Abstract: Modular systems are disclosed for composting organic waste. The systems include a number of modular containers for holding predetermined amounts of the organic waste materials, these amounts being selected such that a relatively uniform temperature profile may be maintained within each of the modular containers. Each of the containers also includes an air inlet and an exhaust so that air may be circulated through the organic waste materials in each of the modular containers, a temperature probe for measuring the temperature in the modular containers, and a fan for circulating air from the exhaust of a first modular container to the air inlet of a second modular container when the temperature in the second modular container is greater than the temperature in the first modular container by a predetermined temperature difference, so as to accelerate the composting of said organic waste material.

Abstract: Methylene diurea, either alone or as a component of methylene urea polymers acts as a gelling agent for producing a gel composition capable of suspending particles which are insoluble in a liquid medium. Methylene diurea as the gelling agent in a liquid medium can be used to obtain novel gel compositions in the absence of added thickener-suspending agents. The methylene diurea is present in an amount greater than the solubility limit of methylene diurea in the liquid medium and in an amount sufficient to provide a gel for suspending insoluble particles. The process for producing the gel composition includes subjecting a dry methylene urea composition in particulate form to a shearing action in a liquid medium wherein the methylene urea includes an amount of methylene diurea greater than the solubility limit of methylene diurea in the liquid medium.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method utilizing relatively high frequency oscillations for dispersing channelized 2:1 clays during the production of fertilizer suspensions to therein form gels as opposed to the use of mechanical energy such as, for example, that imparted by a pump or agitator. The instant sonic gelling method is effective for use with all fertilizer suspension systems containing the channelized 2:1 clays, sepiolite or attapulgite. The method involves situating the fluid fertilizer-clay mixture to be gelled in juxtaposition with ultrasonic (i.e., sonic) energy generating means.

Abstract: The invention described herein comprises two principal embodiments. The first embodiment comprises operating procedures related to the instant invention which along with urease inhibition test results demonstrate the use of two classes of N-Halamine compounds (N,N'-DIHALO-2-IMIDAZOLIDINONES and N-HALO-2-OXAZOLIDINONES) as inhibitors of the activity of the enzyme urease in solution and agricultural soil systems. The second embodiment comprises operating procedures related to the instant invention which along with nitrification inhibition test results demonstrate the use of the two classes of N-Halamine compounds (N,N'-DIHALO-2-IMIDAZOLIDINONES and N-HALO-2-OXAZOLIDINONES) as inhibitors of nitrification in agricultural soil systems.

Abstract: A method for bringing gases into contact with compostible or partially composted material, in which the material placed in the form of a mass on a layer of particulate material and gas, preferably air, is passed through the material, the air being introduced into the mass through gas-distributing means embedded in or covered by the layer of particulate material, and in which the layer comprises a first part-layer of relatively coarse particulate material intended to serve as protection for the gas-distributing means and as a distributing filter for the through-flowing gas, and a second part-layer arranged upon the first part-layer and comprising relatively fine particulate material, the second part-layer being intended to distribute the through-flowing gas before the gas is introduced into the compostible or partially composted material.

Abstract: A solid product which comprises ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate and which contains a sulfamic acid compound is produced when an effluent gas having ammonia added thereto is irradiated with a radiation to thereby desulfurize and denitrate the effluent gas comprising SO.sub.x, NO.sub.x and CO, but the CO gas content being less than ten times the concentration of SO.sub.x. It is possible to remove the noxious sulfamic acid compound from the above-described product while preventing decomposition of the ammonium nitrate in the product which is useful as a fertilizer ingredient by heating the product at a temperature of from 130.degree. C. to 250.degree. C., particularly from 180.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.

Abstract: A soil and foliar supplement for application to plants to improve plant growth and quality. A method for increasing plant productivity and quality also is disclosed. The supplement includes a quantity of specific microbes and an organic acid, such as humic acid, fulvic acid, and ulvic acid. Trace minerals also can be added. A humectant also can be incorporated with the microbes, organic acid, and trace minerals to provide a matrix to provide an improved moisture and nutrient environment and a greatly increased surface area and cation exchange ability for optimizing microbe growth. Chelated micronutrients may also be added to the supplement or added later to the foliage to improve the effects of the supplement still further. Methods of improving plant productivity and quality by treating the plant with the microbes, organic acids and a naturally balanced formulation of chelated minerals are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new family of organophosphorus compounds. The compounds have a biological activity and can be used as insecticides. The compounds belong to the group of bis-aminophenyl phosphoric acid esters.

Abstract: The invention is directed to thick film glass ceramic dielectric compositions in which the dielectric is a mixture of amorphous aluminoborosilicate glass, which upon firing forms a single phase of ceramic crystals in a matrix of amorphous remainder glass, and a ceramic additive to minimize substrate bowing.

Abstract: This invention provides thermally stable urea-sulfuric acid compositions and methods for manufacturing and using such compositions. The novel compositions comprise combinations of urea and sulfuric acid which contain less than about one weight percent water based on the combined weight of urea and sulfuric acid. Such compositions are substantially more stable thermally than are compositions which contain more than about one weight percent water.The thermally stable compositions are prepared by forming the urea-sulfuric acid component in the presence of less than one weight percent water based on the combined weight of urea and sulfuric acid and/or by physically and or chemically removing water from the urea-sulfuric acid component. Water can be removed by evaporation and/or by contacting the urea-sulfuric acid component, either during or after its formation, with one or more chemical dehydrating agents capable of chemically combining with water in the composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to insecticidal hydrogenated extracts of seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), compositions containing the extracts and methods of their use.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of producing fertilizer granules containing urea and ammonium sulphate by granulating a mixture containing urea, ammonium sulphate and water, which is characterized in that the ammonium sulphate is completely dissolved in an aqueous urea solution with a urea concentration of 70-85% by weight, the resulting solution is thickened to a dry content of 92-97% by weight, with a granulation additive for the urea being added in any stage of the treatment, following which the thickened solution is granulated in a fluidized bed of urea and ammonium sulphate containing nuclei.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for synthesizing fluorine-containing, aluminosilicate crystals having a stoichiometry approximating that of topaz. The method comprises three basic steps:(1) vapors of a readily-oxidizable compound of silicon and of a readily-oxidizable compound of aluminum and fluorine are passed to a flame oxidation burner;(2) amorphous fluorine-containing, aluminosilicate particles resulting from the combustion of those gases are collected; and(3) the collected particles are sintered into an integral body at a temperature between about 650.degree.-925.degree. C.

Abstract: An animal repellent composition comprising a first animal repellent component; a second component, which includes a synergistic amount of at least one alkaloid, and a carrier, wherein the first and second components do not occur together in nature. Compositions of the aforementioned type for use in molluscicide baits are also disclosed.

Abstract: The first embodiment of the present invention relates to my discovery that thiophosphoryl triamide can be utilized as a nitrification inhibitor for controlling the nitrification of ammonium to nitrate. The second embodiment relates to my discovery that this same compound can be used to control, within predetermined limits, the ammonium/nitrate ratios in urea-based fertilizers, by serving as a dual-purpose inhibitor to control both urease inhibition and nitrification inhibition and thereby maximize plant response characteristics in direct proportion to nutrient value amendments to the soil environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for safening seeds and crop plants from the undesirable effects often encountered when treating said seeds and crop plants with ergosterol biosynthesis inhibiting fungicides. The method involves treating said seed and/or crop plant with the disclosed phthalimide compounds.

Abstract: In the production of suspension fertilizers the addition of an additive comprising lignosulfonate to the wet-process acid prior to the ammoniation step prevents severe thickening of the suspension during its formation, which severe thickening is normally associated with in situ mass crystallization of monoammonium phosphate and which mass crystallization results in (1) the total prevention of further ammoniation of said acid or, at the very least, extremely slow further ammoniation thereof, and/or (2) excessive ammonia losses. Also, addition of said lignosulfonate to the acid prevents the formation of metallic impurity gel-like compounds which cause extremely high viscosities, nonpourability, and complete destruction of fluidity.

Abstract: Newly developed testing procedures have demonstrated that three new classes of compounds, the thiopyridine-N-oxides, the thiopyridines, and the thiopyrimidines are highly effective inhibitors of urease activity in agricultural soil systems. Compositions of urea-containing fertilizers in combination with these materials can be used to reduce ammonia loss and control the activity of the soil enzyme urease in the conversion of urea to ammonia.

Abstract: Obsidian having less than one percent of combined water is expanded to a volume many times the original by a two stage heating process carried out in at least one refractory-lined, rotary kiln. It is heated gradually by a first flame to a temperature of 1800-1900 F., then subjected to a second flame at a temperature of 2400-2500 F. for a very few minutes. The heating is carried out in the presence of dust which has a softening point considerably above those temperatures. The dust prevents the softened obsidian from sticking to itself or to the lining of the kiln. In some embodiments, the entire process is carried out in a single kiln with both flames entering the discharge end of the kiln, the first flame being directed toward the feed end and the second flame directed transversely or toward the discharge end. In another embodiment, the obsidian is gradually heated in a first kiln, then immediately fed to a second rotary kiln where the second flame enters the feed end and is directed toward the discharge end.

Abstract: A high performance lubricating grease effectively lubricates and protects caster rollers and bearings in steel mills and other metal processing mills. The high performance grease has excellent extreme pressure and antiwear qualities and is economical, nontoxic and safe. In the preferred form, the high performance grease comprises a base oil, a polyurea thickener, extreme pressure wear-resistant additives comprising tricalcium phosphate and calcium carbonate, and a water-resistant high performance polymer.