Abstract: A process to make a sorbent composition said process comprising:(1) contacting(1.1) at least one zinc component, where said zinc component comprises zinc oxide, or a compound convertible to zinc oxide,(1.2) at least one silica component, where said silica component comprises silica, or a compound convertible to silica,(1.3) at least one colloidal oxide component, where said colloidal oxide component comprises a mixture that comprises a metal oxide, and optionally(1.4) at least one pore generator component; to form a first mixture; and thereafter,(2) extruding said first mixture to form an extruded, first mixture; and thereafter,(3) sphering said extruded, first mixture to form a sphered, extruded, first mixture that comprises particles where said particles have a particle size from about 0.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ceramic filter media for water filters involves the steps of mixing a plurality of raw ceramic materials and a plurality of extrusion-aid materials to form a mixture of constituent materials, extruding the constituent materials to form tubular filter media, drying the tubular filter media, and firing the tubular filter media to create ceramic tubular filter media. The step of drying the tubular filter media preferably comprises placing the tubular filter media on top of rotating rollers which dries the tubular filter media evenly and preserves the desired characteristics of the tubular filter media.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the ecological usage of acid effluents. Also disclosed is a sorption agent which is characterized in that an acid effluent, created from the production of fullers earth which contains as main ingredients Fe.sup.2+/3+ -, Al.sup.3+ -, Ca.sup.2+ - and Mg.sup.2+ cations and inorganic anions, is reacted with an alkali silicate. The resultant precipitate is separated in an aqueous phase and, when necessary, purified and dried. The sorption agent can be used for the bleaching of oils or for the removal of soaps, phospholipids and heavy metals from oils, specifically edible oils.

Abstract: A method for removing organic contaminants including yeast cells from a particulate filter aid such as kieselguhr includes steps of producing an aqueous suspension of the contaminated filter aid, and adding to the suspension a mixture of enzymes (protease, amylase and glucanase) capable of dissolving yeast cell walls. Optionally, an oxidizer may also be added, and the suspension may be agitated ultrasonically. After sufficient time, the enzyme and dissolved organic contaminant are removed from the suspension by rinsing with dilute caustic soda, and the decontaminated filter aid is acid neutralized. Finally, the filter aid may be separated into coarse and fine fractions, and re-used.

Abstract: Unique pink/salmon diatomite agglomerates, well suited as filtering agents/aids, have a cristobalite content of less than 1.5%, a permeability ranging from 20 to 500 millidarcys, a cake density of less than 0.400 g/cm.sup.3, and are prepared by homogeneously intimately admixing a diatomite with a binder solution of silicic acid or of an alkali metal silicate, drying and optionally gently grinding the agglomerates thus formed, and then calcining the agglomerates at a temperature no greater than 850.degree. C., preferably no greater than 600.degree. C.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for treating swimming pool waters in order to remove one or more nutrients necessary for algal growth and to accelerate the breakdown of objectionable chloramines within chlorinated pool waters.The target nutrients of preference are those containing phosphorus or nitrogen. Phosphorus nutrients are preferably removed by ion-exchange with finely divided lanthanum carbonate, or by direct precipitation in the pool with liquid lanthanum chloride. Nitrogen nutrients (including, in particular, chloramines) may be removed (possibly with the aid of catalysts and in separate reactors). The same reagents used to scavenge phosphates are useful in this regard, the nitrogen being released from the pool water as a nitrogenous gas.To allow the fine lanthanum carbonates to be conveniently handled in the pool environment, they may be linked to larger carrier particles, such as those of diatomaceous earth, or they may be embedded within porous beads formed from polymers or gels.

Abstract: This invention relates to highly purified biogenic silica product obtained from diatomite and methods for preparing same. More particularly, this invention pertains to highly purified non-calcined, calcined, and flux-calcined diatomite products which bear the distinguishing porous and intricate structure of silica unique to diatomite and which have an extraordinarily high silica (i.e., silicon dioxide, SiO.sub.2) content and low density, resulting in high silica specific volume. These products often also exhibit exceptionally low soluble metals content and/or extreme brightness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorinated surfaces which exhibit sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the surface. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the fluorinated surface. Preferred fluorinated surfaces of the present invention include fluorinated Al(OH).sub.3, fluorinated SiO.sub.2 and fluorinated Celite. The fluorinated surfaces of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components. In these processes, a suspension of cellular components is placed in contact with the fluorinated surface, the fluorinated surface is washed to remove all cellular components other than DNA which are bound to the surface, and the bound DNA is eluted from the surface. Lower concentrations of chaotrope in the binding buffer are needed to bind DNA to the fluorinated surfaces.

Abstract: A floor dry material and method of manufacturing same in which waste cellulosic fibrous material, such as waste paper, is finely shredded after which any metal component is removed and the shredded material is then thoroughly mixed with a biodegradable surfactant, calcium oxide, and water until a temperature about 140.degree. F. to 150.degree. F. is achieved after which a natural citric-based solvent degreaser and a material selected from the group comprising silica diatomite plankton and non-swelling clay are added to obtain a finished floor dry material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sorbent with a high pickup ratio (>30 to 1) that has environmental benefits relating to renewable resource use of waste material as primary ingredients and is biodegradable; that is suitable for use on water and on land in a wide variety of forms; that is fire retardant; that incorporates a manufacturing process resulting in a finished product of low embodied energy; and results in a sorbent that is uncommonly simple, inexpensive, and effective. The improved sorbent also provides three options for disposal when the sorbent is full of oil. The first option allows extraction of absorbed oil by simple compression that results in a 70% recovery of oil without contamination by water. The used sorbent can be reused repeatedly afterward. A second option allows a used sorbent that, although flame resistant in its unused state, can be burned as fuel to recover 100% of energy with the sorbent contributing only 1% ash.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorinated surfaces which exhibit sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the surface. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the fluorinated surface. Preferred fluorinated surfaces of the present invention include fluorinated Al(OH).sub.3, fluorinated SiO.sub.2 and fluorinated Celite. The fluorinated surfaces of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components. In these processes, a suspension of cellular components is placed in contact with the fluorinated surface, the fluorinated surface is washed to remove all cellular components other than DNA which are bound to the surface, and the bound DNA is eluted from the surface. Lower concentrations of chaotrope in the binding buffer are needed to bind DNA to the fluorinated surfaces.

Abstract: A solid mass for the recovery of mercury, comprising a solid mineral support or dispersant, essentially copper and sulphur at least partly in the form of copper sulfide is produced by the following stages:a) at least one copper compound other than a sulphide is incorporated into a solid mineral dispersant or carrier,b) the product obtained in stage (a) is calcined in order at least partly to convert the copper compound or compounds which it contains into copper oxide (CuO and/or Cu.sub.2 O),c) the product obtained in stage (b) or in stage (a) if there has not been a stage (b) is brought into contact with elementary sulphur,d) the product resulting from stage (c) referred to as the precursor, is subjected to a thermal treatment in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and accompanied by gas scavenging, to a temperature and for a sufficient time to allow the formation of sulphide of the metal(s) present.

Abstract: A process and product wherein a siliceous particulate material, that has been treated at room temperature with silicone thinned with a volatile thinner, is rendered hydrophobic and capable of absorbing oil. Particle size is between 25 and 4500 microns and treatment of the particulate material with silicone is in the proportion of approximately 5 liters of the thinned silicone to 1 cubic meter of the particulate material.

Abstract: An adsorbent composition containing sugar, vinegar, and diatomaceous earth is disclosed. The sugar, vinegar, and diatomaceous earth are preferably added together in about equal amounts by volume or in amounts of about 20 pounds of sugar, 2 gallons of vinegar, and 100 pounds of diatomaceous earth. The adsorbent composition has particular use in adsorbing petroleum oil from soil, water, or air and in water purification.

Abstract: A process for the production of calcined diatomaceous filtration agents having a cristobalite content lower than 1% and a 50-.mu.m screen retention rate lower than 5% by rapid calcination of diatomites, comprising injecting the diatomite into a high-temperature gaseous stream and during its residence in the gaseous stream maintaining the diatomite between about 1250.degree. and 850.degree. C. for a period of time between several tens of milliseconds and several seconds, and calcined diatomaceous filtration agents having a permeability between 0.06 and 0.4 darcy and a cristobalite content lower than 1%.

Abstract: A very effective adsorption composition has been produced for the removal of heavy metal ions, halocarbons, aromatic organics, radon and microbiological substances from water. This adsorption composition consists of up to 7 different components. These include aluminum silicate, diatomite, granulated activated carbon, catalytic chlorine removal media, tri-sodium phosphate, bone charcoal and activated alumina. This adsorption composition has a tri-disperse structure. By this it is meant it has three different types of pores. The adsorption composition is utilized by being packaged into cartridges, containers and alike where it is held in place while contaminated water passes through the adsorption composition and the contaminants are removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a CO.sub.2 /H.sub.2 O sorbent comprised of silver oxide, a CO.sub.2 sorption promoter, and a support. Preparation of this sorbent consists of impregnating the support with a silver compound, converting the silver compound to silver carbonate or silver oxide, and further impregnating the support with a CO.sub.2 sorption promoter. Prior to use as a sorbent, the silver carbonate is converted to silver oxide via the application of heat; liberating CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: The preparation, structure, and properties of solid inorganic materials containing aluminum, boron, oxygen and at least one Group VIII metallo element, selected from the group consisting of cobalt and nickel is described. Also described in the use of such materials in catalytic compositions for the conversion of organic compounds. In particular, the new materials having the general formula:(x) (M.sub.m :M'.sub.n)O.(y)Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.(z)B.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to a whole cell support and a method of preparing the support. The support comprises alumina and diatomaceous earth characterized in that the support has interconnected pores which are at least 5 microns in diameter and preferably has a pore volume greater than about 0.3 mL/g. The support is prepared by forming a mixture of an aluminum sol and a diatomaceous earth forming spheres from the mixture by using the oil drop method and then calcining at a temperature of about 1000.degree. to about 1450.degree. C.

Abstract: Carbonaceous adsorbent particles having multimodal pore size, including micropores and macropores, with improved adsorptive and separative properties, are prepared by partial pyrolysis of polysulfonated macroporous precursor resins, said resins being in turn derived from macroporous poly(vinylaromatic) resins. The particles may be further treated by activating with reactive gases or by functionalization.

Abstract: A scavenger, having utility for purifying a mixture comprising:(i) a primary component selected from one or more members of the group consisting of hydrogen selenide and hydrogen telluride, and(ii) impurities selected from one or more members of the group consisting of moisture and oxidants, comprising:(a) a support; and(b) associated with said support, one or more members of the group consisting of:(I) precursor compounds of the formula R.sub.3-x AlH.sub.x, wherein x is 0 or 1, and R is a hydrocarbon radical containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and(II) aluminum chalconides of the formula Al.sub.2 M.sub.3, wherein M is selenium or tellurium.Illustrative supports useful in such scavenger include aluminosilicates, alumina, silica, carbon, and macroreticulate polymers. A process and apparatus are disclosed for purifying hydrogen selenide and/or hydrogen telluride, to remove moisture and/or oxidant impurities therefrom, in which a bed of the scavenger is employed.

Abstract: An absorbent and process for removing materials for semiconductor products, such as SiH.sub.4, B.sub.2 H.sub.6, SeH.sub.2, AsH.sub.3, PH.sub.3, GeH.sub.4, SiH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2, SiHCl.sub.3, (CH.sub.3).sub.3 Al, (CH.sub.3).sub.3 Ga, etc. from a gas containing above toxic components. The absorbent includes a first and second dry absorbent. The first absorbent induces a solid carrier containing a large proportion of a porous inorganic silicate and impregnated with an aqueous solution of an alkali. The second absorbent has a solid carrier, similar to that in the first absorbent, being impregnated with an aqueous solution of an alkali and an aqueous solution of an oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing german. When used separately, these two absorbents are not capable of treating certain volatile inorganic hydrides or lose their capacity of absorption in a relatively short period for such hydrides.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with production and use of high surface area particulate matter by calcining a charge of clay mineral, feldspar, zeolite, coal ash, fly ash, pozzolan or volcanic ash for a time to develop fractures which increase the surface area of the particles. Vacuum calcining decreases the calcining time. The calcined matter desirably has an analysis including: calcium oxide, about 20-40 weight %; aluminum oxide, about 15-35 weight %; and silicon oxide, about 20-40 weight %.The calcined particulate matter can be used in the treatment of impure aqueous materials; the matter is denser than water and sludge settles rapidly and completely. The calcined matter interacts with heavy metal ions to form tightly bound sludge that is nonhazardous for landfill disposal. The calcined matter can be combined with conventual coagulants, flocculants, filter aids, or activated carbon to obtain a multipurpose treating agent.