Abstract: A process of making a calcium acetate-containing solution having a pH value at room temperature between about 7 and about 8 is provided comprising reacting acetic acid with a carbonate compound, adding calcined limestone, and optionally finishing off the acid-base reaction with an amount of an alkali metal hydroxide comprising from about 2% to about 5% of the total stoichiometric complement to the amount of acetic acid. Further process options which may be used in the preparation of deicing agents include adding coarse limestone to the above-prepared calcium acetate-containing solution in amounts up to 10% by weight and converting the solution into solid flakes.

Abstract: A process of making a calcium acetate-containing solution having a pH value at room temperature between about 7 and about 8 is provided comprising reacting acetic acid with a carbonate compound, adding calcined limestone, and optionally finishing off the acid-base reaction with an amount of an alkali metal hydroxide comprising from about 2% to about 5% of the total stoichiometric complement to the amount of acetic acid. Further process options which may be used in the preparation of deicing agents include adding coarse limestone to the above-prepared calcium acetate-containing solution in amounts up to 10% by weight and converting the solution into solid flakes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the oxidation of alkali metal phosphites to alkali metal phosphates at temperatures of between 400.degree. and 500.degree. C. To this end, alkali metal phosphites are employed in the form of an aqueous solution or suspension and, if necessary, the alkali metal : P atomic ratio in this feed material is adjusted to a ratio which at least corresponds to the atomic ratio desired for the final product.More particularly, the solution or suspension is spray-dried in a tower, in a single operational stage, by spraying in a flame zone. Starting material free from alkali metal phosphate and with an alkali metal : P atomic ratio equal to or greater than 3.5 is used for making a trialkali metal phosphate which is obtained in admixture with an alkali metal hydroxide. Starting material which contains from 25 to 45% by weight of alkali metal phosphate, calculated as phosphorus, based on their total phosphorus content, is employed for making alkali metal polyphosphates.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing food-grade caustic such as sodium hydroxide wherein hydrazine or a derivative or salt thereof is used as a corrosion inhibitor, residual hydrazine is removed from the concentrated caustic product solution by oxidation. The oxidation of residual hydrazine is accomplished by adding to the hydrazine-containing concentrated caustic solution, which is characterized by a pH of 14 or higher, a 5- to 10-fold stoichiometric excess of hydrogen peroxide or an equivalent peroxy compound or hypochlorite.

Abstract: Alkali metal-containing salt products selected from the group consisting of alkali metal dihydrogen phosphate, alkali metal sulfate, alkali metal nitrate, and mixtures thereof, together with alkaline earth metal fluoride, are produced from alkali metal fluosilicate by the steps of:(a) reacting alkali metal fluosilicate with alkaline earth metal ion in an aqueous solution to form alkali metal hydroxide and solid alkaline earth metal fluoride with SiO.sub.2 ;(b) separating the solid alkaline earth metal fluoride and SiO.sub.2 and recovering as useful products;(c) reacting the remaining alkali metal hydroxide solution with a mineral acid selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and mixtures thereof, at a temperature in the range of about 30.degree.-100.degree. C. until the reaction is complete; and(d) recovering the alkali metal-containing product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely and economically converting sodium sludge and other dangerous wastes containing metallic sodium, lithium and potassium into products of economic value. The process reacts solid or molten wastes with an aqueous solution to yield products of the metal hydroxides, hydrogen gas and waste heat while consuming only water. Both scrap sodium and sodium sludge are acceptable feedstocks for this unique float/spray process.

Abstract: Strengthening and hardening of metallic alloys has formerly been effected by inclusion of various metal and metal oxide additives. According to the invention, alloys having face-centered cubic structure are strengthened and hardened by the inclusion of one or several hydrides which are formed upon interstitial diffusion of hydrogen. Inclusion of hydrogen is conveniently effected in a shaped body of an alloy comprising a first and a second, more easily hydrided component by exposure to a hydrogen atmosphere at elevated temperature.Resulting alloys also have essentially scale-free surface, high electrical conductivity, and high creep resistance. Hydrided alloys may be shaped, e.g., into electrical components such as wire and switch elements.

Abstract: Radioactive alkali metal is mixed with particulate silica in a rotary drum reactor in which the alkali metal is converted to the monoxide during rotation of the reactor to produce particulate silica coated with the alkali metal monoxide suitable as a feed material to make a glass for storing radioactive material. Silica particles, the majority of which pass through a 95 mesh screen or preferably through a 200 mesh screen, are employed in this process, and the preferred weight ratio of silica to alkali metal is 7 to 1 in order to produce a feed material for the final glass product having a silica to alkali metal monoxide ratio of about 5 to 1.

Abstract: In the regeneration of alkaline liquors as used in paper pulping, a mixed oxide compound of an alkali or alkaline earth metal oxide and an oxide of Ti, Fe, Co, Ni, or Mn is formed by burning black liquor. The burning step is carried out in a fluidized bed. The mixed oxide product is washed in cold water and subsequently treated with hot water to precipitate the oxide of Ti, Fe, Co, Ni or Mn and enable recovery of the alkaline solution for recycling.

Abstract: A method of producing porous lithium oxide having an average pore spacing not greater than about 20 microns and preferably not greater than about 10 microns, wherein lithium hydroxide is heated above the melting point of anhydrous lithium hydroxide in an inert atmosphere, cooled to a temperature below its melting point in the inert atmosphere, subjected to reduced pressure not exceeding 2 microns of mercury and heated to a temperature of about 150.degree. to about 200.degree. C. under reduced pressure, to obtain porous lithium oxide. Porous microspheres of lithium oxide can be obtained by passing the molten lithium hydroxide through a small bore vertical tube to form a liquid jet which is disintegrated into molten microspheres, cooled and heated under the conditions described above.

Abstract: This invention relates to the removal of substantially all of the disodium terephthalate (Na.sub.2 TA) dissolved in a dilute aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. More particularly this invention pertains to the recovery for reuse of an aqueous solution containing 5 weight percent sodium hydroxide from an aqueous solution containing, on a weight basis, from 5 to 5.25 percent Na.sub.2 TA and 2.5 to 3.0 percent sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: A continuous integrated process for the production of lithium hyroxide monohydrate and high purity lithium carbonate of large average particle size comprising converting impure lithium carbonate to lithium hydroxide by a causticization step, separating precipitated calcium carbonate from the resulting lithium hydroxide solution, precipitating lithium hydroxide monohydrate from a major portion of the lithium hydroxide solution and recovering same, introducing carbon dioxide or lithium carbonate to the remaining minor portion of the lithium hydroxide solution to precipitate additional calcium as calcium carbonate, separating the precipitated calcium carbonate from the lithium hydroxide solution, introducing carbon dioxide to the lithium hydroxide solution to precipitate high purity lithium carbonate of large average particle size, separating and recovering said lithium carbonate from the resulting lithium carbonate solution, and recycling said lithium carbonate solution to said causticization step.

Abstract: A process for recovering caustic alkali from spent alkali liquor, in which a spent alkali liquor and iron oxide are roasted to obtain a product containing alkali ferrate and the product of roasting is hydrolyzed at a temperature over 110.degree. C. and under pressurized conditions where liquid phase is retained, thereby recovering caustic alkali in the form of an aqueous solution of a concentration higher than approximately 15 wt% containing dissolved iron in an extremely small concentration.

Abstract: In the alkaline pulping of cellulose and particularly in the step wherein green liquor is converted to white liquor by causticizing or the addition of calcium hydroxide, it has been found that the addition of any of three specially selected organic phosphonate reagents, namely, nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (Dequest 2000); 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (Bayer PBS-AM); and hexamethylenediaminetetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid) (Nalco 7691/Dequest 2051), accelerates the speed of the reaction to the right. These acid compounds and their soluble alkali metal and ammonium salts have proved effective in increasing the acceleration rate to the right of the causticizing reaction and the production of the titratable sodium hydroxideCaO+H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.Ca(OH).sub.2ca(OH).sub.2 +Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 .fwdarw.2NaOH+CaCO.sub.3 .dwnarw.these additives give up to a 2-4% increase in causticizing conversion to NaOH when applied at 0.

Abstract: A method and composition are described for the decomposition of sodium-mercury amalgam in a reactor containing solid packing particles to form hydrogen, sodium hydroxide, and denuded mercury. The novel packing particles are comprised of a heterogeneous solid mixture of a matrix of a thermally stable polymer having embedded therein discrete particles of a surface active composition. Suitable thermally stable polymers include polyphenylene sulfide and suitable surface active compositions include carbon, iron, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, and molybdenum. The proportion of the polymer in the packing generally ranges from about 20 to about 80 percent by volume. Preferably, the matrix is prepared in porous form which may also be coated with a surface active metal.

Abstract: A method of obtaining caustic soda and pure sodium chloride from an electrolytic cell liquor containing also sulfate ions including the steps of concentrating the liquor through multiple effect evaporation, cooling the concentrate obtained, separating the sodium chloride and the salt containing sulfate and recovering the caustic soda, whereby during a first stage the liquor is evaporated so as to precipitate only sodium chloride which is removed, in a second stage a solid phase is formed of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate and triple salt of caustic soda, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate, with said solid phase being contacted with a caustic soda solution of less than about 35% by weight concentration, so as to decompose said triple salt, removing the salt containing sulfate, and in a third stage the solution from the second stage is cooled to precipitate said triple salt of caustic soda, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate, which is separated from the caustic soda which does not crystallize and is removed fro

Abstract: Sulfur-containing heavy hydrocarbonaceous oil feeds are simultaneously hydroconverted and desulfurized by reaction of the feed with an alkali metal alkoxide in the presence of added hydrogen at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide containing soluble impurities such as a concentrated catholyte produced by a diaphragm electrolysis is cooled by a coolant or a heat-exchanger to form a slurry containing sodium hydroxide hydrate crystals and fine impurity crystals. The fine impurity crystals are adsorbed on bubbles which are formed by vaporizing a dissolved coolant or introducing a gas in the slurry and separated from the slurry.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxides which is composed of:A. a 50% by weight aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, andB. a 45% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide,With the weight ratio of A to B being 2:1.

Abstract: Large quantities of alkali metals may be safely reacted for ultimate disposal by contact with a hot concentrated caustic solution. The alkali metals react with water in the caustic solution in a controlled reaction while steam dilutes the hydrogen formed by the reaction to a safe level.

Abstract: Alkali metals such as those employed in liquid metal coolant systems can be safely reacted to form hydroxides by first dissolving the alkali metal in relatively inert metals such as lead or bismuth. The alloy thus formed is contacted with a molten salt including the alkali metal hydroxide and possibly the alkali metal carbonate in the presence of oxygen. This oxidizes the alkali metal to an oxide which is soluble within the molten salt. The salt is separated and contacted with steam or steam-CO.sub.2 mixture to convert the alkali metal oxide to the hydroxide. These reactions can be conducted with minimal hydrogen evolution and with the heat of reaction distributed between the several reaction steps.

Abstract: The method of treating a chlorine-based total bleachery effluent in which only a chlorine and sodium salts are used in the bleach sequence comprising the steps of adding aluminum ion to said effluent in an amount sufficient to precipitate substantially all of the organics and suspended solids therein, separating the solids from said effluent, electrodialyzing the treated effluent to provide two effluent streams, one containing 200 to 600 parts per million sodium chloride which can be returned to the bleachery, and a second concentrated stream containing 5 to 10% by weight sodium chloride, evaporating said concentrated stream to a concentration of about 25% sodium chloride by weight, and electrolyzing said concentrated sodium chloride solution to produce chlorine gas, sodium hydroxide, and sodium hypochlorite.

Abstract: NaOH.3.5 H.sub.2 O crystals are prepared by cooling a slurry of 32 to 34% aqueous NaOH solution containing NaOH.3.5 H.sub.2 O seed crystals to below the temperature for saturating the aqueous NaOH solution with respect to NaOH.3.5 H.sub.2 O and separating the precipitated crystals.

Abstract: The aqueous effluent from the dehydrochlorination of 3,4-dichlorobutene-1 is treated with ozone, and is then treated with chlorine until the pH is acidic.

Abstract: Process for hydrogenolysis of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal salt of formic acid so as to produce methanol and a metal hydroxide corresponding to the formic acid salt wherein a catalyst of cobalt, rhenium, ruthenium, palladium, platinum or mixtures thereof is used.

Abstract: Lithium niobate single crystals doped with iron can be treated to reduce trivalent iron to divalent iron without reduction of the lithium niobate host crystal, by surrounding the crystal with a high-melting salt of lithium, such as lithium carbonate, and heating in an oxygen-containing atmosphere until the desired amount of reduction is obtained.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide containing soluble impurities such as a concentrated catholyte produced by a diaphragm electrolysis is cooled by a coolant or a heat-exchanger to form a slurry containing sodium hydroxide hydrate crystals and fine impurity crystals. The fine impurity crystals are adsorbed on bubbles which are formed by vaporizing a dissolved coolant or introducing a gas in the slurry and separated from the slurry.