Abstract: The present invention is an integrated process for the production of glass utilizing combustion heat to melt glassmaking materials in a glassmaking furnace. The fuel combusted to produce heat sufficient to melt the glassmaking materials is combusted with oxygen-enriched oxidant to reduce heat losses from the offgas of the glassmaking furnace. The process further reduces heat losses by quenching hot offgas from the glassmaking furnace with a process stream to retain the heat recovered from quench in the glassmaking process with subsequent additional heat recovery by heat exchange of the fuel to the glassmaking furnace, as well as the glassmaking materials, such as batch and cullet. The process includes recovery of a commercially pure carbon dioxide product by separatory means from the cooled, residual offgas from the glassmaking furnace.

Abstract: A modified activated sludge system is provided wherein wastewater containing BOD.sub.5 and phosphate values is admixed in an initial zone with biomass-containing recycled sludge to form a mixed liquor under conditions effecting sorption of BOD.sub.5 in the biomass. Subsequently, said mixed liquor is subjected to aeration in an oxidation zone under conditions for effecting oxidation of BOD.sub.5, such that oxidizing agent is incorporated into the oxidation zone at a rate not substantially exceeding the rate of oxidation. By such operation, considerable savings in power requirements for oxygen transfer to the mixed liquid are had, while developing and maintaining a dense non-bulking biomass having the properties of good removal of phosphate from the wastewater influent.

Abstract: A process and system are set forth for improving the recovery of sulfur from an oxygen-enriched Claus process by introducing a liquid sulfur stream into the reaction furnace zone to moderate oxygen-induced high temperatures which allow oxygen-enrichment and attendant throughput in the Claus process to higher levels than heretobefore practiced and alternatively to quench the reaction furnace effluent to maintain a hydrogen sulfide dioxide ratio of 2:1.

Abstract: The present invention involves a process for separating components of a feed gas containing acid gases and hydrocarbons to form a CO.sub.2 -rich stream, an H.sub.2 S-rich stream and a hydrocarbon-rich stream. Separation is achieved by initially passing the feed gas through a plurality of membrane separation units to produce a hydrocarbon stream and an acid gas stream. The acid gas stream undergoes further separation to produce a CO.sub.2 -rich product stream and an H.sub.2 S-rich stream. This process is especially adaptable for treating natural gas streams and gas streams resulting from enhanced oil recovery operations.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for reducing solute in a vapor stream and, particularly, to the adaption of this process in concentrating solutions in an evaporator wherein the solution is heated to volatilize solvent. The improvement for reducing solute in the vapor stream resides in (a) the utilization of a wire mesh mist eliminator pad having a wire diameter of from 0.001-0.05 inches, an interfacial area from 50-200 ft.sup.2 /ft.sup.3, a void space of about 90-99 percent and a packing thickness of 4-16 inches and (b) spraying a liquid through the mist eliminator pad, the liquid being sprayed uniformly over the surface of the mist eliminator pad at a rate of 0.6-2.5 pounds liquid per pound of vapor to provide a wetting rate of 0.1-0.25 gallons per minute per square foot of mist eliminator surface area. The process has been particularly advantageous in the multistage concentration of corrosive products particularly in the concentration of a 60-70% sulfuric acid solution to about 93 percent.

Abstract: .[.A process is provided for purifying argon gas, especially an argon gas stream obtained by cryogenically separating air, wherein the argon gas is heated and compressed, and then permeated through a solid electrolyte membrane selective to the permeation of oxygen over other components of the gas, and removing oxygen from the argon by selective permeation of oxygen through the membrane. The purified argon can then be distilled to remove other components such as nitrogen..]..Iadd.A process is provided for producing a purified argon stream wherein oxygen and nitrogen are removed from crude bulk argon streams, particularly those produced by cryogenic, adsorptive or membrane separation of air. The process comprises separating a heated, compressed crude argon stream containing nitrogen and oxygen into an oxygen permeate stream and an oxygen-depleted argon stream by passing the compressed heated argon stream through a solid electrolyte membrane selective to the permeation of oxygen.