Abstract: A modular, prefabricated stair tower comprising a plurality of stairs, landings, handrails and hangers pre-assembled into a module configured such that it might be shipped and installed into a wind power tower tube section, with installation preferably occurring prior to shipment to the wind farm jobsite so that, when the tube section is erected vertically, authorized personnel gain immediate, efficient and economical access for ascending and descending large land based and offshore wind power turbine towers.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans in hydrocarbons, gas mixtures of hydrocarbons and the like may be scavenged therefrom by being brought into intimate contact with a mercaptan scavenger formulation of quaternary ammonium alkoxide or hydroxide in the presence of a high oxidative state metal such as cobalt, iron, chromium and/or nickel. The high oxidative state metal, being an oxidizer, acts as a catalyst when combined with the quaternary ethoxide or hydroxide for improved mercaptan scavenging performance.

Abstract: A method of sequestering a greenhouse gas is described, which comprises: (i) providing a solution carrying a first reagent that is capable of reacting with a greenhouse gas; (ii) contacting the solution with a greenhouse gas under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reagent and the greenhouse gas to produce at least a first reactant; (iii) providing a porous matrix having interstitial spaces and comprising at least a second reactant; (iv) allowing a solution carrying the at least first reactant to infiltrate at least a substantial portion of the interstitial spaces of the porous matrix under conditions that promote a reaction between the at least first reactant and the at least second reactant to provide at least a first product; and (v) allowing the at least first product to form and fill at least a portion of the interior spaces of the porous matrix, thereby sequestering a greenhouse gas.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a hydrogen sulfide scavenger blend that includes selecting a hydrogen sulfide scavenger blend comprising at least two hydrogen sulfide scavengers; determining a scavenging capacity for the blend; modifying at least one blend parameter based on the determined scavenging capacity; redetermining the scavenging capacity for the modified blend; and selecting an optimized blend from the blend and the modified blend is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of using a mixture as an amphoteric buffer is disclosed comprising mixing sulfuric acid, magnesium oxide and/or magnesium hydroxide, and water to form an amphoteric buffer, and applying the buffer to a spill of an acid or alkali so as to neutralize the spill.

Abstract: Sulphur control in fluidized bed combustion systems often involves adding a source of calcium to the combustor so that the calcium may combine with the sulphur. Ash resulting from such combustion often contains a significant amount of calcium which does not combine with the sulphur compounds. This invention teaches a method of reactivating that ash by grinding the ash in a positive transport grinding mill with water. The grinder causes the ash to simultaneously undergo grinding and hydration to convert the calcium to calcium hydroxide. Advantageously drying agents are added to the ground hydrated ash after grinding to facilitate the formation of acceptably crumbly pellets thereby increasing the amount of calcium available to react with the sulphur. A particularly advantageous aspect of the invention involves the use of wet coal slurries which are otherwise waste products as the source of water to be ground with the ash. The coal content of the slurry then forms additional fuel for the combustion process.

Abstract: A novel composition comprising zinc oxide and at least one metal phosphate that can be effectively used to remove sulfur compounds from a fluid stream by contacting said fluid stream under suitable absorption conditions with this novel composition. Also, a novel method is described for making a composition comprising mixing with zinc oxide at least one metal phosphate followed by the addition of a dilute acid to form a paste or paste like material having a desired consistency for agglomeration.

Abstract: An improved electrocatalyst comprises a supported platinum-gallium alloy catalyst of up to 50 atomic percent gallium, preferably of 10 to 30 atomic percent gallium, balance platinum. The platinum-gallium alloy is supported, preferably on carbon powder or the like, shows greater activity for oxygen reduction and better resistance to sintering than does a comparable platinum catalyst. A fuel cell electrode especially suited for use as a phosphoric acid fuel cell cathode comprises the supported platinum-gallium alloy electrocatalyst bound to an acid resistant support member.

Abstract: A process is described for the catalytic preparation of alkali alcoholates from alkali amalgams and alcohols. The catalyst is lump anthracite having a surface treated to have a heavy metal oxide or mixtures of heavy metal oxides. Preferably a mixture of nickel oxide and molybdenum oxide is used. Aliphatic alcohols with 1 to 4 carbon atoms are preferred as the alcohol component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new cyclic organophosphorus esters having the following structures: ##EQU1## where R is aryl or chloroalkyl of 2 to 10 carbon atoms,R' is aryloxy or chloroalkyloxy of 2 to 10 carbon atoms,R" is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, furanyl or aryl of 1 to 15 carbon atoms and substituted aryl forms where the substituent is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, hydroxyl, alkyloxy, alkylthio or mixtures of such substituents, andY is O or S.The organophosphorus compounds have biological activity and are also useful as fire retardants, and as lead scavengers in gasoline.