Abstract: A method for crystallizing calcium nitrate from an aqueous calcium nitrate composition including from 6 to 12 weight % nitric acid, from 11 to 17 weight % phosphoric acid, and from 36 to 49 weight % dissolved calcium nitrate, which aqueous composition is optionally directly obtainable from digesting phosphate rock in nitric acid. The method includes filling at least one vertical crystallizing tank through an inlet with the aqueous calcium nitrate composition. The crystallizing tank includes a vertical cylindrical section, a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, three concentric banks of cooling coils, an agitator, and a temperature measurement device. The method includes circulating through the banks of cooling coils a cooling fluid, having an initial temperature ranging from ?40° C. to ?5° C., and rotating the agitator such that a minimum average heat transfer of 400 W/m2·K is achieved on the cooling coil the most distant from the agitator.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reducing the sodium content of a water containing dissolved sodium ions, particularly a water with a sodium ion content of at least 100 ppm. Examples of such waters are effluents such as acid mine drainage and river waters. The method includes the steps of: (i) removing sodium, calcium and magnesium ions from the water by contacting the water with a cation exchange resin/s to capture sodium, calcium and magnesium ions thereon, (ii) treating the cation exchange resin/s of step (i) with nitric acid to produce an eluant containing sodium ions, calcium ions, magnesium ions nitrate ions and nitric acid, (iii) adding a carbonate to the eluant to precipitate the calcium and magnesium ions as calcium and magnesium carbonates; (iv) separating the precipitated carbonates from the eluant; and (v) treating the eluant from step (iv) to obtain a sodium and/or potassium nitrate product.

Abstract: A novel method for making a CO2 capture agent is provided. The capture agent is made of a calcium/iron salt. The capture agent is prevented from degradation at high temperature. The capture agent is fit to be used at various temperatures in high CO2 densities for achieving high CO2 capture capacity, environmental protection and low power consumption.

Abstract: Formulations useful for preparing hydrous aluminum oxide gels contain a metal salt including aluminum, an organic base, and a complexing agent. Methods for preparing gels containing hydrous aluminum oxide include heating a formulation to a temperature sufficient to induce gel formation, where the formulation contains a metal salt including aluminum, an organic base, and a complexing agent.

Abstract: A method for preparing a suspension of LDH particles comprises the steps of preparing LDH precipitates by coprecipitation to form a mixture of LDH precipitates and solution; separating the LDH precipitates from the solution; washing the LDH precipitates to remove residual ions; mixing the LDH precipitates with water; and subjecting the mixture of LDH particles and water from step (d) to a hydrothermal treatment step by heating to a temperature of from greater than 80° C. to 150° C. for a period of about 1 hour to about 48 hours to form a well dispersed suspension of LDH particles in water.

Abstract: Gas sweetening solutions are described that are capable of removing hydrogen sulfide from gas streams. These gas sweetening solutions increase the size of produced sulfur particles and thereby improve efficiency of their separation, while simultaneously reducing corrosive effects of the sweetening solutions. The gas sweetening solutions comprise at least one chelating agent, cationic iron and a mixture of nitrite salt and phosphate species.

Abstract: Processes are presented for the production of ammonium sulfate nitrate. The processes provide for producing a highly uniform product and having a substantially uniform size. The processes include reacting ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate to form an FASN slurry melt. The slurry melt is continuously stirred and heated to keep the slurry melt under a shear thinned condition and at a uniform temperature until the slurry melt is extruded, cooled and solidified.

Abstract: A method for producing a complex of metallic nanoparticles and inorganic clay and an organic promoter, wherein the organic promoter is ethanolamine, for example, monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA) or triethanolamine (TEA). The metallic nanoparticles produced by this method can be stably and uniformly dispersed without adding other reducing agent or dispersant.

Abstract: A process for producing KNO3 from polyhalite to is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the process comprises steps of (a) contacting polyhalite with HNO3; (b) adding Ca(OH)2 to the solution, thereby precipitating as CaSO4 at least part of the sulfate present in said solution; (c) precipitating as Mg(OH)2 at least part of the Mg2+ remaining in said solution by further addition of Ca(OH)2 to the remaining solution; (d) concentrating the solution, thereby precipitating as a sulfate compound at least part of the sulfate remaining in solution; (e) separating at least part of the NaCl from the solution remaining; and (f) crystallizing as solid KNO3 at least part of the K+ and NO3-contained in the solution. The process enables direct conversion of polyhalite to KNO3 of purity exceeding 98.5% and that is essentially free of magnesium and sulfate impurities.

Abstract: A catalyst charge for ammonia oxidation, including the Andrussow process, comprises a first stage ammonia oxidation catalyst capable of oxidizing 20 to 99% of designed ammonia throughput, to produce a first stage product gas comprising unreacted ammonia, oxygen and nitrogen oxides, and a second stage ammonia oxidation catalyst capable of completing the oxidation of unreacted ammonia. Low levels of nitrous oxide are produced an extended campaign lengths may be seen.

Abstract: A process is presented for the production of ammonium sulfate nitrate. The process provides for producing a highly uniform product and having a substantially uniform size. The process includes reacting ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate to form an FASN slurry melt. The slurry melt is continuously stirred and heated to keep the slurry melt under a shear thinned condition and at a uniform temperature until the slurry melt is extruded, cooled and solidified.

Abstract: A solid hollow fiber cooling crystallizer and method for crystallizing aqueous and organic solutions are provided. The solid hollow fiber crystallizer (SHFC) for carrying out cooling crystallization of inorganic/organic microsolutes/macrosolutes from solution generally includes a bundle of non-porous hollow fibers mounted within a shell where a feed solution for crystallization flows through the lumen side of the hollow fibers and a cooling solution flows through the shell side to form nuclei and subsequently crystals in the feed solution at a temperature below its saturation temperature. The solid hollow fiber crystallizer may be combined with a mixing device, such as a completely stirred tank or static mixer, to further effectuate crystallization. The solid hollow fiber crystallizer may be operated in a number of modes including feed recycle mode, once through mode, SHFC-in-line static mixer in series mode, and SHFC-CST in series mode.

Abstract: Purification techniques have been developed for ceramic powder precursors, e.g., barium nitrate. These techniques can be performed using one or more of the following operations: (1) removal of impurities by precipitation or coprecipitation and separation using a nonmetallic-ion-containing strong base, e.g., tetraalkylammonium hydroxides; (2) reduction of higher oxidation-state-number oxymetal ions and subsequent precipitation as hydroxides that are separated from the solution; and (3) use of liquid-liquid exchange extraction procedures to separate certain impurities.

Abstract: A method of producing anhydrous calcium nitrate, anhydrous magnesium nitrate or mixture thereof involves removing water from a solution of calcium nitrate, magnesium nitrate or mixture thereof in a pulse combustion drier. The invention also provides a mixture of anhydrous calcium nitrate, anhydrous magnesium nitrate and the individual anhydrous nitrate salts in a sealed container.

Abstract: A method of disposing of waste material in a waste stream, including positioning a porous foamed glass member characterized by an open-cell interconnected pore network in contact with a volume of liquid to be purified and removing an amount of an undesired material from the volume of liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing calcium nitrate granules. A calcium nitrate melt is sprayed into a re-circulating bed of a first fluidized bed granulator, wherein the re-circulating bed is supplied with air that has been conditioned and heated to a temperature of between 60° C. and 100° C. Calcium nitrate granulates formed in the granulator are introduced to a primary cooler in the form of a second fluidized bed where the granules are cooled to from 50° C. to 60° C. by conditioned air. The granules are sorted in a sorter and then cooled in a secondary cooler to a temperature of less than 40° C. before being bagged. The granules so produced are hard and dry and do not break down easily during handling.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing acidic gases and NOx from flue gases produced by utility and industrial plants. The process and apparatus convert NOx, and particularly nitric oxide, to nitrogen dioxide, which is then reacted to form a valuable byproduct. The process generally entails contacting a flue gas with a scrubbing medium to absorb acidic gases from flue gas and produce an intermediate flue gas. The intermediate flue gas is then cooled to cause nitric oxide present therein to be oxidized to form nitrogen dioxide, which is then absorbed from the flue gases to produce a nitrogen dioxide-containing solution and a scrubbed flue gas. The nitrogen dioxide in the nitrogen dioxide-containing solution is then reacted with ammonium hydroxide to form ammonium nitrate as a valuable byproduct.

Abstract: The invention relates a process for producing an alkali metal nitrate and an alkali metal phosphate in the same process from a phosphate raw material and a nitrate raw material comprising the steps of: a) reacting the phosphate raw material with the nitrate raw material to provide an aqueous nitrophosphate feed, optionally followed by the separation of solid material, b) introducing the aqueous nitrophosphate feed into a first ion exchange step comprising an alkali metal-loaded cationic exchange resin for exchanging cations present in the feed with alkali metal ions present on the resin to obtain a stream enriched in alkali metal ions, c) subjecting the stream from step (b) to a first crystallization under such conditions that an alkali metal nitrate is crystallized and separating the crystallized alkali metal nitrate from the mother liquor, d) introducing the mother liquor from step (c) into a second ion exchange step comprising an alkali metal-loaded cationic exchange resin for exchanging cations present

Abstract: The invention provides an effective and efficient method of making a hexammine cobaltic salt, such as hexammine cobaltic nitrate, in a consistent fashion through the control of one or more selected parameters of manufacture. Specific parameters considered and evaluated as a part of the invention included: order of addition of reactants, reaction temperature, oxidation, air or oxidant flow, catalyst content, and amount of ammonia.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for removing undesired particles from a gas stream including the steps of contacting an additive containing nitrate and/or nitrite anions with the gas stream; collecting the undesired particles and additive on a collection surface to form an aggregate on the collection surface comprising the additive and undesired particles; and removing the agglomerate from the collection zone. The anions can be compounded with one or more of potassium, sodium, calcium, and aluminum. In a preferred composition, the anion(s) is/are compounded with potassium. The process may be applied to electrostatic precipitators to improve undesired particle collection efficiency.

Abstract: A process in which a basic metal nitrate is obtained in a high yield is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing acidic gases and NOx from flue gases produced by utility and industrial plants. The process and apparatus convert NOx, and particularly nitric oxide, to nitrogen dioxide, which is then reacted to form a valuable byproduct. The process generally entails contacting a flue gas with a scrubbing medium to absorb acidic gases from flue gas and produce an intermediate flue gas. The intermediate flue gas is then cooled to cause nitric oxide present therein to be oxidized to form nitrogen dioxide, which is then absorbed from the flue gases to produce a nitrogen dioxide-containing solution and a scrubbed flue gas. The nitrogen dioxide in the nitrogen dioxide-containing solution is then reacted with ammonium hydroxide to form ammonium nitrate as a valuable byproduct.

Abstract: Novel, fine particulate synthetic chalcoalumite, process for preparation thereof, and a heat insulating agent and agricultural film containing said fine, particulate synthetic chalcoalumite. The above objects are met by synthetic chalcoalumite represented by formula (1) below: (M12+)a−x(M22+)Al3+4(OH)b(An−)c. mH2O  (1)  (in which M12+ stands for Zn2+ or Cu2+,  M22+ is at least one divalent metal ion selected from Ni2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Mg2+,  a is 0.3<a<2.0 (with the proviso that M1 and M2 are not the same),  x is 0 ≦x<1.0, and x<a  b is 10<b<14,  An− is at least one selected from SO42−, HPO42−, CO32−, SO32−, HPO32−, NO3−, H2PO4−, Cl−, OH− and silicate ion,  c is 0.4<c<2.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of processing are provided which produce or result in a relatively high burning rate and low burning rate pressure exponent, while also desirably providing a high gas output, as compared to normal or typical gas generant formulations such as used in association with vehicle occupant restraint airbag cushions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing atmospheric pollution caused by a pollutant selected from the group consisting of CO.sub.2, SO.sub.2 and a mixture thereof, the pollutant being contained in industrial gases being emitted to the atmosphere, through the conversion of CO.sub.2 to calcium carbonate and the conversion of SO.sub.2 to calcium sulfite using conventionally available calcium salt-containing reactant; said method comprising reacting the pollutant-containing gas, prior to the venting thereof to the atmosphere, with an alkali base and an aqueous liquor, whereby the pollutant reacts with the base and transfers to the liquor, and the resulting gas vented to the atmosphere has a reduced pollutant content; and reacting the pollutant-loaded liquor with a calcium salt-containing reactant to form calcium carbonate and calcium sulfite respectively, with the co-formation of a commercially utilizable salt containing an anion from the calcium salt reactant and a cation from the alkali base.

Abstract: A synthetic chalcoalumite compound represented by the formula (1)(Zn.sub.a-x.sup.2+ M.sub.x.sup.2+)Al.sub.4.sup.3+ (OH).sub.b (A.sup.n-).sub.c.mH.sub.2 O (1)whereinM.sup.2+ represents at least one of Cu, Ni, Co and Mg;a represents 0.3<a<2.0;x represents 0.ltoreq.x<1.0;b represents 10<b<14;A.sup.n- represents one or two selected from SO.sub.4.sup.2-, HPO.sub.4.sup.2-, CO.sub.3.sup.2-, CrO.sub.4.sup.2-, SiO.sub.3.sup.2-, NO.sub.3.sup.2-, OH.sup.- and Cl.sup.- ;c represents 0.4<c<2.0 andm represents a number of 1 to 4,and a process for the production thereof.

Abstract: Calcium nitrate-urea adduct, a product having the formula ?Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2.4CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2 !, is obtained by means of a process which basically consists of the following steps:mixing molten urea and calcium nitrate;feeding the resulting solution to a turbodryer;feeding the resulting molten salt to a granulator drum;recovery of calcium nitrate-urea adduct.

Abstract: A method of making water soluble pre-ceramic polymers includes heating hydrated metal salts above their melting points. A flow of air drives off water and most of the ligands. Polymerization occurs in the melt and the remaining side groups make the polymer soluble in water. Solubilization in water is accomplished by mixing the polymer with distilled water and heating the mixture at a temperature higher than about 60.degree. C. Thus prepared polymer solutions may be used to form fibers, films, and composite matrices.

Abstract: Weakly acidic colloidal dispersions of cerium (IV) compounds in aqueous media, the colloidal solids of which having the general formula Ce(A).sub.x (NO.sub.3).sub.y (OH).sub.4-x-y, in which A is the anion of a water-soluble monovalent carboxylic acid having a pK.sub.a of from 2.5 to 5.0, are produced by (a) reacting and destabilizing an aqueous colloidal dispersion of a cerium (IV) compound with a water-soluble salt of such monovalent acid, (b) separating the precipitate which results, and (c) dispersing the precipitate thus separated in an aqueous medium, e.g., distilled water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification of aqueous solutions polluted by nitrate ions. This process is characterised in that it consists in precipitating hydrated double or mixed calcium nitroaluminates, such as, in particular, hydrated calcium mononitroaluminate, by adding at least one agent supplying the element aluminium and at least one agent supplying the element calcium to the solutions to be treated, the overall mole ratio of the element aluminium to nitrate, Al/NO3, being superior to 1 and the overall mole ratio of calcium to nitrate, Ca/NO3, being superior to 2, and in that the precipitation reaction is performed with stirring and at a basic pH, preferably above 10.5.The process according to the invention is intende, in particular, to the treatment of polluted waters such as municipal waste water and factory effluents and to the treatment of liquid manure.

Abstract: This invention is directed to conducting chemical reactions in reverse micelle or microemulsion systems comprising a substantially discontinuous phase including a polar fluid, typically an aqueous fluid, and a microemulsion promoter, typically a surfactant, for facilitating the formation of reverse micelles in the system. The system further includes a substantially continuous phase including a non-polar or low-polarity fluid material which is a gas under standard temperature and pressure and has a critical density, and which is generally a water-insoluble fluid in a near critical or supercritical state. Thus, the microemulsion system is maintained at a pressure and temperature such that the density of the non-polar or low-polarity fluid exceeds the critical density thereof. The method of carrying out chemical reactions generally comprises forming a first reverse micelle system including an aqueous fluid including reverse micelles in a water-insoluble fluid in the supercritical state.

Abstract: In order to produce dustfree silver nitrate which can be readily dosed, silver nitrate is atomized in a molten state. A purity of the silver nitrate of greater than 99%, a pH of 2 to 6, and the exclusion of light during the atomizing are necessary.

Abstract: To make and use nitrogeneous fertilizer on a farm, nitrogen oxides are prepared in a continuous process from air or from ammonia in a reactor, with the ammonia either being transported to the farm or local site in a farming area or being prepared on the site in a continuous process from water and air. The nitrogen oxides are mixed with a continuous flow of water to form a solution of nitric acid, which may be applied to the field through the irrigation system as top dressing or mixed within the system with ammonium or other cations to form ammonium nitrate or other desired nitrogen solutions for application to the fields in a continuous process or concentrated without requiring storage of large amounts of gas or creating heat exchange problems in the manufacturing process.

Abstract: Cubic conductive copper oxide ceramics which are represented by the following formula I:(M.sub.x Cu.sub.y).sub.7 O.sub.z A.sub.w Iwherein M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Tl, and Ga, A represents Cl, NO.sub.3, or Cl and NO.sub.3, x+Y is a value of 1, x/y is a number of 0 to 10, z is a number of from 6 to 8, and w is a number of from 1 to 9, and processes for producing same by mixing at least one nitrate and/or chloride of a metal selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Tl, and Ga, with copper nitrate and/or copper chloride, and firing the mixture at from 200.degree. to 600.degree. C. The copper oxide ceramics are preferably used as electrodes in various fields, heat emiters and also as a material for producing superconductors.

Abstract: Novel cerium (IV) compounds having the Formula (I):Ce(OH).sub.x (NO.sub.3).sub.y, pCeO.sub.2.nH.sub.2 O (I)can be directly dispersed in water to produce unique colloidal dispersions thereof.

Abstract: Highly concentrated, aqueous colloidal dispersions of a cerium (IV) compound, adapted for the impregnation of catalyst supports, are prepared by reacting an aqueous solution of a cerium (IV) salt with a base, to precipitate a certain cerium hydroxynitrate, separating and washing said precipitate, and then dispersing the washed precipitate in an aqueous acid medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying an aromatic nitration product mixture comprising a nitrated aromatic compound, water, and nitric or sulfuric acid which comprises without regard to sequence: (a) removing at least a portion of said water from said product mixture by contacting and reacting said water in said mixture with magnesium nitrate trihydrate to form magnesium nitrate pentahydrate or magnesium nitrate hexahydrate and removing said magnesium nitrate pentahydrate or magnesium nitrate hexahydrate from said nitrated aromatic compound in said product mixture, and (b) removing at least a portion of said acid from said product mixture by contacting and reacting said acid with an ionic or non-ionic absorbent to form a reacted absorbent and removing said reacted absorbent from said nitrated aromatic compound in said product mixture.

Abstract: A process for the production of a refractory compound, e.g. a carbide or nitride, of a metallic or non-metallic element, by reacting a mixture of a compound of the metallic or non-metallic element having at least two groups reactive with hydroxyl groups and an organic compound having at least two hydroxyl groups to produce an oxygen-containing polymeric product, and pyrolysing the polymeric product, e.g. in an inert atmosphere to produce a carbide or in an atmosphere of reactive nitrogen compound to produce a nitride, in which the reaction mixture contains an aluminium compound containing at least one group reactive with hydroxyl groups.The presence of the aluminium compound in the reaction mixture leads to an increase in the proportion of carbon in the product initially produced by pyrolysis, and to a higher purity in the refractory compound which is ultimately produced.

Abstract: Calcium-urea nitrate [Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2.4CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2 ] is produced by means of a process, according to which:a liquid composition is prepared, at a temperature not higher than 170.degree. C., which contains urea and calcium nitrate, in a molar ratio to each other equal to, or approximately equal to, 4/1, and having a water content comprised within the range of from 0 to 15% by weight;said liquid composition is sprayed, through a spray nozzle, on previously formed solid particles of calcium-urea nitrate, kept moving at a temperature comprised within the range of from 40.degree. to approximately 100.degree. C., and under a stream of an inert gas;calcium-urea nitrate is recovered from said solid products from the spray.The so obtained calcium-urea nitrate is in the form of a granular and free-flowing solid, free from the tendency to form dusts, and is useful in agriculture as a nitrogenous fertilizer.

Abstract: A solid material useful for producing hexagonal ferrites comprises a homogeneous mixture of the cations of the composition (I) and one or more anions comprising one or more thermally decomposable anions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of boric acid from colemanite and/or howlite minerals basically comprising: treating the mineral with sulfuric acid in order to dissolve boron compounds from the minerals; separating a solution formed by the chemical reaction, from the solids in suspension; reacting said solution with hydrogen sulfide in order to precipitate arsenic and iron impurities contained in the solution; separating the impurities precipitated from the remaining solution; reacting said remaining solution with ammonia so as to precipitate aluminum impurities; separating said aluminum impurities form the remaining solution; reacting the latter with hot sulfuric acid in order to generate boric acid; cooling the reaction mixture in order to precipitate the boric acid; and separating the boric acid from the remaining solution, being the latter susceptible to be recycled to the sulfuric acid treatment stage in order to concentrate the mineral.

Abstract: A procedure for preparing anhydrous cerous nitrate ammonium nitrate complex comprising treating dried anhydrous ceric hexanitro ammonium complex (ceric ammonium nitrate) with a reducing agent such as ammonia whereby Ce.sup.+4 is reduced to Ce.sup.+3 under anhydrous conditions. The resulting Ce.sup.+3 species, a complex of Ce.sup.+3 nitrate and ammonia nitrate, can be used as a source of anhydrous Ce.sup.+3 ions.

Abstract: To make non-pressure nitrogenous fertilizer solutions, nitrogen oxides are prepared in a continuous process by burning ammonia in contact with a cobalt oxide catalyst started by an electric arc without preheating the gases. This burning forms nitrogen oxides which are reacted under negative pressure in a two-stage system. Nitric acid is formed in the first stage from a portion of the oxides by oxidizing them to nitrogen dioxide and reacting the nitrogen dioxide with water. In the second stage, the remaining nitrogen oxides are reacted at a pH between 8.0 and 8.4 in a gas-liquid contacting apparatus with an ammonium hydroxide reaction liquid, formed by mixing ammonia and water. The ammonium nitrite solution formed in the second stage is mixed with the nitric acid at a pH below 0.2, resulting in a solution of acidic ammonium nitrate to be flowed to the fields with irrigation water.

Abstract: To make non-pressure nitrogenous fertilizer solutions, nitrogen oxides are prepared in a continuous process by burning ammonia in contact with a cobalt oxide catalyst started by an electric arc without pre-heating the gases. This burning forms nitrogen oxides which are reacted under negative pressure in a two-stage system. Nitric acid is formed in the first stage from a portion of the oxides by oxidizing them to nitrogen dioxide and reacting the nitrogen dioxide with water. In the second stage, the remaining nitrogen oxides are reacted at a pH between 8.0 and 8.4 in a gas-liquid contacting apparatus with an ammonium hydroxide reaction liquid, formed by mixing ammonia and water. The ammonium nitrite solution formed in the second stage is mixed with the nitric acid at a pH below 0.2, resulting in a solution of acidic ammonium nitrate to be flowed to the fields with irrigation water.

Abstract: To make and use nitrogenous fertilizer on a farm, nitrogen dioxide is prepared in a continuous process from air or from ammonia in a reactor, with the ammonia either being transported to the farm or being prepared on the farm in a continuous process from water and air. The nitrogen dioxide is mixed with a continuous flow of water to form a dilute solution of nitric acid, which may be applied to the field through the irrigation system as top dressing or mixed within the irrigation system with ammonia or other cations to form ammonium nitrate or other desired nitrogen solutions for application to the fields in a continuous process or concentrated without requiring storage of large amounts of gas or creating heat exchange problems in the manufacturing process. In the embodiment which burns ammonia, the nitrogen oxides are fixed on an 8 percent nickel stainless steel mesh in a column 10 feet high and one foot in diameter and oxidized while fixed to nitrogen dioxide.

Abstract: Prilling apparatus for producing prills of ammonium nitrate or urea in which a diverging shroud extends from each prilling head. Means for supplying ammonia is connected to the shroud. The prills pass through a quiescent zone of ammonia in the shroud and the generation of fumes from the apparatus is suppressed. In addition, the prills are coated with a layer of ammonia and are more readily cooled.

Abstract: To make and use nitrogenous fertilizer on a farm, nitrogen dioxide is prepared in a continuous process from air or from ammonia in a reactor, with the ammonia either being transported to the farm or being prepared on the farm in a continuous process from water and air. The nitrogen dioxide is mixed with a continuous flow of water to form a dilute solution of nitric acid, which may be applied to the field through the irrigation system as top dressing or mixed within the irrigation system with ammonia or other cations to form ammonium nitrate or other desired nitrogen solutions for application to the fields in a continuous process or concentrated without requiring storage of large amounts of gas or creating heat exchange problems in the manufacturing process. In the embodiment which burns ammonia, the nitrogen oxides are fixed on an 8 percent nickel stainless steel mesh in a column 10 feet high and one foot in diameter and oxidized while fixed to nitrogen dioxide.

Abstract: Nitric oxide is prepared by the oxidation of ammonia produced by the Haber-Bosch synthesis technique by (a) vaporizing and heating water to superheated steam; (b) electrolyzing the superheated steam in a high temperature electrolysis cell to oxygen and hydrogen; (c) reacting said hydrogen with atmospheric nitrogen thereby forming ammonia by the Haber-Bosch process; and (d) oxidizing said ammonia to nitric oxide and water vapor in the anode of said electrolytic cell with the oxygen produced by said electrolysis.

Abstract: To make non-pressure nitrogenous fertilizer solutions, nitrogen oxides are prepared in a continuous process by burning ammonia in contact with a cobalt oxide catalyst started by an electric arc without preheating the gases. This burning forms nitrogen oxides which are reacted under negative pressure in a two-stage system. Nitric acid is formed in the first stage from a portion of the oxides by oxidizing them to nitrogen dioxide and reacting the nitrogen dioxide with water. In the second stage, the remaining nitrogen oxides are reacted at a pH between 8.0 and 8.4 in a gas-liquid contacting apparatus with an ammonium hydroxide reaction liquid, formed by mixing ammonia and water. The ammonium nitrite solution formed in the second stage is mixed with the nitric acid at a pH below 0.2, resulting in a solution of acidic ammonium nitrate to be flowed to the fields with irrigation water.

Abstract: The emission of fumes is suppressed from a prilling tower for producing prills of ammonium nitrate or urea by conducting particles from a spray of a melt of the material countercurrent through a stream of air. The spray of the material, as it leaves the prilling head is passed through a stagnant atmosphere of ammonia. In addition, the particles of the spray are coated with ammonia and their cooling by the countercurrent air stream is accelerated. To produce the ammonia atmosphere, a shroud is provided about the spray nozzle or nozzles into which gaseous ammonia is injected.