Abstract: The present invention is a process of hydrogenating high molecular weight aromatic polymers comprising hydrogenating the high molecular weight aromatic polymer in the presence of a silica supported metal hydrogenation catalyst, characterized in that the silica has a pore size distribution such that at least 98 percent of the pore volume is defined by pores having diameter of greater than 600 angstroms.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in catalysing the oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons which comprises an oxide support having captured thereon a noble metal in catalytically effective form. The catalyst is characterised by the presence of an oxide of titanium, molybdenum of a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enhanced crop production and compositions for use in the same. A two-part solution system is utilized, the two solutions being stored separately until being mixed just prior to application.The first solution includes a chelated calcium component, a humus extract component, and a urea nitrogen component in aqueous solution. The second solution includes an algae extract component, and a yeast/molasses component comprising a mixture of yeast and blackstrap molasses. The chelated calcium complex may be a liquid chelated trihydroxy-glutarate complex, and the humus component may be a liquid Leonardite humus extract material. The algae extract component, in turn, may be a fucaceae extract material, preferably a 5-25-25 ascophyllum nodosum extract fertilizer material. Application of the treatment composition may be by foliar spray, and ground treatment and seed banding may also be utilized.

Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.

Abstract: Black ultrafine magnetite particles of this invention have an FeO content of 31 to 35% and a particle size of 0.1 .mu.m or less. A process for producing the black ultrafine magnetite particles comprises dispersing ultrafine magnetite particles with a particle size of 0.1 .mu.m or less in water containing ferrous hydroxide, aging the dispersion of 90 to 200.degree. C. at a free alkali concentration of 1 mol/liter (M/l) or more, then adding 0.2 to 5%, based on the magnetite particles, of sodium oleate or potassium oleate, and adjusting the pH to 5 to 6 to adhere oleic acid to magnetite.

Abstract: The process for producing crystallisation products with an average particle diameter of <1 .mu.m is based on the atomisation of a solution and the simultaneous evaporation of the solvent. The atomised solution A crystallises in a gas atmosphere, in which it is simultaneously contacted with a cloud of drops 4 of a surfactant-containing liquid B, thus forming an aerosol mixture A, B which is then deposited in the form of a colloidal crystal suspension in which the surfactant-containing liquid B forms the continuous phase. The cloud of drops 4 of the surfactant-containing liquid can also be produced by atomisation.

Abstract: A powdered medium for the cleaning of exhaust gases, e,g.

Abstract: Hydrotalcite-like clays, catalysts derived therefrom, and methods of hydrocarbon reforming using the catalyst are disclosed. The hydrotalcite-like clays, which may be calcined to form the catalyst, have the formula [M.sup.2+.sub.(1-x) M.sup.3+.sub.x (OH).sub.2 ].sup.x+ (A.sup.n-.sub.x/n).mH.sub.2 O at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to decompose A and to dehydrate said compound, wherein M.sup.2+ comprises at least two species of metal ions having a valence of 2+ selected from the group consisting of Cu.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+, Ni.sup.2+, and Mg.sup.2+, provided that if M.sup.2+ comprises Mg.sup.2+ at least one of Zn.sup.2+ and Ni.sup.2+ is also present, wherein the atomic ratio of the total of Zn.sup.2+ and Mg.sup.2+ to the total of Cu.sup.2+ and Ni.sup.2+ is up to about 9, inclusive, wherein the total of Zn.sup.2+ and Mg.sup.2+ comprises at least about 5 wt. % of said M.sup.2+ metals; M.sup.3+ is at least one metal ion having a valence of 3+ selected from the group consisting of Al.sup.3+, Fe.sup.

Abstract: A waste treatment process includes charging a reactor container (12) with a reactant alkaline metal alloy (10) and isolating the reactant alloy from oxygen gas. After heating the reactant alloy (10) in the reactor container (2) to a minimum of 770 degrees Celsius, a waste material is introduced into the molten alloy, preferably below the surface of the alloy. The waste material is pyrolized in the reactant alloy (10) to produce useful chlorine salts and other materials. The reactant alloy (10) includes magnesium and/or lithium, aluminum, zinc, calcium, and copper.

Abstract: A process and composition for transforming perfluoroalkanes in the presence of an oxidizing agent and water at temperatures between about 400 to 1,000.degree. C. Aluminum oxide is the primary agent for effecting this transformation. Additions of between 0.1 to 50% by weight of other components such as barium calcium, phosphorus, cerium, chromium, cobalt, iron, lanthanum, magnesium, nickel, silicon, titanium, yttrium or zirconium aid in extending the useful life of the catalyst. A preferred catalyst composition includes aluminum oxide with additions of cobalt and one or more of the elements of cerium, titanium or zirconium.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming particles of a substance, by co-introducing into a particle formation vessel, in which the temperature and pressure are controlled, of a supercritical fluid; a solution or suspension of the substance in a first vehicle; and a second vehicle which is both substantially miscible with the first vehicle and substantially soluble in the supercritical fluid, in such a way that dispersion of the solution or suspension and the second vehicle, and extraction of the vehicles, occur substantially simultaneously and substantially immediately on introduction of the fluids into the vessel, by the action of the supercritical fluid.

Abstract: A process is set forth for the production of a carbon monoxide stream from a feed stream comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen and moisture. The process comprises contacting the feed stream at elevated pressure with a layered adsorbent bed comprising (i) a pretreatment adsorbent in order to adsorb moisture preferentially over methane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide and (ii) a main adsorbent in order to adsorb carbon monoxide preferentially over hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen. A key to the present invention is that a carbon-based adsorbent is used as the pretreatment adsorbent.

Abstract: A method for composting organic waste materials utilizing aerobic and anaerobic decomposition processes simultaneously is disclosed. The method of the present invention is carried out by forming a compost pile of organic waste material which will decompose aerobically by microbes indigenous to the waste material. A cavity of predetermined size is formed within the compost heap and filled with alternating layers of organic waste material which will decompose anaerobically followed by a layer of waste material which will decompose aerobically until the cavity is filled. The parameters of the decomposition processes including temperature, water content, aeration, and moisture percolation are monitored to ensure that adequate conditions are met for both decomposition processes to proceed simultaneously. After a predetermined time interval has passed, the organic waste materials deposited within the central cavity of the compost heap are harvested to obtain a nutrient rich, soil additive.

Abstract: In a novel process for the production of particles or powders, a substance or mixture of substances to be treated is provided in a pressure vessel. A highly compressible fluid is dissolved under pressure in the substance or mixture of substances provided until a solution containing 5% to 90% by weight of said highly compressible fluid has formed. The melting point of said highly compressible fluid is at least around 40 K lower than the melting point of the substance or mixture of substances to be treated.

Abstract: Soil fertilizing and soil improving products may be made by a process which comprises admixing a pulverized waste copper slag with concentrated sulfuric acid having a strength of about 93.17% by weight in the total absence of added water whereby the resulting slag-acid composition reacts to form a dry granular product.

Abstract: A process for the generation of a protective nitrogen-based atmosphere for the performance of heat treatments of metal articles in three phases, including an initial phase in which a gaseous hydrocarbon feed and an oxidant containing oxygen react on a first catalyst to form a reaction product, a second phase in which the reaction product is added to nitrogen contaminated by the presence of oxygen and a third phase in which the reaction product is conveyed to a second catalyst to form a low-dew point gaseous mixture as a protective atmosphere.

Abstract: A modified zeolite or molecular sieve membrane for separation of materials on a molecular scale. The modified membrane is fabricated to wholly or partially block regions between zeolite crystals to inhibit transfer of larger molecules through the membrane, but without blocking or substantially inhibiting transfer of small molecules through pores in the crystalline structure. The modified membrane has a monomolecular layer deposited on the zeolite surface which has coordinated groups of atoms that include (i) a metal atom bonded to oxygen atoms that are bonded to the zeolite substrate atoms (e.g., silicon atoms) and (ii) either hydroxyl groups bonded to the metal atoms or additional oxygen atoms bonded to the metal atoms.

Abstract: Method for reducing nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x) in the gas stream from the combustion of fossil fuels is disclosed. In a narrow gas temperature zone, NO.sub.x is converted to nitrogen by reaction with urea or ammonia with negligible remaining ammonia and other reaction pollutants. Specially designed injectors are used to introduce air atomized water droplets containing dissolved urea or ammonia into the gaseous combustion products in a manner that widely disperses the droplets exclusively in the optimum reaction temperature zone. The injector operates in a manner that forms droplet of a size that results in their vaporization exclusively in this optimum NO.sub.x -urea/ammonia reaction temperature zone. Also disclosed is a design of a system to effectively accomplish this injection.

Abstract: Alkali metal bicarbonate salts, e.g., sodium bicarbonate, are crystallized from aqueous solutions thereof in the presence of a crystal growth promoting amount of lecithin or lecithin containing compositions. Alkali metal bicarbonate salts include sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate and lithium bicarbonate. The process is described as providing increased amounts of large crystals and a narrower and more uniform crystal size distribution.

Abstract: A process provides for the production of fertilizer solutions from brewery cleaning solutions. The process comprises the steps of combining a brewery caustic potash cleaning solution with a brewery nitrogen- or phosphorus-containing acid cleaning solution in mutually neutralizing amounts. This process results in the production of a fertilizer solution comprising a neutralized potassium salt solution having nitrogen-containing, organic, brewing materials entrained therein. If desired, spent grains and/or spent yeast from the brewing process can be added to provide further nutrients.