Abstract: A briquette batch is prepared from a mixture of glass raw materials containing not only sodium hydroxide as a binder, but also calcined plaster.

Abstract: Initial granulated blast furnace or phosphatic slag is subjected to heat treatment at a temperature of 1000.degree.-1200.degree. C. in oxidizing gas atmosphere to produce an active mineral additive for binding materials.

Abstract: A low density aggregate product and method for making the same utilizing coal ash slag resulting from a typical coal gasification system wherein the resulting aggregate product has a lower density than the initial coal ash slag. The coal ash slag is combined with a small amount of a binder and then fired for a predetermined time and temperature to produce the aggregate. Also, by heating the coal ash slag and binder, a gaseous efflux is emitted to form interlaced channels throughout the aggregate which have a characteristic length and diameter.

Abstract: A cement based on blast-furnace slag and fly ash, characterized in that the cement is a homogeneous dry particulate mixture in ready-to-use form, which comprises blast-furnace slag having a specific surface area of 500-650 m.sup.2 /kg and fly ash in a weight ratio in the range of 20/80-60/40, and further comprises the following components in the amounts indicated, calculated on the total mixture: at least 2% by weight of portland cement clinker and 2-12% by weight of sodium silicate (calculated as Na.sub.2 O+SiO.sub.2).

Abstract: Disclosed is the solidification and chemical fixation of wastes using biogenetic primarily amorphous silica to the waste at ambient temperature and pressure in the presence of a strong alkali and sufficient water in the waste which converts the biogenetic silica into a soluble silicate and sufficient water to form the soluble silicate, and in the presence of a polyvalent metal ion in the waste which reacts with the formed soluble silicate to provide a cementitious product of the waste. In the event there is insufficient strong alkali or water present in the waste to convert the biogenetic amorphous silica to a soluble silicate, and insufficient polyvalent metal ion in the waste to harden and form a cementitious product, amounts of these components as necessary can be added along with the biogenetic silica to the waste.

Abstract: A process for the removal of lead from a waste product comprising the steps of delivering silica to a combustion chamber, heating the silica within the combustion chamber to a temperature of greater than 1500.degree. F., mixing a lead-containing waste with the heated silica so as to form a leaded glass, and removing the leaded glass from the combustion chamber. The silica material is sand. The process further includes the step of removing oxygen from the chamber prior to the step of heating. The oxygen is removed by injecting an inert gas into the chamber so as to displace oxygen from the chamber. The silica is heated to a temperature suitable for forming molten glass. The remaining constituents of the waste product are heated so as to become diassociated gaseous components.

Abstract: A process for producing mineral fibers and the fibers thus produced are disclosed. The process involves forming a melt comprising an alumina-containing residue from a metal melting operation and one or more mineral raw materials suitable for forming mineral fibers, dividing the melt into streams and cooling the streams to produce the fibers. The residue from the metal melting operation acts as an inexpensive, substantially non-polluting source of alumina which can be used to increase the alumina content of the fibers and thus improve their properties, or which can be used as a replacement for more expensive or less desirable sources of alumina.

Abstract: Process for vitrifying environmentally hazardous waste material in a glass melting furnace includes forming a batch including the waste material and no more than 30 weight percent additives including phonolite and SiO.sub.2 containing substances. A gall layer 2-5 cm thick including alkali salts or alkaline earth salts is produced on the molten glass, and batch is added so that a batch layer over 5 cm thick is formed on top of the gall layer. After the batch layer is formed, the molten glass is heated solely by electrodes, and the thickness of the batch layer is maintained to produce a steep enough temperature gradient therein so that the furnace atmosphere remains relatively cool, and substantially all of the condensable components which emerge from the molten glass condense in the batch layer.

Abstract: A process for treating spent potlining from the electrolytic smelting of aluminum in cryolite includes incinerating the potlining to combust carbonaceous material to form an ash at a temperature low enough to maintain low fluorine vapor pressures, admixing siliceous material with the potlining either before of after the ash-forming stage, and heating the ash and siliceous material to form a glassy residue.The residue formed by the process of the present invention produces a spent potlining suitable for landfill characterized by a low leachability of fluorine in water.

Abstract: Disclosed is the solidification and chemical fixation of wastes using biogenetic primarily amorphous silica to the waste at ambient temperature and pressure in the presence of a strong alkali and sufficient water in the waste which converts the biogenetic silica into a soluble silicate and sufficient water to form the soluble silicate, and in the presence of a polyvalent metal ion in the waste which reacts with the formed soluble silicate to provide a cementitious product of the waste. In the event there is insufficient strong alkali or water present in the waste to convert the biogenetic amorphous silica to a soluble silicate, and insufficient polyvalent metal ion in the waste to harden and form a cementitious product, amounts of these components as necessary can be added along with the biogenetic silica to the waste.

Abstract: A process for producing a ceramic product using sludge ashes comprises the steps of (i) mixing at least ashes obtained by burning a sludge which has been obtained by the treatment of sewage and a plastic ceramic raw material to prepare a first body, (ii) mixing at least a plastic ceramic raw material and a fusible material to prepare a second body, (iii) supplying the first and second bodies into a matrix of a molding machine such that the first and second bodies form a lower, larger layer and an upper, smaller layer which covers the lower layer, respectively, (iv) molding the whole of the first and second bodies into an object with a desired shape, and (v) firing the molding to produce a two-layer ceramic product.

Abstract: A method of physically and chemically altering asbestos which comprises mixing the asbestos with a selected metal and reacting the mixture to form an end product including slag, in which the asbestos has been altered allowing its safe disposal or its formation into useful products.

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

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recycling reinforced plastic composite materials. The reinforced plastic composite material is heated to separate said plastic matrix material from said reinforcement material. At least the separated reinforcement material is recycled. The products produced by these methods and processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Titanocenes with silylated .pi.-cyclopentadienyl ligands in which one or two carbo- or heterocyclic aromatic rings are bonded to the titanium, the aromatic rings being substituted by fluorine, --CF.sub.3, --C.sub.2 F.sub.5, --CF.sub.2 CL or --CF.sub.2 CH.sub.3 in at least one of the two ortho-positions relative to the metal-carbon bonds, are suitable as photoinitiators for the photopolymerization of ethylenically unsaturated substrates. They are distinguished by a high sensitivity, stability to air and the action of heat, and a high activity in the region of UV light to visible light. They are furthermore readily soluble in the photopolymerizable compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for treating spent potlining from the electrolytic smelting of aluminum in cryolite including burning the spent potlining to form an ash, mixing with a siliceous material either before or after the ash-forming step, and heating to form a residue suitable for landfill. The ash and siliceous material are mixed in a specified mole ratio of at least about 1.4 silicon to sodium. The process further includes cooling the residue rapidly.The residue formed by the process of the present invention produces a spent potlining suitable for landfill characterized by a low leachability of fluorine in water.

Abstract: A water-permeable ceramic material is made of a porcelain particulate material as the principle component, one or more primary binders selected from starch adhesives, organic binders, clay and water glass, and one or more secondary binders selected from frit, glaze and glass powder. The principal component is selected from one or more porcelain materials including a fired mixture of pottery stone, kaolin and feldspar; porcelain wastes, and other porcelain materials such as road-surfacing porcelain color aggregates, and is classified to have a particles are of relatively high bulk density and very low porosity. The mix is shaped by a pressing machine to a tabular or tubular form suited to the specific use of the final product. The pressure of the pressing machine is adjusted to an amount of 30-200 kg/cm.sup.2. After shaping, the resultant compact is sintered at a temperature up to the melting point of the porcelain particles to produce the ceramic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing iron silicate slags, by means of mixing with ferroalloy slag, to a molten slag which can be defibrated into fire-resistant and chemically resistant fibers. The advantageous composition for the molten slag is 15-25% Fe, 45-69%, SiO.sub.2 0-5% CaO, 4-10% MgO, 5-15% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 0.5-3% Cr (percentages by weight).

Abstract: Waste substance such as incineration ash is mixed with cullet and alkaline earth salt to form a mixed batch which is added to a glass melt heated solely by electrodes, producing an exhaust gas which is introduced into the batch thereby cooling the gas to produce condensation products. The alkaline earth salt reacts with alkali in the gas and the condensation products to produce a gall layer of alkali salts and alkaline earth salts which serve as a melt accelerator and are readily removed when accumulated. According to a further step the gas is purified by separating dust therefrom and introducing it into the batch as a slurry.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing expanded shale aggregate using dewatered digested sewerage sludge as the bloating agent for the shale and using high-lime blast furnace slag as the fluxing agent to lower the melting temperature of the mix and also using refuse derived fuel as the main fuel in the kiln.

Abstract: Process for recycle and reuse of soil, sludge, sand, or rock containing: (a) at least about 16 wt % calcium oxide, about 5 wt % silica, about 1 wt % alumina, about 0.5 wt % Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, or about 0.76 wt % magnesia; and (b) at least about 5 ppm arsenic, about 100 ppm barium, about 1 ppm cadmium, about 5 ppm chromium, about 5 ppm lead, about 0.2 ppm mercury, about 1 ppm selenium, or about 5 ppm silver. The process comprising mixing the soil, sludge, sand, or rock with an amount of inorganic constituents to form a raw material mix having a chemical composition suitable for the manufacture of Portland cement, charging the slurry to a cement kiln, heating the slurry in the kiln to a temperature sufficient to form a cement clinker, and removing the cement clinker from the rotary kiln.

Abstract: A calcium-alumino-silicate composition comprising the reaction product of electric arc furnace dust and/or an aqueous chemical waste sludge including a source of ferrous ions and selective additive materials, the additive materials are selected so that the total composition of the additive ingredients and said sludge includes fly ash, electric arc furnace dust, lime kiln dust, ferrous sulfate, hydrated lime to provide an alkalinity of about 9 to 9.5% and water, the composition contains at least 0.2% by weight of ferrous ions and is hardenable through chemical reactions, the product of which includes calcium-alumino-silicates.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for treating and conveying feed sludge to a vitrification device in which sludge in suspension is dried in a fluid bed of preheated glass frit suspended in nitrogen gas. The mixture of dried glass frit and sludge is conveyed pneumatically in a stream of nitrogen gas to the vitrification device. The dried mixture flows through conduits without causing blockage which characterized the prior art.

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: Brick and tile products are made from a homogeneous mixture of low grade in expensive ceramic microspheres and clay or other binding agent. The microspheres have an axial oxide content under 6 percent by weight and a melting point in excess of the temperature at which brick and tile are fired. The microspheres have random sizes ranging between one third and 200 microns. Brick utilizing the invention is significantly lower in weight and permeability, require much less energy to sinter and less time for firing. Improved thermal and acoustic insulation value is obtained with the invention, and vulnerability to thermal shock is diminished.

Abstract: A waste solidification composition comprising hydraulic cement, fly ash and fumed silica material is provided. Also provided are a method of solidifying agglomerations of solid and liquid waste materials and a method of disposing of waste materials such as drilling muds and cuttings that result from the drilling of an oil and gas well.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing ceramic products using, as one of the materials, the sludge obtained by sewage treatment. The invention thus not only makes the sludge treatment unnecessary, but makes the sludge useful as a material for products. A plastic ceramic raw material and, if required, another raw material are added to either the sludge or the ashes obtained by burning the sludge, so as to prepare a body. The body thus obtained is molded into a desired shape, and fired to produce a ceramic product. The firing process prevents the product, containing the sludge, from emitting an offensive odor or being decomposed. The product may be used as a tile, brick block, or the like. Production conditions such as the proportion of each raw material used and the like may be suitably selected to obtain a ceramic product with a desired characteristic in respect of water permeability, from almost no permeability to a very high permeability.

Abstract: Processes and techniques are described for treating waste water (domestic and industrial) to remove organic matter and heavy metals. Clay and flocculating agent are added to the waste water to cause separation of a sludge. The sludge is fired at high temperature in particle form to produce ceramic particles. Organic matter is oxidized; heavy metals are bound within the ceramic particles and cannot leach out. The ceramic particles are useful as aggregate (e.g., in concrete) and in landscaping.

Abstract: Organic or inorganic chemical waste material is incorporated in ordinary silica-glass by mixing the two in liquid condition under pressure in a container, and thereafter cooling the mixture and solidifying it in shapes like cylinders, rods or pellets. The container may be a rotary mixing cylinder, a stationary extruder, or for inorganic material, a widened portion of a glass supply conduit wherein the mixture is vibrated.

Abstract: A metal vapor discharge lamp. The metal vapor discharge lamp includes an enclosed discharge tube having a pair of main electrodes mounted at spaced apart locations therein, the discharge tube including a fill of at least a metal vapor and a starting gas, a radiation source including radioactively impregnated ceramic material having a vitrified radioactive outer protection portion and an outer bulb for enclosing the discharge tube and a circuit for electrically generating an arc between the main electrodes.

Abstract: A composition and process for producing a foamed glass molded product, the process employing a composition which is a mixture of one part by weight of a finely ground glass containing more than 25 weight % alkali metal oxide; from 21 to 400 parts by weight of a finely ground glass containing less than 16 weight % alkali metal oxide; water present in a water to solids weight ratio ranging from 1:1.4 to 1:3.0; and a foaming agent. The combined ingredients are heated to release gasses from the foaming agent and thereby foam the glass. The foamed glass moldings may be granules or cast shapes.

Abstract: Highly porous ceramic material for adsorption and absorption purposes, particularly for animal litter, characterized by a porosity of 50 to 300%, preferably 200 to 250%; a water absorption capacity of 50 to 200%, preferably 100 to 150%, a pH-value in the range 5 to 9, preferably 7 to 8; a bulk density of 400 to 700 g/1; an internal surface (BET-N.sub.2) between 20 and 200 m.sup.2 /g, preferably between 80 and 150 m.sup.2 /g; which can be produced by firing a foamed mixture of clay or clays, optionally aggregate or aggregates, anionic or cationic surfactant or surfactants and deflocculant or deflocculants, process for the production thereof and use thereof.

Abstract: A filter cake formed of a glass precursor material and impregnated with a normally leachable toxicant can be heated, preferably with at least one other glass precursor material, at a sufficiently high temperature to form a molten composition which solidifies, upon cooling, to form a glass. The normally leachable toxicant becomes fixed within the glass rendering it substantially more non-leachable allowing for a more environmentally sound means for disposal, e.g., by landfill techniques. The process can be used to treat the arsenic sulfide-impregnated filter cake derived from the manufacture of food grade phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Wate asbestos is converted into a glass by maintaining within an electrical glass melting furnace a body of molten glass at a temperature above the decomposition temperature of asbestos; supplying asbestos to the furnace by a conveyor discharging above the body of molten glass so that the asbestos falls onto the molten glass and becomes decomposed and melted into glass; and withdrawing molten glass from the furnace at a temperature of at least 1000.degree. C. The asbestos is advantageously mixed with cullet and a melt accelerator and fed into the furnace by means of a screw mixer/conveyor. The furnace is advantageously operated at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method for decomposing and disposing of asbestos compounds through the use of a two part chemical process. The first step in the chemical process involves the decomposition of asbestos through the use of sulfuric acid. The second step of the process involves the solidification of the products resulting from the decomposition step. The efficacy of the invention process is enhanced by the use of a lubricating agent, an accelerating agent, and a cementitious or pozzolanic substance. The asbestos treated with the invention process is decomposed and forms a solidified mixture which can be easily handled and safely disposed of at a disposal site.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for utilizing slag from ferroalloy production in manufacturing heat-resistant, fire-resistant and/or alkali-resistant fiber materials, when the original slag is based on aluminum oxide and silicon oxide. According to the invention, aluminum oxide and/or silicon oxide is added into the molten slag in order to change the slag viscosity and to adjust the defibration temperature of the slag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for utilizing slag from metal production, particularly the silicate slag with a high iron oxide content resulting from copper or nickel proceses, in the production of heat-resistant, fire-resistant and/or alkali-resistant fibre material. According to the invention, the temperature dependence of the slag viscosity is changed by means of alloying the slag so that the relative proportion of the acidic components contained in the slag is increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a borosilicate glass containing nuclear waste.In this process, an inactive borosilicate matrix is prepared in an aqueous medium by mixing the following:a silica-based gel precursor,a concentrated aqueous solution of a boron compound, anda concentrated aqeuous solution of the vitrification adjuvant,in proportions corresponding to the composition of the final glass minus the waste, with stirring at a high rate of shear, at a temperature of between 20.degree. C. and 80.degree. C., preferably at 65.degree.-70.degree. C., at an acid pH, preferably a pH of between 2.5 and 3.5, so as to form a gelled solution, and the said matrix is heat-treated and the nuclear waste is added at any stage during the said treatment to form, by melting, the final borosilicate glass containing the said waste.The process according to the invention is applied to the treatment of nuclear waste, especially to solutions of fission products.

Abstract: A process for producing a low water-absorbing artificial lightweight aggregate, which comprises:granulating a starting powdery material containing coal ash, having such a particle size distribution that a residue on a 297 .mu.m standard wire sieve is not more than 1 wt. %, and 1 to 20 parts by weight of a hydraulic material per 100 parts by weight of said coal ash in the presence of water;curing the resulting granules for a period of not shorter than 20 hours; orheat-treating the resulting granules at a temperature of not higher than 700.degree. C. for a period of not shorter than 30 minutes; and,calcining the granules at a temperature of 1,000.degree. to 1,500.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the immobilization of nuclear waste in a borosilicate glass.In the process, the following are mixed simultaneously:a silica-based gel precursor,a concentrated aqueous solution of a boron compound, and concentrated aqueous solutions of the other constituents of the final glass, i.e. a solution (solutions) of the waste to be treated and a solution of the vitrification adjuvant,with vigorous stirring, mixing taking place at between 20.degree. and 80.degree. C., preferably at 65.degree.-70.degree. C., in proportions corresponding to the desired composition of the glass, the said mixture having an acid pH, preferably a pH of between 2.5 and 3.5, and the said mixture is dried, calcined at between 300.degree. and 500.degree. C. and then melted.The invention is applied to the treatment of solutions of nuclear waste, especially to solutions of fission products.

Abstract: A method of converting particles liberated in chemical or physical processes, such as fly ash, metal processing sludge particles obtained in the preparation of metals or metal compound, or particles of electroplating sludge, are made harmless by preheating these particles to at least 600.degree. C. and then mixing same with a molten slag material, whereafter the mixture is solidified and broken.Preferably, the particles are preheating to their softening point or are molten.Noxious products, such as metals, being present in said particles cannot be leached out from the broken solidifed composition.

Abstract: An alkoxide glass former composition has silica-containing constituents present as solid particulates of a particle size of 0.1 to 0.7 micrometers in diameter in a liquid carrier phase substantially free of dissolved silica. The glass former slurry is resistant to coagulation and may contain other glass former metal constituents. The immobilization of nuclear waste employs the described glass former by heating the same to reduce the volume, mixing the same with the waste, and melting the resultant mixture to encapsulate the waste in the resultant glass.

Abstract: A spinel type ceramic sintered body is provided starting from a chromiferous slag which is a waste discharged from sodium chromate production, said sintered body being reproducable by selecting the mole ratios of R.sub.2 O/MgO to 0.9-2.0 and SiO.sub.2 /MgO to 1-6 wherein R represents collectively Al, Fe and Cr, the sintered body having high thermal conductivity falling within the range of 1.3-2.5 kcal/mh.degree. C., specific electric resistance falling within the range of 10.sup.2 -10.sup.7 cm high mechanical strengths and unique coloration and which can be used as a functional tile.

Abstract: A process for treating solid substantially non-volatile wastes contaminated with a heat sensitive contaminant is disclosed. The wastes are heated to form a liquid slag. The liquid slag is held at elevated temperature until at least a portion of the contaminating components have either decomposed or evolved from the melt as a gas. The slag is subjected to cooling and the contaminating compounds are bound or encapsulated into a solid glassy slag. The process is particularly suitable for handling fluoride and cyanide contaminated aluminum smelting wastes such as spent potliner material. It is advantageous to add silica to such wastes. The residue from the slagging reaction is a glassy solid sodium metal silicate matrix such that the fluoride residues remaining in the wastes are encapsulated. The amount of silicate blended with the feed material is selected to substantially tie up all of the sodium remaining in the residue after slag melting and is typically 7.5 to 50 weight percent of the feed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for volume reduction and solidification of a radioactive waste solution mainly composed of sodium borate and discharged from a pressurized water reactor. The process comprises adding to said radioactive waste solution, ZnO or a mixture of ZnO with Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and/or CaO, and then subjecting the resulting mixture to dehydration and melting to produce a vitrified solid solution. Said process is safe and reliable. A vitrified solid solution produced by said process is safe and stable.

Abstract: A process for making a homogeneous melt for producing mineral wool insulation. This insulating material is made from waste products namely, bottom ash, cement kiln dust, slag, and waste from mineral wool production. These materials, along with a binder, are homogenized into a mixture. Thereafter, the process includes briquetting the mixture into agglomerated pieces. The agglomerates are then melted in a cupola furnace and the molten agglomerate is discharged into a receiver. Hot combustion gases are then passed into the melt or molten agglomerate to chemically homogenize the melt and heat the melt to preselected temperature. Thereafter, the melt is converted into fibers using conventional practices.

Abstract: A medium weight abrasion-resistant castable for use as a refractory lining having a bulk density of no greater than 130 lbs/cu ft, and abrasion loss of no greater than about 25 cc and a thermal conductivity of no greater than 5.5 BTU/hr/ft.sup.2 /in/.degree.F. includes a coarse aggregate of cordierite. The composition also includes an intermediate sized aggregate of calcined kaolin or calcined flint and a finer sized aggregate of calcined kaolin or calcined flint, fly ash cenospheres, clay, fume silica, and cement.

Abstract: Waste asbestos is converted into a glass by maintaining within an electrical glass melting furnace a body of molten glass at a temperature above the decomposition temperature of asbestos; supplying asbestos to the furnace; and withdrawing molten glass from the furnace at a temperature of at least 1000.degree. C. The asbestos is advantageously mixed with cullet and a melt accelerator and fed into the furnace by means of a screw mixer/conveyor. The furnace is advantageously operated at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: According to the method of this invention for fixation of incinerator ash, incinerator ash containing SiO.sub.2 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 is incorporated with NaOH or NaOH and an SiO.sub.2 -containing substance in such an amount that the resulting mixture contains 25 to 90 wt % of SiO.sub.2, 2 to 10 wt % of Na.sub.2 O, and more than 3 wt % of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 which is less than the content of SiO.sub.2 in terms of mol %; 100 parts by weight of the mixture is mixed with more than 5 parts by weight of water; and the resulting mixture is subjected to hydrothermal reaction under a pressure of 70 kg/cm.sup.2 or above and at a temperature of 150.degree. C. and above, whereby the fixation is accomplished.

Abstract: An aluminum oxynitride refractory of a sufficiently high nitrogen content is produced efficiently and inexpensively by a method which comprises mixing alumina of Bayer Process with aluminum dross and electrically fusing the resultant mixture in an electric furnace.