Abstract: Baffle means coated with effective catalyts are positioned inside exhaust pipes to convert the harmful substances in said exhaust gases into harmless components. The baffle means impart a disturbed flow and/or change of the direction of flow of the exhaust gases in the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A new family of rare earth-rhodium-tin intermetallic compounds, with the representative formula (RE)Rh.sub.x Sn.sub.y, has been synthesized in single crystal form. The compounds containing the heavier rare earths are superconducting and those with the lighter rare earths are generally magnetic. The compound ErRh.sub.1.1 Sn.sub.3.6 exhibits reentrant superconductivity with T.sub.c =0.97 K and T.sub.m =0.57 K as determined from ac magnetic susceptibility measurements. The synthesis and X-ray characterization of the series are described and the results of electrical resistivity, upper critical magnetic field, magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and neutron scattering measurements on the Er compound are given.

Abstract: A process is described for producing carbon monoxide and hydrogen which comprises contacting methanol vapor at a temperature of 200.degree. to 500.degree. C. with an indirectly heated zinc containing catalyst while said methanol vapor is at a pressure in a range of 2 to 50 bars, whereby to obtain an effluent gas in which the components of carbon monoxide and hydrogen constitute at least 90% by volume of said gas, removing at least a part of the impurities from said effluent gas and separating said effluent gas into its carbon monoxide and hydrogen components by adsorption. The effluent gas can be separated into its carbon monoxide and hydrogen components by use of a plurality of adsorbers containing zeolite-type molecular sieve material where the zeolite is substantially permeable to hydrogen but sorbs carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A waste fluid containing nitrogen compounds is combusted in an incinerator having cylindrical primary and secondary combustion chambers connected in series by a venturi throat member. The waste fluid is combusted in the primary combustion chamber at a temperature of at least 1200.degree. C. while injecting air into the primary combustion chamber in a direction tangential to the inner periphery thereof so that the combustion gas forms a vortex pattern therein. The whirling combustion gas containing nitrogen oxides is caused to pass through the venturi throat into which a gas or liquid containing a compound having a nitrogen-hydrogen bond is injected for mixing with the combustion gas and the mixture is combusted in the secondary combustion chamber at a temperature of between 850.degree. and 1150.degree. C.

Abstract: A process and system for recovering the top gas from a blast furnace into a gas holder without discharging the top gas into the surrounding atmosphere so as to be utilized for various purposes, thereby overcoming the environmental pollution problems and attaining the energy saving.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing and then rapidly recovering magnesium hydroxide from an aqueous liquid containing magnesium ion. The magnesium hydroxide is produced by treating the aqueous liquid with lime. The particles of magnesium hydroxide are then recovered from the liquid by causing rapid agglomeration and separation of the magnesium hydroxide particles.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide from gaseous mixtures by adjusting the mol ratio of hydrogen sulfide to nitric oxide to a value from about 0.5 to about 1.1 and thereafter mixing a free oxygen containing gas with the gaseous mixture to provide a quantity of oxygen greater than about 0.5 mols of oxygen per mol of nitric oxide in the gaseous mixture. Either hydrogen sulfide or nitric oxide may be removed substantially completely.

Abstract: A thermochemical closed cyclic process for the decomposition of water and/or carbon dioxide to hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide begins with the reaction of ceric oxide (CeO.sub.2), titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) and sodium titanate (Na.sub.2 TiO.sub.3) to form sodium cerous titanate (NaCeTi.sub.2 O.sub.6) and oxygen. Sodium cerous titanate (NaCeTi.sub.2 O.sub.6) reacted with sodium carbonate (Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3) in the presence of steam, produces hydrogen. The same reaction, in the absence of steam, produces carbon monoxide. The products, ceric oxide and sodium titanate, obtained in either case, are treated with carbon dioxide and water to produce ceric oxide, titanium dioxide, sodium titanate, and sodium bicarbonate. After dissolving sodium bicarbonate from the mixture in water, the remaining insoluble compounds are used as starting materials for a subsequent cycle. The sodium bicarbonate can be converted to sodium carbonate by heating and returned to the cycle.

Abstract: A method for reducing the concentration of ash-forming compounds in molten sulfur is disclosed. The subject invention is directed at the addition to the molten sulfur of an ash flotation agent selected from the class consisting of sulfur compounds in an oxidation state lower than maximum, phosphorous compounds, and ammonium amide, and amino compounds to cause at least a portion of the ash-forming compounds to float to the surface of the molten sulfur storage facility. The ash-forming compounds which collect at the surface of the molten sulfur facility may then be removed by conventional means.

Abstract: There is described a process for the reconstitution of NO.sub.X gases produced by the thermal decomposition of metal nitrates to nitric acid comprising the steps of:1. contacting the NO.sub.X gases in counter-current relationship in one or more packed columns with cooled 50 to 60 percent nitric acid to remove as nitric acid a major portion of the originally introduced NO.sub.X values and provide an acid solution leaving the column having a temperature below about 180.degree. F. to remove as nitric acid a major portion of the originally introduced NO.sub.X values;2. compressing the residual gases from step 1 to from about 2 to about 6 atmospheres absolute;3. contacting the compressed gases from step 2 with from about 50 to about 60 percent nitric acid in a packed absorption column in counter-current relationship to remove substantially all of the remaining NO.sub.X values from the gas stream as HNO.sub.3 ; and4. recovering 50-60% nitric acid as it accumulates.

Abstract: Pure silicon is obtained in a cyclic process by reducing quartz sand with aluminum; the finely divided quartz is dissolved in an aluminum sulphide slag and is reduced by molten aluminum. The molten aluminum also serves as a solvent for the elemental silicon which crystallizes out and precipitates as the temperature falls. Aluminum oxide formed during the reduction is extracted from the slag and passed on for melt electrolysis in order to recover the aluminum.

Abstract: A process for the removal of H.sub.2 S from a feed gas, and the production of sulfur therefrom, is effected by oxidation with oxygen and/or SO.sub.2 at temperatures between 250.degree. and 450.degree. F. The oxidation is conducted in the presence of an extremely stable oxidation catalyst comprising an oxide and/or sulfide of vanadium supported on a non-alkaline porous refractory oxide. Sulfur deposition and consequent catalyst deactivation are prevented by maintaining the partial pressure of free sulfur in the oxidation reactor below that necessary for condensation. H.sub.2, CO, and light hydrocarbons present in the feed gas are not oxidized. Typical uses of the process include the removal of H.sub.2 S and the production of sulfur from sour natural gases or gases obtained from the gasification of coal.Feed gases which contain SO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S in mole ratios greater than 0.5, or which contain other gaseous sulfur compounds such as COS, CS.sub.2, SO.sub.

Abstract: In the nitration of a volatile aromatic compound wherein the compound is reacted with a liquid nitrating agent thereby to effect nitration and to produce a waste gas containing some of the aromatic compound, nitrogen oxides and nitric acid, the improvement which comprises contacting the waste gas with fresh nitrating agent thereby to remove the aromatic compound from the gas into the nitrating agent, and thereafter using such nitrating agent to effect subsequent nitration.

Abstract: A process is provided involving the production of elemental sulfur via the Claus reaction of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. A gas feedstream containing H.sub.2 S and SO.sub.2 is passed through solid catalyst beds below the sulfur dew point to thereby deposit the sulfur formed on the catalyst bed. Sulfur is then removed from the catalyst bed by passing heated effluent gas from another catalyst bed through the first bed to vaporize the deposited sulfur and thereby regenerate the first catalyst bed. Reactor apparatus especially suitable for practicing this process is also provided.

Abstract: Nitric oxides can be absorbed from gas mixtures containing nitric oxides (NO and NO.sub.2) and oxygen by absorption with aqueous solutions. According to the invention, the absorption is effected in bubble columns, superficial velocities of 2 to 30 cm/second being maintained. It is advantageous to connect several bubble columns in series such that the gas and absorption liquid pass in counter-current to one another. In this embodiment, considerably less counter-current stages are required to achieve a high degree of absorption of NO.sub.x than in the case of conventional processes. At superficial velocities of 10 to 30 cm/second, large bubbles of gas can rapidly form from the gas introduced and can interact with the absorption liquid only with difficulty. In this case, gas distributor devices are incorporated in the bubble column. Since NO.sub.2 is more readily absorbed than NO, it is advantageous to connect flow reactors, in which NO.sub.2 is formed from NO and O.sub.2, upstream of the bubble columns.

Abstract: The process for recovering recyclable elemental sulfur from a strongly colored solution containing alkali metal sulfides, alkali metal polysulfides, or mixtures thereof comprising(a) mixing said solution at an alkaline pH with a decolorizing amount of an iron or zinc compound which is a hydroxide or the salt of an inorganic acid whereby a precipitate is formed,(b) separating the precipitate to isolate a decolorized solution,(c) precipitating elemental sulfur from the decolorized solution by adding sulfur dioxide or alkali metal thiosulfate under acidic conditions, and(d) separating the precipitated elemental sulfur.

Abstract: A method of purifying metallurgical-grade silicon for the production of silicon solar cells is provided, in which metallurgical-grade silicon is dissolved in aluminum and brought into contact with an aluminum sulphide extraction melt. Thereafter, the silicon is crystallized out and separated off by cooling the melt to a minimum temperature of 600.degree. C. The aluminum melt remaining can then be recharged with silicon, heated, brought into contact with the extraction melt, so that additional silicon can be crystallized out.

Abstract: A process and a plant are disclosed whereby nitric acid is produced by the catalytic combustion of ammonia with air to form nitrous gases which are contacted with water in an absorption zone to form nitric acid. Gas flow into and through the plant is maintained by a compressor system powered by turbines that are propelled by the heat energy released during ammonia combustion. In accordance with the present invention, a portion of the ammonia combustion heat energy is stored using heat accumulating means positioned at various possible locations throughout the system. Such stored heat provides a thermal energy reserve available to power the compressor turbines for a short period of time in the event that ammonia combustion is discontinued.

Abstract: A method of oxidizing that portion of a methanol fuel which has not been burned in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. Briefly, the method includes the following steps. A methanol fuel is burned in an internal combustion engine thereby to produce exhaust gases which contain unburned methanol. The exhaust gases containing the unburned methanol are passed over a catalyst consisting essentially of silver dispersed on a washcoat material. The washcoat material is in turn dispersed on a substrate. In this manner, the unburned methanol is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water without any significant production of aldehydes, ethers or carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A process is provided for purifying metallurgical-grade silicon for the manufacture of solar cells, wherein the acid treatment of the silicon, known per se, is combined with vacuum evaporation. This may be optionally combined with slag extraction and directional solidification.