Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating plants, and for enhancing the growth of plants. The methods include applying an alkyl glucoside compound to the plant. The present invention also includes compositions useful in these methods.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for treating exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine containing a catalyst characterized by having platinum or a platinum alloy dispersed predominately on the exterior surface of molecular sieve crystals. Also provided is a catalyst for such a converter and processes for manufacture of such catalyst. In addition, a process for treating exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine to reduce the amounts of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides emitted to the atmosphere is included.

Abstract: A process and a device for purifying flue gas containing nitrogen oxides, in which the flue gas is scrubbed with a circulating scrubbing liquid which contains a transition metal chelate such as Fe (II) EDTA and the complex formed from nitrogen oxide and transition metal chelate and/or spent transition metal chelate is regenerated biologically in the presence of an electron donor, nitrogen oxide being reduced to molecular nitrogen. The biological reactor can be combined with the gas scrubber. The electron donor is, for example, hydrogen or methanol, but may also be sulphite which originates from sulphur dioxide in the flue gas.

Abstract: A system for the abatement of industrial process emissions comprises a horizontal regenerative catalytic oxidizer (RCO). The system utilizes at least two regenerative chambers and at least two catalytic chambers in a controlled abatement process. Pollutants injected into the RCO from the process emissions are catalytically oxidized. The horizontal configuration of the RCO reduces the size of the RCO per cubic foot of emissions treated, and also simplifies maintenance requirements in removing and replacing, or regenerating, the catalyst. Chutes and valves situated above and below the catalyst provide maintenance means without the associated contamination concerns typically caused by catalytic migration throughout vertically configured RCOs.

Abstract: Hydrogen cyanide or ammonia present in a gaseous stream is decomposed catalytically in the presence of oxygen at relatively low temperature by contact with carbonaceous adsorbents doped with oxides of first row transition metals, silver or lanthanide elements, preferably with cobalt, chromium, manganese, silver, and cerium, in the presence or absence of a gaseous reducing agent such as a hydrocarbon or a volatile carboxylic acid.