Abstract:
Liquid silicate products derived from processed organic plant matter (112), such as rice hulls, have improved purity and properties for use in the production of higher purity amorphous silica compositions (180). The liquid silicate can be optically clear, can have a controlled ratio of silica to metal earth oxide components, and can have lower concentrations of undesirable contaminants such as aluminum, chloride, iron, sulfate, and titanium.
Abstract:
An apparatus for continuous sulfonization of discrete articles using ultra-dry air, sulfur trioxide gas, and a neutralizing fluid includes a sulfonization chamber for treating the discrete articles with sulfur trioxide gas, the sulfonization chamber including a chamber bottom having a circular periphery extending about a center axis and defining a chamber bottom opening on the center axis, the chamber wall having a cylindrical shape extending upwardly about the circular periphery of the chamber bottom and perpendicular to the chamber bottom, and a rotating dial plate having a circular periphery and presenting an upper surface extending radially from and rotatable about the center axis and disposed above the chamber bottom for receiving the discrete articles at the circular periphery of the rotating dial plate.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for hydrolyzing biological material for safe disposal thereof without the necessity of incineration or use of disinfectants are described. An alkaline solution having a concentration and an amount effective for hydrolyzing the biological material is brought into contact therewith by means of rotating paddles which both pound the biological material into small pieces and thoroughly mix the alkaline solution with the material under pressure and at elevated temperature. Following the hydrolysis of the biological material, a chosen portion of the water is removed from the alkaline solution and from the liquefied biological material, such that the resulting product solidifies when cooled. The present safe disposal of the biological material does not require incineration thereof, the addition of disinfectants thereto, or the discharge of liquid effluent containing processed biological material into the sewage system.
Abstract:
Hydrogen is generated through the use of a fuel solution that is prepared using solid fuel component, e.g., a metal borohydride, and a liquid fuel component, e.g. water. Both of these components are dispensed in response to control signals. The solid fuel component can take different forms, including but not limited to granules, pellets and powder. Various devices, which operate in response to control signals, are disclosed for dispensing predetermined amounts of the solid and liquid components. Advantageously, this solution can be prepared, as needed, so as to obviate the need for storing and disposing of large amounts of highly alkaline fuel and discharged fuel solutions.
Abstract:
Herein described is a process for the hydrothermal treatment of asbestos and/or materials containing asbestos in supercritical water (Supercritical Water, SCW), that provides for the withdrawal (3) of water from a tank (2), the transformation (5) of the water in supercritical water, the reaction of the supercritical water with asbestos or with material containing asbestos in a suitable environment (8) by means of a hydrolysis process, the cooling (14) of the waste water, the filtering (15) of the waste water, the collection of the waste water in a tank (17). Herein is also described a plant for the treatment of asbestos and/or materials containing asbestos comprising a water tank (2), a withdrawal pump (3) associated to said tank (2), a furnace (4) containing a serpentine coil (5) fed by said withdrawal pump (3) for the transformation of the water in supercritical water and a reactor (8) for the reaction of the supercritical water with asbestos and/or with the material containing asbestos, heat exchange means (14) for cooling the waste water from said furnace (4), and filtering means (15) of the water positioned at the output of said exchange means (14) and collection means (17) of the cooled and filtered waste water.
Abstract:
A combined process for the conversion of solid starting particles into solid intermediate particles and reducing the median diameter of the intermediate particles to obtain product particles. This process involves flowing a suspension of starting particles through a series of at least two conversion vessels, thereby converting at least part of the starting particles into intermediate particles, adding a supercritical fluid to one or more of the conversion vessels, thereby forming a supercritical suspension, and releasing pressure from the supercritical suspension, thereby expanding the suspension and converting the intermediate particles into product particles.
Abstract:
A method for removing contaminants from an organic-based feed stream which includes the use of a layer of reticulated ceramic material to filter the organic-based feed stream and to provide liquid distribution upstream of the catalyst bed.
Abstract:
Mechanically or electrically driven vehicles suitable for air, land, or sea transport are operated substantially pollution-free on a fuel gas derived by pyrolysis of carbon and water via underwater arcing between electrodes, optionally on-board. A carbon rod may serve as an electrode or preferably be inserted end-on between a plurality of electrodes, preferably composed of graphite. The fuel is combusted in an engine having mechanical output useful directly as motive power for the vehicle or indirectly to operate a generator of electrical output to motors driving the vehicle motive means.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a reactor designed to produce phosphoric acid by wet process. The reaction vessel proper is a cylindrical body divided into two compartments by a sinusoidal wall. The first space formed inside by the cylindrical wall of the vessel and the sinusoidal one and by one curved segment joining them is semi-circular and serves as pre-mixer provided with a stirring device and a pocket to allow the fluid flowing down through the bottom to reach the reaction space overhead. The reaction vat has two compartments and provided with a series of stirring devices so located as to permit an efficient, intimate mixture of the reaction medium. The vat is integrally roofed by a tight cover with many orifices left in it fitted for connection sleeves, such as: supply, gas venting, sight holes, and manholes, etc. The reactor incorporates as an integral unit a space devoted to the pre-mixing of reactants and means to guide the reaction medium through the reaction vessel; in this way the retention time required for the reaction process and calcium sulphate crystallization is decreased.