Abstract: A process for absorbing silver from photographic hypo solutions involves passing the hypo solution through a bed consisting of a multitude of a sponge product confined within a vessel. The sponge product is derived from an open-celled cellulosic sponge into which there has been incorporated 30% to 80% by weight of a polymer produced by the thermal interaction of polyethyleneimine (PEI) with a polycarboxylic acid. The polymer further contains an activating multivalent cation and between 90% and 300% water. Silver is eluted from the sponge product employing aqueous solutions of a complexing agent such as an ammonium compound or a cyanide compound. Following a water wash, the bed of sponge product is ready for its next cycle of silver absorption.

Abstract: A process for selectively removing anions from an aqueous solution involves contacting the solution for an effective period of time with a specialized polymer in a porous format. The polymer has ligand sites capable of forming coordination or complexation bonds with multi-valent metal cations which serve to activate the polymer with respect to chemical interaction with anions. The polymer, saturated with the multivalent metal cations, contains between 2% and 20% of metal cation based upon the dry weight of the polymer.

Abstract: An open celled sponge product for ion absorption is provided comprised of regenerated cellulose wall material and insolubilized polyethyleneimime (PEI) derived from the interaction of PEI with a polyfunctional carboxylic acid. The insolubilized PEI is further caused to contain ionized tertiary amino nitrogen groups which increase the selective absorption capacity of the product for certain anions.

Abstract: A porous product for the removal of selected ions from water is made from an open-cell sponge of regenerated cellulose having uniformly distributed therein a high loading of insolubilized PEI. The insolubilized PEI does not significantly reduce the porosity of the sponge. The product has a pH in the range of 5.0 to 9.5, which thwarts microbial degradation of the moist product during storage in sealed containers.

Abstract: A water-swellable polymer product which may be physically bound to an open celled cellulosic sponge is produced by thermally induced amide-forming insolubilization of polyethyleneimine (PEI). The polymer product has high affinity for the absorption of transition metal ions. A cellulosic sponge containing a high add-on of the polymer product is permeable to water and substantially unaffected by water-borne suspended matter.

Abstract: A water treatment method is provided which employs a bed of small-sized pieces of sponge to absorb dissolved ions from water passed through the bed. The method involves compacting the bed so that its volume, achieved as a result of gravity force alone, is reduced by between 10% and 40%, and employing a flow rate through the bed of between about 0.05 and 2.0 bed volumes/minute.

Abstract: A method for producing a tobacco-containing rod from tobacco materials is disclosed. The method comprises shredding tobacco material, mixing a binder with the shredded tobacco material, activating the binder and forming a tobacco-containing rod. The binder may be hydroscopic and the tobacco material may include expanded tobacco.

Abstract: A product is provided comprised of an open celled sponge of regenerated cellulose containing a polyamide polymer molecularly incorporated into the cellulosic cell wall material of the sponge. The product has the capability of absorbing metal ions from dilute aqueous solutions, and is particularly well suited for the absorption of aurocyanide from a cyanide leach solution as used in gold mining operations.

Abstract: A process is provided for the dry treatment of agricultural products such as corn, leafy plant material, animal feed, silage material and tobacco to remove fertilizer-derived nitrate. The process involves a short duration contact of the agricultural product with HC1 gas under conditions which minimize generation of non-volatile chlorocarbons that could form by interaction of the agricultural product with the gaseous products of the reaction of the HC1 with the nitrate. The gaseous products are swept quickly away from the treated agricultural product by a carrier gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, air, helium, and HC1.

Abstract: Cigarettes having reduced loose end propensity and a process for preparing same are disclosed. The cigarettes are prepared from shredded smoking material having been uniformly treated with a free-flowing non-deliquescent, hygroscopic powder and aged prior to introduction into a cigarette-making machine. The powder preferably has a size between about 50 and 200 microns, and becomes tacky upon absorption of moisture.

Abstract: A composition for removal of NO from smoke, effective after storage in the presence of moisture and the volatile components of tobacco, comprising, by weight of the total composition, from about 5% to about 40% of a permanganate selected from the group consisting of NaMnO.sub.4, Ca(MnO.sub.4).sub.2 and mixtures thereof, from about 0.5% to about 6% colloidal silica, from about 40% to about 90% silica gel and from about 4% to about 30% H.sub.2 O, with the silica gel having a granule size of from about 20 to about 100 mesh and an initial pore volume of from about 0.6 cc/g to about 1.4 cc/g. Alumina gel may be used in place of part of the silica gel in order to reduce the temperature of the smoke.

Abstract: Cut tobacco is treated with a supersaturated aqueous solution of calcium citrate and excess moisture is removed. The result is a significant increase in the filling power of the cut tobacco.

Abstract: Non-combustible carbonized cigarette filters are manufactured wherein porous cellulosic material is contacted with a film-forming aqueous solution of an inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium silicates, carbonates, hydrophosphites, diphosphites, phosphites, hypophosphates, orthophosphates, diphosphates, triphosphates, polymetaphosphates, peroxymonophosphates, peroxydiphosphates, orthoborates, metaborates, tetraborates and mixtures thereof so that the cellulosic material contains at least about 1%, preferably from about 2% to about 6%, of the salt on a dry weight basis and then pyrolyzing the treated cellulosic material in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of at least about 700.degree. C. to about 900.degree. C., under conditions such that at least about 15%, preferably from about 20% to about 40% of the initial weight of the cellulosic material remains after pyrolysis.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for increasing the filling power of tobacco by contacting the tobacco, preferably by dry blending, with at least one basic calcium compound in an amount such that the treated tobacco has a pH of at least about 8, and heating the tobacco in the presence of sufficient moisture to establish and maintain its OV value within the range of from about 14% to about 40% and at a temperature and for a time sufficient to increase the filling power of the tobacco. As an additional first step, the tobacco may be contacted with an acid to achieve a tobacco product of lighter color.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method according to which a cellulose rod, at least 11 mm in diameter and formed from cellulosic paper made by the wet paper-making process, that has been treated with a binding agent, repeatedly folded along its longitudinal axis and passed through a heated forming die to provide a coherent rod, is treated with an additive and then pyrolyzed by being advanced through a die maintained at a temperature within the range of from about 500.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C. in an oxygen-free atmosphere for a total retention time in the die of from about 3 seconds to about 1 minute. The pyrolyzed cellulose rod is then cooled to less than about 250.degree. C. before being removed from the oxygen-free atmosphere. The resulting combustible carbonized rod may be cut to suitable lengths and employed as a filter in tobacco-containing cigarettes or may be used to form a tobacco-free cigarette.

Abstract: An improved process for expanding tobacco is disclosed wherein tobacco components such as stems, midribs and veins are contacted with an alkaline-hydrogen peroxide solution and thereafter dried and roasted to produce an expanded tobacco material highly suitable for use in smoking products. In a preferred approach, tobacco is treated with a hydroxide or oxide of a multivalent metal and then contacted with a solution of hydrogen peroxide; thereafter the tobacco is dried and roasted to produce an expanded tobacco product.

Abstract: An improved process for expanding tobacco is disclosed wherein tobacco components such as stems, midribs and veins are contacted with an alkaline-hydrogen peroxide solution to effect expansion, washed and then dried and/or roasted to produce an expanded tobacco material highly suitable for use in smoking products. Prior to contact with the alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution, the tobacco materials are subjected to a pretreatment step with gaseous ozone to prevent clumping and/or interadherence of the tobacco shreds which would otherwise occur during the drying step.

Abstract: An improved process for expanding tobacco wherein tobacco components such as stems, midribs and veins are contacted with an alkaline-hydrogen peroxide solution to effect expansion, washed and then dried and/or roasted to produce an expanded tobacco material highly suitable for use in smoking products. Prior to contact with the alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution, the tobacco materials are subjected to a pretreatment step with a multivalent salt solution to prevent clumping and/or interadherence of the tobacco shreds which would otherwise occur during the drying step.

Abstract: Inert gas-permeable granular support materials impregnated with alkali ferrates wherein the ferrates are iron compounds having an oxidation state of +4, +5, or +6 are disclosed. When they are used as a granular filter material in combination with a tobacco product, hydrogen cyanide can be significantly reduced in the smoke obtained from the tobacco product. Activated carbon or alumina impregnated with sodium permanganate and a basic sodium compound may also be combined with the granular filter material.

Abstract: A smoking product comprising a porous self-supporting central core of carbonized matter circumscribed by tobacco shreds is disclosed. The preferred method for making the core of the smoking product involves the forming of a precursor rod of loosely twisted or substantially non-woven cellulosic material containing additives for ash control, and pyrolyzing said rod by heating in an inert atmosphere to produce a carbonized integral rod consisting of at least about 80 percent carbon. Tobacco shreds and a wrap are applied to the pyrolyzed core to complete the preparation of the smoking product.