Treatment of pyrophoric elemental phosphorus-containing material
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
34 Citations
14 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.
Specification