Abstract: A composition and process for reducing contaminants from water which includes use of a water-insoluble adsorbent having a surface area of at least about 10 m2/g, where the adsorbent is coated with a water-soluble metal salt.

Abstract: A channel manifold is presented, and which includes a dimensionally stable channel plate having top, bottom and side surfaces and a channel formed in a surface thereof, wherein the channel splits into a plurality of subsidiary channels along the surface of the channel plate and has an entrance port and a plurality of exit ports such that a fluid fed into the entrance port is expelled through the plurality of exit ports.

Abstract: The description relates to methods and apparatus that enable the efficient introduction of gases like air, oxygen and ozone into aqueous liquids. Gases are introduced into liquids for making that gas chemically or biologically available at a minimum energy expenditure. Impinging jets of liquid are directed into a pressurized saturation vessel having a gas-filled headspace and a saturation zone below the surface of the liquid at a velocity sufficient to create a turbulent impact and plunge zone. The resulting turbulence and mixing of gas and liquid in that zone under pressure, causes the gas to be driven into the liquid in the vessel and breaks up the gas and the liquid into a churning flow and creates a large number of bubbles. The resulting gas-enriched liquid is discharged from the vessel at an outlet to ensure a minimum of bubbles in the gas-enriched liquid.

Abstract: A composition and process for reducing contaminants from water which includes use of a water-insoluble adsorbent having a surface area of at least about 10 m2/g, where the adsorbent is coated with a water-soluble metal salt.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compact apparatus for controlled, on-demand ammonia generation from urea. The process gasifies an aqueous urea solution in a chamber utilizing hot gas while controlling the flows of aqueous urea solution and hot gas to achieve complete gasification of the aqueous urea solution and form a gas mixture comprising ammonia, isocyanic acid, carbon dioxide and water vapor, which is passed through a catalyst bed containing particulate transition metal oxide to convert substantially all of the isocyanic acid to ammonia. A catalyst support and the catalyst bed are aligned with the gasification chamber at the lower end of said chamber to provide a degree of back pressure on the gases in the gasification chamber to isolate the gasification chamber from turbulent exit effects caused by equipment downstream of the thermal reactor. A sample of the product stream is treated to remove water and ammonia, and analyze for carbon dioxide content to control the process.

Abstract: The description relates to a composition and a method for reducing the concentration of arsenic in water. Contaminated water is contacted with acid-activated clay characterized by a removal efficiency for arsenic of at least 95 wt %. Following sufficient contact, the water is separated from the acid-activated clay. In preferred form, the acid activated clay is characterized by a BET surface area of at least about 200 m2/gram.

Abstract: The description relates to a composition and a method for reducing the concentration of selenium in water. Contaminated water is contacted with a kaolinite clay characterized by a removal efficiency for selenatearsenate of at least 40 wt % at ambient temperature. The adsorption process is fast. Following sufficient contact, the water is separated from the kaolinite clay. In a preferred form, the kaolinite clay has high surface acidity.

Abstract: The description relates to methods and apparatus that enable the efficient introduction of gases like air, oxygen and ozone into aqueous liquids. Gases are introduced into liquids for making that gas chemically or biologically available at a minimum energy expenditure. Impinging jets of liquid are directed into a pressurized saturation vessel having a gas-filled headspace and a saturation zone below the surface of the liquid at a velocity sufficient to create a turbulent impact and plunge zone. The resulting turbulence and mixing of gas and liquid in that zone under pressure, causes the gas to be driven into the liquid in the vessel and breaks up the gas and the liquid into a churning flow and creates a large number of bubbles. The resulting gas-enriched liquid is discharged from the vessel at an outlet to ensure a minimum of bubbles in the gas-enriched liquid.

Abstract: The description relates to a composition and a method for reducing the concentration of selenium in water. Contaminated water is contacted with a kaolinite clay characterized by a removal efficiency for selenatearsenate of at least 40 wt % at ambient temperature. The adsorption process is fast. Following sufficient contact, the water is separated from the kaolinite clay. In a preferred form, the kaolinite clay has high surface acidity.

Abstract: The description relates to a composition and a method for reducing the concentration of arsenic in water. Contaminated water is contacted with acid-activated clay characterized by a removal efficiency for arsenic of at least 95 wt %. Following sufficient contact, the water is separated from the acid-activated clay. In preferred form, the acid activated clay is characterized by a BET surface area of at least about 200 m2/gram.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reducing slag in a black liquor recovery boiler, the process comprising: injecting and burning black liquor in a boiler by contacting it with primary air and secondary air; introducing a slag-reducing chemical into the gases above the injection locations through interlaced, tangential or concentric secondary, tertiary, and/or quarternary air ports.

Abstract: The description relates to a process for reducing acid plume from stacks from coal-fired combustors operating at varying loads, which have typically been treated by back-end calcium carbonate (limestone) which has not been able to effectively control visible acid plume as power is ramped up from low load. According to the process, as high sulfur and high iron coals are burned in a combustor, magnesium hydroxide slurry is introduced into hot combustion gases in or near the combustion zone. And, during ramp up to high load from a period of operation at low load, additional magnesium hydroxide is introduced into an intermediate-temperature zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for reducing emissions of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to moderate pollution to the environment and achieve regulatory compliance in a cost-effective manner. In embodiments described below, the invention deals with reducing HCl and does not require a sorbent but utilizes an aqueous composition we term a copper-bearing chloride remediator (CBCR). In one general case, the CBCR can be a member selected from the group consisting of compositions defined by the formula Cu(NH3)x(carbonate or lower carboxylate)y, wherein the lower carboxylate is selected from the group consisting of formate, acetate and propionate, x is an integer from 0 to 4, y is an integer from 0 to 2, and x+y is equal to or greater than 1.

Abstract: The description relates to controlling slagging and/or fouling in biomass burning furnaces. Combustion of such a biomass the fuel with air produces combustion gases containing sodium and/or potassium compositions, and the combustion gases are treated by contacting the combustion gases with kaolin and aluminum hydroxide. At least one of the kaolin and aluminum hydroxide can be introduced with the fuel, in a combustion chamber, with reburn fuel or with overfire air. For fuels also high in zinc and/or heavy metals, magnesium hydroxide is introduced into the combustion chamber or following heat exchangers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for controlling injection of magnesium oxide (or precursor) for reducing the concentration of sulfur trioxide in combustion gases from a combustor burning vanadium and sulfur-containing fuel while operating the boiler with enhanced efficiency. In-fuel introduction is combined with mid-temperature introduction, where both can be operated effectively, are found to be of primary importance. When in-fuel introduction will not be effective due to selectivity problems, feed can be shifted to a high-temperature zone. Where the high- or mid-temperature zone cannot be fully utilized due to obstructions for injection or insufficient soot blowers to address fouling of that zone or boiler operational changes to integrate the magnesium oxide injection is insufficient, an entire or a portion of feed can be shifted to the low-temperature zones.

Abstract: The description relates to controlling slagging and/or fouling in biomass burning furnaces. Combustion of such a biomass the fuel with air produces combustion gases containing sodium and/or potassium compositions, and the combustion gases are treated by contacting the combustion gases with kaolin and aluminum hydroxide. At least one of the kaolin and aluminum hydroxide can be introduced with the fuel, in a combustion chamber, with reburn fuel or with overfire air. For fuels also high in zinc and/or heavy metals, magnesium hydroxide is introduced into the combustion chamber or following heat exchangers.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compact apparatus for controlled, on-demand ammonia generation from urea. The process gasifies an aqueous urea solution in a chamber utilizing hot gas while controlling the flows of aqueous urea solution and hot gas to achieve complete gasification of the aqueous urea solution and form a gas mixture comprising ammonia, isocyanic acid, carbon dioxide and water vapor, which is passed through a catalyst bed containing particulate transition metal oxide to convert substantially all of the isocyanic acid to ammonia. A catalyst support and the catalyst bed are aligned with the gasification chamber at the lower end of said chamber to provide a degree of back pressure on the gases in the gasification chamber to isolate the gasification chamber from turbulent exit effects caused by equipment downstream of the thermal reactor. A sample of the product stream is treated to remove water and ammonia, and analyze for carbon dioxide content to control the process.

Abstract: Dry processes, apparatus, compositions and systems are provided for reducing emissions of sulfur oxides, and sulfur dioxide in particular, and/or HCl and/or Hg in a process employing a combination of a lime-based sorbent, in particular hydrated lime and/or dolomitic hydrated lime, and a sorbent doping agent administered to achieve coverage of a three-dimensional cross section of a passage carrying SOx and/or HCl and/or Hg-containing gases with a short but effective residence time at a temperature effective to provide significant sulfur dioxide and/or HCl and/or Hg reductions with high rates of reaction and sorbent utilization. The once-through, dry process can advantageously introduce the sorbent and sorbent doping agent dry or preferably as a slurry to enable uniform treatment. Preferred sorbent doping agents include water-soluble or water-dispersible copper and/or iron compositions which can be heated to an active form in situ by the flue gases being treated.

Abstract: The description relates to reducing hydrochloric acid in cement kilns. In one aspect, an aqueous copper-based chloride remediator is introduced into contact with combustion gases from a cement kiln. Injection is made into a defined introduction zone under conditions effective for HCl emissions control wherein the temperature is within the range of from 300° F. to 800° F., preferably from 550° F. to 750° F. The resulting gases are discharged from the defined zone following sufficient reaction time to reduce the HCl concentration in the gases.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for gasifying urea from aqueous solution, comprising: a vertically-oriented gasification chamber. A gas inlet opening permits entry of hot gases from the top and a gas outlet opening for permitting the removal of gases including gasified urea from the bottom. Sidewalls define a gasification chamber communicating with the gas inlet and gas outlet. The sidewalls include, an injector support section having a generally cylindrical side wall, at least one injector for introducing fine droplets of aqueous urea parallel to the central vertical axis, and a gas swirling device including a frame and a plurality of vanes for downwardly spiraling gases passing through it from top to bottom. Also, defined by the sidewalls are a conical midsection is provided with an outwardly expanding diameter from top to bottom, and a conical collection section with inwardly decreasing diameter from top to bottom.