Abstract: The calcium carbonate component of waste carpet is concentrated by mechanical means and/or chemical means then subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of calcium carbonate to volatilize or modify organic compounds admixed with calcium carbonate so as to yield a free-flowing particulate filler composed of at least about 70% calcium carbonate.

Abstract: Metal sulfides having a micro-porous structure are disclosed for use as sorbents for removal of mercury from flue gas. Systems are disclosed for making and using micro-porous particulates at least partially composed of alkaline earth metal and transition metal sulfides as sorbents. Calcium sulfide micro-porous powders derived from the high temperature reduction of calcium sulfate and calcium sulfite are disclosed to be reactive substrates for a group of sorbents for adsorption of mercury from the myriad of coal combustion flue gases produced by the utilities industry, as well as from natural gas and gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons. Controlled addition of one or more of polyvalent metal ions, chloride ions, polysulfide ions, and sulfur to the micro-porous calcium sulfide substrate produces the sorbent. The sorbents are useful for cost-effectively adsorbing elemental mercury and oxidized mercury species such as mercuric chloride from flue gases, including those containing acid gases (e.g., SO.sub.2, NO and NO.

Abstract: In the recycling of Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 polyamides from post-consumer or post-industrial waste, a process is disclosed to separate Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 polyamides from commingled polyolefin waste components, particularly polypropylene, by admixing the waste with an ester solvent composition and heating the admixture to a temperature above the melting temperature of the contained polyolefins to form an ester solvent composition further containing dissolved polyamide polymer and a separate immiscible liquid polyolefin phase. The ester solvent composition preferably contains ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Novel organic compositions for removing dyes from the surface of polymeric fibers are disclosed. The method for dye removal from the surface of fibers includes contacting the fibers with a non-aqueous ester stripping composition preferably containing at least one cyclic ester and optionally containing a surfactant, an alcohol, or both. The process of the present invention is especially useful for removing color from dyed polyamide fibers as part of a recycling process for such materials.

Abstract: A process to decompose polyester by heating in the presence of a cyclic ester solvent is disclosed. Physically separated polyester-rich waste can be recycled by forming an admixture with a cyclic ester solvent, preferably propylene carbonate, and heating the admixture to a temperature above about 215 degrees Celsius. The polyester is decomposed into monomers and oligomers which are soluble in ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate at ambient temperature. The polyester decomposition products are useful as components of an industrial solvent or as inputs to other chemical processes.

Abstract: In the recycling of Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 polyamides from post-consumer or post-industrial waste, a process is disclosed to separate Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 polyamides from commingled polyolefin waste components, particularly polypropylene, by admixing the waste with an ester solvent composition and heating the admixture to a temperature above the melting temperature of the contained polyolefins to form an ester solvent composition further containing dissolved polyamide polymer and a separate immiscible liquid polyolefin phase. The ester solvent composition preferably contains ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for producing high purity colloidal silica by the steps of providing a quantity of potassium silicate; subjecting the quantity of potassium silicate to an ion exchange process to remove a first portion of potassium therefrom to produce a quantity of colloidal silica; and subjecting the quantity of colloidal silica to ultrafiltration to remove a portion of sodium therefrom, producing a quantity of high purity colloidal silica. High purity potassium hydroxide may also be prepared by regenerating the ion exchange resin with an acid to produce a quantity of potassium salt, which may be further purified by evaporation, crystallization, then further processed by electrodialysis and/or electrolysis.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of alkaline earth metal hydroxide by continuously providing an aqueous alkaline earth metal halide solution to the anode compartment and an aqueous alkaline earth metal hydroxide solution or water to the cathode compartment of an electrolytic cell in which an anode and a cathode are maintained in separate anode and cathode compartments, respectively, by a stable, hydrated, cation selective, hydraulically impermeable, electrically conductive membrane interposed between said anode and said cathode; electrolyzing the alkaline earth metal halide solution; and continuously removing alkaline earth metal hydroxide solution and hydrogen from the cathode compartment and halogen from the anode compartment. The membrane is a film of a fluorinated polymer with pendant side chains containing sulfonyl groups present as ion exchange sites and attached to carbon atoms which have at least one fluorine atom attached thereto.

Abstract: A method for forming a silica coating on at least a portion of the surface of alkaline earth metal carbonate particulates in aqueous suspension and the silica-coated alkaline earth metal carbonate so produced are claimed. The claimed method consists of allowing soluble silicate ions in the aqueous phase to slowly react with the alkaline earth metal carbonate surface to form silica micro-particulates on the surface. This silica coating confers upon the composition unique properties among which are pronounced thixotropic behavior when incorporated into an aqueous suspension and increased oil absorption when dry. The pigment produced by this method is especially suited for use as a filler in paper.

Abstract: An aqueous solution for sensitizing the surface of a substrate to facilit the metallization of such surface. The solution comprises a stannous salt, a precious metal salt and a source of chloride ions. The stannous salt may be stannous chloride, the precious metal salt may be a salt of palladium, platinum, iridium, silver or gold and the source of the chloride ion may be a salt such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for metallizing a surface of a substrate. Preferably, the substrate is composed of a dielectric material such as a circuit board which has copper cladding on at least one face and at least one through-hole to provide a site for electrical connection to an adjacent circuit board. After cleaning the surface, it is sensitized by contacting such surface with an aqueous solution comprising a stannous salt, a precious metal salt and a source of chloride ions.

Abstract: A granular product for use as a raw material for glass manufacture is composed of at least one alkaline earth metal silicate intimately admixed with at least one alkali metal carbonate or hydroxide. Glass containing fewer gas bubble inclusions and undissolved-particle defects can be produced more readily.

Abstract: A novel alkaline earth metal carbonate product for use as a raw material in the glass manufacturing process is disclosed. The alkaline earth metal carbonate becomes a part of the liquid phase in the glass furnace more readily and at a lower temperature; it decomposes to release carbon dioxide gas more rapidly so that all of the gas can escape from the molten glass more easily. Using these alkaline earth metal carbonate compositions, the production capacity of a glass furnace is increased.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing process using a granular, free-flowing form of alkaline earth metal carbonate, e.g., barium or strontium carbonate, is disclosed. The alkaline earth metal carbonate has a relatively high bulk density and is made without sintering, grinding, or briquetting. The carbonate is prepared from a fine particle size material by the following steps:(a) forming a suspension of the carbonate in water with enough deflocculating agent, e.g., sodium polyacrylate or sodium hexametaphosphate, to substantially completely deflocculate the carbonate;(b) drying the resulting suspension, at a temperature that is elevated, but without heating the carbonate to its sintering point, for example, by spray drying in a spray drier operating at an inlet temperature in the range of about 400.degree. to 600.degree. C., to obtain a granular material primarily passing 10 mesh and held on a 150 mesh screen (Tyler); and(c) heating the granular material to about 600.degree. to 700.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of converting fine particle size alkaline earth metal carbonate, e.g., barium or strontium carbonate, into a free-flowing granular form with relatively high bulk density, without sintering, grinding, or briquetting, is disclosed. It involves the following steps:(a) forming a suspension of the carbonate in water with enough deflocculating agent, e.g., sodium polyacrylate or sodium hexametaphosphate, to substantially completely deflocculate the carbonate;(b) drying the resultant suspension at a temperature that is elevated, but without heating the carbonate to its sintering point, for example by spray drying in a spray drier operating at an inlet temperature in the range of about 400.degree. to 600.degree. C., to obtain a granular material primarily passing 10 mesh and held on a 150 mesh screen (Tyler); and(c) heating the granular material to about 600.degree. to 700.degree. C., which causes it to shrink, thereby increasing its bulk density by at least about 5%, preferably at least 10 or 20 percent.

Abstract: A strontium or barium carbonate product that is better suited for use as a glass ingredient is obtained by sintering the powdered carbonate in a kiln lined with fused amorphous silica. The carbonate picks up fewer harmful contaminants from the amorphous silica lining than it does from, say, a refractory silica-alumina brick lining or a kiln having a metallic inner surface.

Abstract: A method for unloading alkali earth metal carbonates, in slurry form, from bulk storage is described. A specially formulated alkali earth metal carbonate composition containing an ultra-hydrophilic dispersant is also described.