Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of an emulsion of at least one dispersed phase emulsified in at least one continuous phase of different density wherein the emulsion is passed into a vessel and axially through a fixed coalescing bed for coalescing the dispersed phase, and continuing the flow over a guide wettable by the dispersed phase whereby the coalesced dispersed phase travels along the guide axially to establish a layer of the coalesced dispersed phase and the continuous phase passes substantially radially outwardly through the guide to establish a layer of the continuous phase, the interface of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase being maintained at approximately the midpoint of the guide.

Abstract: Homogeneous sulfur-hydrocarbon blends comprising a continuous sulfur matrix containing hydrocarbon, and methods of manufacture and use are described. These materials are particularly suitable as soil supplements, for comminution, or for compounding with hydrophobic materials such as elastomers and oil-based paints. Several advantages are apparent in essentially any application involving storage or transport.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating the regeneration cycle of an ion exchange resin type water softener based upon the movement of the "hardness front" through the resin bed as water being treated is passed therethrough. Electrical probes are provided at predetermined longitudinally spaced locations and the difference in potential between the probes is measured, as is the rate of change of this potential with respect to time. It is found that as the hardness front passes between the probes, a detectable change in potential occurs which may be applied to an electronic circuit for generating a control signal which may initiate the regeneration cycle of the water softener subsequent to the arrival of the hardness front in the zone between the probes.

Abstract: A process for producing a citric acid soluble potassium silicate fertilizer comprises a step for kneading a mixture consisting essentially of potassium carbonate, fly ash, pulverized coal, other necessary starting materials and a caustic potash solution as a binder and then granulating the kneaded mixture, a step for drying the granulated product to a nearly absolutely dry state, and a step for calcining the dried granular product, whereby a chemical reaction takes place between the potassium and the silicon present in fly ash to convert them into a citric acid soluble potassium silicate.

Abstract: Cold anhydrous ammonia, preferably cold liquid anhydrous ammonia at substantially ambient or atmospheric pressure is applied to feed grains, forages and anaerobically fermentable plant material to supply thereto and provide therein non-protein nitrogen (NPN). The cold anhydrous ammonia is obtained by supplying a stream of ambient temperature, pressurized anhydrous liquid ammonia to an expansion chamber for expansion therein to provide the cold anhydrous ammonia. Cold anhydrous ammonia, preferably substantially only cold liquid anhydrous ammonia, is recovered from the expansion chamber operated under substantially adiabatic conditions, at a temperature in the range -30.degree. F. to about -17.degree. F. and at substantially ambient or atmospheric pressure, such as at a pressure in the range 1 pound per square inch below atmospheric pressure up to about 5 pounds per square inch atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Oil floating on the surface of another liquid is contacted with crushed raw oil shale to adsorb the oil onto the shale. A vortex is created in the surface of the liquid, drawing the crude shale with oil adsorbed thereon beneath the surface of the liquid. The invention provides method and apparatus for adsorbing oil on shale, causing the crude shale with oil adsorbed thereon to sink below the surface of the liquid, recovering the crude shale with oil adsorbed thereon from below the liquid surface, treating the crude shale to separate the oil from the shale, and recycling the crushed shale into contact with oil on the liquid surface.

Abstract: The invention as described in this application is the culmination of my work in response to a current need to recover oil, resulting from the multiple oil spills occuring on the seas and harbors, rivers and lakes, in the United States. The irreversible damage to fish and wildlife is widely evident and the cost to mankind is immeasureable. Therefore, I have applied tried and proven known principles and technology, to invent a new process to recover contaminating liquids from the surface of waters used for marine navigation and transportation by ingesting and storing those liquids in a tanker type vessel.

Abstract: A method for processing waste sludge from wet phosphoric acid purification facilities wherein steelworks slag is separately ground, the ground slag then is force-mixed and granulated together with the waste sludge.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of selected N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-alanine methyl ester compounds as ammonium nitrification inhibitors. These compounds can be spread upon or mixed with the soil or applied with nitrogen-containing fertilizers to inhibit ammonium nitrification in the soil.

Abstract: Crystalline urea phosphate mixed with sufficient quantities of previously produced urea-ammonium polyphosphate liquid to provide fluidity is pyrolyzed batchwise in one stage to give molten urea ammonium polyphosphate containing up to 50 percent of the phosphate as polyphosphate. Water or aqua ammonia can be substituted for the polyphosphate liquid if certain prescribed steps in proper sequence are followed. Heat from ammoniation of the urea phosphate provides all of the heat for pyroloysis. The molten urea-ammonium polyphosphate is then processed into high-analysis liquid fertilizer.

Abstract: A process for demineralizing an aqueous saline solution containing a deoxygenating agent by treating it with a thermally regenerable ion-exchange resin comprising a resinous material derived from a substituted diallylamine.