Abstract: Herein is described a method for feeding chlorine to a heat exchanger (condenser) for biological fouling control by targeting the feed to only a few tubes at a time. The assembly comprises a manifold surrounded by a seal which directly contacts the condenser tube sheet, thereby feeding chlorine to only a few selected condenser tubes at a time and the seal serves to restrict the flow of water through the tubes, thereby increasing the contact time between the chlorinated water and the fouling mass in the tubes. The manifold, powered by a pneumatic/hydraulic drive, moves across the entire condenser tube sheet so that all tubes are chlorinated for the same duration. A principal advantage of this system is that it allows the feed of relatively high concentrations of chlorine to the selected tubes, but is designed to meet EPA effluent limitations without dechlorination.

Abstract: A process for direct granulation of unpurified urea phosphate from urea and merchant- or filter-grade wet-process phosphoric acid to produce a product with exceptional satisfactory physical and chemical properties for direct application to the soil or for use in production of fluid fertilizers. The process involves the utilization of sweep air in both the reactor and the granulator to remove water from the heat-sensitive urea phosphate mixture to enhance the granulation characteristics of the product. Product drying with applied heat after granulation is essentially eliminated. Moisture content of the urea phosphate is reduced to an acceptable level (about 1.0 percent) in the granulator; however, the granules are somewhat sticky. It has been found, however, that the resulting urea phosphate with about 1.0 percent moisture is less sensitive to heat than high (4 to 6 percent) moisture product. Consequently, heated air (up to about 200.degree. F.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of highly concentrated (N-P.sub.2 O.sub.5) suspension fertilizers effected by the ammoniation of wet-process or other impure orthophosphoric acids in batch-type equipment. The underlying concept which goes to the gist of the instant invention involves the use of a heel of product from a previously prepared batch to provide nuclei and a suitable environment for the conversion of the metallic impurities therein into crystalline habits rather than the usual highly undesirable form of metallic impurity gel-like compounds, which gels cause extremely high viscosities, nonpourability, and complete destruction of fluidity in concentrated ammonium phosphate suspension fertilizers prepared by prior-art procedure.

Abstract: An enhanced heat transfer process whereby solid particles are heated, dried, or cooled by a gas: Particles are repeatedly lifted and dropped as, for example, in flighted rotary drums. By forced recirculation, gas is passed through showering particles generally perpendicular to their plane of fall. Examples show gas forced to contact particles in this manner imparts an overall volumetric heat transfer coefficient to a rotary drum superior to that expected from classical literature or presently operating rotary drum heat exchangers. Disclosure teaches gas temperature adjustment between forced recirculations. Technique usage will reduce exchanger captial cost, increase energy efficiency, and reduce pollution problems. Also, prewetting of the particles in certain instances can be utilized to effect substantially increased pseudo volumetric heat transfer coefficients when cooling non-hygroscopic materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the reaction of phosphate rock with nitric acid and urea to produce nitrogen-phosphorus containing slurries, which slurries, in turn, may be granulated and dried to produce solid N-P fertilizer products with agronomically advantageous low pHs (1.0-4.0). The products have excellent storage characteristics. The improved properties of these products result partially from the formation of a new compound, Ca(H.sub.2 PO.sub.4)(NO.sub.3).CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2, which was discovered during the course of the investigation that led to the instant invention.

Abstract: A phosphate ore flotation process subjecting a phosphate ore containing carbonate mineral impurities to froth flotation in the presence of modifying agents, said modifying agents being alkyl phosphonic acids and hydrofluoric acid, and a collector, said collector being fatty acids; collecting the phosphate and carbonate minerals as rougher concentrate from the overflow; subjecting the phosphate and carbonate mineral concentrate to a differential desorption with an acid to remove the fatty acid from the surface of the phosphate mineral; removing the separated carbonate minerals from the overflow; and recovering the phosphate values in the underflow.

Abstract: A two-stage continuous crystallization process for production of urea phosphate by reaction of impure wet-process orthophosphoric acid (about 54 percent P.sub.2 O.sub.5) and urea with simultaneous addition of a selected acidifying agent (sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, or phosphoric acid) to clarified mother liquor used as recycle in the process. Addition of the acidifying agent decreases pH in the crystallization process whereby the solubility of a contaminating water-insoluble iron phosphate-urea salt [FeH.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2.2CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2 ] is increased, purity of the crystalline urea phosphate product is improved significantly, and the useful storage life of the recycle mother liquor is prolonged.

Abstract: The dewatering capabilities of sulfite sludges from flue gas desulfurization facilities are substantially improved by the addition of relatively small amounts of sodium thiosulfate additive, or additives derived from or related to sodium thiosulfate, into the scrubber slurry liquor. As an added embellishment, these predetermined amounts of said additives are greater than those required for effecting substantial scale inhibition in the scrubber innards. Subsequently, conventional dewatering of the sulfite sludge to about 80 to 90 percent solids directly produces a waste product disposable in both an economically and an environmentally acceptable manner, in that the thixotropic characteristics of such sludges which are associated therewith upwards to about 70-percent solids therein are completely eliminated.

Abstract: A proess, and a composition of matter utilized therein, to obtain transformation of the glochidia of freshwater mussels to the juvenile stage. In nature, glochidia normally transform while as parasites on fish. The instant artificial process involves the use of cell culture and bacteriological techniques to best assure environmental integrity during the protracted culture period. The composition of the media includes a combination of the blood plasma of fish and commonly available tissue culture fluids and inorganic salts. A nonspecific component of fish blood plasma in combination with the media, supra, was determined to be essential for glochidial transformation to juveniles.

Abstract: Highly concentrated nitrogen suspension fertilizers which have excellent long-term storage and handling properties in both warm and severely cold weather are produced from urea, ammonium nitrate, water, and attapulgite clay and contain urea crystals suspended in a saturated solution containing urea and ammonium nitrate. The compositions must be maintained within a very narrow range to produce satisfactory suspensions. Deviation from this narrow range results in poor quality, unusable products. For prevention of scale formation and production of small crystals, the products are cooled in two or more stages with gelling-type clay added prior to or during crystallization and with air cooling used in the cooling stage(s) involving crystallization.

Abstract: The concentration of impurities in wet-process phosphoric acid limits the usefulness of the acid for the production of fertilizers, feedgrade phosphate and detergents. The aluminum, magnesium, and fluoride impurities are removed with the calcium sulfate hemihydrate filter cake by hydrolyzing and recycling the off-gas scrubber solutions in the presence of a ferric iron catalyst. The aluminum and magnesium are reduced to less than 0.1 percent in the acid product by the precipitation of (Ca,Mg)Al.sub.2 F.sub.8 .multidot.2H.sub.2 O, which is acid insoluble and suitable for storage with the byproduct calcium sulfate. Ferric iron also serves as a catalyst for the simultaneous precipitation of (Na,K).sub.2 SiF.sub.6. Subsequent additions of potassium as, for example, in the teachings of Gilbert (U.S. Pat. No. 3,338,675), can then be applied to obtain a purified phosphoric acid product suitable for most commercial applications.

Abstract: Method for production of granular ammonium polyphosphate fertilizer in which ammonium polyphosphate melt is prepared in a simple inline reactor and distributed onto a bed of solids in a drum granulator to bind smaller fertilizer particles into granules. The desired polyphosphate content can be obtained in the granular product by adjusting the total heat input of the feed reactants to the reactor by means of energy conservation modifications to the system. Energy losses are controlled by use of a predetermined quantity of insulation so that varying amounts of the maximum theoretical heat input can be utilized to produce products of polyphosphate contents as desired.

Abstract: The process allows essentially all of the nitrogen and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 values in the treated black ammonium polyphosphate liquid to be recovered in the form of valuable clarified product. In the process, a heel of black liquid fertilizer is first clarified by a prior-art procedure using flocculants. The improvement over the prior art picks up with the byproduct tops which is then diluted with the water of formulation required to dissolve additional amounts of ammonium polyphosphate melt. This diluted liquid is filtered, the filter cake containing upwards of 99 percent of the undesirable black carbonaceous material is discarded, and the clear filtrate, which contains essentially all of the nitrogen and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 originally in the tops, is then used in lieu of the prior-art water of formulation to dissolve additional ammonium polyphosphate melt to produce more black ammonium polyphosphate liquid.

Abstract: The granulation of molten material using a heat transfer process whereby solid particles are heated, dried, or cooled by a gas: Particles are repeatedly lifted and dropped as, for example, in flighted rotary drums. By forced recirculation, gas is passed through showering particles generally perpendicular to their plane of fall. Examples show gas forced to contact particles in this manner imparts an overall volumetric heat transfer coefficient to a rotary drum superior to that expected from classical literature or presently operating rotary drum heat exchangers. Disclosure teaches gas temperature adjustment between forced recirculations. Technique usage will reduce exchanger capital cost, increase energy efficiency, and reduce pollution problems. Also, prewetting of the particles in certain instances can be utilized to effect substantially increased pseudo volumetric heat transfer coefficients when cooling non-hygroscopic materials.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nitrogen fertilizers, especially oxamide, either indirectly, or directly from oxalate esters, including the regeneration of the quinone oxidant utilized in the formation of the above esters.Preparation of oxalate esters as potential intermediates for nitrogen fertilizers by the oxidative carbonylation of alcohols with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of a platinum group metal salt with or without a corresponding metal oxidant salt and an optionally substituted quinone (substituted or unsubstituted 2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione). High yields of isolated dialkyl oxalates are obtained by regulating temperature and carbon monoxide pressure and by maintaining essentially anhydrous conditions. In addition, high yields of the hydroquinones (1,4-dihydroxybenzenes) are recovered.

Abstract: A process for the production of fluid fertilizers (suspensions and/or solution type) made from merchant-grade phosphoric acid (50-58 percent P.sub.2 O.sub.5), sulfuric acid, liquid anhydrous ammonia, and water, wherein liquid ammonia is heated in heat exchange means juxtaposed hot fertilizer product to form gaseous ammonia, which gaseous ammonia, along with phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid, is fed to a pipe-cross reactor wherein a melt of ammonium polyphosphate sulfate is formed, which melt is subsequently mixed with cooled recycled product to produce a fluid fertilizer with N:P.sub.2 O.sub.5 weight ratios ranging from about 0.3 to 1, which contains from about 10 to 60 percent of its P.sub.2 O.sub.5 values in the form of polyphosphates and 3 to 8 percent by weight sulfur. About 45 percent of the P.sub.2 O.sub.5 as polyphosphate is easily attainable in the product with ambient acid feed temperatures, i.e., about 50.degree. F. to 100.degree. F.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of concentrated, high-grade, nitrogen-phosphate (N--P.sub.2 O.sub.5) base suspension fertilizer from wet-process or other phosphoric acids and ammonia. The process involves addition of small proportions of fluosilicic acid during preparation of the suspension to cause modification of monoammonium phosphate crystals to shapes and sizes that do not settle during vibration such as occurs during shipment.

Abstract: An energy efficient process and apparatus is described that allows production of concentrated polyphosphate containing ammonium phosphate suspension fertilizers that can be stored and handled at temperatures well below 0.degree. F. Ammoniation of the merchant-grade wet-process phosphoric acid provides all of the heat required by the process. Use of a unique enlarged dual pipe-type reactor system allows operation for extended periods without clogging. To obtain the high concentration and excellent low temperature storage and handling properties, the ammonium phosphate must be produced within closely specified and previously undisclosed N:P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and solution concentration ranges. Operation outside the specified composition range will reduce the maximum plant food concentration and may cause some of the ammonium phosphate salts to crystallize and foul the heat-transfer surfaces.

Abstract: Embodiment No. 1. Urea phosphate prepared from wet-process phosphoric acid is heated with monopotassium orthophosphate in a mole ratio of 0.25 to 4.0 at 130.degree. to 200.degree. C. to form an ammonium potassium polyphosphate having an average chain length between 1.2 and 2.5. The ammonium potassium polyphosphate is dissolved in aqueous ammonia to yield concentrated fertilizer solutions containing the three major nutrients and over 50 percent total plant food.Embodiment No. 2. Phosphoric acid containing 54 to 76 percent P.sub.2 O.sub.5 is heated with urea (urea:H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 mole ratio 0.5 to 2.0) and monopotassium orthophosphate (urea:KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 mole ratio 0.25 to 4.0) at 130.degree. to 200.degree. C. to form an ammonium potassium polyphosphate having an average chain length between 1.2 and 2.5. The ammonium potassium polyphosphate is dissolved in aqueous ammonia to yield concentrated fertilizer solutions containing the three major nutrients and over 50 percent total plant food.

Abstract: A phosphate ore fllotation process subjects a phosphate ore containing silica and silicates to froth flotation in the presence of a collector, said collector being a C.sub.36 high molecular weight dibasic acid comprising two carboxylic functional groups, recovering the phosphate concentrate from the overflow, and removing the separated silica and silicates in the underflow. The dibasic acids should be used in conjunction with fuel oil, not only to reduce the reagent consumption, but also to increase the grade and recovery of phosphate concentrate. The selectivity of some of these collectors is so great than an acceptable phosphate rock concentrate can be obtained from the phosphate ore in a single anionic circuit.