Abstract: A single-phase fluid (SPF) storage is introduced for desalination of high-salt water using thermal energy from a concentrated solar power (CSP) unit. The SPF having a specific volumetric enthalpy higher than that of water at critical point in the operating ranges from 20 to 300 bar in pressure and 190 to 400 C in temperature is used as a new type of thermal energy storage (TES) medium and heat transfer fluid (HTF). It produces wet steam of a quality required by the desalination unit generating both steam for utilization of latent heat and condensate for sensible heat when its pressure is reduced to lower operating pressures. With a MED-TVC unit by using the steam as motive steam, the capacity of the CSP unit and SPF storage can be reduced as much as the energy recycled in the desalination unit.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting gaseous nitrogen compounds into an aqueous solution are provided. The method enables the combination of gaseous sulfur and nitrogen compounds in the aqueous solution to generate ammonium compound components, to include ammonium sulfate. Sulfur may be pressure injected into the solution as gaseous sulfur dioxide. Optionally, carbon may be introduced into the solution as gaseous carbon dioxide. The sulfur may be earlier sourced by a burning of a sulfurous solid. The pH of the solution may be monitored and the introduction of ammonia, carbon and/or sulfur may be halted or constrained while the pH of the solution is measured outside of specified range. The solution may be allowed to age to permit a mix of compounds of ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbomate to restabilize and thereby encourage a renewed surge of ammonium sulfate generation.

Abstract: A system for the production of ammonium sulfate granules including a pipe cross reactor (PCR) configured to contact concentrated sulfuric acid with anhydrous ammonia to produce a PCR product comprising ammonium sulfate; and a granulator fluidly connected to the PCR, whereby PCR product extracted from the PCR can be introduced into the granulator, an inlet for ammonium sulfate seed material, an ammonia sparger configured to spray liquid anhydrous ammonia directly onto a bed of ammonium sulfate granules within the granulator, a granulator vent configured for extraction of a vapor comprising unreacted ammonia from the granulator, and a granulator product outlet configured for extraction of granulator product comprising ammonium sulfate granules from the granulator. A method of producing ammonium sulfate granules is also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.

Abstract: A continuous countercurrent flow process for converting FGD gypsum to ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate including countercurrent flows with internal recycle of liquids to maximize the purity of reaction products while minimizing reaction times, and further include embodiments of the process that provide a yield of both ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate to be 97 to 100%, and embodiments that provide for processes having a total time of reaction being 8 to 12 minutes, the invention further including processes for removing contaminants from the FGD gypsum employing an acid rinse process and/or a slurry tank reactor process.

Abstract: Kainite mixed salt is treated with water to obtain solid schoenite and a schoenite end liquor. The latter is desulphated using recycled CaCl2 and thereafter evaporated to obtain camallite crystals, from which KCl is recovered, and a liquor rich in MgCl2. Gypsum produced during desulphatation is reacted with aqueous ammonia and CO2 to produce ammonium sulphate and calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate is calcined to obtained CaO and CO2. The CaO is slaked and reacted with the MgCl2-rich liquor generated above to produce slurry of Mg(OH)2 in aqueous CaCl2. To this surface modifying agent is added while hot and, after cooling, the slurry yields surface modified Mg(OH)2. The filtrate rich in CaCl2 is recycled for desulphatation process above. The solid surface modified Mg(OH)2 may he calcined to produced MgO. The schoenite and KCl are reacted to produce solid sulphate of potash.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying a by-product stream. The process comprises the step of providing a by-product stream comprising an ammonium salt, dimerized amide, and optionally water. The process further comprises the step of precipitating at least a portion of the dimerized amide in the by-product stream to form solid dimerized amide. The process further comprises the step of separating the solid dimerized amide from the by-product stream to form a treated by-product stream comprising less than 1 wt. % solid dimerized amide.

Abstract: Method for the production of a coarse-grained ammonium sulphate product by crystallization and installation for carrying out the method from an ammonium sulphate solution in a DTB type crystallizer having an internal suspension circuit and a clarifying zone, from which a clarified partial flow of solution is constantly drawn off into an external circuit, is heated in a heat exchanger to dissolve the solids contained therein and is guided back as a clear solution into the lower region of the crystallizer. A fine crystal suspension flow is drawn off from the clarifying zone as a further partial flow and guided back into the internal circuit of the crystallization stage without any previous dissolution of the solid proportion contained therein.

Abstract: An aerobic composting process for producing an organic ammonium sulfate product is provided, including providing an enclosed composting apparatus for decomposition of a source of nitrogen; mixing said source of nitrogen with a source of carbon, thereby creating a biomass having a high solids content; moving said biomass down the composting trench as the aerobic composting process progresses; providing aerobic bacteria to highly selectively convert the available nitrogen compounds from said biomass into NH3 and/or NH4 and CO2 without addition of external heat; capturing the NH3 and/or NH4 and CO2 from the atmosphere of the composting apparatus in an aqueous solution; adding a source of sulfate to said aqueous solution containing captured NH3 and/or NH4 and CO2; and processing said aqueous solution containing a source of sulfate and captured NH3 and/or NH4 and CO2 to obtain preferrably organic ammonium polycarbonate and/or solid or concentrated liquid ammonium sulfate product.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.

Abstract: The invention provides a process comprising: a crystallization step of concentrating and crystallizing the ammonium salt of sulfuric acid from an aqueous solution that contains the ammonium salt of sulfuric acid; a solid-liquid separation step of solid-liquid separating the ammonium salt of sulfuric acid obtained in the crystallization step, and a crystallization mother liquid recycling step of recycling a crystallization mother liquid obtained in the solid-liquid separation step to at least one step selected from the crystallization step and one or more steps that precede the crystallization step, in which not all of the crystallization mother liquid is recycled.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying a by-product stream. The process comprises the step of providing a by-product stream comprising an ammonium salt, dimerized amide, and optionally water. The process further comprises the step of precipitating at least a portion of the dimerized amide in the by-product stream to form solid dimerized amide. The process further comprises the step of separating the solid dimerized amide from the by-product stream to form a treated by-product stream comprising less than 1 wt. % solid dimerized amide.

Abstract: Activated carbon is rendered more thermally stable by exposure to a non-halogenated additive, and optionally to a halogen and/or a halogen-containing compound. Such treated carbon is suitable for use in mitigating the content of hazardous substances in flue gases, especially flue gases having a temperature within the range of from about 100° C. to about 420° C.

Abstract: Desirable chemicals are recovered from a raw material that is formed in substantial amounts during the production of cellulose pulp from renewable lingo-cellulose material. An ammonia/ammonium-containing methanol/water mixture is acidified with an acid that has the ability of forming ammonium salt with the ammonium. The mixture is circulated and passed through an apparatus that has an indirect heat exchanger combined with an storage volume fitted with a gas collection device.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method manufacture of an ammonium sulfate composition having a total organic carbon (TOC) content of 1% by weight or less than 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, comprising the following steps: a) reacting i) waste sulfuric acid comprising an organic tertiary amines with ii) ammonia in an amount sufficient to obtain a pH of 9.5 or higher b) separating the organic tertiary amine from the reaction mixture obtained in step a) wherein during the separation the pH of the reaction mixture is maintained at a pH higher than 10 and c) optionally reducing the content of water and/or other volatile components from the aqueous solution comprising the ammonium sulfate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing pelletized ammonium sulfate particles, the method comprising—providing ammonium sulfate crystals;—isolating a fraction comprising crystals having an intermediate size from crystals having a small size and from crystals having a large size, thereby obtaining remaining crystals comprised of crystals having small size and crystals having large size; and—pelletizing through a die at least part of the remaining crystals, i.e. at least part of the crystals from which the fraction comprising crystals having the intermediate size have been isolated, thereby forming pelletized ammonium sulfate particles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating wastewater and process water streams are provided. In some embodiments, the wastewater and/or process water to be treated contains a target chemical (e.g., ammonia and/or ammonium). The methods and systems described herein may include recovering the target chemical from the water stream and/or producing a desired product (e.g., a fertilizer such as an ammonium salt) from the target chemical. In one set of embodiments, a method of treating wastewater and/or process water involves introducing the water stream into a system that includes a combination of two or more of, or all of, a reverse osmosis system, a reaction and separation system (e.g., a vacuum distillation system or other suitable separation system), and a membrane reactor system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for anaerobic digestion of waste fibrous material and the recovery of nutrients are provided. Methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide mechanisms to release dissolved gases from anaerobic digester effluent. Methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein can recover one or more nutrients from anaerobic digested effluent using a range of temperatures, aeration rates, aeration times, pH ranges, and settling times.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer includes a permeation tube, ammonium sulfate disposed within the permeation tube in solid form, and a heating device configured to heat the permeation tube so as to create ammonia gas to flow within the permeation tube. When an array of sensors of the IMS is placed in contact with an unknown sample, the ammonia operates as a reactant so as to provide detection signals that are provided to a processor unit of the IMS, so as to identify the unknown sample based on its ion mobility spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the conversion of gas streams comprising ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and water in the form of liquids or gases that are generated by petroleum refineries and coke ovens to beneficiary agriculture products, by forming ammonium sulfide and then converting the ammonium sulfide, using sulfuric acid, to pure ammonium sulfate.

Abstract: The invention pertains to removing soluble alkali metal or ammonium salt of a divalent anion from brine comprising following steps: obtaining brine with NaCl-concentration between 150g/L and saturation in the presence or absense of a cyrstal growth inhibitor for NaCl(GCI-NaCl),or with NaCl concentration above saturation in the presence of a CGI-NaCl, said brine optionally comprising a crystal growth inhibitor for the alkali metal or ammonium salt of the divalent anion(CGI-DA); if necessary, acidify the solution to pH<11.5; if the concentration of CGI-DA is less than 20 mg/L, adding CGI-DA to obtain at least 20 mg CGI-DA/L; subjecting the solution to a membrane filtration; if the concentration of CGI-DA in the concentration from the separation is less than 20 mg/L, adding CGI-DA to obtain at least 20 mg CGI-DA/L; crystalling the concentration; removing the crystallized alkali metal or ammonium salt of the divalent anion.

Abstract: A process for producing ammonia and sulfuric acid from a stream comprising ammonium sulfate is provided. The process comprises the steps of heating the stream to produce ammonia and a decomposition product comprising one or more than one of a bisulfate salt, a pyrosulfate salt, or a combination thereof. The ammonia produced is recovered, and water is added to the decomposition product to produce a stream comprising the decomposition product. The stream comprising the decomposition product is processed by acid retardation to obtain a sulfuric acid stream and a stream comprising one or more than one sulfate salt.

Abstract: A method for reducing or substantially eliminating oxides of nitrogen from an effluent gas stream, that includes providing a source of ultraviolet radiation with a precise wavelength, adding ammonia or an ammonia based reagent to the effluent stream, upstream of the ultraviolet radiation source, controllably operating the ultraviolet radiation source to irradiate the effluent stream flowing in the duct and substantially reducing or eliminating oxides of nitrogen by promotion a reaction of ammonia with the oxides of nitrogen to produce N2 and H2O, and also thereby destroying any surplus ammonia. This process can also be modified to oxidize carbon monoxide and VOC's to CO2 and H2O.

Abstract: A process for recovering sodium bicarbonate and ammonium sulfate from a sodium sulfate solution. The sodium sulfate solution can be pure or contain other compounds such as sodium sulfite, carbonate, chloride, fluoride, nitrate and nitrite as would be the case if the sodium sulfate solution were derived from a sodium bicarbonate flue gas purification process. Carbon dioxide and ammonia gases or solid ammonium bicarbonate are added to the sodium sulfate solution to precipitate sodium bicarbonate which is removed from solution. The remaining solution is treated in a unique series of precipitation steps in which reactants are first recycled back to the sodium bicarbonate crystallizer and then the amount of sodium in the solution is adjusted to an amount that allows high grade ammonium sulfate fertilizer product to be produced.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling one or more emissions includes introducing ammonia to react with at least a portion of sulfur trioxides in an exhaust emission and result in at least one or more ammoniated compounds. At least a portion of fly ash particles and the ammoniated compounds in the exhaust emission are precipitated. At least a portion of the ammonia from the precipitated ammoniated compounds is recovered with heat from the exhaust emission and the recovered ammonia is reused.

Abstract: Energy in the form of heat is recoverable and controllable in a process that reacts an acid and a base in the presence of steam. The recovered heat energy can be used to vaporize water to form steam which when used in conjunction with a turbine will produce electricity.

Abstract: A process for producing a solid acid catalyst, which comprises: adding a pseudoboehmite as a binder to a sulfated zirconium hydroxide, followed by kneading with an aqueous solution containing at least one metal of the Group VIII, or loading at least one metal of the Group VIII on a sulfated zirconium hydroxide, and then adding a pseudoboehmite as a binder thereto, followed by kneading with water, further followed by molding and calcining at a temperature of from 550 to 800° C.; a solid acid catalyst produced by the production process; and a method for hydrodesulfurizing and isomerizing a light hydrocarbon oil using the catalyst.

Abstract: A process is provided for the removal of hydrogen sulfide out of a gaseous stream (22), such as a natural gas, by contacting the hydrogen sulfide containing gas with a sorbing liquid (26) containing a tertiary amine so that the hydrogen sulfide is sorbed into the liquid in absorber (11) and transferring the sorbing liquid/hydrogen sulfide mixture to a reactor (15) where the tertiary amine promotes the conversion of the hydrogen sulfide into polysulfide via reaction with sulfur; transferring the polysulfide solution from the reactor (15) to a regenerator (10) where polysulfide is converted into elemental sulfur via reaction with air (9); transferring at least a portion of the solution (25) containing elemental sulfur, as well as sulfate and thiosulfate species, into a mixture (36) where it is contacted with gaseous ammonia which reacts with the sulfate and thiosulfate species to produce ammonium sulfate and ammonium thiosulfate which are removed from the solution while the remaining portion of solution (25) is

Abstract: This invention provides a highly pure and highly concentrated free hydroxylamine aqueous solution substantially not containing any salt or organic substance. This invention is a process for obtaining a free hydroxylamine aqueous solution, comprising the steps of letting an aqueous solution or slurry containing hydroxylammonium sulfate and an alkali react with each other, to obtain an aqueous solution or slurry containing free hydroxylamine and dissolved or partially precipitated sulfates; mixing the obtained reaction solution and a lower alcohol, to precipitate solid sulfates; separating a solution containing the lower alcohol and some of water by distillation from the aqueous solution remaining after separating and removing the solid sulfates; and obtaining a free hydroxylamine aqueous solution from the remaining solution by distillation.

Abstract: Nitrate-containing (contaminated) solutions are reduced with SO2 gas in the presence of an at least equimolar amount of NH4+ or ammonium salt.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of residual liquors from the ammoniation and carbonation of alkali metal salts containing ammonium salts, sodium salts, soluble sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and water and producing purified ammonium salts, comprising the steps of: eliminating the sodium bicarbonate, and ammonium bicarbonate mixed in the residual liquor by mixing sulfuric acid with the residual liquor in order to obtain a solution of an ammonium salt and a sodium salt; and separating the sodium salt from the solution or mixing the solution with sodium chloride crystals in order to obtain a magma containing sodium salt crystals and ammonium chloride crystals and separating the sodium salt crystals and the ammonium chloride crystals from the magma.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering sodium bicarbonate and ammonium sulfate from a solution containing sodium sulfate derived from a process for removing sulfur contaminants out of a gas with sodium bicarbonate reagent. Sodium bicarbonate is precipitated and removed from the solution. Sodium sulfate or ammonium bicarbonate is added to the solution to form a second precipitate of sodium bicarbonate, which is removed from the solution. The solution is conditioned by either heating the solution to 95.degree. C. to liberate ammonia and carbon dioxide or by adding sulfuric acid to the solution to decompose any carbonates. The solution is cooled to a temperature between -2 to 2.degree. C. to form a third precipitate of sodium bicarbonate. Sulfuric acid is added to the solution to decompose any carbonate minerals, and purified ammonium sulfate solution is recovered.

Abstract: A flue-gas scrubbing-liquor regeneration process that is based on contacting N-S compounds contained in a flue-gas scrubbing liquor with a lime/limestone solution in a double draw-off crystallizer under suitable pH conditions for precipitating calcium salts of N-S compounds. The precipitated crop is filtered and then hydrolyzed in a sulfuric acid environment to produce gypsum and ammonium sulfate in solution. The hydrolyzed slurry is filtered and the filtrate is neutralized with lime to liberate ammonia gas that is then sparged through a sulfuric acid solution to cause the precipitation of commercial-grade ammonium sulfate.

Abstract: Sulfur oxides are removed from a gas containing same by contacting the gas with a system including ammonium, potassium, and/or sodium salts in a solid phase and ammonium, sodium, and/or potassium hydrogen sulfate in a liquid phase. The sulfur oxides react with the solid phase to form a hydrogen sulfate in a liquid phase. The hydrogen sulfate is regenerated and returned to the reaction zone as a sulfate. Sulfuric acid may be produced as a byproduct. Ammonia injection into the gas stream which optionally contains nitrogen oxides, converts the nitrogen oxides into nitrogen. The excess ammonia reacts with the sulfur oxides to precipitates in the sulfur oxides reaction zone.

Abstract: Process for the removal of sulfur oxides from sulfur oxide-containing gas with simultaneous production of ammonium sulfate. The process is carried out by first passing hot sulfur oxide-containing gas through a prescrubber wherein the gas contacts saturated aqueous ammonium sulfate liquor which is recycled in the prescrubber, followed by passing the prescrubbed gas through an absorber wherein the prescrubbed gas contacts dilute aqueous ammonium sulfate liquor. The sulfur oxide in the sulfur oxide-containing gas is absorbed by the dilute aqueous ammonium sulfate liquor in the absorber, and scrubbed gas is removed from the absorber. The dilute aqueous ammonium sulfate liquor is treated with ammonia and air and the absorbed sulfur dioxide is converted to ammonium sulfate in the liquor. The dilute ammonium sulfate liquor is recycled into contact with the prescrubbed gas in the absorber.

Abstract: A combustion gas is cooled a first time to about 110.degree. C. in a first cooling chamber (3), up to 90% of the ashes is removed in a first precipitator (9) then the gas is cooled again in a second cooling chamber (10), to about 80.degree. C.; in a reaction chamber (13), by energization by means of electrons the sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are converted into sulphuric acid and nitric acid and, with the addition of dry ammonia (15) the two said acids are converted to salts of ammonia, the latter are retained in a second precipitator (21) and sent to a chimney; characteristics of the method and the plant are that, from the instant of the injection of the ammonia into the reaction chamber (13), the temperature of the gas is maintained at above 80.degree. C.

Abstract: The average size of ammonium sulfate crystals is increased by passing undersized ammonium sulfate crystals through a multistage apparatus in which the crystals are contacted with an aqueous ammonium sulfate spray in a first heated chamber to increase the average size of the crystals, the enlarged crystals thereafter passing through a second heated chamber to dry the enlarged crystals.

Abstract: A system is provided for converting flue gas pollutants to useful dry or concentrated ammonium bisulfite and ammonium bisulfate byproducts and other harmless byproducts, and for collecting the useful byproducts. The system also removes particulate material to maximize the desired reactions, and cools the flue gas in heat exchange with boiler feedwater.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing high purity alunite. In the method, a material selected from the group consisting of sodium sulfate, sodium bisulfate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium bisulfate, potassium sulfate and potassium bisulfate is provided and reacted with a source of aluminum hydroxide in a liquid. The reaction is carried out under acidic conditions, and alunite is recovered after separating, washing and drying.

Abstract: A system and method of converting flue gas pollutants to marketable byproducts of ammonium bisulfite and ammonium bisulfate, which are collected, and to other harmless byproducts which may be safely discharged is provided. The system removes as much particulate material and reaction inhibiting coal tar components as possible via an electrostatic precipitator and then passes the flue gas through a heat exchanger, wherein it is cooled by boiler feedwater. A suds producing detergent is introduced to the flue gas in order to separate any remaining coal tar components from the condensing moisture. Due to the removal of the tar components, sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide readily dissolve in the condensing moisture when sufficiently cooled.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and a system for separating very fine particulates from gaseous effluents resulting from the burning of coal or other fossil fuels, or from other combustion processes, such particulates being too small for typical methods to separate. The method utilizes the SO.sub.2, which normally occurs in such gaseous effluents, as a vehicle to enlarge the particles. The gaseous effluent is mixed with water droplets whereby some of the water evaporates; a gaseous ammonia is then injected into the mixture under conditions such as to cause ammonium sulfite to form and to condense on the particles, thus enlarging the particles, and water to condense on the particles, thus further enlarging them; and the now enlarged particles are separated from the gaseous effluent by known methods. DeNO.sub.x and DeSO.sub.x procedures may also be performed on the gaseous effluent prior to the process noted above. Likewise heat recovery may be effected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing pollutants, especially oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, from boiler plant flue gases. A series of heat exchange steps cool the gas and condense acidic condensates. SO.sub.3 is removed by condensation, and SO.sub.2 is removed by either extraction or a combination of oxidation and condensation.

Abstract: The ammonium sulphate contained in tar-rich waste streams from the production of (meth)acrylonitrile can be precipitated out by adding 1 to 30 times the amount by weight of methanol, relative to the water content of the waste stream, and additionally 0.05 to 10% the amount by weight of ammonia, relative to methanol, to such a waste stream at 10.degree.-60.degree. C. and separating off the ammonium sulphate which precipitates out. The waste stream remaining after separating off the ammonium sulphate can, for example, be disposed of as low-sulphur waste-fuel in a combustion chamber.

Abstract: A system for cooling flue gases from a fossil fuel boiler plant, and removing pollutants from the flue gas, is disclosed. In a first section of the apparatus, heat exchange cools the flue gas to just above the condensation point of water, and condensed H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 is collected. In a second section, the gas is cooled further and an acid-containing condensate is collected.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of sulfur oxides from flue gases is provided in which ammonia is added to the flue gas to precipitate out (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4. The (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4 is collected and can be sold as a commercial product.

Abstract: A process which reduces the amount of sulfur compounds present in a feed gas is disclosed. A gas containing sulfur compounds is admixed with an ozone-containing gas. This admixture is then contacted with a scrubbing composition to obtain a gas and a product solution. The gas exhibiting a significant reduction in sulfur compounds as compared to the feed gas. The product solution yields a sulfate-containing compound.

Abstract: Ammonium sulfate powder is employed, alone, or in conjunction with a weakly basic powder to neuturalize the acidity of the sulfate, as a flame retardant for isocyanate-based foams and, in particular, rigid and flexible polyurethane foams.

Abstract: A combination gas denitrogenation and desulfurization process is provided in which a gaseous mixture comprising NO.sub.x, SO.sub.x and O.sub.2 is reacted with excess NH.sub.3 to reduce the NO.sub.x to N.sub.2 and the resulting gaseous effluent comprising the unreacted ammonia and SO.sub.x is passed to a gas desulfurization zone to form an ammonium salt of an acid of sulfur which can be recovered and used as such or converted to elemental sulfur.

Abstract: Part of the synthesis gas produced by coal gasification in an allothermically heated fluidized bed reactor is burned after removal of dust and sulfur and serves as a source of energy to heat the reactor by indirect heat exchange and to produce the steam required for the gasification process. The flue gas exiting from the heat exchanger of the reactor can be used to perform work in expansion turbines. The rest of the synthesis gas is available for use in downstream processes, such as iron ore reduction, or can be burned and used to perform work in turbines to produce electric current. The result is a process that is environmentally safer and operates with a better yield than direct coal burning or autothermal coal gasification, but requires no outside source of energy, such as nuclear power, as prior art allothermal coal gasification processes do.

Abstract: The invention concerns processes for the preparation of zirconium compositions which on calcination form zirconia. The zirconium compositions are prepared by the addition of an ammonia source to an aqueous zirconium sulfate solution to give a solution pH in the range of from 0.1 to 2.5 and preferably 1.0 to 2.0. The zirconium composition precipitated from solution appears crystalline, is readily collected by filtration and has low levels of metallic impurities. Therefore, the process of the invention may be used to advantage in the purification zirconium compounds.The invention also includes the zirconium compositions and processes for the purification of zirconium compounds including zirconia.