Abstract: An anti-pilfer lock device is provided for protecting against unauthorized access to the flow control valve units projecting from the outer surface of a mobile ammonia nurse tank. A box-shaped housing is sized and configured to be removably mounted on the shell of the nurse tank in complemental conforming relationship thereto in a position shielding the flow control valve units to prevent theft of ammonia from the nurse tank. Lock structure is provided for releasably holding the housing in its valve protecting position on the nurse tank storage vessel. The lock structure includes a coupling bar connected to at least one of the control valve housings, and an extension strap secured to the bar extends upwardly therefrom through a slot in the top wall of the housing. A bolt cutter proof lock is removably connected to the upper end of the extension strap above the top surface of the housing.

Abstract: A method of valuing, marketing and buying a commodity lot is provided in which a particular lot of a commodity is tested to determine an amount of a value-trait present in the particular commodity lot; a trait-premium is assigned to the amount of the value-trait, a base-value of the particular commodity lot is adjusted in relation to the trait-premium. The base-value and the trait-premium are posted electronically as a lot-information to allow a commodity purchaser to determine if the particular commodity lot meets the purchaser's desired criteria.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate and low pressure purge gas such that a contaminant-rich stream is recoverable from the condensate and purge gas, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed, and any non-condensed gases are subjected to water scrubbing, along with the low pressure purge gas to further recover contaminates from the non-condensed gas. A portion of the condensed overhead and scrubbing water containing contaminates is returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with existing low pressure equipment, avoiding costly major modifications, and is particularly adapted to use in conjunction with ammonia and methanol plants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed, and any non-condensed gases are subjected to water scrubbing to further recover contaminates from the non-condensed gas. A portion of the condensed overhead and scrubbing water containing contaminates is returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with existing low pressure equipment, avoiding costly major modifications, and is particularly adapted to use in conjunction with ammonia and methanol plants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed with a portion of the condensed overhead being returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. In a second embodiment, separate stripping and rectification towers operate in series whereby the overhead of the stripping tower is delivered to the lower section of the rectification tower and the rectification bottoms are returned to the top of the stripping tower.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed with a portion of the condensed overhead being returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. In a second embodiment, separate stripping and rectification towers operate in series whereby the overhead of the stripping tower is delivered to the lower section of the rectification tower and the rectification bottoms are returned to the top of the stripping tower.

Abstract: A self propelled device which travels along a reformer tube or other tube to detect variations in the tube diameter that may indicate impending failure of the tube. A two piece frame opens and closes about a hinge axis to allow application of the device to a tube and removal from the tube. When closed, wheels on the frame are held against the tube by a spring latch which allows the wheels to move in and out radially when diameter changes are encountered. One set of wheels is driven by an electric motor to propel the device along the tube. The diameter changes are sensed and measured by a linear variable differential transformer which monitors the gap between the ends of the frame sections. A chart recorder records the tube diameter measured at different positions along the tube length.

Abstract: A two-stage oxidation/reduction process for preparing commercially valuable, color enhanced and stabilized low viscosity wet process phosphoric acid is provided which yields improved acid that can be concentrated to superphosphoric acid and/or converted to high quality liquid fertilizer by reaction with ammonia, all without reversion to black color or excessive sludge formation in the fertilizer. The preferred process involves initially oxidizing a starting black acid having a 58-72% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 concentration by addition of an oxidizing agent such as NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 with heating and agitation until the oxidized acid exhibits an EMF of greater than about 700 mv as compared with a 600 mv standard; the oxidized acid is then subjected to a reduction step to lower the valence of metallic impurities, by aging and/or adding reducing agents such as ferrous iron compounds to the acid.

Abstract: A shipping drum containing liquid poloxalene is supported in tilted orientation on a platform scale, and a spigot at the lower end of the drum is operable to cause the poloxalene to flow through piping means and into a pressure vessel. The platform scale provides indication of the amounts of poloxalane received by the vessel. Subsequently, the vessel is sealed and pressurized to approximately 50-60 psi whereupon a valve is opened so that the poloxalene is directed out of the vessel and into a conduit means. A plurality of discharge orifices disposed in the conduit means overlie a dry feed mixer, and the mixer is operable to constantly agitate a quantity of solid carrier such as a vitamin and mineral supplement or, alternatively, a grain such as cracked corn or milo. The mixer provides relative motion between all of the carrier granules and the discharge orifices so that the poloxalene is evenly distributed over substantially all surfaces of the granules.

Abstract: A process of treating industrial waste water contaminated with environmentally unacceptable amounts of sulfuric acid and heavy metals such as lead, copper or zinc is disclosed which permits lowering of the concentration of the contaminants to a level permitting discharge to the sewer. Waste water resulting from floor wash and spray washing of lead acid batteries prior to shipment from the manufacturing facility contains sufficient sulfuric acid to cause the pH to normally be at a level of about 2 along with heavy metal contaminants present in concentrations which require treatment for removal before the discharge water will meet EPA standards. The water to be treated is directed to a first reaction and settling vessel where calcium carbonate is added along with an oxidation medium such as air which also functions to stir the stored waste water.

Abstract: A process for treating wet-process weak phosphoric acid solution is disclosed which significantly lowers the magnesium impurities in the acid (as well as certain other impurities) permitting subsequent concentration of the acid to levels for use in preparation of liquid fertilizers which are less prone to settling out of the impurities during storage than would be the case without such treatment. It has unexpectedly been found that by limiting evaporation of water from the initial 26% to 32% P.sub.2 O.sub.5 wet-process acid to a level such that the acid has a P.sub.2 O.sub.5 content of from about 42% to about 45% and thereafter maintaining the semi-concentrated acid at a temperature within the range of from about 145.degree. F. to about 270.degree. F.

Abstract: A conically-shaped roof structure comprising a plurality of radially spaced tapered roof panels with the ribbed edges of each panel lying in overlapping relation. Anchored to the undersurface of the roof panel ribs are a plurality of stiffener members having a vertically extending web for vertical loads and a horizontally extending lower flange for lateral loading and cable suspension means attached to the opposite ends of the stiffener member joining at a center point for supporting vertical thermocouple cables.

Abstract: A simplified, commercially feasible, split-addition method of producing a liquid, sprayable fertilizer composition which contains ammonium phosphates is disclosed which yields a fertilizer with improved storage properties over prior compositions of this type and capable of being sprayed using existing equipment with a minimum of clogging problems. The method includes initially admixing a fractional portion of a total quantity of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) to be employed with water and adding ammonia thereto so as to induce an essentially instantaneous ammoniation reaction; the remainder of the MAP is then added to yield the final fertilizer composition. The addition of a suspending agent is usually desirable. This split addition of MAP (most preferably a 70% - 30% split) unexpectedly serves to minimize formation of large ammonium phosphate crystals in the fertilizer, so that the storage properties are improved and the composition can be sprayed without fear of frequent clogging of the spraying equipment.