of cellulosic materials for animals, including humans, and, in particular, to increase the food value of such materials for ruminant mammals.

Abstract: Encapsulating particles of solid thiocarbonate salts, esters and complexes with air- and water-impermiable coatings produces compositions having long-term stability.

Abstract: Accidental spills of liquid ammonia can result in the formation of deadly, fog-like ovoids of ammonia droplets that persist for an appreciably time before dissipating. The addition of a coalescing additive such as urea to liquid ammonia reduces the size and persistence of the cloud that can form if the treated ammonia is accidentally released to the atmosphere. The potential for death and injury resulting from an accidental release of ammonia is thus substantially reduced.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions useful as foliar fertilizers contain ammonium ion, at a phytotoxic concentration, and sufficient magnesium ion to minimize the phytotoxic effect of the ammonium ion when the solution is applied to plant foliage. Also provided is a method for foliarly fertilizing plants sensitive to ammonium ion with ammonic nitrogen-containing fertilizers which method comprises applying magnesium ion to the plant foliage either prior to, simultaneously with or after application of the ammonic fertilizer to reduce the sensitivity of the plants to ammonium ion.

Abstract: A flow sensing device includes a semiconductor substrate 31 and a pivoted beam 1. Below one half of the beam is a channel 7 running throughout the substrate 31, and below the other half of the beam is a cavity 8. During operation, a differential force exists across the beam, and the amount of force required to compensate for this differential force is indicative of the rate of fluid flow.

Abstract: Encapsulating particles of solid thiocarbonate salts, esters and complexes with air- and water-impermiable coatings produces compositions having long-term stability.

Abstract: Pests are controlled by applying to the location of and/or to the path traversed by the pests a composition comprising urea and sulfuric acid in which the urea/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is less than 2. Novel compositions useful in such methods are also provided and comprise the described combinations of urea and sulfuric acid dispersed in a hydrocarbon oil. The novel method and compositions are particularly useful for controlling plant pests by applying the useful urea-sulfuric acid components to the plants or to the vicinity of plants occupied or traversed by such pests.

Abstract: Aqueous thiocarbonate solutions are stabilized by the addition of base, sulfide and/or polysulfide, and the stability and safety of the more concentrated solutions containing 1 weight percent or more equivalent CS.sub.2 as a thiocarbonate are achieved as reflected by significant reduction of CS.sub.2 partial pressure in such solutions.

Abstract: Ruminants such as cattle are protected against selenium-deficient diseases by applying a sulfur-selenium composition to the rangelands or pasturelands where the cattle graze. The composition preferably contains the selenium in a solid solution in the sulfur.

Abstract: Aqueous thiocarbonate solutions are stabilized by the addition of base, sulfide and/or polysulfide, and the stability and safety of the more concentrated solutions containing 1 weight percent or more equivalent CS.sub.2 as a thiocarbonate are achieved as reflected by significant reduction of CS.sub.2 partial pressure in such solutions.

Abstract: Aqueous thiocarbonate solutions are stabilized by the addition of base, sulfide and/or polysulfide, and the stability and safety of the more concentrated solutions containing 1 weight percent or more equivalent CS.sub.2 as a thiocarbonate are achieved as reflected by significant reduction of CS.sub.2 partial pressure in such solutions.

Abstract: Compositions containing sulfuric acid and one or more of certain chalcogen-containing compounds in which the chalcogen compound/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is below 2 contain the mono-adduct of sulfuric acid which is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. Suitable chalcogen-containing compounds have the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4, and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions are useful for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerication (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: Herbicidal compositions are provided which contain combinations of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] and sulfuric acid, and/or combinations of glyphosate, sulfuric acid and a chalcogen-containing compound of the formula R.sub.1 --CX--R.sub.2 wherein X is a chalcogen compound of the formula R.sub.1 --CX--4.sub.2 wherein X is selected from oxygen and sulfur, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from hydrogen, monovalent organic radicals, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 being NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 or NR.sub.5, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from hydrogen and monovalent organic radicals, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions contain reaction products of glyphosate and sulfuric acid, and/or of glyphosate, sulfuric acid and the chalcogen compound, and they may also contain excess glyphosate or sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Compositions containing sulfuric acid and one or more of certain chalcogen-containing compounds in which the chalcogen compound/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is below 2 contain the mono-adduct of sulfuric acid which is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. Suitable chalcogen-containing compounds have the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4, and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions are useful for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerication (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: A particulate soil supplement comprising, as a discontinous phase, solid particles of a water-soluble plant nutrient dispersed throughout a continous sulfur phase or matrix. Preferably, said particulate soil supplement additionally comprises solid particles of a water-insoluble plant nutrient dispersed throughout the continuous phase. These compositions are obtained by dispersing said water-soluble plant nutrient and, preferably, said water-insoluble plant nutrients in molten sulfur, and quenching the resulting dispersion in a non-phytotoxic oil, that is non-reactive to, and immiscible with molten sulfur, e.g., a paraffinic oil, under shearing conditions sufficient to comminute and solidify said molten sulfur into particles. These compositions have particular utility in agronomic applications as soil supplements for supplying both sulfur (as sulfate) as well as other plant nutrients at a continuous, regulated rate from inexpensive raw materials.

Abstract: Fumigation to control bacteria, fungi, insects, rodents, nematodes and weeds is accomplished by decomposing a compound presented by the formulaMCS.sub.xwherein M is selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metal cations and x varies from 3 to 4, to yield carbon disulfide.This invention also provides a composition useful for fumigating soil and providing plant nutrients, which composition comprises the above compound (or an alkali metal thiocarbonate) in combination with a source of nitrogen, e.g. urea, ammonium nitrate, etc.Calcium thiocarbonates, i.e., CaCS.sub.3 and CaCS.sub.4 are claimed as novel compounds.