Abstract: A method and apparatus for decomposing halogenated hydrocarbons are provided. The halogenated hydrocarbon is mixed with solvating agents and maintained in a predetermined atmosphere and at a predetermined temperature. The mixture is contacted with recyclable reactive material for chemically reacting with the recyclable material to create dehalogenated hydrocarbons and halogenated inorganic compounds. A feature of the invention is that the process enables low temperature destruction of halogenated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A composition for use as a radiation shield. The shield is a concrete product containing a stable uranium aggregate for attenuating gamma rays and a neutron absorbing component, the uranium aggregate and neutron absorbing component being present in the concrete product in sufficient amounts to provide a concrete having a density between about 4 and about 15 grams/cm.sup.3 and which will at a predetermined thickness, attenuate gamma rays and absorb neutrons from a radioactive material of projected gamma ray and neutron emissions over a determined time period. The composition is preferably in the form of a container for storing radioactive materials that emit gamma rays and neutrons. The concrete container preferably comprises a metal liner and/or a metal outer shell. The resulting radiation shielding container has the potential of being structurally sound, stable over a long period of time, and, if desired, readily mobile.

Abstract: A method of providing a mixture of lean and rich gas of a desired composition by means of a jet compressor system comprising two or more jet compressors comprising:(1) adjusting the jet compressor system being used to mix the lean and rich gas to provide a leaner gas mixture than the desired composition;(2) then adding a predetermined amount of rich gas to the leaner gas mixture to attempt to obtain the desired composition; and(3) varying the amount of rich gas added to the leaner gas in response to the measurement of gas properties in the jet compressor system to thereby more nearly obtain a gas of the desired composition. Preferably the lean gas comprises air, blast furnace gas, or BOF gas, and the rich gas comprises methane, natural gas, propane, or butane.

Abstract: A method is described for producing metal such as iron in a shaft furnace wherein greater than about 80 percent of the ore therein is present in the form of pellets. The improvement involves adding fine ore material to the furnace adjacent to the walls of the furnace, and wherein the fine material is sufficiently fine to reduce the gas flow and protect the furnace lining. Preferably the fine ore material is obtained by separation from the pellets, and is added to the furnace on a controlled basis. Subsequent to separating the fine ore material from the pellets and prior to adding it to the furnace, the ultrafine fraction which would either create material handling problems or be blown out of the furnace when introduced is either (1) separated from the fine fraction which is added to the furnace, or (2) micropelletized prior to addition to the furnace in order to provide a material having suitable properties for flowing into the furnace.

Abstract: An improved hardenable inorganic grouting composition cartridge comprising: (1) cartridge filler ingredients comprising, (a) a dry inorganic cement powder, and (b) liquid containing capsules, and wherein the liquid is reactive with the inorganic cement, and wherein the capsules are pressure sensitive and capable of being progressively ruptured by the force of the anchor element, (2) an elongated flexible tubular casing containing the filler ingredients, and (3) a reinforcing member, preferably a flexible one, which adds lengthwise rigidity to the cartridge casing.The grouting composition cartridge of this invention is injected into a hole in a support structure. An anchor element is then introduced into the hole containing the grouting composition cartridge. The grouting composition is released from the casing thereby forming a hardened grout around the anchor element.This invention also includes methods of manufacture and usage of the improved cartridge.

Abstract: Process for removing hard to remove deposits containing elemental sulfur and multivalent compounds from a surface comprising (1) contacting the deposits with a cleaning composition comprising (a) a major portion of aliphatic amine, (b) water, and (c) an oxidizing or reducing agent, (2) allowing the cleaning composition to remain in contact with the deposits for sufficient time to allow sufficient dissolution of said solid to take place to allow removal of the deposits to take place, and (3) applying such force as is necessary to remove these partially dissolved deposits from the surface. A preferred cleaning composition comprises (1) from about 60 to about 90 volume percent aliphatic amine, (2) from about 10 to about 40 volume percent water, and (3) from about 1 to about 3 weight percent of a moderate oxidizing or reducing agent, such percentages based on the total composition.

Abstract: An improved hardenable inorganic grouting composition comprising (1) a dry inorganic cement powder, (2) liquid containing capsules, and wherein the liquid is reactive with the inorganic cement, and wherein the capsules are pressure sensitive and capable of being progressively ruptured by the force of the anchor element, and (3) a small amount of a lubricant in such form and amount to allow the cement powder and the capsules to flow as free flowing solids. This grouting composition is preferably in the form of a cartridge having an elongated tubular casing.

Abstract: A process for the purification of the low-boiling constituents of a compresed gas mixture, such as a mixture comprising a carbonaceous gas, by cooling to low temperatures in cyclical alternated regenerators to condense high-boiling constituents of the gas mixture comprising (1) passing the gas mixture through a first regenerator from the warm end to the cold end of the same to cool the gas mixture and to condense the high-boiling constituents of the mixture thereby producing a purified gas stream; (2) passing a scavenging gas which is at a lower pressure than said gas mixture in the first regenerator through a second regenerator from the cold end to the warm end of the same to clean this second regenerator and to re-evaporate the high-boiling constituents, (3) passing at least part of the purified gas stream through a third regenerator from the cold end to the warm end of the same to re-cool this third regenerator, preferably to the temperature of the first regenerator, and (4) compressing and recycling at le

Abstract: Carbonyl sulfide is removed from propylene by hydrolysis over a catalyst comprising platinum sulfide on alumina. Specifically, the propylene is passed through, successively, a C.sub.3 -splitter, a heater, the platinum sulfide catalyst bed, and a topping still where the resulting H.sub.2 S and CO.sub.2 are separated from the purified propylene.

Abstract: In a method of removing carbonyl sulfide from propylene by hydrolysis over a catalyst comprising platinum sulfide on alumina, the improvement comprising regenerating the catalyst by contacting the catalyst with a solvent for polypropylene under conditions such that any polypropylene on the catalyst will be readily dissolved. Specifically, the propylene is passed through, successively, a C.sub.3 -splitter, a heater, the platinum sulfide catalyst bed, and a topping still where resulting H.sub.2 S and CO.sub.2 are separated from the purified propylene. A preferred solvent is liquid propylene.

Abstract: A process for removing solids from coal tar for the preparation of a coal tar pitch containing liquid comprising (1) centrifuging the coal tar at a suitable viscosity to separate a large particle size solids fraction from a first liquid fraction containing pitch and small particle size solids, and (2) filtering the large particle size fraction while maintaining the solids fraction at a suitable viscosity to thereby produce a second pitch containing liquid fraction which is substantially free of solids, and a densified readily handleable large particle size solid material. The liquid fractions are useful for making electrodes, needle coke or carbon fibers whereas the densified solid material is readily utilized.

Abstract: A method is described for producing metal such as iron in a shaft furnace wherein greater than about 80 percent of the ore therein is present in the form of pellets. The improvement involves adding fine ore material to the furnace adjacent to the walls of the furnace, and wherein the fine material is sufficiently fine to reduce the gas flow and protect the furnace lining. Preferably the fine ore material is obtained by separation from the pellets, and is added to the furnace on a controlled basis. Subsequent to separating the fine ore material from the pellets and prior to adding it to the furnace, the ultrafine fraction which would either create material handling problems or be blown out of the furnace when introduced is either (1) separated from the fine fraction which is added to the furnace, or (2) micro-pelletized prior to addition to the furnace in order to provide a material having suitable properties for flowing into the furnace.

Abstract: A process for the purification of a compressed gas mixture by cooling to low temperatures in cyclical alternated regenerators to condense high-boiling constituents of the gas mixture comprising (1) passing the gas mixture through a first regenerator from the warm end to the cold end of the same; (2) passing a scavenging gas which is at a lower pressure than said gas mixture in the first regenerator through a second regenerator from the cold end to the warm end of the same, (3) passing at least part of the purified gas stream through a third regenerator from the cold end to the warm end of the same, and (4) compressing and recycling at least part of the scavenging gas which has passed through the second regenerator through the first regenerator from the warm end to the cold end and repeating the process as defined above.

Abstract: Reactor and method for providing improved conversion of oxidizable pollutants from a waste gas stream by passing such a gas stream at a velocity of less than about 200 feet per minute through a chamber containing a thin catalyst bed capable of oxidizing the oxidizable pollutants and having a temperture rise from the inlet side to the outlet side of the bed of between about 50.degree. C. and about 400.degree. C. and a distributor plate located upstream and parallel to the bed. The distributor plate contains a plurality of openings such that the plate surface has a total open area of less than about 10% therein. In a preferred embodiment wherein a plurality of catalyst beds are provided, separate distributor plates are placed between the inlet for each bed and the bed itself.

Abstract: Coal tar pitch is blended with ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) molding or extrusion composition. The product produced therefrom is superior in some ways for applications such as pipe manufacture and meets generally accepted specifications therefor. Furthermore, such a product is less expensive than an ABS product without the coal tar pitch additive.

Abstract: A process is described for maintaining the proportions of each coal in a coal blend at a desired level. The process involves(1) making a spectral analysis, preferably by infrared spectrometry, of at least one sample of the coal blend, the sample having known desired proportions of each coal,(2) making a spectral analysis of the coal blend sample of unknown proportions of each coal,(3) comparing the spectral analyses of steps (1) and (2), and(4) upon noting a significant difference between the spectral analyses of steps (1) and (2), making adjustments to achieve a final coal blend having proportions of each coal closer to those of the blend of known desired proportions of each coal. The relationship of the aromatic to aliphatic groupings is preferably determined by spectral analysis of each coal sample.This process is particularly useful on-line in the production of blast furnace coke of high strength and high stability.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a low sulfur content hot reducing gas by desulfurizing hot reducing gas by contacting the sulfur-bearing hot reducing gas or carbonaceous material with a particulate calcium oxide desulfurizing agent to thereby produce a product gas stream and a byproduct calcium sulfide composition, and then recovering sulfur from the calcium sulfide composition by contacting the calcium sulfide composition with hot liquid water at a temperature and corresponding pressure sufficient to maintain steam in the system and wherein a major portion of the calcium sulfide composition has a particle size of less than about 6 mesh to thereby convert the sulfide to calcium hydroxide and hydrogen sulfide. A preferred process uses this low sulfur content gas to reduce iron ore, and especially wherein ore, calcium oxide and carbonaceous material are reacted in a shaft furnace.

Abstract: Systems and methods for directing waste gases to a by-pass conduit from a conduit to a waste gas purifier in response to signals indicating predetermined conditions which are harmful to the waste gas purifier to which the waste gases are normally directed while at the same time maintaining a substantially uniform pressure at the source of the waste gases. Preferably, the source of the waste gases is a scrubber unit for a maleic anhydride production unit. The waste gas purifier is preferably a catalytic oxidation unit for oxidizing hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the waste gases.

Abstract: A process for the substantially complete removal of acid gases and ammonia from aqueous solutions is disclosed, which comprises a two stage distillation operation wherein the pressure in the first distillation stage is substantially less than the pressure in the second stage, the ammonia concentration in this stage decreases downwardly so that an aqueous bottoms stream has a pH less than 8, this aqueous bottoms stream is treated with alkali and then distilled in the second stage. A portion of the aqueous bottoms can be vaporized by indirect heat exchange with vapors evolving from the second stage. The improvement lies in adding ammonia to the overhead vapor from the first stage to reduce corrosion of the condenser and preferably, the amount of vapor condensed is controlled to further minimize corrosion.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a low sulfur content, hot reducing gas by desulfurizing hot reducing gas by contacting the sulfur-bearing hot reducing gas with a bed of a particulate calcium oxide desulfurizing agent to thereby produce a product gas stream and a byproduct calcium sulfide composition, and then recovering sulfur from the calcium sulfide composition by contacting the calcium sulfide composition with hot liquid water at a temperature and corresponding pressure sufficient to maintain steam in the system and to thereby convert the sulfide to calcium hydroxide and hydrogen sulfide and to produce a liquid water stream containing sulfur, and then combining the sulfur-containing water stream with a fresh water stream and recycling this water stream for contacting the calcium sulfide composition. Preferably water vapor produced in the contacting step is condensed and returned to the system in the final stage of contacting the calcium sulfide composition with hot liquid water.