Abstract: A metal-refining process and a corresponding system characterized by being adapted to minimize the health hazard by appropriate purification of the gases or vapor products resulting from acid action on a metal compound. This metal refining features the use of vacuum at a downstream point to regulate the admixing of air with the vapor products in the effluent and to draw activating air in the mixture of acid and metal compound at the upstream point. This refining system includes gas outlet manifolds constructed and arranged to enhance the purification of the vapor products by comminuting the vapor products into small bubbles upwardly through a water tank. Each manifold consists of a casing having a plurality of small gas outlet apertures each communicating with a small tube which extends within the casing and has a bevelled end for self-cleaning of the tube. These tubes prevent clogging of the apertures by solid particles in the gas flowing through the casing.

Abstract: A scrubber for removing sulfur compounds from a gas, particularly a flue gas of a power plant boiler combustion chamber, comprises spray devices for washing the gas with a liquid containing a sulfur compound binding agent. The sump is provided with a partition formed by an array of oxygen ducts which divides the sump into an upper oxidation zone and a lower reaction zone. An additive is introduced into the reaction zone to induce the precipitation of calcium sulfite in the sump product.

Abstract: A rotary heat exchanger surmounts a scrubbing tower provided with two scrubbing columns through which the flue gas of fossil fuel combustion is passed in succession so that the rotary heat storage mass of the regenerative heat exchanger is heated by the incoming flue gas and the flue gas cooled in the scrubbing columns is reheated by the rotary heat storage mass as it leaves the tower.

Abstract: Improvement in the enrichment of a gas in hydrogen sulphide, comprising selective absorption by a liquid in a primary absorption zone, regeneration of the liquid by heating and/or stripping by an inert gas with liberation of the gases absorbed and recovery of a fraction of the liberated gases, the remainder being subjected to a second absorption in a secondary absorption zone by a new or regenerated absorbent liquid identical with that used in the primary absorption zone; in one and the same zone of operation, common to the regeneration and the secondary absorption zones, there occur simultaneously: arrival of the liquid from the first absorption, movement of the gases liberated during regeneration, flow of the liquid derived from the secondary absorption and discharge of a fraction of the liberated gases enriched in H.sub.2 S.

Abstract: An arc by-product evacuation and neutralization system is disclosed. The system includes a vacuum cleaner having an input port for receiving air containing powdery arc by-products. The vacuum cleaner also includes a non-corrosive plastic tank containing an alkaline solution for neutralizing the powdery arc by-products. The neutralization is achieved by jet action causing the alkaline solution to be agitated thereby absorbing the powdery arc by-products.

Abstract: Apparatus for contacting a liquid reaction solution with a gas in separate reaction chambers within a single reaction vessel wherein the liquid reaction solution is continuously circulated between a first reaction chamber and a second reaction chamber within the reaction vessel but providing at least two side-by-side reaction chambers in open flow communication at their upper and lower ends with a gas supply means associated with each said chamber for introducing a gas in a finely divided form into the lower ends of each said chamber, and said gas supply means including flow control means whereby the rate of upward flow of gas in one of the chambers is greater than the rate of upward flow of gas in the other chamber so as to lower the density of the liquid reaction solution in the one chamber and provide continuous upward flow of liquid reaction solution and gas in the one chamber and downward flow of liquid reaction solution countercurrent to the flow of gas in the other chamber.

Abstract: Stack gases containing sulfur dioxide and other pollutant gases and particulate matter are passed through a horizontally extending chamber wherein the stack gases are sprayed by a liquid reagent. The liquid spray droplets move across the cross-sectional flow area of the stack gases and scrub the stack gases thereby removing a substantial portion of the pollutant gases and particulate matter therefrom. The resultant liquid slurry which might otherwise collect in the chamber is washed therefrom by the spray and drains downwardly from the chamber for discharge thereby preventing plugging of the chamber.

Abstract: The flue gases from a wet-operating flue gas desulfurization plant contain liquid droplets loaded with solid material. These can lead to incrustations which are hard to remove and to corrosion. Previously, in order to dry the droplets, the flow of flue gases was heated by unpurified crude gas, steam or hot water or indirectly by hot air. In order to use less energy in drying the droplets, it is now proposed that the drying energy for evaporating the liquid from the droplets is supplied to the gas flow in a channel by radiant energy from a radiator. The gas flow is only heated to such a degree that the water vapour and carbon dioxide contained in the gas flow selectively absorb radiation of certain wavelengths, while the liquid droplets directly absorb the necessary heat for evaporation. It is also possible for the radiant energy to be absorbed by an assembly which can be heated by radiation and which then releases energy into the gas flow.

Abstract: A vertical incinerator has three or more adjacent, stationary, heat-exchange sections which communicate, via respective plenums, with a common high-temperature combustion chamber positioned above them. Inlet and outlet valving to each heat-exchange section is provided and operated so that when effluent from an industrial process is fed upwardly through one of the sections to the combustion chamber, at least one other section is operating in an exhaust mode to withdraw the products of combustion downward through it thereby recapturing some of the generating heat.In order to prevent upwardly moving effluent from substantially short-circuiting the combustion chamber, each section is provided with a cover having an aperture which produces a jet effect. Thus, the relatively low velocity effluent stream from the industrial process applied through the aperture in the cover of the first section has its velocity increased, for example, 3-5 times as it enters the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas purification system has: a first treatment apparatus, which purifies an untreated feed gas, containing toxic ingredients such as HCN gas, H.sub.2 S gas and NH.sub.3 gas, into a primary treated gas by causing the feed gas to contact with an alkaline absorbent liquid; an absorbent-liquid-resuscitation apparatus, which refreshes the absorbent liquid, after absorbing the toxic ingredients, by bubblingly introducing a resuscitation gas; and a second treatment apparatus, which further purifies the primary treated gas into a secondary treated gas by strippingly capturing any possible remnant NH.sub.3 gas still present in the former. The resuscitation gas and the toxic-ingredient-absorbed absorbent liquid are forcibly converged by premix nozzles into combined gas/liquid jets as are injected into the absorbent-liquid-resuscitation apparatus.

Abstract: In a process for the removal of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, the waste gas is cooled and scrubbed with a physical absorbent selective for sulfur dioxide. The nitrogen oxides are catalytically removed from the waste gas by reaction with ammonia, which is added to the waste gas prior to the scrubbing step. The catalyst packing is disposed in the same housing and is at the hot end of a regenerator for cooling the waste gas and is arranged upstream of the regenerator packing. The cooling is conducted to the dew point so as to dissolve residual ammonia, and air is used to remove the ammonia during regeneration, the resultant heated air being primarily used in the combustion zone.

Abstract: A sulphur dioxide converter and pollution arrester system which involves the treatment of smoke and/or contaminated air emanating from a combustion area by passage through a zone achieving turbulence into a water spray contained first treating chamber. The turbulence zone, into which an atomized catalyst is introduced, serves to create a longer path for cooling as well as increased centrifugal motion to the solid particles in the contaminated air and also the formation of sulphur trioxide. In other words, the arrangement is such that pollution arresting action is provided in the form of "slinging" resulting from tangential directional movement and, when combining with the water spray in the first treating chamber, the ultimate formation of sulphuric acid.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides from the gaseous combustion products of sulfur-containing fossil fuel, such as high sulfur coal, comprising passing the combustion products into a reaction chamber, introducing atomic oxygen and air into the chamber, subjecting the resulting gaseous mixture to a plurality of confined, upwardly spiralling vortical movements in series, maintaining a reservoir of sulfuric acid in the reaction chamber, each vortical movement being of sufficient velocity as to atomize and elevate the sulfuric acid in the reservoir and to intermix it with the combustion products, impinging the vortical mixture against rapidly rotating surfaces whereby to discharge the mixture outwardly against the chamber walls to fall by gravity into the reservoir, and repeating the plurality of vortical movements in series in at least one additional reaction chamber, thereby producing sulfuric acid and/or nitrosyl sulfuric acid as a saleable by-product and reducing the sulfur oxides cont

Abstract: The invention provides a pair of exhaust gas separation stages comprised in a gas separating vortex tube having an exhaust gas operated turbine impeller or rotor with stator wheels. The system combination also includes a mixing chamber for heavier and lighter combustible gas components subsequent to separation, wherein such components are directed to the top surface of a water charge in the mixing chamber, and further includes a pair of chemical separation chamber downstream of the mixing chamber containing specified chemicals wherein the mixing chamber removes substantial parts of formaldehyde and nitrous oxides while the chemical chambers remove acetaldehyde and higher aldehyde components. Finally, the gas mixture from the chemical separation chamber passes through a water scrubber to remove traces of chemicals which may be used to keep traces of chemicals in the chemical chamber from reaching the engine.

Abstract: By separating a noxious-component-containing flue gas into two separate streams, subjecting one of these streams to dry purification and the other to wet purification, and recombining the resulting purified streams, purified flue gas is obtained at a temperature greater than the dew point of remaining corrosive constituents. This makes it possible to disseminate the recombined product through pipes and chimneys without a deleterious effect thereon.The beneficial results are obtained without having to heat the recombined gas stream even though the wet-purification process yields purified gas at a temperature far below that which is desired.Both the dry- and the wet-purification processes are significantly enhanced by incorporating piperazine in treating materials. Sorption agents used in the dry purification are reused in the wet purification, enhancing the efficiency of the disclosed system.

Abstract: A gas purification system has: a first treatment apparatus, which purifies an untreated feed gas, containing toxic ingredients such as HCN gas, H.sub.2 S gas and NH.sub.3 gas, into a primary treated gas by causing the feed gas to contact with an alkaline absorbent liquid; an absorbent-liquid-resuscitation apparatus, which refreshes the absorbent liquid, after absorbing the toxic ingredients, by bubblingly introducing a resuscitation gas; and a second treatment apparatus, which further purifies the primary treated gas into a secondary treated gas by strippingly capturing any possible remnant NH.sub.3 gas still present in the former. The resuscitation gas and the toxic-ingredient-absorbed absorbent liquid are forcibly converged by premix nozzles into combined gas/liquid jets as are injected into the absorbent-liquid-resuscitation apparatus.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide is scrubbed from boiler flue gases in a double-loop alkali scrubber, one a quencher loop and the other an absorption loop. Preferably, the reagent flow of the two loops is isolated so that none of the reagent from the quencher loop is cycled to the absorber loop. A substantial portion of the make-up water for the quencher loop is received from the absorber loop and solids are concentrated in a dewatering system which includes a hydroclone.

Abstract: Sulfur dioxide removal efficiency of a horizontal cross-flow gas liquid contactor is increased by decreasing the interfering spray density through employment of a minimum critical spray nozzle spacing which has the effect of reducing spray droplet collision and coalescence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dedusting and absorption of contaminating gases in exhaust gases of waste-incinerating devices and hot-air cupola furnaces. In the essence, mud-containing circulation water is atomized in the exhaust gas, whereby dry waste mud is produced. After dust precipitation, the gas is fed to a scrubber which removes the contamination gases. The scrubbing liquid is neutralized and, possibly, mixed with ash and fed back into the circulation.

Abstract: A column-type apparatus for treatment of a gas stream with liquid includes a gas inlet for introducing a gas stream containing soluble compounds and solid particles into the apparatus and simultaneously imparting a cyclonic and upward flow to the gas stream. A gas-liquid mixing section above the gas inlet contains a liquid dispersing device from which liquid is vertically dispersed from the upper portion of the gas-liquid mixing section and flows downwardly and counter-currently to the gas flow wherein all the material entrained within the gas stream is completely and intimately contacted with the liquid.

Abstract: In a thermal regeneration anti-pollution system in which there are a plurality of heat-exchange beds communicating with a high temperature incineration zone, excessive temperatures in the zone and danger to equipment in the installation are prevented by drawing off at least part of the hot gases therein. The gases are by-passed around the heat-exchange bed through which they would normally flow and then mixed in the exhaust with those incinerated gases which have been cooled through their normal passage through a heat-exchange bed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for selective purification of gases. The method comprises feeding an exhaust gas containing a solid impurity and a gaseous impurity to a separator. A substantial portion of the solid impurity is separated. Then, the partially-purified gas is fed to a spray dryer. That gas is sprayed with an absorption agent to separate gaseous impurities. Then, the further, partially-purified gas is fed to another separator to separate remaining solid impurity. An exhaust gas which is substantially free of solid and gaseous impurities and fly ash having a desired quality are recovered.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing nitrogen oxides from a flue gas comprises a first stage of injecting ammonia in a combustion flue gas and then hydrogen peroxide thereto, thereby decomposing nitrogen oxides in the combustion flue gas to nitrogen and water by gas phase reduction, and a second stage of passing the combustion flue gas leaving the first stage through a bed of catalyst whose temperature is controlled by cooling water passing through a cooling pipe provided through the bed of catalyst, thereby conducting decomposition of excess ammonia exiting from the first stage and further reaction of nitrogen oxides at the same time.

Abstract: In a method for treating a gas containing dusts therein under a monolithic catalyst consisting of a ceramic support which is substantially porous throughout the structure, and has active ingredients uniformly dispersed therein and passages therethrough parallel to the flow of the gas for allowing the gas to pass therethrough, the improvement in which the catalyst has the sintered front portion or has a vitreous coating on the front portion. Alternatively, the improvement in which a metal or sintered ceramic lid having openings therethrough is fixed onto the front face of the catalyst with the passages in alignment with the openings of the lid.

Abstract: An apparatus for decomposing injurious substances to form non-injurious substances comprising a first reaction vessel, an injurious substance inlet connected to the first reaction vessel for supplying an injurious substance containing only one of an oxygen or hydrogen donor substance, and at least one further reaction vessel connected to the first reaction vessel. A mixing vessel connected to the at least one further reaction vessel is provided with the first reaction vessel, the further reaction vessel and the mixing vessel containing an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate. Conduits may be provided between the first reaction vessel, further reaction vessel and mixing vessel, permitting circulation of the aqueous sodium carbonate solution. A feeding device is connected between the mixing vessel and the first reaction vessel for feeding the aqueous sodium carbonate solution therebetween and into association with the injurious substances supplied to the first reaction vessel.

Abstract: Certain impure steams, especially those from geothermal sources, are polluted with hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, other gases, and finely divided particulate solid matter in a form resembling dust or smoke. These contaminants reduce the efficiency of the steam as a heat transfer fluid, are detrimental to equipment utilizing steam as an energy source, and result in environmental pollution or expensive requirements for limiting the same. Herein apparatus is provided wherein so polluted steam is selectively processed in the gaseous state upstream of said equipment to remove hydrogen sulfide therefrom, with or without removing other pollutants, to recover valuable materials therefrom, and to improve the utility of the steam as an energy source.

Abstract: A process for reacting a circulating liquid reaction solution with a gas in separate reaction zones within a single reaction vessel wherein the liquid reaction solution is continuously circulated between a first reaction zone and a second reaction zone within the reaction vessel but providing at least two side-by-side reaction chambers in open flow communication at their upper and lower ends with a gas supply means associated with each said chamber for introducing a gas in a finely divided form into the lower ends of each said chamber, and said gas supply means including flow control means whereby the rate of upwardly flow of gas in one of the chambers is greater than the rate of upwardly flow of gas in the other chamber so as to lower the density of the liquid reaction solution in the one chamber and provide continuous upwardly flow of liquid reaction solution and gas in the one chamber and downwardly flow of liquid reaction solution countercurrent to the flow of gas in the other chamber.

Abstract: A combustion method and apparatus for disposal of materials that release noxious, corrosive, and/or toxic gases when burned, particularly halogens and/or acidic gases, is disclosed herein. In the disclosed system, a waste material is burned, the gaseous products of that combustion are cooled, and the cooled gases are then contacted with an alkaline substance of a Periodic Table Group I.A or II.A element in a fluidized bed to scavenge the noxious, corrosive, and/or toxic components in the combustion products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively removing H.sub.2 S from a gas stream containing H.sub.2 S and CO.sub.2 and having a variable flow rate. The absorption system is divided into at least two absorption columns which are connected in parallel and contain at least two individual absorption volumes connected in series in which the gas and absorbent solution can countercurrently contact each other. The absorption system has means to control the passage of the fluid streams to each absorption column and the absorbent solution through the individual absorption volumes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively removing H.sub.2 S from an H.sub.2 S and CO.sub.2 containing gas stream which has a variable flow rate. The absorption apparatus is divided into two connected individual absorption volumes in which the gas and absorbent solution can countercurrently contact each other and has means to control the passage of the fluid streams through the individual absorption volumes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively removing a desired gaseous component from a gas stream containing at least two gaseous components and having a variable flow rate. The absorber is divided into at least two individual absorption volumes connected in series in which the gas and absorbent solution can countercurrently contact each other and includes means to control the passage of the fluid streams through the individual absorption volumes.

Abstract: A liquid sealing apparatus for attachment to a tank having vapor having a liquid seal for providing containment of the vapor throughout a range of tank pressure. An inert gas supply may be provided to maintain the pressure in the tank at a predetermined point and a diluting fluid supply may be provided with a bypass connection around the sealing apparatus for admission of the diluting fluid upon predetermined high and low pressures in the tank. A scrubber may be attached to the apparatus for treating vapors which break through the liquid seal on an increase in pressure in the tank. The liquid sealing apparatus may include an enclosure having first, second and third liquid compartments separated by partitions with a liquid trap connected to the first and third compartments for maintaining liquid therein, and having first and second gas compartments above the fluid compartments separated by a third partition positioned in the liquid in the second fluid compartment providing a liquid seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filtering units or cartridges useful for avoiding environmental pollution resulting from the decomposition of corpses in cemeteries. The units or cartridges comprise a non-porous container with an inlet for gases at one end and an outlet duct having its entrance within and proximate the opposite end. Gases entering said container through the inlet pass through at least the greater part of said container before reaching the outlet. A plurality of selective filtering zones lie within said container selectively to operate on gases passing through the filter from the inlet to the outlet. These zones, which may be separated by separators, including an inert and porous material to act both as a filter for bacteria and as a layer to retain the remaining filtering material in position, a layer of acidic material to eliminate amines, a layer of a metallic sulphate to remove compounds containing sulphur and a final layer of activated charcoal located proximate the outlet.

Abstract: A compact but highly integrated pollution control system for use with a coal or lignite burning electrical power generating plant utilizes a stabilized continuously monitored and controlled bath through which is passed gaseous effluent containing particulate matter. In one form this may comprise a chimney of partial stainless steel construction for carrying smoke from the furnace of the plant into a body of water contained within an enclosed concrete tank where the water chemically interacts with and precipitates solids from the smoke. Within the tank a dynamic system is established which is held stable both mechanically and chemically during continuous operation. A stainless steel grill mounted just below the surface of the water breaks up air bubbles to entrap solid particles and enhance formation of a sediment.

Abstract: An additional oxidation catalyst containing section is disposed in engine exhaust gas passageway upstream of a reduction catalyst containing section in said exhaust gas passageway at a location downstream of which an oxidation catalyst containing section is disposed.