Abstract: A method for the production of KNO3 from polyhalite is provided. The method comprises steps of decomposing said polyhalite into syngenite, gypsum, and soluble components, treating the solid decomposition products sequentially with HNO3 and Ca basic compound, precipitating the CaSO4 thus formed, and crystallizing the KNO3 from the solution remaining. The method recovers up to 75% of the potassium present in the raw polyhalite as KNO3 and substantially all of the remainder as a potassium magnesium sulfate salt.

Abstract: A process for producing potassium nitrate and other metal nitrates from the chlorides, sulfates, oxides of these metals. The process uses nitrogen dioxide as a true fluidizing medium in shallow beds of the aforementioned solids at moderately elevated temperatures in a continuous counter current process to convert the metal chlorides, sulfates, and oxides, into metal nitrates and effluent gas and water vapor. The process may be carried out in a series of true fluidized beds arranged in a vertical configuration so that the solids flow downward due to the fluidized process and the nitrogen dioxide gas flows counter currently in an upward direction producing pure metal nitrates at the bottom and nitrosyl chloride gas and/or water vapor at the top.

Abstract: Liquid metal coolants, such as alkali metal used in nuclear reactor systems can be safely deactivated to form a disposable solid waste material. The alkali metal is dissolved in an ammoniacal liquid, such as anhydrous liquid ammonia to form a reaction mixture comprising alkali metal cations and solvated electrons. A precipitating agent that ionizes in the liquid ammonia is introduced into the reaction mixture to combine with the alkali metal cations and/or solvated electrons to form a precipitating alkali metal salt. Additionally, solidified alkali metal remaining within the coolant system after initial drainage of liquid alkali metal can be dissolved by circulating an ammoniacal liquid within the coolant system. Removal of the liquid ammonia having the alkali metal dissolved therein is combined with a ionizable precipitating agent to form a alkali metal salt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of separating NaCl from a NaCl contaminated aqueous LiCl solution involving concentration of the solution, cooling of concentrated solution and separation of the crystallized NaCl. The method is characterized in that the concentration and cooling or cooling of the solution are carried out in the presence of a base, preferably in the presence of 0.3-5 wt % (related to LiCl) of at least one alkaline or alkaline earth hydroxide or at least one easily soluble and difficultly volatile amine.

Abstract: In order to recover in an environmentally sound and economic manner used hardening shop salts which contain nitrate-nitrite, the salts, comminuted to particle sizes of from 1 to 50 mm, are dissolved in a mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide without nitrogen oxides arising, and, by evaporation and cooling, potassium nitrate, sodium chloride, and sodium nitrate are obtained sequentially by fractional crystallization.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for denitrifying tobacco materials and removing barium from tobacco materials, comprising mixing an aqueous-immiscible organic solvent containing a crown ether with an aqueous solution containing soluble components from tobacco materials, agitating this mixture, and separating the organic phase containing a crown ether-cation-nitrate (or nitrite) complex from the aqueous phase containing the denitrified tobacco materials, wherein the cation consists essentially of barium and potassium. There is further disclosed a process for eliminating tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) from cured, denitrified tobacco material, comprising contacting the denitrified tobacco material with a trapping sink, wherein the trapping sink comprises a select transition metal complex which is readily nitrosated to form a nitrosyl complex with little kinetic or thermodynamic hindrance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel, powerful reducing agents, lithium aminoborohydrides which are prepared by addition of BH.sub.3 .cndot.THF to the corresponding dialkylamine at 25.degree. C. to give the intermediate amineborane complex. Subsequent deprotonation by strong base, e.g. n-BuLi, yields the aminoborohydride quantitatively. Lithium aminoborohydrides are powerful reducing agents, comparable in strength to lithium aluminum hydride. The activity is determined by the dialkylamine. Lithium pyrrolidinoborohydride has unique activity and selectivity in its reducing properties. Esters, lactones and anhydrides are reduced cleanly at 25.degree. C. to give the corresponding alcohols, while carboxylic acids are not reduced. Test reductions show that lithium pyrrolidinoborohydride is also capable of reducing a wide range of functional groups including amides, epoxides, oximes, nitriles and halides.

Abstract: Production of sodium bicarbonate from natural soda deposits that may occur as natural brines or solid soda salts is disclosed. The alkalinity in these natural soda deposits consists of carbonates and bicarbonates. The carbonates are converted to bicarbonates by reacting sodium carbonate with ammonium bicarbonate which acts as a carbon dioxide carrier until all the sodium carbonate is exhausted. The solubility of the sodium bicarbonate is lowered by the presence of non-alkaline sodium salts, e.g., sodium chloride. The regeneration of the cyclic reagent (NH.sub.3) is done using the sodium bicarbonate formed by the double decomposition of sodium chloride and ammonium bicarbonate giving a final soda free brine exempt of contaminants foreign to its original components.

Abstract: A process for producing sodium carbonate from a variety of crude ores and brine containing sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate without the use of calcium carbonate. The process includes the steps of reacting the raw materials containing sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate with a bicarbonate filtrate containing ammonium chloride brine solution under heat, producing ammonia, carbon dioxide, and a mother liquor containing an aqueous solution of sodium chloride which is recycled. This solution may contain also sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate to enhance production. The mother liquor is separated and reacted with ammonia and carbon dioxide collected from the reacting step to crystalize sodium bicarbonate and produce an ammonium chloride brine solution which is recycled to react with the crude ore.

Abstract: Potassium nitrate is produced by contacting nitric acid with a potassium loaded strong cationic exchange resin. In a preferred embodiment, a solution of potassium nitrate and dilute nitric acid is produced in a continuous liquid solid contacting apparatus. The preferred apparatus is formed of a plurality of resin filled chambers which rotate in and out of periodic fluid communication with fixed feed and discharge ports. The apparatus design allows for continuous supply of a nitric acid solution, potassium chloride regeneration solution, wash solutions, and air streams to ports arranged in zones, so that resin filled chambers pass through the zones to continuously produce a solution containing potassium nitrate and dilute nitric acid. In a preferred embodiment, the solution of potassium nitrate produced is neutralized with potassium hydroxide to convert residual nitric acid to potassium nitrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for manufacture of potassium nitrate from potassium chloride and nitric acid. A source of potassium chloride may be screened and separated into fine and coarse fractions, or the screening may be eliminated and the source may be separated into equal coarse fractions. The coarse fraction, when screening has occurred, or one of the equal fractions, where no screening has occurred, is dissolved in a dilute solution of nitric acid prior to any reaction. Thereafter, either the fine fraction (if screening occurred) or the other equal fraction (if no screening occurred) reacts with the dilute nitric acid-potassium chloride solution and additional nitric acid having a concentration of about 60% at ambient temperature. The resulting solution may be crystallized with or without the prior separation of solid potassium nitrate. Nitric acid is recovered by solvents from a residual brine solution after crystallization.

Abstract: A process for the electrolytic production of a chloride-free mixture consisting essentially of sodium and potassium nitrates is disclosed. In this process, an anolyte brine comprised of a mixture of sodium and potassium chlorides dissolved therein is electrolyzed in a membrane type electrolysis type cell to produce a mixed alkali metal hydroxide catholyte solution. The catholyte is reacted with nitric acid to form a mixed potassium-sodium nitrate solution. By properly adjusting the ratio of potassium chloride to sodium chloride concentration in the anolyte brine, a final nitrate product containing about from about 40% to about 80% NaNO.sub.3 and from about 60% to about 20% KNO.sub.3 by weight can be produced. The resulting product, after drying is suitable for use in many solar panel heat transfer applications.

Abstract: A method of producing a complex mineral fertilizer is disclosed, comprising the steps of decomposing polyhalite at a temperature not exceeding 110.degree. C. in the presence of dilute nitric acid, neutralizing the obtained suspension with a substance selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide, and separating the resultant product.

Abstract: Radiation-contaminated ammonium nitrate is heated in solution to about 100.degree. C. in the presence of finely powdered calcium oxide or lithium hydroxide. Ammonia and water vapor are given off leaving an alkaline or alkaline earth nitrate which can then be safely decomposed by calcination into a metal oxide and oxides of nitrogen. The metal oxide can be recycled in a continuation of the process. The oxides of nitrogen can be passed through water to produce nitric acid useable in dissolving oxides of fissionable materials and the ammonia may be used in aqueous solution to react with nitrates of nuclear fuel or breeder metals in the very process that produces the by-product ammonium nitrate. Thus, all by-products and reagents can be reconverted and recycled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing fertilizing characteristics of irrigation water by adding carbon dioxide and nitrogenous compounds, derived from exhaust gases, to irrigation water so as to produce a fertilizing solution which promotes crop growth. The method comprises scrubbing exhaust gases derived from a natural gas, liquified petroleum or diesel engines by utilizing direct contact with water and thereafter injecting the treated enriched water into a standard supply of irrigation water. The engine is operated so as to provide the greatest amount of carbon dioxide, and (NO.sub.x) nitrogen oxides practical.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process for selectively removing and recovering potassium nitrate in a relatively pure state from tobacco, and especially from Burley tobacco stems. The process comprises the steps of (1) contacting tobacco plant parts with water to obtain an aqueous extract and a fibrous tobacco residue, (2) concentrating the extract, (3) cooling the extract, and (4) separating and recovering the potassium nitrate crystals formed therein. The denitrated aqueous extract is recombined with the fibrous tobacco residue as in making reconstituted tobacco and the like. The purified potassium nitrate is suitable without further purification to use as a fertilizer, thus eliminating costly disposal problems.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing petroleum oil feedstocks which include heavy hydrocarbon constituents undergo simultaneous desulfurization and hydroconversion by contacting and reacting such feedstocks with sodamide in the presence of hydrogen and at elevated temperatures. The mixture of reaction products resulting from the above procedure is separated to give a sodium sulfur salt by-product, and a petroleum oil product which has been substantially desulfurized and demetallized, as well as being significantly improved as indicated by a reduced Conradson carbon content and an increased API gravity relative to the feedstock. Sodamide is regenerated from the sodium sulfur salt by-product and can be recycled for reaction with additional feedstock.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing petroleum oil feedstocks which include heavy hydrocarbon constituents undergo simultaneous desulfurization and hydroconversion by contacting and reacting such feedstocks with sodamide in the presence of hydrogen and at elevated temperatures. The mixture of reaction products resulting from the above procedure is separated to give a sodium sulfur salt by-product, and a petroleum oil product which has been substantially desulfurized and demetallized, as well as being significantly improved as indicated by a reduced Conradson carbon content and an increased API gravity relative to the feedstock. Sodamide is regenerated from the sodium sulfur salt by-product and can be recycled for reaction with additional feedstock.

Abstract: Metal powders, metal oxide powders, and mixtures thereof of controlled particle size are provided by reacting an aqueous solution containing dissolved metal values with excess urea. Upon heating, urea reacts with water from the solution leaving a molten urea solution containing the metal values. The molten urea solution is heated to above about 180.degree. C. whereupon metal values precipitate homogeneously as a powder. The powder is reduced to metal or calcined to form oxide particles. One or more metal oxides in a mixture can be selectively reduced to produce metal particles or a mixture of metal and metal oxide particles.

Abstract: A continuous process for removing nitrates from nitrate containing aqueous solutions having a pH of about 0-7, which comprises: (1) extracting the nitrate containing aqueous solution with an organic amine salt dissolved in an organic solvent phase whereby the nitrate ion goes into the organic solvent, (2) separating the organic phase, (3) stripping the organic extraction solvent phase from the extraction with a stripping salt solution of pH at least 0.