Abstract: A method for adsorbing and oxidizing VOC's in the same bed, thus reducing the size of or even eliminating the need for a catalytic or thermal oxidation unit at the end of the system. In this system, a catalyst is intimately interspersed with the adsorbent material. The catalyst oxidizes VOC's released during desorption when it reaches the ‘light off temperature,’ that is, the catalyst temperature necessary for oxidation to begin. As VOC's are desorbed, they are combusted by the catalyst in the same bed and also by their combustion, heat the bed to aid in the desorption of VOC's elsewhere in the bed.

Abstract: A fertilizer absorption accelerator composition is provided which is capable of accelerating the absorption in a plant of such fertilizer components as calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The composition is obtained by combining a fertilizer component with a surfactant and a heptonic acid or a salt thereof and is applied to the plant as sprayed to the surface of leaves thereof.

Abstract: Membrane gas adsorption is conducted wherein the gas phase contains mercury in the gaseous state and the liquid phase containing at least one oxidizing agent for mercury such that the mercury in the gaseous state is absorbed into the liquid phase, and an oxidation/reduction reaction between the mercury and the oxidizing agent takes place in one step.

Abstract: A process for producing a high-purity liquid chemical is provided. A chemical gas is successively purified over first and second purification columns by passing, countercurrently, a scrubbing solution of initially deionized high-purity water through the first and second purification columns, or by passing, countercurrently, a first scrubbing solution of initially deionized high-purity water through the first column and a second scrubbing solution of initially deionized water through the second column. Each of the scrubbing solutions gradually becomes a spent scrubbing solution loaded with impurity. A high-purity chemical gas leaves the second purification column with a low content of metallic elements. The high-purity chemical gas is subsequently dissolved in a liquid in a dissolution column including a top and a bottom. The liquid at the bottom of the dissolution column is collected and continuously recirculated, and is enriched with purified chemical gas, thereby forming a high-purity liquid chemical.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing soils and of the equipment related thereto. The method includes sequentially at least the following phases: dispersion into the soil of at least one compound, solid, liquid or gaseous, able to react exothermically with water and/or steam, or other substance; injection of at least one jet of water and/or steam, or of another substance, into the soil in such a way as to produce heat in the subsequent reaction with the compound. Between the two aforesaid phases it is convenient to proceed to break up the soil to favor its mixing with the compound and create the best conditions for the reaction.

Abstract: A method produces surprising results by increasing the yield of a plant. The method includes the step of foliarly applying crystalline birefringent raw starch granules. The granules are applied under selected temperature, moisture, and sunlight conditions and during a selected period of time prior to row closure.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process to produce fertilizer granules containing urea and ammonium sulfate with a high ammonium sulfate concentration of ≦60 wt. % in a fluidized bed granulator, which process comprises the steps of: a) a molten urea suspension consisting of ammonium sulfate having an average particle size of 30 to 300 &mgr;m and urea having a temperature range of 120 to 155° C. is produced, b) the molten urea suspension produced at the stage a) is then injected from below on the fine particles of urea/ammonium sulfate in a fluidized bed granulator by means of at least a nozzle, while the fluidized bed is loosened by a spouting air flow in the injection area, and subsequently, c) the fertilizer granules generated in the fluidized bed are separated and, if necessary, treated. Homogeneous urea/ammonium sulfate granules of an ammonium sulfate content between 30 and 60 wt.

Abstract: A single-layered three-way catalytic converter containing palladium as the only catalytically active noble metal, with high activity and heat resistance. The catalyst contains, in addition to finely divided, stabilized aluminum oxide, at least one finely divided cerium/zirconium mixed oxide and optionally finely divided nickel oxide as well as highly dispersed amounts of cerium oxide, zirconium oxide and barium oxide. The palladium is distributed largely uniformly throughout the entire catalyst.

Abstract: Described is a method for in-situ cleaning of a soil fraction contaminated with halogenated products, in particular with chlorinated products. This method comprises at least the step of introducing an electron donor under substantially anaerobic conditions into the relevant soil fraction. The electron donor herein comprises compost and/or derivatives thereof. In preference the electron donor originates substantially from the first filtrate fraction of compost. This first filtrate fraction comprises liquid released during the first 96 hours after composting.

Abstract: Liquid metal coolants, such as alkali metal used in nuclear reactor systems can be safely deactivated to form a disposable solid waste material. The alkali metal is dissolved in an ammoniacal liquid, such as anhydrous liquid ammonia to form a reaction mixture comprising alkali metal cations and solvated electrons. A precipitating agent that ionizes in the liquid ammonia is introduced into the reaction mixture to combine with the alkali metal cations and/or solvated electrons to form a precipitating alkali metal salt. Additionally, solidified alkali metal remaining within the coolant system after initial drainage of liquid alkali metal can be dissolved by circulating an ammoniacal liquid within the coolant system. Removal of the liquid ammonia having the alkali metal dissolved therein is combined with a ionizable precipitating agent to form a alkali metal salt.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a material-radioactive isotope combination, comprising a container made from a material and a radioactive isotope solution. The container is useful for the storage, shipment, or storage and shipment of the radioactive isotope. Preferably the material is characterized by having a nearly full compliment of double carbon bonds so that little, or no hydrogen is produced by the material in the presence of the radioactive isotope. Furthermore, the preferred material exhibits greater mechanical strength than that of glass, resistance to a temperature range of from about -40.degree. to about 160.degree. C., chemical inertness; and radiation resistance. An example of such materials includes PSF (polysulfone) and PETG (polyethylene terephalate G copolymer) and the radioactive isotope, of the material-radioactive isotope combination are selected from, the group consisting of Mo-99, I-131, I-125. W-188 and Cr-51.

Abstract: A method for recovering carbon dioxide by absorption of carbon dioxide from a gas stream into a composite recovery solvent comprising preferably a lesser concentration of one or more fast reaction rate amines and a greater concentration of one or more slow reaction rate amines.

Abstract: A process for oxidation of ferrous ions in solution, and more particularly a process for improved base metal and/or uranium leaching from ores, concentrates or tailings using ferric ion as an oxidizing agent. A reaction vessel (10) holds a ferrous ion-containing solution, for example, a copper sulphide leach slurry or concentrate. An agitator (12) may be provided to promote leaching of the base metal into solution. Some of the ferrous ion-containing solution is drawn off from the reaction vessel (10) and pumped through an in-line mixer (14) via a feed pump (16). Oxygen is injected into the reactor (14) to facilitate oxidation of the ferrous sulphate to form ferric sulphate. The ferric ion-containing solution is then recirculated back to the reaction vessel (10) where the ferric ions are reused in the dissolution of copper sulphide into soluble copper sulphate.

Abstract: A process to generate an enhanced output of a desired product from an ion transport reactor utilizes the reaction products from both the cathode side and the anode side of an oxygen selective ion transport ceramic membrane. An oxygen donating first feed stream containing the desired product in a chemically bound state is delivered to the cathode side while an oxygen accepting second feed stream is delivered to the anode side. Following chemical reactions on both the cathode side and the anode side, a desired product is recovered from a first product stream exiting from the cathode side and from a second product stream exiting from the anode side such that the sum of the desired product contained within the two product streams exceeds that attainable from either product stream alone.

Abstract: A polymer coating is applied to the surface of a phosphate ceramic composite to effectively immobilize soluble salt anions encapsulated within the phosphate ceramic composite. The polymer coating is made from ceramic materials, including at least one inorganic metal compound, that wet and adhere to the surface structure of the phosphate ceramic composite, thereby isolating the soluble salt anions from the environment and ensuring long-term integrity of the phosphate ceramic composite.

Abstract: A method of removing nitrogen oxides from flue gases of a cellulose pulp mill recovery boiler does so in a cost effective and environmentally friendly manner. In the heat recovery section of the recovery boiler, a peroxide solution (e.g. a water solution containing about 1-35% hydrogen peroxide) is brought into contact with (e.g. sprayed into) the flue gases in the heat recovery section, so that the flue gases and the peroxide remain in contact between about 0.5-5 (preferably between about 1-2) seconds. The majority (e.g. about 60-90%) of the nitrogen oxides are converted to nitrogen dioxide. The temperature of the flue gases at the time of contact with the peroxide solution is between about 300-800.degree. (preferably 400-600.degree.) C. The nitrogen dioxide is removed by scrubbing the flue gases, downstream of the recovery boiler, with an alkaline liquid (e.g. a liquid otherwise used in the pulp mill having a pH of greater than 9) to convert the majority of the nitrogen dioxides into nitrate.

Abstract: A process for the consolidation and containment of solid or semisolid hazardous waste, which process comprises closing an end of a circular hollow cylinder, filling the cylinder with the hazardous waste, and then cold working the cylinder to reduce its diameter while simultaneously compacting the waste. The open end of the cylinder can be sealed prior to or after the cold working process. The preferred method of cold working is to draw the sealed cylinder containing the hazardous waste through a plurality of dies to simultaneously reduce the diameter of the tube while compacting the waste. This process provides a quick continuous process for consolidating hazardous waste, including radioactive waste.

Abstract: The use of inorganic or organic polyacids for the treatment of inorganic fertilizers, in particular the use of the polyacids as a mixture with at least one nitrification inhibitor for the treatment of inorganic fertilizers; the use of selected pyrazole derivatives as nitrification inhibitor in inorganic fertilizers and also as stabilizers of liquid manure or liquid fertilizer formulations, as well as the corresponding treated inorganic fertilizers per se; and novel pyrazole derivatives which can be used as nitrification inhibitors in inorganic fertilizers and also as stabilizers of liquid manure or liquid fertilizer formulations are described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a solid waste treatment agent comprising phosphorous acid or a derivative thereof and/or hypophosphorous acid or a derivative thereof, or phosphorous acid or a derivative thereof and/or hypophosphorous acid or a derivative thereof, and an aluminum compound and/or a titanium compound, and a method of treating solid waste, which comprises adding the solid waste treatment agent to solid waste containing harmful metals and/or organic chlorinated compounds such as dioxins and PCB to make the solid waste harmless.

Abstract: Known phosphate ceramic formulations are improved and the ability to produce iron-based phosphate ceramic systems is enabled by the addition of an oxidizing or reducing step during the acid-base reactions that form the phosphate ceramic products. The additives allow control of the rate of the acid-base reactions and concomitant heat generation. In an alternate embodiment, waste containing metal anions are stabilized in phosphate ceramic products by the addition of a reducing agent to the phosphate ceramic mixture. The reduced metal ions are more stable and/or reactive with the phosphate ions, resulting in the formation of insoluble metal species within the phosphate ceramic matrix, such that the resulting chemically bonded phosphate ceramic product has greater leach resistance.