Abstract: An improved process is provided for the removal of sulfur oxides from gas or vapor media containing oxygen and H.sub.2 O by contacting the media with a catalytically-active carbonaceous char. The improvement is provided by the use of a catalytically-active carbonaceous char prepared by low-temperature carbonization and oxidation of a bituminous coal or bituminous material at temperatures below 700.degree. C., followed by contact of the carbonized, oxidized char with one or more nitrogen-containing compounds at a temperature which is stable at, or is increasing to, temperatures less than 700.degree. C., and then increasing the temperature of the resultant material to or above 700.degree. C.

Abstract: Solids having a tendency to cake are treated with distillation heavies that are liquid at about 60.degree. C. or less and are obtained from production of a ketone having the formula:R.dbd.O,wherein R is substituted or unsubstituted, branched, straight chain or cyclic, C.sub.4 to C.sub.18. The solids so treated have a reduced tendency to cake.

Abstract: Synthetic soil is created by blending processed or unprocessed incinerator ash, derived from solid waste or other materials, with either compostable materials or compostable materials derived therefrom. The blending of these materials results in residual biotech soil which can be used as a plant-growth medium; as cover material for such things as landfills, disturbed soil areas or mined-land reclamation; and as a medium to treat contaminated water.

Abstract: An improved process for enhancing the plant nutrient value of relatively low analysis organic waste material (e.g. sewage sludge) involves treating the waste material with an acid and base in a pipe-cross reactor. The process more particularly involves mixing the waste material with water to form a slurry (or initially taking the waste material as a slurry); pumping the slurry to a pipe-cross reactor for reaction with a base, acid, and water to form a melt; spraying the melt onto a recycling bed of fines in a granulator, and flashing off the water contained in the melt as steam; rolling the melt onto recycled fine particles in a granulator to form granulated particles; and drying these granulated particles to form an enhanced plant nutrient value composition (e.g. a fertilizer or soil conditioner having a greater "NPK" value than the original relatively low analysis organic waste material).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing productivity of a plant by spraying Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotroph (PPFM) on a plant. The invention also relates to increasing productivity of a plant under stress by applying Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotroph (PPFM) to a plant and subsequently applying an aqueous solution containing methanol to the plant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for neutralizing pentaborane. A high-capacity pentaborane processing system is disclosed that may be employed at a variety of sites where pentaborane may be stored. Remote monitoring and worker interface with the pentaboraneis limited to placement of a target cylinder into an airtight chamber and connection of process piping to each cylinder valve. Hydrolysis of the pentaborane is achieved in the system by rapid and extensive physical mixing of the pentaborane with water, which yields gaseous elemental hydrogen and residual boric acid. Sodium hydroxide may be provided to neutralize boric acid and form borax, which may be later precipitated out of the waste stream. Continuous monitoring through various pH and ORP sensors give operators information needed to maintain correct chemical balance throughout the reaction process. A cylinder or other container filled with pentaborane may be connected to an airtight system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mineral vegetation substrate for agricultural or forestry use. The problem with prior art soil substrates based on recycled materials is that the usable field capacity is often insufficient or sufficient only with special additives. According to the invention, therefore, a mineral vegetation substrate consists of 45 to 65 wt. % geogenous sand and/or sandy soil with a grain size d.sub.50 of 0.20 to 0.35 mm, 4 to 8 wt. % coarse-grained crushed clay tiles with a grain size d.sub.50 of 25 to 35 mm, 8 to 18 wt. % fine-grained crushed clay tiles with a grain size d.sub.50 of 0.7 to 1.5 mm, 4 to 8 wt. % coarse-grained crushed concrete with a grain size d.sub.50 of 15 to 25 mm, 8 to 18 wt. % fine-grained crushed concrete with a grain size d.sub.50 of 1.5 to 3.5 mm, 8 to 13 wt. % binders like geogenous clay with a grain size d.sub.50 of 0.08 to 0.15 mm or clay in a homogenous mixture.

Abstract: Methods and chemical compositions for treating a gas stream comprising non-halogenated and halogenated organic compounds while suppressing halogenation of the non-halogenated organic compounds with the oxidation products of the halogenated organic compounds in the gas stream are disclosed. The gas stream in the presence of oxygen is contacted with the catalyst compositions of the invention to oxidize the non-halogenated and the halogenated compounds to form water, carbon dioxide, and halogen molecules (Cl.sub.2, Br.sub.2, etc.) and/or halogen acids such as HCl, HBr, etc. An advantage of the present compositions and methods is that halogenation or of the treated emissions is suppressed over a process operating temperature range 400 to 550.degree. C.

Abstract: System and method for processing an effluvia gas containing NO.sub.X and sulfur dioxide to produce an enriched fertilizer. The gas is brought into contact with a host liquid and calcium oxide to convert the NO.sub.X to calcium nitrate and the sulfur dioxide to calcium sulfate, and the liquid containing the calcium nitrate and the sulfur dioxide is then passed through a bed of horse manure media so that the calcium nitrate and the sulfur dioxide accumulate in and thereby enrich the media for use as fertilizer.

Abstract: Manufacturing procedures and compositions for soil enhancers and the like are disclosed. A solution is formed from adding humate to water under constant agitation. Sodium Bicarbonate is added to the solution, resulting in a reaction allowing silica to precipitate out of the solution. The resulting solution is about 12% humic acid. Additional water is added to the solution along with a series of crude protein sources, including fish protein, blood extract, and feather meal. Following the addition of each protein source to the humic acid solution, citric acid is added to increase the protein solubility. Sarsaponins (Yucca extract) is then added to stabilize microbial activity. Additional water is added to the resulting mix, followed by the addition of sugar beet waste lime (calcium carbonate). The calcium carbonate brings the mixture to a pH of about the range of 6.8 to 7.2, which has been found to be encouraging for microbial activity. Seaweed is then added to the mix.

Abstract: Concentrated phosphorus fertilizers are described which are absorbed quickly into plant systems and improve plant growth. Particularly described are fertilizers having a combination of phosphorous acid or its salts thereof, and either (a) polyphosphoric acid and its salts thereof; or (b) phosphoric acid and its salts thereof. This combination phosphorus fertilizer, when combined within a specific ratio range, increases phosphorus uptake to plants thereby enhancing plant growth.