Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing fatty acid alkyl esters as well as cellulosic simplified sugars, shortened protein polymers, amino acids, or combination thereof resulting from the simultaneous esterification and hydrolysis, alcoholysis, or both of algae and other oil containing materials containing phospholipids, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerides, or combination thereof as well as polysaccharides, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignocellulose, protein polymers, or combination thereof in the presence of an alcohol and an optional acid catalyst.

Abstract: Aqueous hydrides including a metal, a metal hydroxide and water and a method of manufacture therefor are provided. The method includes a reaction which does not require precise stoichiometric proportions of metal, alkali hydroxide and water. The specific gravity of the reaction mixture is monitored and adjusted where appropriate during the reaction process. Temperature and rate of reaction are controlled to prevent formation of silicates. Aqueous by, rises produced in accordance with the invention exhibit polymer characteristics and are suitable for use as coatings, reducing viscosity, sequestering agents, emulsion agents, surfactants, detergents and the like.

Abstract: A method for producing potassium carbonate using a continuous countercurrent exchange system. A continuous ion exchange system with resin in the ammonium form is flushed with a saturated potassium chloride solution which displaces the ammonium ion and replaces it with potassium. Ammonium carbonate is then passed through the ion exchanger to place the ammonium in the reserve form, by displacing the potassium, and produce a concentrated potassium carbonate solution. This process is done in a continuous countercurrent manner which allows maximum recovery of the potassium carbonate as a 15-18% by weight solution with minimum impurities, and at high throughput rates. The potassium carbonate solution is then removed, evaporated, dried, sized and stored for subsequent shipment.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrofluoric acid from SiF.sub.6.sup.2- in a wastewater is disclosed. The process is carried out by(i) combining (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4, at a pH high enough such that the sulfate is in its divalent state, with SiF.sub.6.sup.2- from said wastewater in an amount in excess of that stoichiometrically required to form (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SiF.sub.6 as follows:(NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4 +SiF.sub.6.sup.2- .fwdarw.(NH.sub.4).sub.2 SiF.sub.6 +SO.sub.4.sup.2-(ii) concentrating a solution including (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SiF.sub.6 and excess (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4 to precipitate and separate (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SiF.sub.6 of high purity therefrom;(iii) re-solubilizing the (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SiF.sub.6 for reaction with NH.sub.4 OH to form NH.sub.4 F liquor and precipitated Si(OH).sub.4 ;(iv) separating the NH.sub.4 F liquor from the precipitated Si(OH).sub.4 ;(v) reacting the NH.sub.4 F with water to form precipitated NH.sub.4 F.multidot.HF and ammonia gas;(vi) reacting NH.sub.4 F.multidot.

Abstract: An oxygen lance for steelmaking is provided with a top adapter assembly of generally T-shaped configuration including a central tubular barrel and a transverse top plate which both contain the O'rings required to assure complete adequate sealing between the oxygen gas and the cooling medium utilized in the furnace.The O'rings are placed on the outside circumference of the central barrel and are held in place in grooves therein so that they cannot be accidentally displaced during oxygen blowing or during assembly and disassembly of the lance. Access to the O'rings is simplified and assured while maintaining complete sealing integrity of the T-shaped top plate and complete sealing reliability during operation. The T-shaped top plate carries the sealing O'rings in grooves provided in the tubular vertical barrel and in a transverse plate thus providing means whereby interchange of the bottom assembly in the lance combination is quickly achieved in the field or factory.

Abstract: An otherwise unusable western sandstone uranium ore is blended with uranium-containing phosphate rock. The mixture is then digested with sulfuric acid to produce a wet process phosphoric acid solution containing higher levels of uranium. Recovery of the uranium values from this solution can be effected by various known processes such as solvent extraction.

Abstract: A novel method is provided for the production of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid from low-grade metallic fluorides using an intermediate aluminum fluoride compound. The method involves the reaction of low-grade metallic fluorides such as fluorspar with sulfuric acid to produce weak hydrofluoric acid. The weak acid is then reacted with a metallic salt (such as aluminum chloride) to form precipitated aluminum fluoride (AlF.sub.3.3H.sub.2 O). After dewatering, the aluminum fluoride is reacted with strong sulfuric acid to form aluminum sulfate and strong hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: Spent activated carbon previously used to remove humate-type organic impurities from an aqueous inorganic acid solution is regenerated by a specific chemical regeneration process. According to this process, the spent carbon is subjected to the following treatments: (1) a first water wash, (2) a caustic wash in which at least 1.5% free caustic is maintained, (3) a warm and preferably hot water wash, and (4) an optional periodic acid wash. The process is particularly applicable to regenerating activated carbon used to remove humates from wet process phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Phosphoric acid is purified by a process which comprises treating the crude acid solution with a body feed agent, powdered carbon and a flocculating agent to cause a major portion of the soluble and insoluble impurities to be removed in a single operation. In the preferred process, hot wet process phosphoric acid from the plant filter is first cooled to a temperature of from about 100.degree. F. to about 130.degree. F. and then treated in the above-described manner.

Abstract: Uranium values are recovered as uranyl peroxide from wet process phosphoric acid by a solvent extraction-precipitation process. The preferred form of this process comprises a first solvent extraction with DEPA-TOPO followed by reductive stripping of the extractant with Fe.sup.++ - containing phosphoric acid. After reoxidation, the uranium-containing aqueous stripping solution is extracted again with DEPA-TOPO and the pregnant organic is then stripped with a dilute ammonium carbonate solution. The resulting ammonium uranyl tricarbonate solution is then acidified, with special kerosene treatment to prevent wax formation, and the acidified solution is reacted with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 to precipitate a uranyl peroxide compound.

Abstract: Solvent extraction of metallic mineral values from aqueous acidic solutions is improved by introducing a fine dispersion of air bubbles into the acid-extractant mixture to cause solid material normally occurring at the phase interface to float to the surface. This improved process is particularly applicable to the extraction of uranium from wet process phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Phosphoric acid is purified by a process which comprises treating the crude acid solution with a body feed agent and a flocculating agent to cause a portion of the impurities to settle out, and contacting the partially clarified acid with activated carbon for further impurity removal. In the preferred process, hot wet process phosphoric acid from the plant filter is first cooled to a temperature of from about 100.degree. F. to about 130.degree. F. and then treated in the above-described manner.

Abstract: An oxygen lance assembly includes a top connector member having oxygen and water inlet and outlet pipes communicating with the slotted openings of a first connector plate assembly. A second connector plate assembly includes complementary slots in a flat plate which is quickly connected and released by means of a quick disconnect arrangement. The second connector assembly includes oxygen, water inlet and outlet pipes communicating with the slots. O-ring seals are positioned to prevent leakage of oxygen into the water pipes, or the leakage of water into the oxygen pipe. Any leakage which might occur is efficiently vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A steelmaking oxygen lance assembly includes a top support member having oxygen and water inlet and outlet pipes. The support member includes a connector plate assembly provided with slots communicating with the pipes. A second connector plate assembly with similar slots is clamped to the first connector plate by quick releasable securing members with the slots in registry. The support head includes an upper oxygen pipe that projects downwardly into a sleeve supported on the second connector plate assembly to provide a slip joint.A lower oxygen pipe on the second connector plate assembly includes an upper enlarged tubular portion in sliding engagement with the sleeve with a lower enlarged portion of the upper oxygen pipe. The arrangement includes a vent chamber in the slip joint and positive venting through the second connector plate assembly.

Abstract: An oxygen lance includes a top connector and support member which is provided with oxygen and water inlet and outlet pipes connected to an upper connector plate assembly having a flat plate surface with a plurality of openings. A lower connector assembly is connected to the upper connector assembly by quick disconnect clamping means. The lower connector assembly includes openings registering with the upper openings and communicating oxygen and water inlet and outlet pipes. The lower connector assembly is provided to communicate with a vent passage provided at the lower end of the lance by means of a vent pipe which envelop the lower oxygen pipe and communicates with the atmosphere.

Abstract: A steelmaking oxygen lance assembly includes a top support member having oxygen and water inlet and outlet pipes. The support member includes a connector plate assembly provided with slots communicating with the pipes. A second connector plate assembly with similar slots is clamped to the first connector plate by quick releasable securing members with the slots in registry. The support head includes an upper oxygen pipe that projects downwardly into a sleeve supported on the second connector plate assembly to provide a slip joint.A lower oxygen pipe on the second connector plate assembly includes an upper enlarged tubular portion in sliding engagement with the sleeve with a lower enlarged portion of the upper oxygen pipe. The arrangement includes a vent chamber in the slip joint and positive venting through the second connector plate assembly.

Abstract: A gas and oxygen lance includes a top support member with first and second connector assemblies connected together with a quick release arrangement. The connector assemblies both include plates with aligned openings which transmit oxygen, gas, and water from the top support to the nozzle by means of oxygen, gas, and water pipes. The lance includes a sleeve assembly connected to one of the connector assemblies which is readily replaceable and which are connected in relative sealing and sliding relation to the oxygen and gas pipes. O-ring seals are provided to prevent leakage and a venting system safeguards the assembly in the event of leakage.

Abstract: A steel making oxygen lance assembly includes a top support member having oxygen, water inlet and outlet pipes connected to a supply source and discharge source. A connecter assembly includes first upper and second lower annular members with aligned slots which are secured together by a quick disconnect arrangement. The lower connecter includes a ring which has pipes connected thereto providing communication with the pipes on the top support member. One of the connecter members also has a replaceable sleeve connected thereto which also includes openings in registry with the slots. A vent arrangement provides for positive venting of any leakage. O-rings are provided to prevent leakage between the pipes and contacting surfaces.