Abstract: A method of purifying water polluted with one or more organic compounds, includes adding a peroxide source to the polluted water in an alkaline environment in the presence of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of surfactants and phase transfer catalysts, optionally feeding oxygen or an oxygen-releasing substance to the water, separating the so-formed reaction mixture into aqueous and organic phases, to recover a treated water stream by an organic stream, wherein the purification of the water by the removal of organic pollutants is achieved at ambient temperature. The method can also be used for disinfection of water polluted with microbial pollutants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing alkali carbonate/bicarbonate salts, comprising continuously feeding aqueous alkali hydroxide solution into a gas-liquid contactor; forcing incoming CO2-containing gas stream through a sparging device submerged in the gas-liquid contactor below the surface level of the aqueous alkali hydroxide solution, to generate bubbles and/or microbubbles; adding hydrogen peroxide in proximity to orifices of the sparging device, from which the bubbles and/or microbubbles evolve, wherein the supply of hydrogen peroxide is adjusted to decrease alkali carbonate formation and increase alkali bicarbonate formation; and continuously discharging an effluent from the gas-liquid contactor and recovering therefrom carbonate and bicarbonate alkali salts predominated by the bicarbonate component. A gas liquid-contactor and an apparatus are also provided by the invention.

Abstract: A method for improving indoor air quality in a room, comprising drawing air from the room and guiding the air into a gas/liquid contactor charged with aqueous alkali hydroxide/H2O2 solution, passing the air through a perforated membrane installed in the gas/liquid contactor below the surface level of the aqueous alkali hydroxide/H2O2 solution, such that bubbles produced travel through said solution, and getting treated air with improved quality from said gas/liquid contactor, said treated air is characterized by having: reduced carbon dioxide levels; and/or reduced VOC levels; and/or reduced microbiological load. An air purifier to carry out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of remediation of polluted soil or water by chemical oxidation of organic pollutants, including adding to the soil or water separate or joined streams of aqueous iron salt solution and an acid, and injecting aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and oxygen-containing gas to the soil or water, such that said aqueous streams and the oxygen-containing gas mix with one another in the soil or water in an acidic environment.

Abstract: The invention is method of combatting weeds, which comprises applying to a soil region an herbicidal combination comprising: at least one alkali metal compound selected from alkali hydroxide, alkali carbonate and alkali bicarbonate; and at least one calcium compound selected from calcium hydroxide and calcium bicarbonate; such that the predominant component of the combination is(are) the alkali metal compound(s). Herbicidal formulations are also provided by the invention.

Abstract: An air treatment unit may include an air inlet to receive a flow of input air for treatment and a reaction reservoir configured to hold an aqueous air treatment solution. The air treatment unit may also include an air dispersing element flow connected with the air inlet, wherein the air dispersing element is configured to convert at least a portion of the flow of input air into a plurality of microbubbles for introduction into the aqueous air treatment solution, such that an amount of one or more target gas species contained within the plurality of microbubbles is reduced through reaction with the aqueous air treatment solution. The unit may include an air outlet configured to output treated air from the reaction reservoir.

Abstract: Processes of treating plastic waste that include converting one or more plastic polymers into a liquid form either by dissolving in an organic solvent or by melting, and degrading the polymer(s) with the aid of alkali hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide are described. The processes can be performed in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: The invention is a process of treating plastic waste, comprising converting one or more plastic polymers into a liquid form either by dissolving in an organic solvent or by melting, and degrading said polymer(s) with the aid of alkali hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide, optionally in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: An air treatment unit may include an air inlet to receive a flow of input air for treatment and a reaction reservoir configured to hold an aqueous air treatment solution. The air treatment unit may also include an air dispersing element flow connected with the air inlet, wherein the air dispersing element is configured to convert at least a portion of the flow of input air into a plurality of microbubbles for introduction into the aqueous air treatment solution, such that an amount of one or more target gas species contained within the plurality of microbubbles is reduced through reaction with the aqueous air treatment solution. The unit may include an air outlet configured to output treated air from the reaction reservoir.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting discarded rubber, e.g., rubber crumb, into absorbent material. The process comprises extruding a mixture of discarded rubber and oxidizer(s) under progressively increasing temperature to reach a temperature above 250° C. The extrudate may undergo a secondary oxidation. The partially devulcanized granular rubber formed is useful as absorbent material for hydrocarbons, e.g., in remediation of contaminated soil and oil spills.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for treating a soil contaminated with a pollutant selected from the group consisting of petroleum products and aromatic hydrocarbons, comprising bringing into contact with said soil an aqueous solution in which hydrogen peroxide and hydroxide source are combined.

Abstract: Process for treating a medium by the removal or destruction of one or more undesired substances present in said medium, comprising combining hydrogen peroxide and alkali hydroxide in an aqueous solution to form superoxide, and bringing the resultant superoxide-containing solution into contact with said medium. The process is useful for the destruction of halogenated organic pollutants and also for carbon dioxide removal from flue gases. The process can also be applied for soil remediation.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for treating a soil contaminated with a pollutant selected from the group consisting of petroleum products and aromatic hydrocarbons, comprising bringing into contact with said soil an aqueous solution in which hydrogen peroxide and hydroxide source are combined.

Abstract: Process for treating a medium by the removal or destruction of one or more undesired substances present in said medium, comprising combining hydrogen peroxide and alkali hydroxide in an aqueous solution to form superoxide, and bringing the resultant superoxide-containing solution into contact with said medium. The process is useful for the destruction of halogenated organic pollutants and also for carbon dioxide removal from flue gases. The process can also be applied for soil remediation.