Abstract: A method and apparatus for the high temperature destruction by pyrolysis and incineration of organic and inorganic gaseous, liquid, and solid toxic and hazardous compounds. The apparatus has a melting chamber and a combustion chamber wherein solid, sludge liquid and gaseous compounds are separately or simultaneously eliminated. In the melting chamber of the apparatus, a molten mass media operates at temperatures between 2200 and 2900 degrees F. Directly above the molten mass a flame impinges upon the molten surface at a temperature of 3000 degrees F. and above. Solid, liquid, and gaseous hazardous wastes are introduced into the melting chamber either on or beneath the surface of the molten mass wherein the waste is destroyed. Due to the operating sequence of the apparatus, the liquid and solid waste compounds may be in the molten mass in excess of eight hours.

Abstract: A process for making a homogeneous melt for producing mineral wool insulation. This insulating material is made from waste products namely, bottom ash, cement kiln dust, slag, and waste from mineral wool production. These materials, along with a binder, are homogenized into a mixture. Thereafter, the process includes briquetting the mixture into agglomerated pieces. The agglomerates are then melted in a cupola furnace and the molten agglomerate is discharged into a receiver. Hot combustion gases are then passed into the melt or molten agglomerate to chemically homogenize the melt and heat the melt to a preselected temperature. Thereafter, the melt is converted into fibers using conventional practices.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing boric acid liquid wastes containing radionuclides by neutralizing the solution and evaporating the resulting precipitate to near dryness. The dry residue is then fused into a reduced volume, insoluble, inert, solid form containing substantially all the radionuclides.

Abstract: A refractory composition for use in contact with molten aluminum alloys containing a refractory aggregate, a binder and 9Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2B.sub.2 O.sub.3. The aluminum borate may be of the type produced as a by-product in the production of ferro-boron alloys and known as aluminum boron slag.

Abstract: A composition for use in fluidizing accumulated pit scrap in ingot soaking pits is provided which contains from about 38 to about 56 wt. % SiO.sub.2, from about 2 to about 4 wt. % C, and from about 38 to about 56 wt. % FeO. A method is also provided according to which an effective amount of the above composition is added to the pit and the pit maintained at a temperature and for a time sufficient to fluidize the accumulated pit scrap. The fluidized pit scrap is then removed by drainage or mechanical means.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber composition for use in contact with molten aluminum alloys is disclosed which is lightweight and porous. The composition contains ceramic fibers, binders and an additive containing 9Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2B.sub.2 O.sub.3. The additive is preferably aluminum boron slag which is a by-product of the production of ferro-boron.

Abstract: A dry blend capable of forming a fast-setting cement when reacted with an aqueous component. The blend comprises: a solid phosphorus pentoxide (P.sub.2 O.sub.5) containing component; a solid component comprising a magnesium containing compound; and an optional aggregate.The solid P.sub.2 O.sub.5 containing component is preferably spent solid phosphoric acid catalyst.The dry blend remains a free flowing powder until contacted with the aqueous component, preferably water, then a reaction occurs forming a fast-setting cement.

Abstract: There is disclosed a green moulded product suitable for preparing shaped fired units comprising (a) at least 55% to 99% by weight of non-calcined asbestos tailings, the remainder comprising (b) at least one of (i) a heat decomposable metal salt selected from sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, barium, magnesium, aluminum and mixtures thereof in an amount of from 1% to 15% by weight, (ii) a natural aluminum silicate in an amount of from 1% to 30% by weight, and (iii) mixtures of (i) and (ii). The properties of fired units are such that they can be used as structural bricks, medium refractory bricks, firebricks, tiles and the like.

Abstract: Protoenstatite ceramic units are prepared by compressing units of a mixture of 55 to 80 parts by weight of uncalcined demagnetized asbestos tailings with 22 to 44 parts by weight of a source of silica and from 0 to 17 parts by weight of fluxing agents and firing the units at 1250.degree. to 1500.degree. C.

Abstract: Admixture of unsaturated polyester and finely ground powder particles of soda-containing silicate glass, preferably soda-lime-silicate glass, e.g. below about 40 mesh and in an amount of between about 1 to 60% based on the weight of the polyester-glass particle admixture, providing improved properties in the ultimately cured resin at lower material costs and having special application as a composition for use in fabricating fibrous glass (i.e. fiber-glass) reinforced plastics composite products.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of industrial cordierite ceramic units containing from 45 to 68% by weight of silica 16 to 37% by weight of magnesia and 12 to 45% by weight of alumina which comprises (a) mixing from 15 to 60% by weight of the non-magnetic fraction of asbestos tailings having a MgO:SiO.sub.2 of from 0.8 to 1.25 with 40 to 85% of a kaolin clay by weight and 0 to 10% of alumina; (b) shaping said mixture in green unit forms; (c) curing said units at room temperature for 24 h then at 110.degree. C. for 24 h; (d) firing said cured units at a temperature of from 1350 1400.degree. C.

Abstract: With hydraulically setting shaped brick, particularly for construction, composed of(a) 4 to 30% by weight hydraulically or similarly acting binding agent, such as cement, high-hydraulic lime, lime or hydraulically reacting plastic or mixtures thereof;(b) about 60 to 95% by weight mineral aggregate material; and(c) 0 to 10% by weight other additions, the raw material basis is extended with regard to aggregate material, and deposited amounts of country rock from mining are reduced, since the aggregate material is composed of country rock (mining waste material) from mining, particularly hard coal mining, with a grain size up to 15 mm and a finest grain portion under 0.2 mm from 10 to 45% by weight. To produce the shaped brick, the mixture is shaped and then hardened. Through particular choice of granulation and density, the mining waste material can be adjusted to desired quality characteristics and the physical characteristics of the shaped brick varied, corresponding to utility.

Abstract: The method for extraction of precious metals from leachable ores and forming a building materials which includes the steps of crushing a quantity of leachable ore into a powder of substantially uniform particle size, mixing with a quantity of a binding material and mixing with a leaching material. The materials are then formed into a masonry building construction article having at least one passage therein. A plurality of the masonry building construction articles are stacked with at least some of the passages disposed therein in generally parallel flow paths and a solvent is passed through the passages of the masonry building construction articles.

Abstract: A process and a product made by the process for producing black glass from incinerated municipal waste including separating metal, stone and ash from the waste; melting the glass material comprising ferrous oxide and ferric oxide to convert at least a portion of the iron oxides to Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4, thereby causing the black coloration; and thereafter solidifying the molten glass.

Abstract: A granular fertilizer and insecticide carrier-filler material which is produced from phosphatic clays is disclosed along with its method of production. The granular carrier-filler material is water-degradable, and is prepared from waste phosphatic clays by tilling the source material, allowing it to dry, crushing the dried material into granules, heating the granules at a temperature of about 450.degree. F. to less than 1600.degree. F. to obtain a granular carrier-filler material having a moisture content of no more than about 15% by weight. Depending upon end use applications, the granular carrier-filler material may be sized as by screening.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel light-weight building material suitable for heat and sound insulation from an aluminum hydroxide sludge, which is a very noxious industrial waste material, and disintegrated scrapped paper as the base components. The sludge is first alkalized by the addition of sodium hydroxide to dissolve the gel-like aluminum hydroxide in the form of sodium aluminate and then admixed with the disintegrated scrapped paper to give a slurried mixture which is next neutralized to a weakly acidic condition by adding phosphoric acid whereby insoluble phosphates are deposited on the cellulosic fibers. The slurried mixture is further admixed with a coagulating agent to give a coagulated mass of the fibrous material with deposition of the phosphates. The coagulated mass is then separated from the liquid portion and dried to give a light-weight mass which is used as a blow-on insulating material for buildings or as a material for shaping an insulating board or slab.

Abstract: A moist sludge as obtained from gases evolved during steel preparation in converters by blowing oxygen through said liquid steel is treated with 30% flue dust. Preferably the mixing is effected in two steps, in the first step 60% of the flue dust is added and the particles as obtained are mixed with the remaining flue dust in a second step without crushing the particles of the first step, particularly by using a whirling process.

Abstract: A low cost beautiful blue colored artificial stone stock is obtained by using a high carbon or low carbon slag formed at the time of preparing ferrochromium, as it is or after incorporated with an expensive addition. The stone stock has a composition of 40-70% by weight of SiO.sub.2, 0.1-5% by weight of a low grade chromium oxide and the balance of CaO, MgO and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: Red mud from alumina plants, normally considered useless waste, is made into useful ceramics articles by mixing 51-90% by weight of red mud with 10-49% by weight of at least one mineral and/or silicate containing material, shaping the mixture and firing it at a temperature of 950.degree.-1250.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for the heat treatment of a radioactive substance by microwave power comprising preparing a nitrate solution of uranium, thorium, plutonium or a mixture thereof, and applying to the nitrate solution microwave energy sufficient to directly convert the nitrate solution into an oxide powder of uranium, thorium, plutonium or a mixture thereof, respectively. Such oxide powder is suitable for the manufacture of nuclear fuel pellets.

Abstract: An expanded glass aggregate has a granulometry of 0.2 to 3 mm and 10.sup.6 to 10.sup.7 cavities filled with gas per cm.sup.3. The diameter of the larger cavities is substantially smaller than 0.1 mm. All or a majority of the cavities are closed cells having a similar size. The expanded glass aggregate may contain in addition up to 85% of concrete, lava and/or tuff. For the preparation, the raw material is ground into a flour, mixed with a blowing organic and/or inorganic material appropriate to hot release gas, and a semi-finished aggregate is formed with a diameter of the granules of 0.1 to 1.5 mm. This aggregate is heated in a vibrating or suspended furnace during 5 to 180 seconds at a temperature of 600.degree. to 900.degree. C. The expanded glass aggregate is removed away from the furnace before a significant number of small cavities formed during the blowing gather to form larger cavities.

Abstract: The process and installation for carrying out the process of preparing starting materials to form a ceramic composition by passing them through a crusher, storing them in silos, until different proportions are fed to a mixer and then to an intermediate silo from which the materials are pulverized, dried cleaned of ferrous impurities and passed through a spray tower where recycled and starting material are mixed and moisture content controlled depending on whether the ceramic mass or composition to which the granulated material is to be processed must be suitable for casting, kneading or pressing.