Abstract: A process is disclosed which comprises the steps of: slurrying sludge to be treated; applying ultrasonic radiation to the slurry to decompose dioxins contained in the sludge in a reaction field developed by the application of the ultrasonic radiation and to transfer pollutants including the resulting decomposition products from a solid phase to a liquid phase of the slurry; and separating the slurry into the liquid phase containing the pollutants and the solid phase free from dioxins by solid-liquid separation means.

Abstract: A method for back-washing a submerged-type ceramic membrane separation apparatus is provided in which filtrate once removed from the apparatus and a chemical agent are forcibly supplied to filtrate passages in ceramic membrane filters to wash the ceramic membrane filters with the filtrate and with the chemical agent, wherein the water washing and chemical washing are carried out at a predetermined frequency ratio and for a predetermined time period, or wherein the frequency and time period of the chemical washing are determined on the basis of a transmembrane pressure difference, suction pressure or filtrate flux observed during a filtering operation performed by the membrane separation apparatus. This method makes it possible to avoid an excessive chemical washing, and to reduce the amounts of water and chemical agent and the time required for the chemical washing.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a catalyst to convert carbon monoxide in a gas into carbon dioxide. The process comprises causing activated carbon to absorb an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid, reducing the absorbed chloroplatinic acid to platinum with a reducing agent, and decomposing an excess of the reducing agent with hydrogen peroxide. The catalyst contains at least 6 mg of platinum per gram of activated carbon.

Abstract: Fabric articles having a flame-resistant coating on at least one surface thereof, the fabric article comprising a flame-resistant, heat-resistant woven fabric made of carbon fibers and heat-resistant synthetic fibers and a silicone resin coating formed on at least one surface of the woven fabric, the fabric article having fine through-holes permitting the air to pass therethrough.