Abstract: A silver/gold coated laminar substrate pearlescent product is improved by incorporating rhodium in an amount of up to about 2% into the coating and/or by overcoating with a silane in an amount of up to about 5%.

Abstract: The flow characteristics of a mass of wet, water-insoluble solid particles such as coal are improved by applying thereto a flow-characteristic-improving substance in the form of a foam.

Abstract: The formation of slag is minimized and the removability of slag is greatly increased, in connection with the furnace burning of black liquor, by applying to the surfaces where slag tends to form a substance which, under black liquor furnace conditions, reacts with the sodium sulfide content of the black liquor ash to oxidize said sodium sulfide and to be itself reduced, such substances preferably comprising sodium persulfate, manganese dioxide, cupric oxide and ferric oxide and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of ameliorating high-temperature slagging conditions which result from impaction on the boiler interior surfaces of molten or semi-molten ash particles in flue gas resulting from the combustion of fuel. The method comprises adding a conditioner to the flue gas at or upstream of the high temperature region in the boiler system where slagging tends to occur, and thereafter causing the mixed flue gas and conditioner to flow through the region. Suitable conditioners include strontium carbonate, a mixture of zircon with copper oxychloride and a mixture of alumina with aluminum fluoride, zircon, or zirconyl chloride.

Abstract: Slag buildup in high-temperature areas of a furnace system is minimized by adding to the molten ash particles carried by the flue gas a conditioner which is taken up by those molten particles and produces a nucleating effect when those particles cool, causing them to solidify more rapidly, thereby preventing deposit formation or resulting in considerably more friable deposits.

Abstract: The wet flow characteristic of water-insoluble solid particles such as coal is enhanced by forming on the surface of the solid particles a coating of a fluid having the property of lowering surface tension in aqueous solution, preferably a water solution of a substance from the group consisting of methyl and dimethyl naphthalene sulfonates and ethoxylated linear secondary alcohols, the substances being highly water soluble and the water solution having a low viscosity, a high flash point and low toxicity.

Abstract: The collection characteristics of particles entrained in a particle-laden gas for separation by the commonly used methods for removing particles from a gas stream are improved by injecting into the gas stream a conditioning agent comprising diammonium phosphate and urea. The conditioning agent can be added to the gas stream either at low temperatures or at high temperatures, in both cases giving rise to significant improvements in emission characteristics. The additive of the present invention has a very significant advantage over prior art additives of substantially equal emission improvement characteristics of greatly reducing or substantially eliminating buildup of hard-to-remove deposits.

Abstract: The collection characteristics of particles entrained in a particle-laden gas for collection by an electrostatic precipitator are improved by injecting finely divided sodium and ammonium phosphate salts into a particle-laden gas stream formed by the burning of coal. Sufficient additive is injected to provide 24-1200 grams per metric ton of coal burned to form the gas. After injection, the stream is directed through a heat exchange means and finally into the precipitator to collect the particles therein.

Abstract: The collection characteristics of particles entrained in a particle-laden gas for collection by an electrostatic precipitator are improved by injecting finely divided sodium bisulfate into a particle-laden gas stream formed by the burning of coal while the gas has a temperature of 200.degree.-900.degree. C. Sufficient sodium bisulfate is injected to provide 75-1250 grams per metric ton of coal burned to form the gas. After injection, the stream is directed through a heat exchange means and finally into the precipitator to collect the particles therein.

Abstract: The separation characteristics of particles entrained in a particle-laden gas for separation by the commonly used methods for removing particles from a gas stream are improved by injecting finely divided urea into the gas stream prior to its passage through the separator. The urea conditioner agglomerates the particles to facilitate their removal from the gas stream by the separator.

Abstract: The collection characteristics of particles entrained in a particle-laden gas for collection by an electrostatic precipitator are improved by injecting finely divided ammonium bisulfate into a particle-laden gas stream formed by the burning of coal while the gas has a temperature of 590-900.degree. C. Sufficient ammonium bisulfate is injected to provide 75-1250 grams per metric ton of coal burned to form the gas. After injection, the stream is directed through a heat exchange means and finally into the precipitator to collect the particles therein.