Abstract: Organic functional fluids containing halogenated organic compounds present as contaminants therein are treated in an inert atmosphere with a NaPEG decomposition reagent which is prepared in an inert atmosphere, thereby to produce a functional fluid phase substantially free of the halogenated organic compound and a reagent residue phase containing a derivative of the contaminant having a reduced halogen content. The latter may be further dehalogenated by reacting the reagent residue with a NaPEG reagent in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: Organosulfur compounds containing a C-S bond are decomposed by reaction with a reagent made from an alkali metal, a polyglycol or a monoalkyl ether thereof and oxygen, which effects decomposition by cleavage of the C-S bond.

Abstract: A composition of matter in the form of a coordination complex which is the product of the reaction of an alkali metal or alkali metal hydroxide of a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen having utility as a decomposition reagent for halogenated organic compounds.

Abstract: A reagent comprising the product of the reaction of an alkali metal hydroxide with a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen, effects complete decomposition of halogenated organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), when mixed therewith in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: Organic functional fluids containing halogenated organic compounds present as contaminants therein are treated with a NaPEG decomposition reagent in an inert atmosphere to produce a functional fluid phase substantially free of the halogenated organic compound and a reagent residue phase containing a partially dehalogenated organic derivative therein. The latter may be further dehalogenated by reacting the reagent residue with oxygen.

Abstract: A reagent comprising the product of the reaction of an alkali metal hydroxide with a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen, effects complete decomposition of halogenated organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), when mixed therewith in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A detection/identification method for determining the presence of a Mossbauer isotope-containing taggant in a carrier material, e.g., explosives, weapons, currency, tax stamps, or identification documents. The detector includes a Mossbauer isotope-containing detecting substance that is identical to the taggant, and a sensing element responsive to the presence of the tagging substance in the carrier material, provided that the Mossbauer isotope of the tagging substance is in a state of resonance excitation and causes excitation of the Mossbauer isotope of the detecting substance. The sensing element is operatively associated with an indicator for indicating whether or not the sensing element has been actuated. The method is initiated by irradiating the carrier material while in detecting proximity to the detector, with radiation from a radioactive source comprising a Mossbauer isotope-containing substance which corresponds exactly to the taggant.

Abstract: Valuable metals are recovered from metal-containing materials, such as scrap or waste materials, in which the metal is present in chemically combined form, by a process which comprises contacting the metal-containing material with a reagent comprising the product of the reaction of an alkali metal or alkali metal hydroxide with a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen.

Abstract: A reagent, comprising the product of the reaction of an alkali metal with a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen, effects complete decomposition of halogenated organic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), when mixed therewith in the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A reagent composition which is chemically inert when solid and is chemica reactive when molten comprises a first substance selected from high molecular weight waxes and polymers and a second substance dissolved, dispersed, or encapsulated in the first substance. The second substance is highly chemically reactive and is selected from strong bases and strong acids. The composition is particularly adapted for use in safety devices automatically activated in response to an increase in the temperature of a chemical system and in processes for automatically discontinuing the operation of or decontaminating the products of a malfunctioning chemical system.