Abstract: A process for producing granules of a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-containing light stabilizer, which comprises mixing a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-containing light stabilizer having a melting point of not less than 60.degree. C. with a lubricant selected from the group consisting of water and an aqueous solution of an alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and granulating the resultant mixture while pressure is applied thereto. The granular light stabilizer product has low dusting property and excellent free-flowing property.

Abstract: A novel class of solvents is described that have improved selectivity for H.sub.2 S as compared to CO.sub.2. The solvents are based on adding suitable second partially miscible solvent to known solvents. In specific, it is shown that adding 20% of dodecane to NMP (normal methyl pyrolidinone) increases the selectivity of the solvent for H.sub.2 S as compared to CO.sub.2 by 50%. This leads to important process improvements and reduction in the cost of the removal process.

Abstract: A method for removing mercury from natural gas comprises addition of a sulfur-containing agent to form sulfides of mercury, addition of organic base to absorb hydrogen sulfide, and subsequent contact of said natural gas with a molecular sieve to remove water therefrom, further comprising contacting said organic base-containing natural gas with a guard bed to substantially remove said organic base prior to said removing of water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removal of PCBs or similar refractory organic substances from solid surfaces, such as soil or hardware, e.g., capacitors and transformers containing a charge or residue of PCB or similar fluids. Such toxic substances are volatilized from substrates contaminated therewith by contacting them with carrier gas, such as a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and steam. The carrier gas and volatilized components are introduced into a partial oxidation zone of a gas generator where PCBs are completely destroyed at a temperature range of 2800.degree. F. to 3500.degree. F.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing alumina agglomerates which comprises:(i) treating agglomerates of active alumina with an aqueous medium comprising at least one acid making it possible to dissolve at least part of the alumina and at least one compound providing an anion capable of combining with aluminum ions in solution,(ii) subjecting the agglomerates to a hydrothermal treatment at a temperature in the range of from about 80.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C., and then(iii) thermally activating the agglomerates at a temperature in the range of about 500.degree. C. to about 1100.degree. C.The resulting alumina agglomerates possess exceptional mechanical strength, heat resistance and hydrothermal resistance and are useful as catalysts or catalyst supports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing the environmental release of acids and toxic organic compounds from a waste incinerator-air pollution control train. The apparatus comprises an incinerator, a gas cooling means such as a waste heat boiler or quench chamber, a means for the partial removal of acid gases and dioxins by contact with either finely-divided alkaline solids or alternatively, by an alkaline solution in a spray drier-absorber, a dry solids collection means such as a fabric filter or electrostatic precipitator, a wet scrubber means for residual metal, dioxin/acid gas removal and an induced draft fan. In the method of this invention, the final wet scrubber stage operates without alkaline neutralization, but under scrubber acid concentrations and operating conditions that provide an exhaust gas within compliance limits of emission regulations. The contaminated liquor blowdown from the wet scrubber, which contains toxic organics and acids, is recycled back into the incinerator.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide is removed from a fluid containing SO.sub.2 by employing as an absorbent for the SO.sub.2 an aqueous solution of a compound represented by Formula I: ##STR1## wherein each Y is independently --(CR.sup.2.sub.2)--or--(CR.sup.2).dbd.and each R.sup.1 or R.sup.2 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group; an hydroxyalkyl group: an aldehyde group: a carboxylic acid group or salt thereof: an alkyl group containing at least one carboxylic ester, a carboxylic acid or salt thereof, ether, aldehyde, ketone, or sulfoxide group: wherein the compound has at least one carbonyl group. The absorbent solution preferably can be thermally regenerated by heating to remove SO.sub.2.

Abstract: A continuous process for the microbiological conversion and removal of malodorous sulphur-containing organic and inorganic compounds from a gaseous stream, comprising the steps of providing a column filled with packing material. Passing a biologically active liquid stream containing nutrients and a consortia of bacteria including microorganisms of the Thiobacillaceae family through the column whereby the bacteria are immobilized onto all available surface area of the packing material. Maintaining the temperature conditions within the column between about 5.degree. C. to about 47.degree. C. and the pH conditions between about 5 to about 9. Concurrently passing a gaseous stream containing the malodorous sulphur-containing organic and inorganic compounds through the column at a liquid gas ratio of about 3:7 for a sufficient period of time to allow the bacteria to convert greater than about 97% of the sulphur compounds within the gaseous stream into a useful form of elemental sulphur.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide from flue gases in a wet scrubbing system using lime to remove the sulfur dioxide and ferrous-EDTA to remove the nitrogen oxides, where an initial reducing agent, such as sodium sulfide, and an antioxidant, such as hydrazine, are added to the scrubbing system, with oxidation of the ferrous-EDTA to ferric-EDTA curtailed while removal of nitrogen oxides is increased.

Abstract: A method of diminishing the amount of chlorinated organics released to the atmosphere in the incineration of wastes which includes injecting calcium-based sorbents into the flue gas to react with HCl to form calcium-chlorine compounds to remove the HCl from the flue gas and prevent it from forming the chlorinated organics. The flue gas carries the sorbent from the injection zone to the reactive temperature zone quickly enough such that the sorbent is not exposed to temperatures which would degrade the effectiveness of the sorbent, the reactive temperature zone being in the range of 300.degree. C. to 900.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting hydrogen sulfide to sulfur and hydrogen. The hydrogen sulfide gas is contacted with a quinone in an aqueous solvent containing a sulfur complexing agent to yield sulfur and the corresponding hydroquinone. The hydroquinone is converted back to quinone and hydrogen. The quinone is recycled and the hydrogen gas and sulfur is collected. The invention also discloses a range of ratios of complexing agent to quinone which produces an unexpected yield for the disclosed reaction.

Abstract: A boehmite or boehmite precursor can be improved in its dispersibility by subjecting it to a hydrothermal treatment at a pH of less than 3.5 and at elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a CO.sub.2 /H.sub.2 O sorbent comprised of silver oxide, a CO.sub.2 sorption promoter, and a support. Preparation of this sorbent consists of impregnating the support with a silver compound, converting the silver compound to silver carbonate or silver oxide, and further impregnating the support with a CO.sub.2 sorption promoter. Prior to use as a sorbent, the silver carbonate is converted to silver oxide via the application of heat; liberating CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: A process for fixing elemental mercury (Hg.degree.) in a spent molecular sieve desiccant is disclosed. The process includes isolating gspent molecular sieve desiccant containing elemental mercury, and contacting the spent desiccant in a dilute aqueous solution of an alkaline metal salt. The reaction traps the mercury within the spent desiccant as an insoluble heavy metal salt. The alkaline metal salt can include, for example, sodium thiosulfate (Na.sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3), sodium polysulfide (Na.sub.2 S.sub.x), or potassium peroxomonosulfate (KHSO.sub.5). The reaction with any of these aqueous solutions acts to fix the elemental mercury (Hg.degree.) as a mercury compound within the solid desiccant. If sodium thiosulfate or sodium polysulfide is utilized, then the process also includes introducing hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a suitable quantity to liberate sufficient elemental sulfur to react with the elemental mercury (Hg.degree.) to form an HgS salt. The formation of HgS fixes the elemental mercury (Hg.degree.

Abstract: Calcium phosphate minerals are formed by using phosphoric acid source substantially free of uncombined water in conjunction with a calcium source, normally as any combination of carbonate, phosphate and hydroxide, and, as required, any additional base to neutralize the phosphoric acid. Protein may be optionally added. The resulting product is readily formed and then sets to a hard, stable, workable shaped object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the combustion treatment of a toxic gas which forms microparticles by combustion are disclosed wherein the toxic gas is subjected to a combustion treatment in a specific combustion furnace where the combustion gas formed is brought into contact with an aqueous film flowing downwards on the inner wall of the furnace from the upper end portion thereof to the lower end portion thereof or with a cooled surface, and then optionally with aqueous droplets dispersed in the interior space of the furnace. The water captures the microparticles formed by combustion of the toxic gas and is discharged out of the furnace as a mixed flow with the combustion gas thus treated, and optionally the mixed flow is successively treated in a gas-liquid separator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of metallic oxides. The method is carried by controlled hydrolysis of metallic alkoxides using an alkoxide emulsion which contains hydrophobic water/solvent reverse micelles and a surfactant, then submitting the polymer gel obtained to thermal treatment. In order to prepare metallic oxides layers, the reaction product is coated on a support when hydrolysis is only partial.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying alkanolamine solutions which have lost at least a portion of their acid gas sorption capacity due to degradation of the alkanolamine into heat stable salts. Particularly, it has been found that the alkanolamine solution may be rejuvenated by charging the solution to the feed zone of a distillation column reactor at temperatures above about 160.degree. C. and pressure of less than about 2000 mm Hg.

Abstract: Trialkyl arsines (in particular trimethyl arsine) are removed from a fluid (e.g., a hydrocarbon-containing gas) by contacting the fluid with a sorbent material comprising at least one copper hydrocarbon sulfonate, preferably a copper salt of an aliphatic or aromatic sulfonic acid, or with a copper-exchanged, sulfonated styrene polymer.

Abstract: A process for the removal of H.sub.2 S from sour gaseous streams is disclosed in which the sour gaseous stream is contacted with a solution containing solubilized iron chelates of a specified organic acid or acids. The contacting is carried out in first and second contacting zones, the first being a gas-solution mixture formation zone and the second comprising a plurality of contacting sections adapted to provide reaction of the H.sub.2 S in the sour gaseous stream with the iron in the contacting solution without plugging due to deposition of sulfur.