Abstract: Water-based paint is used as a sacrificial agent to reduce the detrimental effect of carbon-containing fly ash on the entrainment of air in concrete. The invention provides a composition for reducing the effect of carbon contained in fly ash on air entrainment in cementitious mixtures comprising water, cement, fly ash and entrained air. The composition comprises water-based paint and one or more of pulverized or un-pulverized pozzolan, pulverized or un-pulverized cementitious solids, a superplasticizer, a defoamer, an air-entraining admixture, a water-reducing admixture, a retarding admixture, an accelerating admixture, a hydration control admixture and a rheology modifying admixture. The invention also provides a method of reducing the effect of carbon on air entrainment in carbon-containing fly ash, comprising mixing the fly ash with water-based paint.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a heavy crude oil (10) by thermally cracking (12) the heavy crude oil in a cracking vessel to convert a portion to volatile components (14) while simultaneously venting the volatile components from the cracking vessel. Tetrathydrofurfuryl alcohol is optionally added to the heavy crude oil feedstock before or during cracking. The vented volatile components are separated (16) into condensable volatile components (18) and non-condensable volatile components (20). The condensable components are collected and comprise cracked-distilled oil. The cracking residue (48) is removed from the cracking vessel and a cracking residue extract is prepared and mixed with the cracked-distilled oil to produce synthetic crude oil.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a heavy crude oil (10) by thermally cracking (12) the heavy crude oil in a cracking vessel to convert a portion to volatile components (14) while simultaneously venting the volatile components from the cracking vessel. Tetrathydrofurfuryl alcohol is optionally added to the heavy crude oil feedstock before or during cracking. The vented volatile components are separated (16) into condensable volatile components (18) and non-condensable volatile components (20). The condensable components are collected and comprise cracked-distilled oil. The cracking residue (48) is removed from the cracking vessel and a cracking residue extract is prepared and mixed with the cracked-distilled oil to produce synthetic crude oil.

Abstract: A method of producing enhanced coal combustion ash for use in pozzolanic applications or cement manufacture, in which the enhanced combustion ash has lower mercury content. A slurry is formed of the combustion ash and water and is subjected to froth flotation to form a mercury-enriched ash slurry and a mercury-depleted ash slurry. The product mercury-depleted ash slurry is isolated and may optionally be dried. The combustion ash may be pulverized prior to being used to form the slurry, reducing its mean particle size. The mercury-depleted combustion ash product has reduced levels of mercury and ammonia, and reduced particle size.

Abstract: A method of producing enhanced coal combustion ash for use in pozzolanic applications or cement manufacture, in which the enhanced combustion ash has lower mercury content. A slurry is formed of the combustion ash and water and is subjected to froth flotation to form a mercury-enriched ash slurry and a mercury-depleted ash slurry. The product mercury-depleted ash slurry is isolated and may optionally be dried. The combustion ash may be pulverized prior to being used to form the slurry, reducing its mean particle size. The mercury-depleted combustion ash product has reduced levels of mercury and ammonia, and reduced particle size.

Abstract: A method of treating a coal combustion flue gas, which includes injecting a molecular halogen or thermolabile molecular halogen precursor, such as calcium hypochlorite, able to decompose to form molecular halogen at flue gas temperature. The molecular halogen converts elemental mercury to mercuric halide, which is adsorbable by alkaline solids such as subbituminous or lignite coal ash, alkali fused bituminous coal ash, and dry flue gas desulphurization solids, capturable in whole or part by electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), baghouses (BHs), and fabric filters (FFs), with or without subsequent adsorption by a liquid such as a flue gas desulphurization scrubbing liquor.

Abstract: A method of treating a coal combustion flue gas, which includes injecting a molecular halogen or thermolabile molecular halogen precursor able to decompose to form molecular halogen at flue gas temperature. The molecular halogen coverts elemental mercury to mercuric halide adsorbable by alkaline solids such as subbituminous or lignite coal ash, alkali fused bituminous coal ash capturable in whole or part by electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), baghouses (BHs), fabric filters (FFs), dry flue gas desulphurization solids, with or without subsequent adsorption by a liquid such as a flue gas desulphurization scrubbing liquor.

Abstract: A method of treating a fossil fuel for combustion, which includes heating the fossil fuel and an additive in a combustion zone. The additive contains a lime flux that lowers the melting point of lime sufficiently so that lime in the combustion zone melts wholly or partially. The additive reacts with the fossil fuel char and its sulphur plus ash components, in the combustion zone to achieve the following results alone or in combination: accelerated combustion, desulphurization, nitrogen oxides emission reduction, pozzolanic or cementitious product production or combustor anti-fouling.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the nitrogen oxide content of a flue gas produced by the combustion of fuel by introducing a nitrogen oxide removal agent into either the nitrogen oxide contaminated flue gas or the fuel to be combusted. The nitrogen oxide removal agent is the reaction product of a carbon compound in a pyrolysis liquor and a nitrogen compound such as ammonia, ammonium hydroxide or urea. The carbon compound is selected from carboxylic acids, phenols, esters, aldehydes and ketones. The pyrolysis liquor is derived from a feed stock containing cellulose, lignin or starch.

Abstract: To remove films, such as oxides and lubricants, from a metal substrate, mechanical or thermal stress is first applied to the films so as to rupture the film to the substrate. The substrate is then moved through an electrolysis cell having one or more electrode elements of one electrical polarity spaced from the moving substrate defining another electrode element with the opposite polarity. An electrical signal is applied to the electrodes, and the electrical signal flows down to the metal substrate, resulting in an etching or pitting of the surface of the metal substrate. Following the electrolysis cell, the moving substrate is immersed in a cavitation fluid. Energy, either sonic or ultrasonic, is generated and focused onto the moving substrate so that cavitation bubbles are formed in the pitted portions of the metal substrate beneath the film.

Abstract: A manufactured metal member, such as a wire, having a magnetite oxide film thereon, is subjected to mechanical stress to produce cracking of the magnetite film approximately to the surface of the metal member. The metal member is then moved through an electrolysis cell bath in which the metal member forms the anode thereof, and vertically positioned steel bars form the cathode. A pulsating DC current is applied to the anode and the cathode. The current flows to the surface of the metal member via the cracks in the oxide, maintaining the metal member anode in a state of depassivation and loosening the bond between the oxide film and the metal member. The loosened magnetite is then readily cleaned off the metal member. A thermal stressing step may also be used prior to the mechanical stressing.

Abstract: A manufactured metal member, such as a wire, having a magnetite oxide film thereon, is first subjected to stress to produce cracking of the magnetite film approximately to the surface of the metal member. The metal member is then moved through an electrolysis cell bath in which the metal member forms the anode thereof, and vertically positioned steel bars form the cathode. A pulsating DC current is applied to the anode and the cathode. The current flows to the surface of the metal member via the cracks in the oxide, maintaining the metal member anode in a state of depassivation and loosening the bond between the oxide film and the metal member. The loosened magnetite is then readily cleaned off the metal member.

Abstract: Calcium salts, such as calcium acetate, calcium formate or calcium proprionate, are obtained from aqueous liquors derived from the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass containing cellulose, hemicelluloses or starch. The above biomass is subjected to rapid pyrolysis to obtain a crude product containing an aqueous phase and an organic phase. The product obtained, preferably as the aqueous phase, is then distilled to produce a distillate containing at least one acid selected from acetic acid, formic acid and propionic acid as well as their esters and formaldehyde. An alkaline source of calcium is added to this distillate to adjust the pH to an alkaline level sufficient to hydrolyze the esters, cause at least partial oxidation of the formaldehyde and prevent volatilization of acetate, formate or propionate ions as acetic acid, formic acid or propionic acid respectively.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal oxide crystal structure having a peroxide defect and doped with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. The method involves growing the doped metal oxide crystal by thermally decomposing in an oxidizing atmosphere a liquid mixture of an alkali metal salt or alkaline earth metal salt and the metal oxide or a compound that can decompose to form the metal oxide under the thermal decomposition conditions.

Abstract: A process for preparing ceric sulphate in solution. A saturated solution of cerous sulphate is electrolyzed at a high anodic current density in the range 100 to 400 mamp/cm.sup.2, high cathode current density in the range 1000 to 4,500 mamp/cm.sup.2 and with vigorous agitation in the presence of dilute sulphuric acid. The process permits the production of concentrated ceric sulphate solutions at commercially viable current densities and efficiencies.

Abstract: A process for preparing ceric sulphate in solution. A saturated solution of cerous sulphate is electrolyzed at high anodic current density, high cathode current density and with vigorous agitation in the presence of dilute sulphuric acid. The process permits the production of concentrated ceric sulphate solutions at commercially viable current densities and efficiencies.

Abstract: An electrolytic process for converting cerous ion to ceric iron in an electrolytic cell including a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte. Cobalt is incorporated into the electrolyte in addition to the cerous ion.

Abstract: A method of conducting an electrolysis is described. The method comprises tumbling an anode made up of a plurality of electrically conducting particles in an electrolyte while feeding a positive D.C. current to the particles. The current is fed via an anode feeder that is connected to a positive D.C. supply. A cathode is maintained in electrical contact with the electrolyte and is spaced from the anode. A negative direct current is applied to the cathode.

Abstract: A method of completely coating a plurality of substrates with lead dioxide by electrolysis while the substrates are immersed in an electrolyte containing a lead salt. Each substrate has curved surfaces and is able to roll freely. The method comprises tumbling the substrates in a porous barrel rotating about a central anode feeder at a speed of three to eight revolutions per minute. Substrates contact the anode feeder throughout the electrolysis. The anode feeder is of a material that does not dissolve or passivate in the electrolyte under the reaction conditions during the electrolysis. The temperature during the electrolysis is maintained at less than 70.degree. C. A positive current is applied to the anode feeder to maintain an anode current density in the range 1 to 8 milliamps per square centimeter throughout the electrolysis. A negative current is applied to a cathode spaced from the anode.