Abstract: An improved process for the remediation of soil contaminated by the presence therein of organic or semi-volatile inorganic contaminants which comprises (1) supplying thermal energy to the soil at one or more locations under the surface of the soil, (2) collecting the vapors resulting from contaminant vaporization or decomposition under the influence of the thermal energy, after passage horizontally through the soil, at one or more locations under the surface of the soil and separating from the collected vapors the environmentally undesirable components thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing sulfate ion from an aqueous sodium chlorate liquor. A crystallization temperature is selected between about -15.degree. and about 0.degree. C. and the maximum concentration of sodium chlorate that is soluble in the liquor at that temperature is determined. The liquor is diluted so that the concentration of sodium chlorate in the liquor is less than that miximum concentration and the liquor is cooled to that temperature so that the sulfate ion in the liquor crystallizes as sodium sulfate decahydrate but the sodium chlorate does not crystallize.

Abstract: Conventional presintering and reaction presintering processes for the production of ceramic powders yield products exhibiting an undesired primary particle size distribution along with localized distribution of impurities, which give rise to the formulation of undesired duplex structures during final sintering.In order to avoid formation of undesired duplex structures within sintered ceramic parts a process and a device for producing ceramic powders based on single- or multi-phase metal oxides (including SiO.sub.2 - compounds), exhibiting a narrow particle size distribution, i.e. with a maximum deviation of the primary crystal size (REM) of +/- 0.75 .mu.m, preferentially less than +/- 0.25 .mu.m, within an average particle size of 0.05 up to 10.0 .mu.m, is conceived. The raw feed material exhibits a specific surface area of 0.05 up to 500 m.sup.2 /g (BET), preferentially 5.0 up to 50 m.sup.

Abstract: A method for gas solids contacting uses a two direction distributor to prevent bed surface disturbances at high inlet velocities and high particle loadings. The distributor uses a series of partitions to peel off portions of the downward gas flow and redirect them radially outward. Each outwardly directed gas flow component passes through a series of perforations to effect any necessary circumferential redistribution before entering the space above the particle bed. By subdividing the gas flow into a number of radially directed flow portions and circumferentially redistributing these flow portions, cross-currents and eddy currents on the catalyst bed surface are minimized or avoided so that disturbances at the bed surface are eliminated. This distributor is particularly effective in vessels having particles loaded to within a short distance of bed inlets and where elbows or other upstream flow devices introduce nonuniformities into the gas flow to a particle bed.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the mineralogical conversion of waste asbestos to a non-asbestos product. The waste asbestos is treated with a mineralizing agent and then heated for a period of time sufficient to convert the asbestos to the non-asbestos product. The mineralizing agent is preferably a water-soluble alkali metal borate or alkali metal silicate.

Abstract: A system to mitigate the effect of an environmental release of a contaminant gas. The system includes at least one first fluid effect device (13) positioned in the vicinity of the environmental release (33). A first fluid stream (20), a second fluid stream (23) and a flame (24) may each selectively be discharged from the first fluid device (13) in proximity to the contaminant gas. At least one second fluid effect device (25) also may be positioned in the vicinity of the environmental release (33) and the first fluid effect device (13). A third fluid stream (30) may be discharged from the second fluid device (25) proximate to the contaminant gas. A method to mitigate the effect of an environmental release of a contaminant gas employing the foregoing system is likewise embodied herein.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for desalinating sea water. The system includes an energy source such as a laser 13, and a container 19 (partly or wholly transparent) for holding the sea water, the sea water having sodium and chlorine ions and a solvent (H.sub.2 O) with a predetermined dielectric value. The system applies a predetermined amount of energy, in the form of a laser beam 35 through the transparent container 19, to the seawater substantially at a resonance frequency of the solvent, for reducing the dielectric value of the solvent and vibrating the ions, permitting them to combine and precipitate out of the seawatewr, thereby desalinating the seawater. To increase the effect of the beam 35, the system includes a pair of mirors 15,17 for reflecting the beam back and forth through the sea water.

Abstract: A process for separating off poisonous volatile chemical compounds from a mixture (7) of solid particles having a particle size of up to 200 .mu.m, the mixture being brought continuously or intermittently at an average rate of 5.degree. to 200.degree. C./min in zones of progressively increasing temperature up to 1350.degree. C. and the poisonous chemical compounds being evaporated and forced to leave the reaction space (6). The poisonous compounds are subsequently condensed and discharged. The non-evaporated residue is gradually melted, and the melt (8) is continuously or intermittently discharged from the reaction space (6) and solidified. The particles carried over into the gas phase are preferably retained by a hot gas filter, liquefied and passed into the melt.

Abstract: A process is provided for converting asbestoform material into an environmentally safe material by heating the asbestoform material with an alkaline flux so as to change the crystalline structure of the asbestoform material to a form that is environmentally safe.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for catalyzing the reactionsQZ+H.sub.2 X?QZX (1)andQZX?QZ+H.sub.2 X (2)whereinQ=C or N;Z=O or S;X=O, S, NH or NR;R=C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl which may be linear, branched or cyclized,which comprises:contacting at least one polydentate nitrogen-containing chelating agent complexed with a metal atom with the reactants of one of said reactions, wherein said contacting takes place in the presence of a means for oxidizing when reaction (1) is catalyzed and in the presence of a means for reducing when reaction (2) is catalyzed. A particular reaction is the conversion of NO to NO.sub.2 using water and supported porphines, hemes, phthalocyanines, ethioporphrins sirohemes, particularly heme and heme compounds or derivatives such as methemoglobin, myoglobin, or hemin.

Abstract: Modifications are made to the standard process for the manufacture of ammonia and related compounds, resulting in lower operating costs through reduced total energy consumption. In one aspect of the invention, this is achieved by directing ammonia gas through one feed line, and carbon dioxide gas and steam through another feed line, into a closed reaction chamber to form ammonium carbonate. The formation of this solid compound results in a reduced pressure in the chamber. This reduced pressure can be used to drive heat engines in the reactant feed lines. In another aspect of the invention, the cost of running the potassium carbonate loop while the rest of the system is down is reduced by constructing an alternate pathway along part of the loop. The carbon dioxide gas and water vapor formed by the heating of the potassium bicarbonate flow through a heat engine and are cooled. The cooled water vapor and carbon dioxide gas are then recycled.

Abstract: A method for the decomposition of halogenated and non-halogenated organic contaminant compounds contained in a contaminated medium comprises adding an alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate, bicarbonate or hydroxide to the contaminated medium in an aqueous solution or in a solvent having a boiling point of at least 200.degree. C., or in the form of a solid dispersion or suspension. The medium includes a hydrogen donor compound. The hydrogen donor compound may be originally contained in the medium or may be added to the medium. The medium further includes a catalytic source of carbon, for example, a carabohydrate, which will cause formation of a free radical hydrogen ion from the hydrogen donor compound. The medium is heated to dehydrate the medium and then is further heated at a temperature between about 200.degree. and 400.degree. C. to cause formation of the free radical hydrogen ion and effect reductive decomposition of the halogenated and non-halogenated organic contaminant compounds.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of ultrafine particles or atom clusters is disclosed. The ultrafine particles of size between about 10 to 1000 Angstroms are formed by the disruption of the crystal lattice or micrograin structure of the metal, alloy or intermetallic compound in one or both of two spaced electrodes by a high frequency, high voltage, high peak current discharge. The ultrafine particles are not subjected to fractionation as in evaporative processes and accordingly are remarkably predictable in both particle size, distribution of sizes and atomic composition, and also are readily transportable in carrier gases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved method for carrying out a exothermic chemical reaction with carbon dioxide in an aqueous environment. In the method, a fluid solution containing at least one chemical reactant which is exothermically reactive with carbon dioxide is provided. Liquid carbon dioxide is then injected into the solution of the chemical reactant at a pressure above the triple point of at least about 60 psig. The injection of the liquid carbon dioxide takes place under turbulent conditions wherein the liquid carbon dioxide expands to provide carbon dioxide vapor. The carbon dioxide vapor superheats to approach the exothermic reaction temperature which occurs between the carbon dioxide vapor and the chemical reactant. The chemical reactant and the carbon dioxide react in the dispersion exothermically to produce a chemical reaction product.

Abstract: Resonant tubes of a pulse combustor are immersed in a bed of solid particles in a reaction zone to provide indirect heat from the pulsating combustion gases to the solid particles of the bed. The bed is maintained in an agitated state by a gas or vapor flowing through the bed. Reactant materials are introduced into the agitated bed and undergo reaction at enhanced rates resulting from heat transfer coefficients at least about twice as high as those of steady flow combustors and an intense acoustic pressure level propagated from the pulsating combustor into the reaction zone. The apparatus is useful, for example, to steam reform heavy hydrocarbons and to gasify carbonaceous material, including biomass and black liquor to produce combustible gas at relatively low temperatures, with steam being usilized as the bed fluidizing medium. Black liquor gasification, utilizing sodium carbonate as bed solids, results in liquor energy and chemical content recovery without smelt production.

Abstract: A method for rendering harmless chrysotile asbestos comprises wetting the asbestos fibers with an aqueous solution containing about 1 to 10% by weight of a weak organic acid, such as trifluoroacetic acid. The weak acid solution hydrolyzes the magnesium oxide units contained in the crystal structure of chyrsotile asbestos, thereby destroying this crystal structure and the fibrous nature of the asbestos. The method may be used on building materials already in place to remove the asbestos fibers contained therein.

Abstract: A method of treating solid hazardous wastes containing unacceptable levels of leachable metals such as lead, cadmium and zinc includes mixing the solid waste with a buffering agent selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, reactive calcium carbonates and reactive magnesium carbonates, and with an additional agent which is an acid or salt containing an anion that forms substantially nonleachable forms of the metals, which additional agent is selected from the group consisting of triple superphosphate, ammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, phosphoric acid, boric acid and metallic iron so that under both acidic and nonacidic leaching conditions the metals in the mixture will be converted to substantially nonleachable forms.

Abstract: The efficiency of trickle bed reactors is improved by periodically varying the liquid flow rate through the solids bed of the reactor. The reaction rate, conversion and product concentration can be increased using the novel operating procedure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neutralization of liquid waste products containing different organohalides. A method of combustion neutralization of liquid waste products resides in that a mixture of the liquid waste products with an alkali reagent is prepared and introduced in the form of a sprayed flow into a high-temperature stream of the fuel combustion products, sprayed water being introduced between the stream of fuel combustion products and the path of the sprayed mixture. The consumption during combustion neutralization is no less than 1.2 kg per kg of the above mixture of waste products with the alkali reagent and no more than 2.5 kg per kg of the fuel being used.

Abstract: The instant invention is a method for the quenching of a spent bed resulting from the reaction of organic halides with silicon metal to form organohalosilanes. The method employs a strong base and elevated temperature to digest the hydrophobic siloxane-rich coating and dislodge the carbon coating which forms around the spent bed particles. Removal of these coatings allows more rapid and complete quenching of the autoxidants on the surface of the spent bed particles.

Abstract: A method of using photoactive semiconductors to reduce atmosphere chlorofluorocarbons by dispersing photoactive semiconductor particles, namely titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or zinc sulfide into the stratosphere, activating the particles through exposure to ambient light, accumulating chlorofluorocarbons by chemisorption into the semiconductor, precipitating the reacted particles from the stratosphere and hydrolyzing the chlorofluorocarbon moiety into involatile components.

Abstract: A method for concentrating an isotope from an admixture containing the isotope by contacting the admixture with a catalyst capable of selectively catalyzing a reaction with the isotope, and recovering the concentrated isotope from the reaction products. In one embodiment, the method can be used to concentrate deuterium from sources such as hydrogen-rich gas.

Abstract: A catalytic chemical process is carried out non-adiabatically using as a catalyst a body with two sets of channels throughout the body. One set of channels leads the process fluid towards one of two parallel walls of the catalyst chamber, the other set towards the outer wall, In slits between walls and catalyst heat is exchanged between process fluid and at least one of these walls upon reflecting the process fluid leaving channels of one set and entering channels of the other. The body may be made of alternatingly corrugated and plane sheets using in turn two different orientations for the corrugated sheets. It is preferred that the sheets are arranged orthogonal to the heat transmitting wall(s) and parallel to the overall direction of flow. The method is preferred for endothermic processes, especially steam reforming of hydrocarbon(s).

Abstract: Improved process for heterogeneous synthesis and related reactors according to which the synthesis catalyst is distributed in three catalytic beds either axial-radial or radial, control of the temperature between beds being effected by means of fresh quench gas between the first and the second bed and by means of indirect cooling with an exchanger between the second and the third bed of the gas leaving the second bed, using fresh gas which is heated inside the tubes of said exchanger.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for catalytic combustion in which a combustible gas stream is mixed with part of the recycled hot product stream and then fed to a combustion zone containing a combustion catalyst, and from which the hot pressurized product is obtained. The recycle is preferably effected by means of a constriction at the end of the inlet gas supply producing a region of lower pressure than the pressure of the product gas.

Abstract: Halogenated hydrocarbons are reacted in a reactor at temperatures up to 1000.degree. C. with greater-than-stoichiometric amounts of calcium and/or magnesium silicates in a reactor for the chemical-thermal degradation of the halogenated hydrocarbons. Neither dioxins nor furans are formed in the waste gas in this process.

Abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls are chemically degraded by contact with a Lewis acid catalyst in a non-aqueous liquid medium, in the presence of a cation which combines with the chlorines on the PCBs to form a solid chloride of the cation which will precipitate out from the liquid medium. Preferred Lewis acids are metal halides, particularly a combination of aluminum chloride and ferric chloride, and the preferred cation is potassium in the form of potassium hydroxide. The process is susceptible to both batch and continuous operation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for accelerating the removal and recovery of selenium from aqueous solutions, such as agricultural irrigation drainage streams or mine waste waters by the bioreduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV) species by using Clostridium soil bacteria together with a rapid exchange reaction which occurs between the aqueous selenium species selenous acid (H.sub.2 SeO.sub.3) and pyrite (FeS.sub.2) to remove all forms of selenium from the aqueous solution. The exchange reaction product FeS.Se may be treated with dilute mineral acid such as sulfurous acid to generate hydrogen selenide (H.sub.2 Se), which is burned in air to yield free selenium. The free selenium recovered is available for use in the electronics, photocopying equipment and other industries. A reusable bacteria-containing soil and pyrite filter apparatus for installation in drainage canals and other conduits is additionally provided to facilitate the removal of aqueous selenium pollutants.

Abstract: Process for causticizing a water solution containing alkali carbonate with calcium oxide and hydroxide by bringing the water solution containing alkali carbonate into contact with the calcium oxide or hydroxide and by separating the alkali hydroxide solution arisen in the causticizing from the calcium carbonate precipitate. The water solution containing alkali carbonate is conducted through a bed which has been formed by mixing calcium oxide and calcium carbonate in the causticized alkali solution and by removing the excess alkali solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for producing composite ceramic articles by infiltration of a particulate, permeable bed or permeable preform with a polycrystalline matrix a metal-oxidant reaction product, and the bed or preform includes a dross material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reacting on material by means of intense radiation employed to change the physical and, in certain instances, the chemical characteristics of such material. In one form, an intense radiation beam is directed into a cavity of a die or support for a small quantity of material to be reacted on and the intense heat of the beam as well as the shock wave generated in the material in the die cavity by the rapid heat of the beam react on such material to change its physical characteristics. In another form, two or more intense radiation beams, such as generated by one or more lasers or electron guns as intense pulses of radiation, are directed against a particle or pellet of material directed along a predetermined path into a reaction chamber, intensely heat and transmit shock wave energy thereto from opposite directions which shock waves collapse against the material transforming it into another form.

Abstract: This invention can treat a uranium-containing solution of high or low concentration and/or the waste generated from uranium conversion processes, etc. It is characterized by the use of acorns, nuts of oak tree, which can be easily obtained in our botanical system. By coprecipitating the uranium or other heavy metal elements with the extract of acorns, this invention can not only recover the uranium of other heavy metal elements but also can reduce them before being discharged to the environmental radioactivity level.

Abstract: A method of catalytic oxidation of organophosphonate esters includes introducing the organophosphonate esters in gaseous form into contact with a molybdenum catalyst and effecting such introduction in the presence of oxygen to cause the organophosphonate ester to be oxidized on the molybdenum catalyst surface. The process is preferably carried out at a temperature of at least 900.degree. K. in the presence of excess oxygen. A chemisorbed oxide coating or molybdenum oxide coating or both may be established on all or part of the molybdenum catalyst. Among the organophosphonate esters which may be oxidized in this manner are dimethyl methylphosphonate, diisopropyl methylphosphonate, diphenyl methylphosphonate, and other molecules with the structure: ##STR1## The catalytic oxidation results in emission of carbon monoxide and phosphorus oxides(s) without undesired buildup of carbonaceous or phosphorus overlayers on the Mo catalyst surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting accelerated chemical reactions at elevated temperatures and pressures including wet oxidation of materials in waste streams. An influent waste stream or first reactant is directed through a long tubular coil within a containment vessel with a second reactant being added to the influent. The flow rates for the gas and liquid components of the waste stream are set to cause plug or slug flow of the waste stream through the tubular coil. The curvature of the coil tends to induce a secondary flow in the liquid such that the liquid tends to travel in a spiral thereby providing more intimate mixing of the reactants; and the containment vessel may be partitioned to form a series of successive compartments to permit different temperature gradients to be applied to successive sections of the tubing coil across its length.

Abstract: A method of detoxifying hazardous wastes containing mercury, zinc, selenium, arsenic, antimony, or thallium by mixing the waste with silicate and a setting agent which together form an alkaline silicate matrix. An additive other than the silicate and setting agent is mixed with the waste, prior to the matrix setting, to form a complex with the mercury, zinc, selenium, arsenate, antimony, thallium, or copper that is substantially insoluble in the environment of the alkaline silicate matrix. The alkaline silicate matrix thereby binds wastes which could otherwise leach out to contaminate the environment.

Abstract: Process for obtaining an optimal synthesis gas distribution in catalytic beds for heterogeneous reactions in reactors comprising a cylindrical pressure vessel with an internal cartridge containing a catalyst.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated on demand by reacting hydrochloric acid (haloacid) and a pure metal by flowing the acid upwardly through a bed of metal particles held on a distributor plate within a sliding tray. The tray reciprocates in a receiving vessel. A port in the retaining vessel can be aligned with a drain port in the sliding tray (below the distributor plate) so that the solution in the bed can be shunted directly to an annulus between the retaining vessel and the reactor jacket, thereby eliminating contact of acid and metal and stopping the generation of hydrogen. A coolant may be circulated in the base of the retaining vessel to control the temperature of the acid as it enters the bed, thereby helping to control the reaction rate. A hydrogen generator reactor includes one or more sliding trays housed within a jacket.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic gaseous phase reaction of a reactive gas wherein the heat of reaction generated produces a temperature elevation of less than about 150.degree. C. in the substantially adiabatic reaction system, the improvement comprising:heating the cold reactive gas by passing it through a heated regenerative material present in the first portion of a vessel;passing the heated reactive gas through a solid catalyst for the reaction present in a second portion of the vessel to form a gaseous product stream;redirecting the gaseous product stream;passing the redirected gaseous product stream through the solid catalyst for the reaction present in the second portion of the vessel to form additional gaseous product,cooling the gaseous product stream by passing it through a cooled regenerative material present in the first portion of the vessel; andperiodically reversing the flow direction in the portions of the reaction system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a zirconium phosphate in particles having sizes comprised within the range of from 1 to 100 .mu.m, a lamellar structure with interlayer distance, in the anhydrous state, comprised within the range of from 7.9 to 8.2 .ANG. and a surface area comprised within the range of from 9 to 20 m.sup.2 /g.The method consists in altering the lamellar structure of a zirconium phosphate with layer structure of alpha type by intercalating into it an organic substance containing a proton-acceptor group and water and by a treatment with ultrasounds, in regenerating the hydrogen form of said zirconium phosphate by an acid and in washing the same with diluted acids and/or water.

Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption separation of a gas mixture containing a more readily adsorbed component and a less readily adsorbed component is performed within an apparatus containing an adsorbent bed with cyclically varied geometry, such that the bed volume can be expanded or contracted. Variable volume displacement means at either end of a flow path through the adsorbent bed are operated cyclically to generate flow of a gas mixture along the flow path, in a first direction when the more readily adsorbed component is preferentially adsorbed during the high pressure portion of the cycle while the bed volume is relatively contracted, and in a second reverse direction during the low pressure portion of the cycle while the bed volume is relatively expanded.

Abstract: Hollow porous microspheres are used as substrates and containers for catalyst to make microsphere catalysts.The hollow porous microspheres are made from dispersed particle compositions. The microspheres have a single central cavity, have substantially uniform diameters and substantially uniform wall thickness and the walls of the microspheres have substantially uniform void content, i.e., interconnecting voids, and have substantially uniform distribution of interconnecting voids. The interconnecting voids in the walls of the microspheres are continuous and extend from the outer wall surface of the microsphere to the inner wall surface of the microsphere.The microsphere catalysts are prepared by coating or impregnating the hollow porous microspheres with a catalyst or by applying a catalyst support to the microspheres and then coating or impregnating the microspheres and catalyst support with a catalyst.

Abstract: A fluid bed reactor for treatment of refractory materials with a hot fluidizing gas and a method to use same. Both the refractory materials and the fluidizing gas are introduced from the top of the reactor. Unusually high reaction temperatures of up to 2000.degree. C. are maintained in the reaction chamber due to the presence of heating elements within the reactor and due to countercurrent heat transfer.

Abstract: A process is described for creating the flow properties to filtration residues from sodium production. These viscous-to-hard filter residues can be changed into a thin-fluid consistency by intensively agitating them under an inert gas for 2-6 hours at temperatures between 300.degree. and 600.degree. C.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for effecting a chemical reaction, including a mixer/charger for simultaneously mixing and electrically charging a fluid input to produce a charged fluid output, chemical reaction containment vessel for containing ingredients undergoing a chemical reaction separately from the mixer/charger, and a coupling for fluidically coupling the charged fluid output from the mixer/charger to the containment vessel to influence the chemical reaction. The method includes simultaneously mixing and electrically charging a fluid input to produce an electrically charged fluid output, and delivering the electrically charged fluid to a medium undergoing a chemical reaction to influence the chemical reaction thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for regulating the pressure of a gas produced in a reactor and withdrawn from the reactor continuously by means of a gas compressor lying in a gas withdrawal path, to a substantially constant pressure value in the reactor, in which a first setting member influencing the gas withdrawal rate through the gas withdrawal path is controlled in dependence upon the pressure of the gas in the reactor by way of a first regulating section, characterized in that in dependence upon the pressure of the gas in the reactor moreover by way of a second regulating section a second setting member which influences the gas return rate in a gas return path connecting the gas withdrawal path downstream of the gas compressor with the gas withdrawal path upstream of the gas compressor or with the reactor is controlled, the controlling of the second setting member taking place with less inertia than the controlling of the first setting member.

Abstract: A spiral gas stream is generated in a pipeline when a uniform flow of gas flowing in a cylinder having inner diameter larger than that of the pipeline is introduced through a funnelform reducer into the inlet of the pipeline and bringing the mean gas stream velocity in the pipeline faster than 20 meter per second. The uniform flow of gas is formed in the cylinder easily when outside low pressure gas is fed into the cylinder through a feed gas inlet pipe installed diagonally at the side of the cylinder apart from the bottom plate so as to make the flow line of the feed gas to cross the axis of the cylinder and inclined toward the bottom plate. When solid particles are introduced into the spiral gas stream zone, they are transported to the outlet of the pipeline. As the compressed gas layer is formed along the inside wall of the pipeline by the spiral motion of gas stream, solid particles don't contact directly with the inside wall of the pipeline and don't hurt it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the solvent extraction of polychlorinated organic compounds from porous materials. Specifically, the present invention describes a process for the use of a solvent extraction of polychlorinated organic compounds, such as hexachloroethane, hexachlorobutadiene and hexachlorobenzene from porous materials, such as a vinyl ester resin. When the level of hexachlorinated organic compounds is reduced to a level of 7 ppm or below, the porous material may be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner such as by incineration or by landfill.

Abstract: A method of processing waste solutions containing metal salts or complex involves applying ultra-sonic vibrations to a container in which the solution is placed and treating the solution or the generated misting therefrom to insure that the metallic ions remain behind and then finally exhausting the vapor through an activated charcoal filter to remove any organic contaminants and insure that the discharge is environmentally safe.

Abstract: A reaction product is formed by a process which involves the transfer of the reaction product from an autoclave to a receiving vessel at a substantially constant flow rate. Just prior to this transfer, the pressure in the receiving vessel is brought up to the pressure in the autoclave by passing gas from the autoclave to the receiving vessel. The flow of gas from the autoclave to the receiving vessel is then stopped, and the pressure in the receiving vessel is allowed to drop due to transfer of heat from the gas to the walls of the receiving vessel. The resulting pressure difference between the autoclave and the receiving vessel is used to initiate the transfer of the reaction products from the autoclave to the receiving vessel. A pressure release valve on the receiving vessel is then controlled by means a signal derived from a flow meter which measures the flow rate of the reaction products flowing from the autoclave to the receiving vessel to maintain constant this flow rate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of at least one porous oxide or hydroxide body comprises:(i) adding at least one body comprising a sol of the oxide or hydroxide to a fluid freezing medium; and(ii) raising the temperature of the solid, quenched sol so that solvent nucleation occurs, resulting in the formation of crystals of the dispersion medium, and the dispersion medium melts thereby leaving one or more porous oxide or hydroxide bodies.