Abstract: An aerobic method for in situ treatment of water and soil which has been contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons. The aerobic method involves feeding an aqueous solution of an oxygen source and nutrients without the addition of a flammable carbon source such as propane or methane gas to a contaminated area to cause the indigenous microorganisms to grow consuming the contaminants.

Abstract: A process is provided for detoxifying an aqueous solution containing a cyanide by employing hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a solid catalyst. The solid catalyst comprises a transition metal supported on an aluminum oxide and/or silicon oxide base.

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 process for treating effluent wherein an oxidizing agent in the effluent is decomposed on contact with a catalyst bed. The oxidizing agent can be a pollutant present in the effluent, for example hypochlorite in the effluent from chlorine-producing brine electrolysis cells or from the scrubbing of chlorine gas. In an alternative the effluent may contain oxidizable pollutants and the oxidizing agent is purposefully added thereto. Passage over the catalyst bed catalyzes the decomposition of the oxidizing agent and oxidizable pollutants.The catalyst bed comprises an intimate mixture of an oxide of Group III, nickel oxide and, optionally, cobalt oxide, supported on pieces of a non-porous substantially inert material.

Abstract: Organic sulphides are extremely malodorous compounds that are found in gaseous or aqueous effluents from many industries such as paper and pulp manufacture, hydrocarbon refinering, tanneries, and in the synthesis of organic sulphur compounds. Their removal is necessary before such effluents can be discharged into the environment.In the present invention their removal is effected using hydrogen peroxide at a pH controlled to pH 8.5 to 11.5 and in the presence of a catalytic amount of a soluble tungstate. Such a process is especially applicable to the removal of dialkyl disulphides, which are regarded as being especially difficult to remove oxidatively. In especially preferred conditions, the pH is about pH 11 and about 3-4 moles H.sub.2 O.sub.2 is used per mole equivalent of sulphur, in the presence of at least 20 ppm sodium tungstate (as W).

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for treating wastewater discharged from airplane manufacturing operations. The system (10) includes a variety of sequential chemical adjustments to the waste stream which can remove substantially all toxic organics and heavy metals therefrom.

Abstract: Wastewaters are subjected to an oxidative treatment with a carbon-containing catalyst and an oxidizing agent by a process in which the carbon carrier used, e.g. graphite, coke or active carbon, is subjected to anodic oxidation in an aqueous mineral acid and then doped with molybdenum(Vl) and/or tungsten(VI) and/or vanadium(V) compounds.

Abstract: A method of treating radioactive waste water generated during chemical decontamination at nuclear power facilities is disclosed. Decontaminating agents, with organic acids, and normally containing inhibitors and surface active agents, are decomposed by oxidation using hydrogen peroxide, at a temperature of 60.degree.-90.degree. C., in the presence of copper ions, or copper ions and iron ions, as catalysts.

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.

Abstract: A process for sterilizing and depyrogenating a pretreated solution, such as water, by adding an oxidant selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and ozone and heating the solution and the oxidant to a temperature sufficient to sterilize and depyrogenate the solution for a period of time, preferably less than 5 minutes. The oxidant is thereafter removed and the sterilized, depyrogenated solution is cooled for dispensing.

Abstract: Radioactive organic wastes such as anion-exchange resins, chelate resins and organic filter sludges are readily oxidized by reacting hydrozen peroxide in an aqueous medium in the presence of iron-ions or both iron-ions and cation-exchange resin to be decomposed to carbon dioxide and water. Contact between the wastes to be decomposed and hydrogen peroxide is preferably conducted by continuously feeding hydrogen peroxide or both hydrogen peroxide and the wastes to be decomposed to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing organic substances, such as phenols and aromatic amines, from aqueous solutions by adding chemicals, such as peroxidase enzymes and peroxide substrates, to such solutions. A surprising discovery is that the presence of more than one organic substance greatly increases the efficiency of precipitation of substances that do not precipitate efficiently in the absence of other organic substances.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of sewage effluent treatment comprising oxidizing sewage effluent by reacting hydrogen peroxide with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of potassium iodide and potassium hydroxide, while in communication with the sewage effluent. If desired, the reaction may be initiated with metalloid iodine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for removing trinitrocresols and picric acid contaminants from a wastewater stream generated in the production of nitroaromatics, particularly dinitrotoluene, by the mixed acid technique. The process involves contacting the crude dinitrotoluene generated by the mixed acid technique with an alkaline medium to generate an alkaline wash water containing water soluble nitrocresols and picric acid therein. This wastewater then, is separated from the organic component or may be recycled for contact with further quantities of crude dinitrotoluene product from the reactor. When the concentration of the water soluble salts of trinitrocresols and picric acid is of sufficient concentration, the wash water is treated with aqueous acid in sufficient proportion to reduce the pH to a level from 3-4.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to liquify a heavy brine completion fluid containing chlorides. The combination of a persulfate and hydrogen peroxide was found to be more effective than either compound alone, or than a peroxygen plus an activator.

Abstract: The present invention is a process to oxidize a contaminant in a permeable subterranean formation by introducing an aqueous treating solution into the formation which solution contains hydrogen peroxide and a compound to control the mobility of the aqueous solution by increasing the viscosity, the density, or modifying the interfacial properties of the aqueous solution within the formation. The aqueous treating solution may also contain stabilizers for the hydrogen peroxide, free radical initiators, or free radical traps. Optionally, the formation may be pretreated to modify the permeability of the formation, to deactivate or remove hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst or to uniformly distribute free radical initiators therein.

Abstract: The present invention is a process to stimulate the biooxidation of a contaminant in a subterranean formation by introducing an aqueous solution into the formation. The concentration of the hydrogen peroxide is increased thereby acclimating the biota to higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Periodically the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide is increased for a short time sufficiently to be toxic to the biota at or relatively adjacent to the site of introduction, thereby increasing the permeability of the formation at or adjacent to the site of introduction.

Abstract: Aqueous alkaline sulfidic waste effluents are often subjected to air oxidation processes that for economic sizing oxidize the sulfides only to thiosulfates. Thiosulfates are still immediate oxygen demanders and thus their concentration in the effluent must normally be reduced to below a threshold level before the effluent can be discharged. The effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide for this purpose can be significantly improved both as to rate of reaction and extent of removal by employing a copper catalyst in solution.

Abstract: A method for preferentially oxidizing sulfide in a viscous, aqueous solution of a hydratable polymeric material suitable for use in hydraulically treating subterranean formations.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for enriching liquids with oxygen by means of a catalyst and a liquid which gives off oxygen under the effect of that catalyst. The process involves passing the oxygen-yielding liquid through a porous molding, in the pores of which the catalyst is incorporated in known manner, thereby giving off oxygen, the side of the porous molding which gives off a greater quantity of oxygen being in contact with the liquid to be enriched with oxygen. The oxygen-yielding liquid is passed through the porous molding under its own static pressure, or under the effect of the excess pressure built up in the container through the formation of oxygen. Preferred embodiments include use of 0.1 to 5% solution of hydrogen peroxide as the oxygen-yielding liquid; using manganese dioxide, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 or nickel oxide as the catalyst.

Abstract: A process is provided for substantially complete elimination of hydrogen sulphide from the organic phase of natural gas, crude oil or mixtures thereof, by reaction with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in the absence of any catalyst or organic compounds or of compounds that yield them at a pressure of at least 90 kPa gage. The process is particularly useful with crude materials as they are pumped directly from the earth.

Abstract: Process for treating liquid waste compositions which contain copper ions and a complexing agent for the copper which includes reducing the concentration of copper ions in the waste composition to less than about 8 ppm and contacting the composition with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 ; and then contacting the waste composition with an ozone-containing gas and irradiating with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A process for the removal of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an aromatic hydroxy compound or an aromatic amine having a water solubility of at least 0.01 mg/L from waste water containing the same, which comprises treating the water with a treating agent which consists essentially of peroxidase, at least one agent selected from the group consisting of alcohol oxidase and a straight chain C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alcohol or glucose oxidase and glucose and an azide salt of the formula MN.sub.3.

Abstract: A method for removing heavy metals from brines used as well servicing fluids in which the heavy metal is oxidized to a higher, stable oxidation state of +3 or greater, the oxide or variants thereof of the oxidized metal is formed resulting in a generally water insoluble precipitate which is then removed by filtration leaving the brine free of deleterious amounts of the heavy metal.

Abstract: Bromide ions when used as the redox intermediates in the oxidation of arsenic (III) oxide to arsenic (V) acid can be removed from a solution having a major proportion of arsenic acid by treatment with an oxidant selected from H.sub.2 O.sub.2, O.sub.3 or Cr(VI) to oxidize the bromide to bromine followed by purging with air, nitrogen or other inert gas to sweep out the resultant bromine. The bromine can be recovered and recycled to a fresh batch of arsenic (III) oxide.

Abstract: A process for the destruction of cyanide in an aqueous solution containing an iron cyanide complex wherein the pH of the solution is adjusted to be between 11 and 12 and the solution is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation. The pH of the solution is subsequently reduced to between 8 and 11, hydrogen peroxide is added, and the solution is then reacted absent further radiation.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of waste water and gases containing dialkyl disulphides by catalytic oxidation of these compounds by means of a peroxide compound in an aqueous medium. Divalent copper ions are used for the catalyst and the medium is kept at a pH below 6.5.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for use in treating household wastewater particularly for tidal coastal areas where seawater is plentiful and fresh water may be scarce. The system uses a source of seawater, preferably from a central storage location, to which hydrogen peroxide has been added. Individual households are provided with the seawater-hydrogen peroxide mixture as flushwater directly into the toilet flush tanks. The discharge from each household, including wastes from toilets, bathing, wash and kitchen units, is fed to a series of two or three reaction chambers, and a filter unit before being drained back into the tidal waters.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for enriching liquids with oxygen by means of a catalyst and a liquid which gives off oxygen under the effect of that catalyst. The process involves passing the oxygen-yielding liquid through a porous molding, in the pores of which the catalyst is incorporated in known manner, thereby giving off oxygen, the side of the porous molding which gives off a greater quantity of oxygen being in contact with the liquid to be enriched with oxygen. The oxygen-yielding liquid is passed through the porous molding under its own static pressure, or under the effect of the excess pressure built up in the container through the formation of oxygen. Preferred embodiments include use of a 0.1 to 5% solution of hydrogen peroxide as the oxygen-yielding liquid; using ruthenium oxide or hydroxide as the catalyst.

Abstract: Heavy metal ions bonded to complexing agent can be precipitated from waste streams with a combination of a magnesium ion, calcium hydroxide and peroxygen compound.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of spent alkaline reagent containing alkali metal mercaptides obtained from the treatment of a mercaptan-containing (i.e., sour) hydrocarbon fluid with an alkali metal hydroxide, e.g., sodium hydroxide (caustic) or potassium hydroxide, is contacted with hydrogen peroxide to convert at least a substantial amount of the alkali metal mercaptides to alkali metal sulfates and carbonates thereby substantially reducing the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the aqueous spent alkaline reagent solution.

Abstract: When aqueous solutions of a metal cyanide complex are detoxified with hydrogen peroxide, a residue of cyanide remains, which in the case of nickel for example may be present as Ni(CN).sub.2. In a process according to the present invention the detoxification of aqueous alkaline solutions of a metal cyanide complex is carried out using a restricted amount of certain complexing agents together with the hydrogen peroxide. A particularly suitable example of such complexing agents is ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid. It is especially preferred to use the complexing agent in a mole ratio to metal of from 0.8:1 to 1.5:1, together with hydrogen peroxide in a mole ratio to cyanide of from 2:1 to 3:1. The process is well suited to the treatment of concentrated solutions of cyanide, in many cases at least 4000 ppm, for example those resulting from the stripping of nickel plating.

Abstract: There is provided a continuous process for the lowering of the content of toxic materials in waste waters which also contain other oxidizable materials by quickly and continuously ascertaining the requirement of hydrogen peroxide, namely by potentiometric determination of the oxidizing agent requirement in a branched-off side-stream using a strong oxidizing agent, such as peroxymonosulfate, peroxydisulfate, permanganate, hypochlorite or ozone, which acts more quickly than hydrogen peroxide under comparable conditions.

Abstract: Treatment of aqueous waste liquors containing diazonium salts with sulfite ions decomposes the diazonium salts without the formation of undesirable tar or foam, yielding a liquor amenable to further treatment with an oxidizing agent, e.g. hydrogen peroxide, to yield an effluent suitable for discharge to the environment.

Abstract: Steel sheet is subjected to a thermal treatment as a result of which an oxide layer is formed. The sheet is pickled by contact with an organic acid solution (formic acid), containing at least 50 mg/l of iron, at a pH of 1.5 to 4 and at a temperature above a minimum value T.sub.m given by T.sub.m =20+(pH-1.5)32.

Abstract: A method of preventing sludge deposition in the treatment of geothermal steam condensate with iron catalyzed/hydrogen peroxide by carrying out the treatment in the presence of an inorganic polyphosphate.

Abstract: Waste water containing phenol, phenol derivatives or phenol plus formaldehyde is purified by treating the waste water with hydrogen peroxide and either iron, copper or the complex salt sodium iron (III) ethylenediamine tetraacetate.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of aqueous hydrogen sulfide, bisulfide ion, and sulfide ion in condensed geothermal steam to form less volatile and environmentally less objectionable sulfur compounds comprises reacting such steam components with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by various iron or nickel compounds. The hydrogen peroxide and catalyst are added to steam condensate after it has been used and before it is returned to a cooling tower where it may be added to other cooling water in a geothermal steam power system. The conversion process prevents the buildup of harmful, contaminating sulfur compounds on system components in the liquid stream and also prevents the release of certain otherwise voltatile components to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A filter media is provided which comprises an amount of particulate immobilized in a substantially inert porous matrix. A least a portion of the particulate surface has thereon a divalent metal peroxide. The metal peroxide is magnesium peroxide or calcium peroxide, preferably magnesium peroxide.The filter media is preferably used for oxidizing and removing soluble iron and manganese from an aqueous fluid. The filter may also be used for removing and inactivating microorganisms from fluids, e.g. aqueous fluids. Particulate filter aid having coated or adsorbed on the surface the aforementioned metal peroxide may be used as the particulate in the filter media, as well as the metal peroxide in particulate form.

Abstract: Removing hydrogen sulfide from geothermal steam condensate is described whereby the hydrogen sulfide that is present in the condensate from a geothermal steam plant is oxidized with a peroxygen compound such as hydrogen peroxide in the presence of catalytic quantities of sodium vanadate under neutral to alkaline conditions.

Abstract: A process for removing dissolved radioactive materials from aqueous solution by adjusting pH of the solution to greater than 9.0 and incorporating approximately 80 to 100 mg/l of alum, lowering the pH of the solution to a range of between 5.5 and 7.0.

Abstract: Concentrated liquid waste solutions containing radioactive substances and also complex formers is treated by maintaining pH 5 and adding KMnO.sub.4 to oxidize complex formers, and solidifying and embedding the resultant solution in a binder. Dilute solutions are also maintained at a pH of 5 and excess KMnO.sub.4 added. The excess MnO.sub.4.sup.- is reduced to MnO.sub.2 by addition MnSO.sub.4. MnO.sub.2 separates and adsorbs radionuclides Mn-54, Sb-124, Sb-125 and 65-Zn contained in the solution.

Abstract: Waste water containing phenol, phenol derivatives or phenol plus formaldehyde is purified by treating the waste water with hydrogen peroxide and either iron, copper or the complex salt sodium iron (III) ethylenediamine tetraacetate.

Abstract: A waste solution containing heavy metals tightly bound by complexing agents such as EDTA, NTA, and thiosulfate is treated by contacting the solution with a mixture of peroxide and ozone to oxidize and destroy the complexing agents thereby facilitating separation and recovery of the heavy metals and reducing pollution of streams by the heavy metals.

Abstract: In the process for decreasing the COD-content of effluent by treating with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a transition metal compound, the improvement which comprises adding to the effluent about 50 to 65% of the calculated quantity of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 required for the total oxidation of the total COD-content of the effluent, the transition metal compound being dissolved in the effluent in an amount such that the molar ratio of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 to transition metal is from about 30:1 to 3:1, bringing the pH initially to about 2 to 9, maintaining the effluent at about 5.degree. to 100.degree. C., and separating from the effluent whatever material has flocculated. Thereafter the effluent can be subjected to conventional biological degradation such as by the activated sludge process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and compositions for the disinfection of aqueous media and particularly bacteria-containing aqueous effluents, e.g. treated municipal sewage or effluents from paper or food-processing industries, employing hydrogen peroxide-containing compositions as an alternative to chlorine. Specifically, the disinfectant comprises a combination of hydrogen peroxide, a soluble copper salt such as copper sulphate and an autoxisable reducing agent such as ascorbic acid or sodium sulphite, which can be employed in dilute concentrations at pH from 6 to 9, preferably 6.5 to 8. Particularly preferred combinations of the components are of mole ratios 1:1 to 60:1 of hydrogen peroxide:copper: and 5:1 to 1:1.2 copper:reducing agent.

Abstract: The process disclosed in this invention takes the waste solids, gases, and water from a phosphorus pentasulfide manufacturing facility and hydrolyzes the phosphorus pentasulfide by heating. The phosphorus portion is converted to a soluble phosphate and the sulfur portion to a mixture of sulfide, sulfite and sulfate. The soluble fraction is then treated with a calcium hydroxide solution precipitating the phosphate and sulfates which are removed. The gaseous portion of the hydrolysis is fed to a catalytic oxidizer which converts the sulfides to sulfur, which is removed and the gas, free of sulfur containing species, is exhausted to the atmosphere. The filtrate from the precipitation reaction can be recycled to the plant, or may be chlorinated and discharged.

Abstract: In the process for decreasing the COD-content of effluent by treating with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a transition metal compound, the improvement which comprises adding to the effluent about 5 to 40% of the calculated quantity of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 required for the total oxidation of the total COD-content of the effluent, the transition metal compound being dissolved in the effluent in an amount such that the molar ratio of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 to transition metal is from about 30:1 to 3:1, bringing the pH initially to about 2 to 9, maintaining the effluent at about 5.degree. to 100.degree. C., and separating from the effluent whatever material has flocculated. Thereafter the effluent can be subjected to conventional biological degradation such as by the activated sludge process.

Abstract: Solid particles containing calcium peroxide and coated with a coating agent containing a water-insoluble solid compound having a melting point of at least 50.degree. C.The particles can be used in the treatment of water and make it possible to ensure sufficient oxygenation for very long periods.

Abstract: Solid peroxygens may be compressed into shaped forms with or without additives to regulate the dissolving rate of the forms. Use of such peroxygen forms provides a simple and inexpensive method to dispense active oxygen and an alkali into a solution over a predetermined time to oxidize sulfides to sulfates and thus to reduce the chemical oxygen demand. Sodium carbonate peroxide and sodium perborate are two commercial peroxygen compounds particularly useful for this application as they provide both the active oxygen to oxidize the sulfide, and the alkalinity required to raise the pH of the solution to pH 8 or greater, thus preventing the formation of elemental sulfur. In addition, the two compounds are compatible with additives, such as carboxymethylcellulose and methylcellulose, which are useful in regulating the dissolution rate, as well as soda ash, which can be used to provide additional alkalinity.