Abstract: Processes for treating effluent streams in alkylation processes are described. One or more process streams rom HF alkylation processes, H2SO4 alkylation processes, or ionic liquid alkylation processes can be thermally oxidized in a thermal oxidation system. The thermal oxidation system can replace at least one of the caustic wash unit, the neutralization unit, and the acid gas treatment unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), and to processes for the recycling thereof. The processes according to the invention are characterised in that the LCDs are employed at least partly as replacement for other raw materials. In general, the LCDs are thermally treated here at a temperature in the range from 900 to 1700° C.

Abstract: An oxidized mercury converter utilizes a combination of heat, reduced pressure, and dilution when converting oxidized mercury in a gas sample into elemental mercury. The converter applies heat to a gas sample to thermally convert oxidized mercury within a gas sample into elemental mercury and an oxidizing component, and thereafter reduces the pressure of the gas sample to minimize combination of the elemental mercury with other oxidizing compounds present in the gas sample and/or with byproducts of the thermal conversion (e.g., the oxidizing components). The converter thus allows an accurate analysis of the total amount of mercury, both oxidized and elemental forms, present within a gas sample without the need to use consumable reagents in the mercury conversion process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems used to measure mercury in gaseous emissions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to the use of silicon carbide as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, at least one of silicon nitride, silicon boride, and/or boron nitride is used as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an improved pyrolyzer design, in which a thermal pyrolysis unit comprises a tailpiece that allows water to be injected at the heated exit of the thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a coalescing filter in a scrubbing unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a hydrophobic filter element in a scrubbing unit. One or more of these elements may be used in a conditioning module of a continuous emissions monitoring system, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems used to measure mercury in gaseous emissions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to the use of silicon carbide as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, at least one of silicon nitride, silicon boride, and/or boron nitride is used as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an improved pyrolyzer design, in which a thermal pyrolysis unit comprises a tailpiece that allows water to be injected at the heated exit of the thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a coalescing filter in a scrubbing unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a hydrophobic filter element in a scrubbing unit. One or more of these elements may be used in a conditioning module of a continuous emissions monitoring system, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems used to measure mercury in gaseous emissions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to the use of an inert covalently bonded material selected from silicon carbide (SiC), silicon oxides (SiOn, n=1-2), silicon nitride (e.g. Si3N4), silicon boride (e.g. SiB6), boron nitride (e.g. BN) and mixtures thereof as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an improved pyrolyzer design, in which a thermal pyrolysis unit comprises a tailpiece that allows water to be injected at the heated exit of the thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a coalescing filter in a scrubbing unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a hydrophobic filter element in a scrubbing unit. One or more of these elements may be used in a conditioning module of a continuous emissions monitoring system, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to systems used to measure mercury in gaseous emissions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to the use of silicon carbide as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, at least one of silicon nitride, silicon boride, and/or boron nitride is used as material for a thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an improved pyrolyzer design, in which a thermal pyrolysis unit comprises a tailpiece that allows water to be injected at the heated exit of the thermal pyrolysis unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a coalescing filter in a scrubbing unit. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the use of a hydrophobic filter element in a scrubbing unit. One or more of these elements may be used in a conditioning module of a continuous emissions monitoring system, for example.

Abstract: Process for removing mercury from flue gases of high-temperature plants, in particular power stations and waste incineration plants in which a bromine compound is fed to the multistage furnace and/or the flue gas in a plant section downstream of the furnace, the temperature during contact of the bromine compound with the flue gas being at least 500° C., preferably at least 800° C. The combustion is carried out in the presence of a sulphur compound, in particular sulphur dioxide. Subsequently to the furnace, the flue gas is subjected to an optional multistage cleanup for removing mercury from the flue gas, which cleanup comprises a wet scrubber and/or a dry cleanup.

Abstract: Both ends of a bulb of a waste fluorescent lamp are cut off, a phosphor layer formed on an interior surface of the bulb is detached, so that mercury-containing phosphor powder can be obtained. The mercury-containing phosphor powder is subjected to a heating and reducing process with the dry-method, by mixing an organic reducing agent with the phosphor powder and heating the mixture, to vaporize and separate mercury from the phosphor powder. The vaporized mercury is then cooled and condensed, to collect mercury.

Abstract: Mercury is efficiently and effectively removed from waste materials by a process and apparatus which heats waste containing mercury to temperatures well above the boiling point of mercury to create a vapor stream laden with mercury vapor. This vapor stream is first cooled to a temperature at least 100° F. above the boiling point of mercury, which allows some condensation of impure mercury with other materials, and creates a second vapor stream comprising mercury. This second vapor stream is then cooled to a temperature below the boiling point of mercury to condense more pure condensates of mercury. A third cooling step optionally may then be used to cool the remaining vapor stream to temperatures below the boiling point of mercury to remove further mercury content from the vapor stream. Filters and/or scrubbers may be added to remove trace amounts of mercury from the effluent vapor stream.

Abstract: A mercury retorting apparatus, a retorting system, and a method for continuous removal of mercury from dry, semi-granular, and sludge materials contaminated with mercury without shutting down the system for removal of accumulated liquid mercury, water, and dust particles. The retorting apparatus comprises a powered screw feed assembly having a feed tube with a closely fitting feed screw therein. The screw feed assembly feeds the material from the lower portion of a hopper configured to contain a quantity thereof into a rotatably powered retorting tube in which a vacuum is drawn. The material forms a seal within the powered screw feed assembly against vacuum loss in the retorting tube during operation thereof. A first rotatable seal between the feed tube and retorting tube prevents vacuum loss therebetween. An elongate electric kiln encloses the mid-portion of the retorting tube.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for forming a sorbent-metal complex. The process includes oxidizing a sorbent precursor and contacting the sorbent precursor with a metallic species. The process further includes chemically reacting the sorbent precursor and the metallic species, thereby forming a sorbent-metal complex. In one particular aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the sorbent precursor is transformed into sorbent particles during the oxidation step. These sorbent particles then are contacted with the metallic species and chemically reacted with the metallic species, thereby forming a sorbent-metal complex. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a process for forming a sorbent metal complex in a combustion system. The process includes introducing a sorbent precursor into a combustion system and subjecting the sorbent precursor to an elevated temperature sufficient to oxidize the sorbent precursor and transform the sorbent precursor into sorbent particles.

Abstract: Disposal of halogenated organic hazardous wastes by introducing them as feedstocks in the direct reduction of iron oxide (DRI). (DRI is described in Pat. RE.32247.) The novel hydrocarbons used as reducing feedstocks would normally be destined to become hazardous wastes or else their products of decomposition would be hazardous wastes. Such hydrocarbons are inclusive of but not limited to halogenated hydrocarbons such as PVC, PCBs, various insecticides, dioxin and others. This category of hydrocarbon wastes is otherwise difficult to utilize, incinerate, or otherwise dispose of safely. Polluting byproducts such as dioxin are almost always released. However within a DRI reactor they can be disposed of safely. There is no stack or vent to atmosphere. These hydrocarbons would be used as an alternative to or admixture with the usual hydrocarbon feedstocks of choice, methane or related short chain hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A secondary lamp glass and/or parts processor for removing mercury from recycled lamp parts. The device includes a housing defining a heating chamber. A heater is connected to the heating chamber to heat the lamp glass and retort the mercury on the lamp parts. A hopper is disposed adjacent the heating chamber. The hopper can be disposed proximate the heating chamber such that the heat from the heating chamber can be transferred to the hopper. The hopper can be connected to the heating chamber such that parts from the hopper can be fed into the chamber. A blower fluidly connected to the chamber and the hopper forces air through the chamber and into the hopper as parts are fed into the chamber from the hopper.

Abstract: In a process for decontaminating suspensions containing silt, pollutants and water, particularly mercury and hydrocarbon pollutants, the suspensions are heated under pressure to boiling temperature, then passed through a throttling device wherein the pressure is reduced so that, by flashing, a three-phase mixture comprising steam, residual water and solids is formed which mixture is then superheated in a pipe reactor whereby the pollutants are enriched in the steam phase, the solids are then separated out of the mixture and the steam phase is condensed for collection of the pollutants with the condensate.

Abstract: The residues arising from industrial processes and from waste disposal which are polluted with heavy metals and/or heavy metal compounds, are subjected to a two-stage reduction process with formation of re-usable metal-containing and silicon-containing alloys. In a first reduction stage, using carbon or carbon-generating means as the reduction means, the compounds of silicon and metals are reduced, which have a standard potential which is greater than that of silicon. Following separation of the reduced metals, the residue obtained, which contains aluminum in oxidized form, is subsequently converted to a salt melt and this salt melt is subjected to a second reduction stage of a fused salt electrolysis, yielding an aluminum and silicon melt. The process is particularly suitable for filter residues from waste incineration plants.

Abstract: An apparatus for retorting granulated material containing mercury such as ores and precipitates wherein the granulated material is stirred by means of a plurality of paddles while under vacuum and at high temperature within a drum of the apparatus. The vaporized mercury is drawn from the drum and condensed for recovery thereof. Multiple retorting apparatuses can be used for a continuous retorting operation.

Abstract: A retorting device for mercury containing material, with an oven, mercury trap and condensers capable of operation at pressures from atmospheric pressure down to 50 Torr with simultaneous temperatures up to 1500.degree. F. A dam within the mercury trap permits removal of liquid mercury separate from condensed solid amalgams, sludges and the like. The trap has provisions for removal of the sludges and amalgams from beneath the surface of water within the trap.

Abstract: The use of and methods to use a novel category of hydrocarbon for direct reduction of iron ore. The novel hydrocarbons used as reducing feedstocks would normally be destined to become hazardous wastes or else their products of decomposition would be hazardous wastes. Such hydrocarbons are inclusive of but not limited to organic phosphates, organic sulfates, organic nitrogens, organic mercury or tin, contaminated hydrocarbons, and halogenated hydrocarbons. This category of hydrocarbons is otherwise difficult to utilize, incinerate, or otherwise dispose of safely. Polluting byproducts are almost always released. However a DRI reactor is herin fitted to utilize them productively and safely. These hydrocarbons would be used as an alternative to or admixture with the usual hydrocarbon feedstocks of choice, methane or related short chain hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A processing method by which metals may be recovered at a high purity from metal-containing waste materials.The method for processing metal-containing waste materials comprises crushing a metal-containing waste material to a particle size of 1-50 mesh, separating and recovering the metal-containing particles from the crushed portion, introducing the metal-containing particles into a vacuum heating furnace, pre-heating the furnace while under suction evacuation, and then raising the temperature of the furnace in stages while continuing the vacuum suctioning, recovering the metal and non-metal vapor produced at each temperature level using a condensing and adsorbing means, and recovering the liquated metals as melts. The method may be used to process waste batteries, copper-containing waste materials and the like in the same manner to recover high-purity metals.

Abstract: A method for processing hetrogeneous metal-containing deposits recovered from the cleaning of synthesis gas produced during the thermal treatment of wastes containing metals, including volatile metals, in equipment having a heating enclosure and a waste liquid container. The method comprises the steps of directing all of the liquids and residual solutions to the waste liquid container and directing all of the residual gases into the heating enclosure.

Abstract: in a hot combustion gas stream are removed therefrom by oxidizing the elemental mercury, to form a mercury compound, and adsorbing the mercury compounds on adsorbent particles such as activated alumina. Oxidation is catalytically promoted. After adsorbing a substantial quantity of mercury compounds, the spent adsorbent particles can be regenerated and re-used by heating the particles to decompose and drive off the mercury compounds. In another embodiment, oxidation of the elemental mercury is catalytically promoted at a catalyzing station, and the mercury compounds are removed from the gas stream by scrubbing.

Abstract: A method for the removal of mercury from soil, wherein the soil has been contaminated with mercury. The method comprises the following steps. Soil is added to one end of an internally fired hollow screw desorber under a vacuum in the range of from about 15 inches of mercury to about 30 inches of mercury. The soil is moved from the one end of the internally fired hollow screw desorber to another end of the desorber and the temperature of the soil is increased in the desorber as it moves from the one end of the desorber to the other end, wherein the temperature of the soil is increased from a temperature in the range of from about ambient to about 150.degree. F. to a temperature in the range of from about 800.degree. F, to about 1500.degree. F. A mercury vapor is produced in the internally fired hollow screw desorber. The soil is removed from the other end of the desorber while the mercury vapor is removed from the internally fired hollow screw desorber. Mercury is then recovered from the mercury vapor.

Abstract: A method for dealing with mercury-containing waste including button-type batteries, wherein the waste is heated in a furnace while being agitated and in the presence of elementary selenium vapour in an amount sufficient to form mercury-selenide from essentially all the mercury contained by the waste. The waste is heated to a temperature at which mercury and selenium will be present in a gaseous state and at which solid mercury-selenide will not form, and a partial pressure of oxygen is maintained at a sufficiently low level to avoid oxidation of the selenium. The thus treated mercury-freed waste is extracted from the resultant process gas and from any other solid material that may be present and is either dumped or worked-up metallurgically.

Abstract: A process for treating wastes contaminated by toxic metals and/or organic materials is disclosed. The process involves heating the metal-contaminated wastes to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the metals. This temperature is also high enough to destroy or volatilize organic contaminants. The metal vapors are contacted with a sorbent which is reactive with the metals and sequesters them, thereby forming a non-leachable complex which can be disposed as non-hazardous conventional waste.

Abstract: Pipe lines for conducting natural gas become contaminated, over a period of time, by an accumulation of mercury, which occurs in minute amounts in natural gas. If used pipe is scrapped, for example by melting, mercury vapor escaping to the atmosphere poses a health hazard. To remove mercury, sections of pipe are closed at both ends by plugs having nipples for connection to a closed circuit and inert gas line connected with a pump for evacuating the line and with a source of inert gas, for example nitrogen. The closed circuit inert gas line contains a blower for circulating the inert gas repeatedly through the pipe sections and a condenser for condensing mercury vapor. The closed circuit further includes a heat exchanger for removing heat upstream of the condenser, a coordinated heat exchanger for restoring heat removed and an additional heater. The pipe sections are heated externally by an oven or internally by heated inert gas.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the direct smelting of zinc containing materials. The process includes volatilizing zinc from zinc-containing materials into a gas phase, while sulphur is fixed as iron sulphide in a Fe-S-O matte. Thereafter, zinc is recovered in metallic form with a suitable condenser apparatus from a zinc laden gas consisting of Zn(g), CO, CO.sub.2 and N.sub.2. Other metals like silver, cadmium, mercury and lead may also be recovered in this manner.

Abstract: A regenerative mercury removal process for simultaneously removing high mercury and water content from a fluid comprising; contacting for a sufficient time a high content mercury-containing fluid with an adsorbent bed having sufficient silver coated or impregnated thereon to remove therefrom substantial amounts of mercury and water; regenerating the adsorbent using a regenerative gas and condensing-out and recovering the mercury to yield a fuel substantially free from mercury.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and process for removing particulate material and mercury-containing compounds from a gas stream. The apparatus includes a particulate removal means to remove the particulate material and a mercury collection means to remove the mercury-containing compounds. The apparatus can selectively remove particulate material and mercury-containing compounds which may be disposed of separately. The mercury collection means is positioned downstream of the particulate removal means and includes a regenerable sorbent. The sorbent is regenerated by elevating the temperature of the sorbent to release the mercury-containing compounds from the sorbent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing zinc, cadmium, lead and other easily volatile metals from sulfidic raw materials in a pyrometallurgical process. In the method, zinc sulfide concentrate is fed into molten copper in atmospheric conditions, at a temperature of 1,450.degree.-1,800.degree. C., so that the zinc, lead and cadmium are volatilized, and the iron and copper remain in the molten metal or in the metal sulfide matte created in the furnace.

Abstract: A plant for separating substances from a gas flow, especially environmentally harmful heavy metals in gas form released in connection with incinerating batteries, the plant including in series connection in a gas flow circuit, a chamber for initially collecting the gas flow containing the substances to be separated; a compressor which pressurizes the gas flow; an expansion device through which the pressurized gas flow passes while rapidly lowering the pressure and temperature of the gas flow so that at least a part of the substances to be separated condense and are separated in solid or fluid state in a separation chamber, the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the expansion device and which is provided with an outlet for the remaining gas flow which communicates with the inlet of the collecting chamber to form a closed gas-circulation circuit.

Abstract: Mercury is often removed as an impurity from process fluid streams by adsorption in fixed beds using any of several well-known adsorbents having the ability to selectively adsorb mercury. It is also common to reintroduce this sequestered mercury into the environment by means of the spent gas used to periodically regenerate the fixed beds. A solution to this problem is provided by the present invention in which the mercury is removed from the process stream using a large cyclically regenerated adsorption bed in combination with a non-regenerable secondary adsorption bed, the mercury content of the former being in part recovered as liquid mercury by passage through a condenser and in part transferred to the non-regenerated bed. Mercury leakage from the non-regenerable bed is recycled to the cyclically regenerated bed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing mercury from contaminated soils and industrial wastes are provided. The removed mercury may be recovered. A furnace vaporizes the mercury containing portion and the vapors are condensed. In one embodiment, an individual heating stage volatilizes water vapor and other volatile contaminants, such as hydrocarbons, with substantial vaporization of the mercury-containing portion, subsequently, a second temperature higher than the first is employed to vaporize the mercury containing portion. In one embodiment, a metallic salt reacts with sulfur in the material to form a stable solid sulfur compound to reduce sulfur content in the gaseous effluent. The addition of a metallic salt may also be employed to react with mercury halides to release elemental mercury therefrom. The contaminated material is thereby converted from one which is hazardous due to mercury contamination to one which is non-hazardous. The effluent is treated to reduce environmental hazards in the same.

Abstract: Mercury is often removed as an impurity from process fluid streams by adsorption in fixed beds using any of several well-known adsorbents having the ability to selectively adsorb mercury. It is also common to reintroduce this sequestered mercury into the environment by means of the spent gas used to periodically regenerate the fixed beds. A solution to this problem is provided by the present invention in which the mercury is removed from the process stream using at least two cyclically regenerated adsorption beds in combination with a condenser whereby upon regeneration of one bed, the regeneration stream effluent therefrom is treated in the condenser to recover the bulk of the mercury as liquid mercury and recycling the overhead from the condenser to another bed engaged in the adsorption-purification of fresh feedstock.

Abstract: A process is described for the recovery, in metallic form, of mercury present in roasting gases, containing SO.sub.2, so that the purified gas has less than 0.1 mg/m3 of this element. Essentially, the system consists of a conventional device for the cooling and scrubbing of the gas; two irrigated towers with an acid solution of Hg(SCN).sub.4.sup.2- free SCN.sup.- and active carbon; two wet electrostatic precipitators, one in front of the first tower and another between them and a reactor for scrubbing the emulsion (soot) obtained from the condensation, with ammonium. All mercury-bearing tailings are recycled to the roasting oven at appropriate intervals, until under certain conditions the hot gases attain a mercury content of more than 40 mg/m3.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and an installation for producing mercury by reduction of calomel by implementing a process for preparing metallic mercury, said installation essentially comprising: a reaction vessel with an inclined base for the reduction provided with an agitator, connected by a conduit to said decanter and provided with water supply means and sulfuric acid supply means, and a mercury recovery tank connected to the lower part of the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering primary metals from pyrometallurgical process dust, in which a vertical shaft retort, situated in a furnace or afterburner associated with a pyrometallurgical apparatus, such as an inclined rotary reduction smelter, and preferably having a tapered cross-section with the larger end at the bottom, receives greenball pellets from a pelletizer, vaporizes volatile metal metals therein, and removes them to an associated volatile metal recovery apparatus, while reducing and recovering the major metal oxide components in the pellets in metallized form.