Abstract: There is described a process for the separation and purification of the platinum group metals from base metal out of acidic aqueous solutions. For this purpose there is used a substituted thiourea of the formulaR.sub.1 R.sub.2 N--CS--NH--CO--R.sub.3orR.sub.1 R.sub.2 N--CS--NH--COOR.sub.3as the precipitation agent. Preferably there are employed N,N-diaklyl-N'-benzoylthiourea wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are methyl, n-butyl, or n-hexyl.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans are scavenged from materials, especially fluids, by contacting the fluids with maleimides.

Abstract: Paint spray booth detackifying and clarification compositions and methods are disclosed. The compositions are pumpable, hectorite clay containing slurries. In addition to hectorite, which has been proven as a most effective detackifying agent, the slurries include thinning agents such as water soluble aliphatic and/or alicyclic amines. Water conditioning agents, such as water soluble polyphosphates are also made part of the slurry formulation.

Abstract: Oil is dehydrated and/or desalted by the influence of a dewatering and desalting formulation which can be characterized as an admixture of (i) a demulsifier preferably an alkylene oxide alkyl phenol-formaldehyde condensate such as a poly ethoxylated nonylphenol-formaldehyde condensate and (ii) a deoiler which is usefully a polyol such as ethylene glycol or poly (ethylene glycol) of Mw ranging from 106 to 44,000 and preferably ethylene glycol.The aqueous formulation may usefully contain a cosolvent such as isopropanol.

Abstract: Rapid precipitation of the particulate solids e.g. ash, slag, char and mixtures thereof in dilute dispersions of quench cooling and/or scrubbing water as produced in the partial oxidation process for ash-containing solid carbonaceous fuels is effected by mixing with said dispersion an anionic sulfonate surfactant and a water soluble divalent metal salt.

Abstract: Oil containing solid impurities is contacted with a tetraalkylammonium salt wherein the alkyl groups have from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and solid impurities are then removed from the thus treated oil by filtration.

Abstract: A process for the selective recovery of cadmium, molybdenum, zinc, nickel and other metal values from wet process phosphoric acid and other acidic to slightly basic carrier solutions, wherein the metal-bearing solution is contacted with an organophosphene extractant to precipitate the metal values for subsequent separation from the solution. Separation may be effected by mechanical means or by scrubbing with a water-immiscible organic solvent such as kerosene for subsequent recovery of the metal values. The metal specie recovered is determined by the concentration of the organophosphene, which may be selectively adjusted to recover a series of metal values in a sequence of stages.

Abstract: The nickel content of a waste water stream, such as a stream of grey water that is separated in the decanting operation of a partial oxidation process or blow-down water from a gas quench cooling and/or scrubbing operation is reduced to below 1 mg/l to produce an environmentally upgraded water stream. In the process, the dilute waste water stream containing nickel impurities at a temperature in the range of about 60.degree. to 220.degree. F. is mixed with a water soluble material selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, ionizable polysulfide salt, and hydrogen peroxide; and with dimethyl glyoxime. The pH is adjusted to a value in the range of over 7 to 11 by the addition of a base material and a water insoluble nickel precipitate forms. The precipitate and other insoluble matter are separated from the water by means of at least one conventional solids-liquid separator, and a stream of upgraded water is produced.

Abstract: A method for separating an ionic substance from a liquid medium, which comprises including a metal ion, a metal oxide ion, a metal complex ion, ammonium compounds, etc. dissolved or dispersed in the liquid medium by using a fluorine containing compound of the following formula[{Rf-(A).sub.a -Y}(X).sub.b ].sub.n (Z).sub.ccontaining a fluoroalkyl group (Rf) having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and a group (Y) having affinity for the ionic substances. A composition for trapping ionic substances, comprising the aforesaid fluorine-containing compound as a main ingredient. The invention can be advantageously applied to the recovery of useful metals from ocean waters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing heavy metal ash from an aqueous soot suspension like that found in the production of synthetic gas through partial gasification of heavy oils. This soot suspension is treated initially in the standard manner with adjuvants suitable for the separation of soot and which are not miscible in water followed by separation of the aqueous phase. The process is characterized by the fact that ash components in the aqueous phase, are brought to a sedimentation stage for settling and are subsequently removed from the water circulation system.

Abstract: A method for removing leaves, pieces of bark, surface scum and debris from a swimming pool, fountain or other impounded body of water comprises forming on the surface of the water in the pool an approximately monomolecular film of a nonionic autophobic liquid organic material having an HLB number of 10 of less, a boiling point of 170.degree. C. or higher and a bulk viscosity less than 1000 centistokes under conditions of use, which film pushes leaves, solids, semisolids, surface scum and debris to a preselected region of the pool, fountain or impounded body of water and compacts the foreign matter for easy removal.

Abstract: A composition for altering the water function characteristics of a wet, particulate mineral mass combines a surfactant material having an HLB number of from about 6.0 to about 12.0 with a surfactant adsorption inhibitory amount of a coupling agent or hydrotrope. Urea may be added to the composition for the prevention of freezing.

Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsion of crude oil, water and hydrophilic surfactant is resolved by first heating said emulsion until it separates into a surfactant laden water layer and an oil-rich emulsion layer, removing the water layer from the oil-rich emulsion layer, treating the emulsion layer by the addition of from 20 to 40 volume percent of water containing a demulsifier and recovering the crude oil which separates from the water upon standing.

Abstract: A process for the concentration and dewatering of an aqueous suspension of feldspathic minerals, comprising adding to the suspension a filter aid having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group of between 8 and 18 carbon atoms and wherein x and y are integers greater than 0 whose sum is between 2 and 15.

Abstract: This specification discloses a greatly simplified method and system for recovering coal from a particulate coal bearing slurry (1) in which an appropriate hydrophobic liquid or emulsion of hydrophobic liquid in water (2) is introduced into the inlet of a centrifugal turbulent flow slurry pump (3) simultaneously with the introduction of said coal bearing slurry to said pump inlet, said hydrophobic liquid being introduced in a quantity sufficient to achieve substantially intimate contact between said hydrophobic liquid and coal particles in said slurry whereby the coal may be separated from the slurry by discharging the slurry from the pump directly over a simple static screen or other suitable separating device (4) whereupon the separated coal matter (5) may be collected for subsequent use.

Abstract: A method for the removal of liquid or solid impurities from an impurities-containing liquid mixture wherein the impurities immiscible or occasionally miscible with the liquid medium are emulsified or finely suspended in the liquid medium, which comprises kneading the impurities-containing liquid mixture with a viscoelastic material having an affinity with said impurities and having substantially no affinity with said liquid medium, and thereby having the viscoelastic material take up the impurities and separating out the purified liquid medium. According to this method, various liquid wastes can be purified, and noble resources can be recovered from the wastes and re-used, and the separated liquid medium, particularly aqueous medium which is not useful can be thrown away without encountering problems of environmental pollution.

Abstract: A composition for altering the water function characteristics of a wet, particulate mineral mass combines a surfactant material having an HLB number of from about 6.0 to about 12.0 with a surfactant adsorption inhibitory amount of a fatty acid substance.

Abstract: A collector for use in concentrating metal values in ores by flotation, said collector comprising a synergistic mixture of O-isopropyl N-ethylthionocarbamate and O-isobutyl N-methylthionocarbamate. Ore dressing flotation methods wherein said mixture serves as collector are also provided.

Abstract: In the recovery of regenerated mineral and synthetic oils from blackish dirty lubricating or industrial oils, a quaternary ammonium salt or mixture of salts is added to the dirty oil and the mixture is subjected to agitation. The agitated mixture is next subjected to a decanting operation making it possible to recover, as the upper supernatant fraction, an oil exhibiting approximately the same characteristics as a new starting oil useful for automotive engines, transmissions and differentials, as a lubricant for machine tools, useful in transformers and other electric and electropneumatic devices and also useful as a hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: Fine coal particles are recovered from a slurry of finely divided coal by mixing coarsely divided coal and a binder together to cause the binder to adhere to the surfaces of the coarsely divided coal pieces, mixing the slurry with the coal pieces having the binder adhered thereto to cause fine coal particles to adhere to the binder over the surfaces of the coal pieces serving as nuclei and thereby form agglomerates, and separating the agglomerates from the remaining slurry portion to recover the fine coal particles along with the coarsely divided coal and the binder.

Abstract: Direct flotation of pyrochlore from its ore can be carried out at acidic pH using 1-amidoethyl-2-substituted imidazolines of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' are independently alkyl or alkenyl of 8 to 22 carbons, or their salts. In the presence of large amounts of carbonate in the ore, the pulp is acidified with hydrofluoric acid, fluosilicic acid, or their acid reacting compounds. Using this process, pyrochlore concentrates can be obtained by direct flotation from ore containing 0.1% or more of sulphide compounds calculated as FeS.sub.2.

Abstract: A method for complexing metal oxide particles in an organic medium is disclosed. The method comprises incorporating into said medium an effective amount of a complexing agent of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and alkenyl groups containing from 4 to 22 carbon atoms, aryl groups containing from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, alkyl and alkenyl groups containing from 4 to 22 carbon atoms substituted with one or more aryl groups containing from 4 to 10 carbon atoms and aryl groups containing from 4 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with one or more alkyl or alkenyl groups containing from 1 to 22 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, --(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.

Abstract: The invention provides a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent comprising polyepoxide condensates of resinous polyalkylene oxide adducts and polyether polyols comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of said polyepoxide condensate; (b) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of a hydrotropic agent; (c) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of an amphipathic agent; and (d) from between about 15% and about 90% by weight of water.

Abstract: The invention provides a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of a polyether polyol; (b) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of a hydrotropic agent; (c) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of an amphipathic agent; and (d) from between about 15% and about 90% by weight of water.

Abstract: The invention provides a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of an acylated polyether polyol; (b) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of a hydrotropic agent; (c) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of an amphipathic agent; and (d) from between about 15% and about 90% by weight of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical processes for purification of industrial waste waters from aromatic amines.The process of the invention is characterized in that into waste waters aromatic di- or polyisocyanates are introduced in a molar ratio with aromatic amines ranging from 1:1 to 30:1 respectively. The resulting precipitate is separated from the purified waste waters. The aromatic isocyanates can be introduced into waste waters as solutions in inert organic solvents.The process of this invention can be useful in processes for the production of aromatic amines and derivatives thereof, for example aromatic isocyanates.

Abstract: In a process for upgrading an aqueous slurry of fine coal by agglomerating coal particles and separating the agglomerates from the slurry the proportioning of the amount of binder used to agglomerate the coal can be substantially optimized by correlating it with the amount of non-agglomerated particles which remain in the slurry, and the ratio of the value of the upgraded coal to the coal of the binder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of breaking petroleum emulsions by utilization of a micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent, comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of resinous polyalkylene oxide adducts; (b) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of a hydrotropic agent; (c) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of an amphipathic agent; and (d) from between about 15% and about 90% by weight of water.

Abstract: Stannic chloride is removed from organic solvent-based waste streams by precipitating the salt as a dimethyl sulfoxide complex.

Abstract: A method of purifying alkali metal chloride brine containing calcium ion impurities which comprises adding to the brine a proportion of an alkali metal carboxylate compound to form an insoluble calcium carboxylate precipitate, separating the insoluble carboxylate precipitate from the brine to purify the brine and recovering the resulting purified brine. The alkali metal carboxylate compound has the formula: ##STR1## wherein Me is an alkali metal and n is an integer from 0 to 6.

Abstract: Aqueous slurries of fine coal are dewatered by a process which comprises mixing an organopolysiloxane with the slurry, separating the slurry to recover the fine coal and further drying the fine coal, if desired. The use of water-soluble organopolysiloxanes or water-emulsifiable organopolysiloxanes provides improved separating and/or improved drying of fine coal in the dewatering process that is disclosed.

Abstract: Aqueous slurries of fine coal are dewatered by a process which comprises mixing a mixture of a water-soluble organopolysiloxane and a water-emulsifiable organopolysiloxane with the slurry, separating the slurry to recover the fine coal and further drying the fine coal, if desired. The use of a mixture of a water-soluble organopolysiloxane and a water-emulsifiable organopolysiloxane unexpectedly provides improved separating and/or improved drying of fine coal compared to a dewatering process that uses only one of the organopolysiloxanes.

Abstract: Hydrolyzed wheat, corn, and potato starches are effective flocculants in destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions. These starches are equal to, or better than, the synthetic polyacrylamide flocculants in destabilizing sludge suspensions, particularly when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings.The hydrolyzed wheat starch is especially effective when first contacted with metal salts such as salts containing calcium, aluminum and phosphate ions and most particularly when first treated with a combination of such salts formed in situ, and a lower aliphatic alcohol.Among the potato starch flocculants which were found to be generally better than the corn starch flocculants, those containing AlPO.sub.4 were the best. Potato starch flocculants are equally effective on oil-removed and no-oil-removed sludge suspensions.

Abstract: Soluble metal salts in used turbine/circulating oils are removed by treating the used oil with soluble triazole compounds and thereafter filtering or centrifuging said oil.

Abstract: The rate of filtration of a coal liquid slurry is increased by adding polyisobutylene and an alcohol containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms to the slurry prior to filtration or by adding the alcohol to the slurry and washing a precoat cake of filter aid with an oil solution of polyisobutylene prior to filtration. Although the polyisobutylene and the alcohol each provides a filtration rate improving effect when used alone, a synergistic improvement in filtration rate is achieved by their combined use.

Abstract: Particles of polylactones derived from polyhydroxycarboxylic acids. The particles contain a bicarbonate derived from an alkali metal or from ammonium, and are useful in pulverulent compositions for washing, cleaning and bleaching.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polymeric quaternary ammonium salts containing specific di-tertiary amino substituted cationic recurring units. Said salts are useful as dyeing and finishing agents, especially for dyeing textile materials, such as polyacrylonitrile fiber materials, as dispersing agents and emulsifiers, as antistatic, antimicrobial and flocculating agents and as precipitants.

Abstract: Mineral and coal concentrates are effectively dewatered by a process wherein there is employed a dewatering aid comprising of an N-substituted sulfosuccinamate. The process provides for mixing the dewatering aid to an aqueous slurry of the concentrate and thereafter subjecting the treated slurry to filtration.

Abstract: The aqueous slime waste product of a phosphate ore beneficiation process is dewatered by agglomerating the solids thereof using a conditioner and a hydrophobic bridging liquid.

Abstract: A method for increasing the sedimentation of mineral particles in feed liquids containing the same, particularly coal-derived liquids, by the use of an anti-solvent gas pressure technique. The mixture is held under a pressurized carbon dioxide atmosphere which causes an increase in the initial settling rate for sedimentation of the mineral particles from such liquids so that they may be used as fuels.

Abstract: Disclosed are surface-active compositions for dispersing or collecting oil slicks on water or for protecting or cleaning beaches, which compositions comprise(a) a mixture of surface-active compounds comprising at least one solid compound and at least one liquid compound, and(b) a mixture of solvents comprising a glycol ether and at least one n-paraffin having from about 10 to 16 carbon atoms.