A process for recovering a solution of Co and Mn acetates and other valuable components of a waste residue of used catalyst discharged from a plant for the liquid-phase, homogeneously catalyzed oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds, to produce polycarboxylic aromatic acids. The residue is pyrolized in a reaction zone provided forming molten metal in an electric arc or molten metal furnace under conditions which convert essentially all carbon in the residue mainly to CO, hydrogen and compounds vaporized in an effluent from the reaction zone. The effluent is passed through a liquid-gas-contacting means to yield a quench or scrubber stream. The residue may also be sludge from a pond in which the residue is stored. The alloy recovered is atomized to form a powder metal which is then digested in acetic acid, and/or aqueous hydrogen bromide, and/or mixtures thereof with the quench or scrubber stream, to form the corresponding salts. In addition to Mn and bromine (Br) values from the effluent, these values may also be recovered from the slag, if desired. Substantially pure Co may be recovered and exported, particularly if earthy residue from a sludge pond is processed to benefit the environment.

An elongated reaction chamber (11) has an inlet end (23), an outlet end (25), and a gas containment boundary (12) extending along its length. Waste material to be processed is injected into the reaction chamber (11) at the inlet end (23) and reaction products are removed from the reaction chamber out the outlet end (25). The reaction chamber (11) is mounted within a supply chamber (16) containing a molten reactant metal (15). The level of the molten reactant metal (15) in the supply chamber (16) resides above the level of the upper gas containment boundary (12). A circulating arrangement including a circulating paddle (17) circulates molten reactant metal (15) into the inlet end (23) of the reaction chamber (11) and through the reaction chamber to its outlet end (25). A mixing arrangement which may include fins (44) associated with the reaction chamber (11) mixes both gases and molten reactant metal in the reaction chamber to enhance exposure of unreacted gases to the molten metal. Gases exiting the reaction chamber (11) may be monitored to control the input of waste material at the inlet end (23) of the reaction chamber.

Gasification of waste is performed in a gasifier having a gasification space (1) and a liquid rotating slag bath (2). The slag bath (2) is preferably caused to rotate by tangentially injecting gasification medium and/or at least a portion of the waste via a burner toward the surface of the slag bath. Waste with a diameter of to 5 mm is preferably introduced into gasifier (1) above the slag bath (2), while larger waste is preferably introduced directly into the slag bath. Slag is a removed, together with cracked gas accumulated during gasification through the floor of the gasifier via a slag drain having a lateral opening which protrudes above the slag bath.

The invention provides an apparatus for removing airborne pathogens and toxic substances from a surface of an article or a volume of air, comprising: a main processing chamber having a door for ingress to and egress from the main processing chamber, at least two high voltage electrodes for generating a current. The electrode can form ozone, if desired, to destroy pathogens. Optionally, the electrodes can be in a sealed or unsealed glass tube, with or without mercury, to generate ultraviolet light for photochemical reaction with pathogens or other contaminants. The apparatus also includes a post processing chamber comprising at least one filter for removing or absorbing airborne particulates and pathogens, and includes low voltage electrodes to neutralize charges in air transmitted from the main processing chamber. The system further includes a shutter between the main processing chamber and the post processing chamber for preventing ultraviolet light from entering the post processing chamber from the main processing chamber; and a fan for moving fluid from the main processing chamber to the post processing chamber.

A molten metal reactor (10) quickly entrains a feed material in the molten reactant metal (16) and provides the necessary contact between the molten reactant metal and the feed material to effect the desired chemical reduction of the feed material. The reactor (10) includes a unique feed structure (24) adapted to quickly entrain the feed material into the molten reactant metal (16) and then transfer the molten reactant metal, feed material, and initial reaction products into a treatment chamber (12). A majority of the desired reactions occur in the treatment chamber (12). Reaction products and unspent reactant metal are directed from the treatment chamber (12) to an output chamber (14) where reaction products are removed from the reactor. Unspent reactant metal (16) is then transferred to a heating chamber (15) where it is reheated for recycling through the system.