Abstract: Methods of treatment of cyanide-containing waste are provided. In particular, methods for treatment of spent potliner prior to landfill disposal are provided. These methods, which involve treatment of the waste with a mixture containing an aqueous oxidizing solution and an agent, such as magnesium chloride, that increases the oxidation potential of the solution, can be performed at ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A method for the remediation of contaminated soil directly and effectively removes the contaminants such as organic halides from the contaminated soil, using remediation agents for soil. In more detail, the agents include a slurry of fine iron particles in which the fine iron particles having average particle size less than 10 &mgr;m are dispersed in water; and an aqueous suspended liquid that contains fine iron particles having average particle size less of 1 to 200 &mgr;m and a hydrophilic binder; and these agents are employable for the method for the remediation of contaminated soil.

Abstract: Ground calcium carbonate compositions having narrow particle size distributions and a method for producing the compositions. The method involves forming a substantially dispersant-free calcium carbonate suspension, wet-grinding the suspension, and aging the suspension. The method does not require the use of classification equipment and the aging process does not require heating.

Abstract: A method for producing high grade soda ash from a solution mined brine containing sodium bicarbonate by processing the mine brine through a monohydrate crystallization step to the final product is described. The mine brine is treated to decompose and thereby convert sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate and to concentrate the sodium carbonate to a concentration such that a feed liquor is formed which is suitable for crystallizing sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals of high purity from the feed liquor. The sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals recovered from the process are converted to soda ash by known techniques.

Abstract: A method for reducing the solubility of lead during digestion or in the environment has been developed. Lead is incorporated into a solid material formed by the in situ oxidation of iron. This can be accomplished by introducing ferrous iron into the soil, either in solid or liquid form, and then oxidizing the iron with either air or an introduced oxidant. Solubility of the lead is significantly reduced even under very acidic conditions by incorporation into the iron oxide material. Acid generated during the oxidation and precipitation of iron can be neutralized using common neutralizing agents such as limestone, lime, magnesium oxide, or magnesium hydroxide. In another method, the calcium or magnesium can be added either as neutral salts or as salts of alkaline anions, e.g., calcium carbonate. The calcium and magnesium ions form strong complexes with digestive enzymes, preventing the lead from forming soluble lead complexes with the enzymes. This reduces the bioavailability of the lead.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for cleaning of the harmful gas, the method comprising mixing harmful gas, discharged from reaction processes using organic metal compounds as the reaction raw materials, with oxygen or air and thereafter bringing the mixture into contact with a catalyst obtained by carrying a noble metal on an inorganic support, a catalyst comprising at least one metal oxide selected from vanadium oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, silver oxide, cobalt oxide and nickel oxide or a catalyst obtained by carrying the metal oxide on an inorganic support, at temperatures between 100° C. and 800° C. to clean the harmful gas. Disclosed also is an apparatus used in the method. The invention ensures that harmful components can be purified in an efficient manner without discharging organic compounds and a large amount of carbon dioxide after the harmful gas is purified, requiring no aftertreatment.

Abstract: A method for converting sodium bicarbonate in a sodium carbonate monohydrate crystallization process to maintain a mother liquor composition in a sodium carbonate monohydrate crystallizer below the invariant point for the crystallizer for reducing or eliminating the cocrystallization of sodium sesquicarbonate crystals in the process. The mother liquor composition may be maintained below the invariant point by stripping carbon dioxide from a feed solution or from mother liquor recycled to the crystallizer.

Abstract: A process of producing a carbonized material, which includes a step of treating the biomass with a microwave for a period of time sufficient to carbonize an inner region thereof but insufficient to carbonize an outer region thereof, thereby obtaining a partly carbonized product, a step of contacting the partly carbonized product with an oxidizing gas for a period of time sufficient to carbonize the outer region, thereby obtaining a completely carbonized product, and a step of cooling the completely carbonized product in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of processing organic waste (D) in divided solid and/or liquid form, the method being implemented in a single reactor (1) containing a bath of molten gas (V) surmounted by a gas phase (G), the method comprising incinerating said waste (D) in the presence of oxygen at the surface (S) of said bath of molten glass (V), and vitrifying said incinerated waste (D) in said bath of molten glass (V). In characteristic manner, in said method, said waste (D) is introduced into said reactor (1) in association with dual cooling; the device (5) for feeding said reactor (1) with said waste (D) is cooled on its side adjacent to the gas phase (G), advantageously by the circulation of at least one is cooling fluid maintained at a temperature higher than the dew point of said gas phase (G), and it is also cooled, advantageously independently, on its side adjacent to the incoming waste (D).

Abstract: The disclosed invention is directed to an oxygen scavenging composition that comprises at least one oxygen scavenging polymer and at least one vinyl crosslinker. The oxygen scavenging polymer comprises a polymeric backbone, at least two backbone crosslinking functional groups that are carbon-carbon double bonds in the backbone and at least one cyclic organic moiety having from 5 to 9 carbon atoms in its ring, and at least one carbon-carbon double bond in its ring. The vinyl crosslinker comprises at least two functional groups that are capable of reacting with the crosslinking functional groups of the oxygen scavenging polymer. Vinyl crosslinkers that can be used include styrene and methyl acrylate, among others.

Abstract: Organophosphorous compounds containing C—P chemical bonds are oxidized with alkaline peroxysulfate to yield orthophosphates. For example, phosphinates, including certain chemical warfare agents, as well as phosphinate salts produced by the solvated electron reduction of the chemical warfare agents, are oxidized to orthophosphates.

Abstract: Incineration systems, particularly those using municipal garbage and waste, refuse-derived fuels, coal and petroleum coke, and/or chlorinated hydrocarbons are operated without the release of toxic pollutants such as dioxins. One preferred embodiment relates to a non-polluting method for burning fuel derived from typical municipal garbage and waste eliminating, or at least significantly reducing, the need for the landfill disposal of such waste materials. In an alternative application, air, water, coal and/or petroleum coke are used to produce electricity, urea, and methanol in a non-polluting manner.

Abstract: A reactive agent for decomposing fluorine compounds comprising alumina and an alkaline earth metal compound; a process for decomposing fluorine compounds, comprising contacting the reactive agent with a fluorine compound at a temperature of 200° C. or more; and a process for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising an etching or cleaning and a decomposing using the reactive agent.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of active carbon from urban waste. The waste is first stored to remove foreign materials and the size of the waste particles is reduced. The waste is dried under anaerobic conditions at a temperature range of 100° C.-150° C. and partially pyrolysed at a temperature of about 140° C.-400° C. The obtained product is granulated and the granules are carbonized under anaerobic conditions at a temperature of about 120° C.-500° C. The carbonized granules are activated in the presence of steam and combustion gases at 750° C.-900° C. Finally, the activated granules are purified by rinsing in an aqueous HCl solution, and subsequently drying the activated carbon.

Abstract: A process for the removal of organic impurities in a Bayer process liquor in which wet and dry oxidation processes are linked together in a complementary way, such that the weaknesses of each individual organic removal process become a strength of the combined process. An organics-rich liquor stream is fed to a wet oxidation process to produce a first processed liquor which is depleted in organic compounds, but enriched in sodium carbonate and/or sodium oxalate. A feed slurry is fed to the dry oxidation process, typically including a liquor burner, where sodium compounds react to produce a discharge product. The first processed liquor and discharge product are directed into a leach tank, resulting in the formation of precipitated products including sodium carbonate and/or sodium oxalate. The precipitated products are separated from the leach tank and recycled in a mix tank providing the feed slurry to the liquor burner.

Abstract: A method for preparing basic zinc carbonate from die casting ash, zinc skimming or zinc ash includes heating urea or a mixture of urea and ammonia and carbon dioxide with water in a closed vessel with zinc ash. After zinc is dissolved in sufficient quantities, the solution is cooled and filtered. The filtered solution is cemented with zinc dust to precipitate heavy metals and the filtered. The solution is preferably heated a second time to remove an iron precipitate. The solution is then heated a third time to precipitate the dissolved zinc as basic zinc carbonate, which is washed and dried. The filtrate and gases recovered from the heating steps are reused in the process.

Abstract: A two step process for destruction of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds contained in pitch from ballasts of fluorescent lamps comprises: (a) contacting the pitch with a sufficient amount of an organic solvent such that the pitch and the solvent together form a liquid phase in which the polyhalogenated aromatic compounds are dissolved; and (b) chemically destroying the polyhalogenated aromatic compounds in the liquid phase. In preferred embodiments of the process, the solvent comprises mineral oil and the polyhalogenated aromatic compounds comprise polychlorinated biphenyls. Chemical destruction of the polyhalogenated aromatic compounds preferably comprises treatment with an alkali metal dispersion, preferably sodium metal in mineral oil.

Abstract: A low defect (e.g., dislocation and micropipe) density silicon carbide (SiC) is provided as well as an apparatus and method for growing the same. The SiC crystal, grown using sublimation techniques, is preferably divided into two stages of growth. During the first stage of growth, the crystal grows in a normal direction while simultaneously expanding laterally. Although dislocations and other material defects may propagate within the axially grown material, defect propagation and generation in the laterally grown material are substantially reduced, if not altogether eliminated. After the crystal has expanded to the desired diameter, the second stage of growth begins in which lateral growth is suppressed and normal growth is enhanced. A substantially reduced defect density is maintained within the axially grown material that is based on the laterally grown first stage material.

Abstract: An oxygen scavenging composition that can be either thermoplastic or thermoset, and that comprises at least one oxygen scavenging polymer and at least one curing agent is disclosed. The oxygen scavenging polymer comprises a polymeric backbone, at least two curing functional groups that are terminal groups and at least one oxygen scavenging cyclic moiety having from 5 to 9 carbon atoms in its ring and at least one carbon-carbon double bond in its ring. The curing functional groups of the oxygen scavenging polymer can be independently selected from hydroxyl groups, amino groups, carboxylic groups, sulfonic groups, and epoxy groups. The curing agent comprises at least two functional groups that are capable of reacting with the curing functional groups of the oxygen scavenging polymer.

Abstract: Provided is bamboo charcoal-mixed composition 6 having an increased adsorbability in comparison with bamboo charcoal by dispersing at least bamboo charcoal powder 8 and tourmaline powder 10 into binder 14. Also provided is carrier 2 having reodorizing and antibacterial effects by holding bamboo charcoal-mixed composition 6 on base material 4 such as nonwoven fabric and pulp. Bamboo charcoal-mixed composition 6 and carrier 2 are used for various purposes such as food preservation, deodorization, antibacteria and absorption of volatile components included in building materials.