Abstract: Plant growth media containing rice hull ash in substantially amorphous state and having a porous skeletal structure are disclosed. The rice hull ash is incorporated in naturally occurring soils or so-called synthetic or potting soils. If desired, water swellable binders or polymers can be incorporated with the ash in such soils to enchance their water retention properties. The porous rich hull ash in amorphous form combines synertistically with the soil or soil components to provide desirable growing characteristics as set forth.

Abstract: Disclosed is the filtration of fluids by utilizing porous biogenetic silica ash devoid of fiber alone or combined with additives. The biogenetic silica may be in particles or prilled or pelleted. Solid particles and liquids are filtered from gases and liquids by passing them through the biogenetic silica. The additives are materials which attract the impurities into the pores of the biogenetic silica, such as water-swellable polymers or carbon remaining on the biogenetic silica when incompletely pyrolyzed. The carbon can be activated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to insulation, methods of insulation, and methods of making insulation with biogenetic silica particles in amorphous state and having a substantially porous skeletal structure. The insulation is not compacted or densified.

Abstract: Disclosed is the containment or controlling of waste and hazardous liquids, drilling muds and chemicals in a semi-solid or solid form for removal, transportation and disposal or otherwise handling thereby avoiding the problems and reducing the expense in removing, transporting, disposing or otherwise handling them in liquid form.

Abstract: Floodlight with elongated high intensity lamp, such as a quartz iodine lamp, having an improved socket mounting. The fixture includes a reflector having openings at opposite sides through which the lamp electrode ends pass for engaging lamp sockets which are mounted in operative position on the fixture housing solely by sheet metal springs.

Abstract: A method and composition is disclosed which is particularly suitable for forming a firm, bound aggregate-water support for floral arrangements with at least 60% by weight water. The composition comprises a water-insoluble, water-retaining binder, such as a particulate, water-insoluble, water-swellable, cross-linked polymer, and inert non-packing, highly porous water-trapping, aggregate particles dispersed throughout, the particles being present in an amount and having a bulk density and surface area effective to disperse the composition throughout the water as the composition is added to it without hand kneading or stirring. The binder should have water retention properties of at least 100 gm/gm. The aggregate particles should have an open structure and water retention properties of at least 4 gm/gm, have a surface area of at least about 10 m.sup.2 /gm and an apparent bulk density of not over 30 lbs/sq.ft. to avoid packing.