Treatment of pyrophoric elemental phosphorus-containing material

• US 4,686,094 A
• Filed: 08/08/1986
• Issued: 08/11/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stauffer Chemical Company (Nouryon BV)
• Original Assignee: Stauffer Chemical Company (Nouryon BV)
• Inventors: Duffin, Leon C., Nakamura, Steve, Roberts, Auston K., Biederman, David L., Trainer, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Heller, Gregory A.
• Application Number:
  US06/894,529
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 423/322, 423/323, 423/317, 423/308, 423/309
• US Class Current: 588/320
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 11/0605 formed by two belts, e.g. Hazelett-process
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 11/0685 by cooling the casting belts B22D11/0677 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 41/34 Supporting, fixing or centering means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 5/0292 with the objects to be stapled together introduced perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the tool in an opening formed by an anvil and a plunger
• CPC Class Codes: B27K 2240/30 Fireproofing fireproofing materials in general C09K21/00
• CPC Class Codes: B27K 3/0292 for improving fixation B27K3/0285 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B27K 3/08 Impregnating by pressure , e.g. vacuum impregnation
• CPC Class Codes: B27K 3/22 Compounds of zinc or copper
• CPC Class Codes: B27K 3/34 Organic impregnating agents polymers B27K3/15
• CPC Class Codes: B27K 3/52 Impregnating agents containing mixtures of inorganic and organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B27K 5/001 Heating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/07 Flat, e.g. panels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/08 flexible, e.g. films
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/21 the layers being joined at their surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/30 Extrusion nozzles or dies extrusion characterised by the shape or cross-section of the extruded article B29C48/03
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/307 specially adapted for bringing together components, e.g. melts within the die
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2033/00 Use of polymers of unsaturated acids or derivatives thereof as moulding material B29K2035/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2055/02 ABS polymers, i.e. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7692 Baths
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/30 comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 13/14 : with means for displacing the cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 13/16 : with means for displacing the printing formes on the cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 39/006 : characterised by a control system for the actuation of the rotating chain wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60M 3/04 : Arrangements for cutting in and out of individual track sections by passage of the vehicle B60M1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 : including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 : including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/10 : including control of change-speed gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/11 : Stepped gearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/021 : Means for detecting failure or malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 : Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/102 : Input speed change rate
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/104 : Output speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 : Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18 : Propelling the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B61B 13/08 : Sliding or levitation systems vehicles with air cushions between rails and vehicles B60V3/04
• CPC Class Codes: B61B 13/12 : Systems with propulsion devices between or alongside the rails, e.g. pneumatic systems cable traction B61B9/00; car shunting devices B61J
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/022 : of flexible containers having a filling and dispensing spout, e.g. containers of the "bag-in-box"-type B65B55/025, B65B55/027 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/02 : Closing containers or receptacles deformed by, or taking-up shape, of, contents, e.g. bags, sacks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/16 : End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices valves of valve bags B65D31/14 ; removable stoppers or caps B65D39/00, B65D41/00; closures of filled bags B65D77/10; closing filled bags in association with packaging B65B7/00, B65B51/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/5877 : connected to a planar surface of the package wall
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/70 : Pressure relief devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/61 : for articles
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 25/003 : Phosphorus
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 25/027 : of yellow phosphorus
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 25/20 : Preparation from elemental phosphorus or phosphoric anhydride
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/1208 : with diagnostic check cycles; Monitoring of failures
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/122 : Avoiding failures by using redundant parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/1284 : the failing part is a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/36 : Inputs being a function of speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/40 : Output shaft speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/42 : Input shaft speed
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/12 : Detecting malfunction or potential malfunction, e.g. fail safe in control of hydrostatic gearing F16H61/4192; Circumventing or fixing failures
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/162 : of the non reverse-buckling-type F16K17/1633 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/12 : Vents or other means allowing expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/3425 : in the form of rupturable membranes or weakened parts, e.g. pierced with the aid of a sharp member
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 101/36 : Means for registering or alignment of print plates on print press structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 477/906 : Means detecting or ameliorating the effects of malfunction or potential malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/662 : Wood timber product [e.g., piling, post, veneer, etc.]

Abstract

Pyrophoric elemental phosphorus-containing material, e.g., solid waste containing high levels of elemental phosphorus (P₄), is treated by contact with an oxygen-containing gas, such as air, to reduce the amount of elemental phosphorus contained therein while it is otherwise protected from contact with oxygen in the air by being blanketed by a non-flammable fluid (e.g., while under an aqueous protective layer). This renders the material less pyrophoric and also enables the recovery of phosphorus values therefrom, e.g., in the form of a weak phosphoric acid solution. This treatment, for example, mobilizes highly pyrophoric solid waste into a more flowable sludge or mud form while rendering it substantially more non-pyrophoric.

Claims

1. A method of treating pyrophoric elemental phosphorus-containing material which comprises contacting the material with an oxygen-containing gas to convert it to a substantially less pyrophoric form while it is otherwise protected from direct contact with oxygen in the atmosphere by being blanketed with a non-flammable fluid.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gas is air.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-flammable fluid is a liquid in which P₂ O₅ values are soluble.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the oxygen content of the gas is from about 1% to about 100%.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the oxygen content of the gas is from about 1% to about 100%.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the material is at essentially ambient temperature when the contacting is begun.

7. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the material is at essentially ambient temperature when the contacting is begun.

8. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the material is at essentially ambient temperature when the contacting is begun.

9. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the material is at essentially ambient temperature when the contacting is begun.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1-9 wherein the material is covered by a protective layer of water to protect it from contact with oxygen in the atmosphere.

11. A method as in claim 10 wherein the product comprising an aqueous P₂ O₅ solution resulting from the admixture of the water and the product of the contacting of the material with the gas is recovered.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the recovered product is treated with caustic.

13. A method as in any one of claims 1-9 wherein the material is substantially solid elemental phosphorus-containing material having a P₄ content of above about 90%.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the material is pre-treated by exposure to sunlight.