Abstract: A method for removing trace amounts of ammonia and ammonia-containing compounds from process water involving the destruction of the ammonia by oxidative procedures which includes the steps of:concentrating ammonia and ammonium ions removed from the process water stream into contact with a suitable catalytic-adsorbent material contained in a plurality of discrete reaction vessels; andcontacting at least one of the reaction vessels and the catalytic-adsorbent contained therein with an alkaline oxidative solution capable of converting the concentrated ammonia and ammonium ions to simple environmentally neutral compounds.

Abstract: A sodium-free composition suitable for use as a substitute for common table salts and a method for preparing the same. The sodium-free composition has as its primary components potassium citrates, calcium citrates, and mixtures of the two components. The material can be prepared by drying and pulverizing crystalline solids derived from a solution containing sufficient citric acid to provide an initial solution pH less than about 3.5, sufficient hydrogen ions to provide a secondary solution pH greater than about 5 and sufficient ions derived from inorganic acids selected from the group consisting of hydrogen chloride, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, admixtures thereof to yield a final solution pH between about 3 and about 7.8.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing chemical oxygen demand levels in water which includes the steps of:(a) mixing the water to be treated with at least one oxygen source;(b) contacting the water with a first, activated alumina catalyst;(c) contacting the water with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of Group VIIIB metals, Group IB metals, or mixtures thereof;(d) reacting chemical contaminants in the water with the oxgen source; and finally(e) contacting the water with an adsorptive material such as activated carbon.The present invention also includes a method and apparatus for regenerating the catalyst in situ by contacting the catalyst with alkaline and acidic aqueous inorganic regeneration solutions.

Abstract: A method for reducing chemical oxygen demand (COD) in water. The water is contacted by a first adsorptive material selected from the group consisting of porous ceramic, activated alumina, magnesia, silica or mixtures thereof; adding an oxygen source to the water stream; adsorbing soluble contaminants on a second adsorptive surface selected from the group consisting of Group VIIIB metals, Group IB metals or mixtures thereof; catalytically reacting soluble contaminants adsorbed on the second adsorptive material with the oxygen source to decompose the chemical contaminants; reacting the products of the decomposition of the chemical contaminants to yield insoluble precipitates which adhere to the second adsorptive surface; and adsorbing and reacting additional contaminants on the second adsorptive material and the insoluble material adhering thereto. The second adsorptive material is, preferably, platinum, palladium, irridium, rhodium or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing chemical oxygen demand levels in water which includes the steps of:(a) mixing the water to be treated with at least one oxygen source;(b) contacting the water with a first, activated alumina catalyst;(c) contacting the water with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of Group VIIIB metals, Group IB metals or mixtures thereof;(d) reacting chemical contaminants in the water with the oxygen source; and finally(e) contacting the water with an adsorptive material such as activated carbon.The present invention also includes a method and apparatus for regenerating the catalyst in situ by contacting the catalyst with alkaline and acidic aqueous inorganic regeneration solutions.