Abstract: This process provides for the oxidation of calcium sulfite produced from wet scrubbing sulfur oxides to gypsum in an aqueous medium containing magnesium sulfate. The process renders scrubber sludge filterable for further manufacturing use or disposal without use of acidic streams.

Abstract: A process is described for the formation of fibrous calcium sulfate hemihydrate, the fibers thereof having specified dimensions, wherein a dilute aqueous suspension of gypsum and, if desired, a crystal habit modifier is first formed. The gypsum in the suspension is then converted into fibrous hemihydrate by reaction in the presence of saturated steam at 120.degree. to 155.degree.C for 0.5 to 2.5 hours.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing sulfur oxides from flue gas comprise cooling and conditioning the hot flue gas to increase the degree of water vapor saturation prior to passage through a bed of substantially dry carbonate chips or lumps, e.g., crushed limestone. The reaction products form as a thick layer of sulfites and sulfates on the surface of the chips which is easily removed by agitation to restore the reactive surface of the chips.

Abstract: The anti-scaling effect of additives added to control the formation of scale during the washing of calcium sulphate anhydrite or hemihydrate crystals is increased when the additives are added as soon as possible after the wash liquors leave the crystals. The invention is of especial use in the washing of calcium sulphate hemihydrate produced during the production of phosphoric acid and is carried out by adding the additives via the central valve of the rotating pan filter on which the hemihydrate crystals are washed.

Abstract: The disclosed process provides for the production of a desulfurized fuel gas from a sulfur-containing fuel oil by absorption, in a first reaction zone, of the sulfur contaminants with a calcium oxide-containing material, which material is then further treated to render it environmentally stable without producing a sulfur-rich gas process stream. The spent limestone from the oil gasifier is reacted with an oxygen-containing gas in a second reaction zone for conversion of the calcium sulfide to calcium sulfate and the sulfated material is then transferred to a third reaction zone wherein it is reacted with carbon dioxide for conversion of the calcium oxide to calcium carbonate.

Abstract: Process for through desulfurization of exhaust gas by treating the gas through the steps of absorption, double decomposition, oxidation, and alkali sulfate conversion.

Abstract: Pyrrolidone-5,5-diphosphonic acids having the formula ##EQU1## wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; as well as their water-soluble salts. The pyrrolidone-5,5-diphosphonic acids are excellent sequestering agents especially for alkaline earth metal ions. They are stabilizers for percompounds and are useful in the delaying of the setting times for gypsum. In addition, the compounds are useful as cosmetic preparations such as toothpastes and mouthwashes where they prevent formation of tartar and plaque and are useful in therapy in the treatment of diseases related to the abnormal deposition or dissolution of difficultly soluble calcium salts in the animal body.

Abstract: The calcination of gypsum by continuously feeding fine gypsum spirally downwardly through a cylindrical zone into which heated air is injected almost tangentially forming a spiral air conveyor. The calcined gypsum collected at the bottom is of unusual uniformity and can be readily and controllably varied by controlled variations in the characteristics of the heated air conveyor.

Abstract: Particulate anhydrite, of whose particles from about 2 to 6% by weight have a particle size greater than about 5 mm, from about 13 to 23% by weight have a particle size of from about 5 to 3.15 mm, from about 33 to 40% by weight have a particle size of from about 3.15 to 1 mm, from about 17 to 23% by weight have a particle size of from about 1 to 0.2 mm, and from about 17 to 33% by weight have a particle size less than about 0.2 mm, will provide a mortar developing high early strength without requiring an excessive amount of water. If the particles having a size less than about 0.2 mm are activatingly ground to increase their energy content to above the minimum possible under ambient pressure and temperature conditions, a particularly speedy initial rise in strength takes place.

Abstract: The purification of the raw phosphogypsum issued from the fabrication of phosphoric acid by reaction between phosphate rock and sulphuric acid consists of removing the extreme grain size fractions therefrom.This method has been developed after it has been found that a large part of the undesirable impurities are concentrated in the extreme grain fractions which constitute only a small percentage of the phosphogypsum. The impurities thus removed are P.sub.2 O.sub.5, F, SiO.sub.2, C, F.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.Purification efficiencies can be obtained of the order of 70 % for the total P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and fluorine, 60 % for silica, and 80 % for organic carbon, while water-soluble P.sub.2 O.sub.5 is substantially completely removed.

Abstract: In the manufacture of phosphoric acid by treatment of phosphate ores with excess phosphoric acid and precipitation of calcium ions as calcium sulfate, the purity and quality of the byproduct calcium sulfate is substantially improved by subjecting the monocalcium phosphate extract of the ore before precipitation of calcium sulfate to one or more preliminary treatments, whereby contaminent ions are substantially and preferentially removed from the extract while the calcium remains substantially in solution. These preliminary treatments may include separation of fluoride by reaction with silicon compounds, separation of radium by reaction with barium compounds in the presence of sulfate ions, and separation of strontium as strontium sulfate.