Abstract: A process in which a calcining step is used to provide a stable clinker containing the EAF dust. The clinker meets all of the applicable leaching standards. It also appears to be possible to use largely oxidic wastes from other processes, such as zinc electroplating residues, and the largely oxidic residues from refuse fuelled power generators. In this low temperature vitrification process a powder composition containing from 20% to 63% by weight waste material, from 30% to 73% by weight silica, and from 7% to 30% by weight alumina, is wetted to form a homogenous mass. The mass is fired in a furnace for a sufficient time and to a temperature of less than about 1,300.degree. C. to cause vitrification; and the vitrified product is recovered as a fired clinker. The clinker, after crushing, can be used as a road aggregate, in tarmac mixes, or after crushing to a suitably small powder, in the making of bricks and tiles having good abrasion and heat resistance.

Abstract: An improved process is described for the catalytic oligomerization of light olefins, such as ethylene or propylene. Higher hydrocarbons, such as gasoline grade hydrocarbons, are produced from the light olefins using a liquid catalyst which comprises a Lewis acid and a Lewis base component which forms with the Lewis acid a melt which is liquid at room temperature. The Lewis acid is a metal halide, such as aluminum trichloride and the Lewis base is an organic salt, such as an organic halide salt containing an N-heterocyclic ring or salts containing fully substituted onium ions.

Abstract: A novel catalyst has been provided for the selective hydrogenation of benzene in gasoline. The catalyst mixture comprises a water-soluble, organo-metallic, selective benzene hydrogenation catalyst comprising catalytically-active mixture of (A) M[L].sub.x [X].sub.y wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, La and Ce; L is an aromatic hydrocarbon, e.g., benzene, diphenyl, etc., or a diaromatic hydrocarbon, e.g., naphthalene; X is a halogen; x is an integer from 1 to 10 inclusive; and y is an integer from 1 to 10 inclusive; and (B) tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I)halide or tris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(I)halide. In use the process comprises admixing the gasoline with water. The above-identified water-soluble, organo-metallic selective benzene hydrogenation catalyst mixture is then added. A catalytic hydrogenation is then carried out in a hydrogenation zone at a temperature of about 150.degree. to about 245.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spraying apparatus and a method of using the same. The spraying apparatus can be used in the spraying of herbicides or insecticides from an aircraft or from the ground. The apparatus provides a separation chamber to remove the small drop component of the spray so that the component leaving the apparatus is essentially free of small drops. Small drops have slight fallspeeds and are subject to wind drift, causing off-target deposits and potential biological impact outside the treatment areas.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of at least a major proportion of the useful metallic iron values in small sized ferrous slags and drosses in which the slags and drosses are subjected to at least one grinding step in a wet grinding mill. Depending on the size of the slag and dross particles, either a peripheral end discharge rod mill or an axial discharge ball mill is used. In a preferred configuration, two wet grinding stages are used, comprising a peripheral end discharge rod mill followed by a ball mill. Products with different metallic iron contents are recovered by interposing screens with suitably sized openings between and after the grinding mills. This process makes it possible to recover at least about 80% of the metallic iron in the feed material.

Abstract: A nozzle for fluidizing particulate material, such as mine tailings, comprising a body having a rear inlet end and a cylindrical surface adjacent a front end, the body having a passageway leading from the rear end to an outlet orifice located in the cylindrical surface, with the passageway including an outlet portion diverging at an acute angle from a central axis of the cylindrical surface. The nozzle also has a resilient sleeve surrounding the cylindrical surface and which is capable of sealing the orifice when pressure in the passageway is low relative to pressure in the slurry outside the nozzle. The sleeve is expandable to allow fluid under pressure to exit the nozzle in a generally forward direction when fluid such as water is supplied to the rear end of the nozzle. The invention also includes a self-closing mounting fixture located in the wall of a vessel such as a silo, which prevents escape of slurry from the silo when the nozzle is removed from the fixture for servicing or exchange.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed permitting accurate, reproducible assay of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal contents of molten aluminum over an extended period of use. The sensor of the present invention uses as a reference electrode a calibrated quantity of a sodium-gallium or sodium-indium alloy in the form of a two-phase intermetallic reference system.

Abstract: Several procedures are provided for the thermal rearrangement of a water emulsion, of or a mixture with water, of a feedstock selected from the group consisting of tar sand bitumen, heavy oil, refinery residue and a heavy waste oil stream, the feedstock containing a naturally-occurring, finely-divided mineral material. The essence of such procedures involves contacting the water emulsion or the water mixture with a gas selected from the group consisting of synthesis gas and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytic amount, i.e., from about 0.3% to about 15% of a bifunctional catalyst that facilitates the water gas shift reaction and also promotes the hydrogenation and stabilization of cracking reaction products. The bifunctional catalyst includes the naturally-occurring, finely-divided mineral material which is contained in the feedstock. The process is conducted under such conditions of pressure and temperature that the water gas shift reaction occurs.

Abstract: Novel bituminous coating compositions, bituminous paving compositions and asphaltic compositions are provided herein. These compositions have, in common, from about 0.1% to about 8% by weight of a nitrogen-containing, adhesion-improving, anti-stripping agent therein. Such agent is a sewage sludge-derived oil, or a fraction thereof, which comprises a mixture of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, monoaromatic hydrocarbons, diaromatic hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polar compounds and basic, pyridine-soluble compounds having the following elemental composition: nitrogen, about 3.4% to about 5% by weight; oxygen, about 5.8% to about 6.9% by weight; sulfur, about 0.3% to about 0.8% by weight; hydrogen, about 9.7% to about 10.4% by weight; and carbon, about 76.9% to about 79.8% by weight.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the direct recovery of platinum group metals (PGM) from thiourea solutions or highly acidic aqueous solutions in general, such as leach solutions resulting from the acid leaching of precious metal bearing material. The method comprises reduction precipitation of the PGM from solution by alkali metal borohydride (preferably sodium or potassium borohydride) addition thereto at ambient temperature and pressure. The resulting precipitate is readily filtrable to give a product comprising high purity platinum group metal powder. The barren solution can be recycled to the upstream process.

Abstract: An apparatus that provides controlled volumetric delivery of particulate material, particularly for delivery of a particulate sample for analysis. The apparatus includes a sample receiving tubular member that is vibrated or rotated relative to the sample container to agitate and fluidize a surface portion of the sample placed in an elongated container. A transporting gas carries the fluidized sample from the container through the tubular member. Sample delivery rate is controlled by a traversing mechanism that gradually inserts the moving tubular member into the upper fluidized portion of the sample. The apparatus allows total delivery of a known mass of a particulate sample at a predetermined delivery rate.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the direct and selective recovery of gold and/or silver from carbonate solutions, such as sodium carbonate which is used as an eluant for gold in a carbon-in-pulp process (CIP). The process comprises reduction precipitation of gold and/or silver from a carbonate solution having a pH in the alkaline range by the addition of stabilized alkali metal borohydride, such as sodium borohydride. The resulting gold and/or silver precipitate is generally of high purity and readily separated by filtration. The barren solution is in a condition such that it can be recycled to the upstream process.

Abstract: A system for introducing a sample to an analyzing device, such as a spectrometer, wherein the flow rate of gas to the analyzing device is maintained substantially constant and uncontaminated during sample changeover. The system includes a flow controller and flow control paths arranged to avoid having any flow diverting valves or direction change in the analyte flow path.

Abstract: A novel asphaltic composition is provided herein. The composition consists of comminuted aged asphaltic pavement material and an effective amount, from about 2% to about 15% by weight of a blend of a soft asphalt cement, a conventional asphalt cement, or a cutback asphalt, with a nitrogen-containing, adhesion-improving, anti-stripping agent comprising a sewage sludge-derived oil, or a fraction thereof, the sewage sludge-derived oil comprising a mixture of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, monoaromatic hydrocarbons, diaromatic hydrocarbons, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polar compounds and basic, pyridene-soluble compounds, having the following elemental chemical composition: nitrogen, about 3.4% to about 5% by weight; oxygen, about 5.8% to about 6.9% by weight; sulfur, about 0.3% to about 0.8% by weight; hydrogen, about 9.7% to about 10.4%, and carbon, about 76.9% to about 79.8%.

Abstract: A thermocouple is disclosed for the continuous measurement of the temperature of a molten phase, which thermocouple comprises two cermet elements of dissimilar metals in which the thermoelectric circuit is closed by the medium, the temperature of which is being measured. The use of dissimilar cermet elements as opposed to conventional metallic wires imparts to the thermocouple sensor a superior resistance to high temperature, corrosive environments which allows it to be used for extended periods of time and for varied applications. A method of using the thermocouple is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the direct recovery of gold from thiourea, thiocyanate or thiosulfate solutions or acidified thiourea leach liquor. The process comprises reduction precipitation of the gold from solution by the addition of stabilized alkali metal borohydride, preferably sodium or potassium borohydride, at ambient temperature and pressure. The resulting gold precipitate is generally of high purity and is readily separated by filtration. The barren solution is in a condition such that it can be recycled to the upstream process.

Abstract: A reactor for processing a catalyst material comprises a reaction chamber including a support for the catalyst material. A laser radiation entry means, a gas inlet and an exhaust are provided, each in communication with the reaction chamber. The gas inlet permits entry in the chamber of an oxidizing gas which assists in processing the catalyst material when exposed to laser radiation entering the chamber. Any resulting exhaust gases are then removed from the chamber through the exhaust. A drive means is provided to move the support in a manner such that the catalyst is moved through the laser radiation. The apparatus is useful in reactivate deactivated catalysts, such as hydroprocessing catalysts.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the direct recovery of gold from cyanide leach liquor, thiourea leach liquor or Bio-D leach liquor. The process comprises reduction precipitation of the gold from solution by the addition of stabilized alkali metal borohydride, preferably sodium, potassium, lithium or ammonium borohydride, at ambient temperature and pressure. High purity gold is obtained by heating the reduced precipitate to about 1200.degree. C. The barren solution is in a condition such that it can be recycled to the upstream process.

Abstract: A bubble measurement cell is provided for measuring size distribution of gas bubbles in a liquid. The bubble measurement cell is adapted for insertion in a flotation column having a transparent, vertically-oriented, bubble-viewing window. The bubble measurement cell includes an antechamber, for placement adjacent the window in the flotation column, the antechamber having a transparent rear face. The transparent bubble-viewing window and the transparent rear face allow light to enter in sufficient quantity to illuminate the bubbles enabling photographic imaging thereof. A forward, downwardly-pointing deflection wedge deflects upwardly-moving bubbles. A transparent viewing chamber is provided which is situated to the rear of the antechamber and which includes a rear face, a transparent front face spaced from the rear face, and a pair of inner, vertical lateral spacers.

Abstract: An efficient hydrometallurgical refining method is disclosed for the production of high purity silver. The method comprises: casting an anode of raw silver; subjecting the cast anode to an electrorefining stage wherein the raw silver is directly electrorefined in a suitable electrolyte solution; leaching the anodic residue with an appropriate lixiviant to dissolve impurities and precipitate silver in the form of a silver compound that is suitable for conditioning the electrolyte; treating the leach liquor to recover dissolved silver and recycling recovered silver to the leaching or anode casting stage; and treating the anolyte in a conditioning stage with an appropriate silver compound prior to recycle to the electrorefining stage as catholyte. The process is fast and simple to operate since the sequencing of steps has been rationalized and the reagent requirements and harmful emissions are low. The life of the electrolyte extends over many electrode cycles and valuable byproducts are also recovered.