Plant chromium

Soil. The first reported field trial of the use of hyperaccumulating plants to remove metals from a soil contaminated by sludge appHcations has been reported (103). The results were positive, but the rates of metal uptake suggest a time scale of decades for complete cleanup. Trials with higher biomass plants, such as B.juncea, are underway at several chromium and lead contaminated sites (88), but data are not yet available. 

Chromium is the most effective addition to improve the resistance of steels to corrosion and oxidation at elevated temperatures, and the chromium—molybdenum steels are an important class of alloys for use in steam (qv) power plants, petroleum (qv) refineries, and chemical-process equipment. The chromium content in these steels varies from 0.5 to 10%. As a group, the low carbon chromium—molybdenum steels have similar creep—mpture strengths, regardless of the chromium content, but corrosion and oxidation resistance increase progressively with chromium content. 

Because of its position in the Periodic Table, molybdenum has sometimes been linked to chromium (see Chromiumand chromium alloys) or to other heavy metals. However, unlike those elements, molybdenum and its compounds have relatively low toxicity, as shown in Table 3. On the other hand, molybdenum has been identified as a micronutrient essential to plant life (11,12) (see Fertilizers), and plays a principal biochemical role in animal health as a constituent of several important enzyme systems (see Mineral nutrients). 

Processes for HDPE with Broad MWD. Synthesis of HDPE with a relatively high molecular weight and a very broad MWD (broader than that of HDPE prepared with chromium oxide catalysts) can be achieved by two separate approaches. The first is to use mixed catalysts containing two types of active centers with widely different properties (50—55) the second is to employ two or more polymerization reactors in a series. In the second approach, polymerization conditions in each reactor are set drastically differendy in order to produce, within each polymer particle, an essential mixture of macromolecules with vasdy different molecular weights. Special plants, both slurry and gas-phase, can produce such resins (74,91—94). 

Tannins occur in many plants and are separated by extraction. At present, only quebracho extract is used as a mud thinner in significant quantity in the United States. Quebracho is an acidic material and performs best at high pH. It is an excellent thinner for lime-treated and cement-contaminated muds. However, it is not effective at high salt concentrations. Sulfomethylated tannin products are functional over a wide range of pH and salinity and have either been treated with chromium for good thermal stabiUty (58) or are chrome free. Concentrations of tannin additives are ca 1.5—18 kg/m (0.5—6 lb/bbl). 

Materials of Construction. Resistance of alloys to concentrated sulfuric acid corrosion iacreases with increasing chromium, molybdenum, copper, and siUcon content. The corrosiveness of sulfuric acid solutions is highly dependent on concentration, temperature, acid velocity, and acid impurities. An excellent summary is available (114). Good general discussions of materials of constmction used ia modem sulfuric acid plants may be found ia References 115 and 116. More detailed discussions are also available (117—121). For nickel-containing alloys Reference 122 is appropriate. An excellent compilation of the relatively scarce Hterature data on corrosion of alloys ia Hquid sulfur trioxide and oleum may be found ia Reference 122. 

Dehydrogenation of /i-Butane. Dehydrogenation of / -butane [106-97-8] via the Houdry process is carried out under partial vacuum, 35—75 kPa (5—11 psi), at about 535—650°C with a fixed-bed catalyst. The catalyst consists of aluminum oxide and chromium oxide as the principal components. The reaction is endothermic and the cycle life of the catalyst is about 10 minutes because of coke buildup. Several parallel reactors are needed in the plant to allow for continuous operation with catalyst regeneration. Thermodynamics limits the conversion to about 30—40% and the ultimate yield is 60—65 wt % (233). 

Fig. 2. Flow sheet for production of electrolytic chromium by the chrome alum process at the Marietta Plant, Flkem Metals Co., Marietta, Ohio.

A cylindrical tube in a chemical plant is subjected to an excess internal pressure of 6 MN m , which leads to a circumferential stress in the tube wall. The tube wall is required to withstand this stress at a temperature of 510°C for 9 years. A designer has specified tubes of 40 mm bore and 2 mm wall thickness made from a stainless alloy of iron with 15% by weight of chromium. The manufacturer s specification for this alloy gives the following information ... 

Yourfacility is involved in chrome plating of metal parts, which produces an aqueous plating waste that is treated on-site to recover chromium sludge. The effluent from the on-site treatment plant, which contains chromium compounds (a listed toxic chemical), is piped to a POTW. The chromium sludge is transferred to an off-site, private ly owned firm tor the recovery of the chromium. 

Precipitation is often applied to the removal of most metals from wastewater including zinc, cadmium, chromium, copper, fluoride, lead, manganese, and mercury. Also, certain anionic species can be removed by precipitation, such as phosphate, sulfate, and fluoride. Note that in some cases, organic compounds may form organometallic complexes with metals, which could inhibit precipitation. Cyanide and other ions in the wastewater may also complex with metals, making treatment by precipitation less efficient. A cutaway view of a rapid sand filter that is most often used in a municipal treatment plant is illustrated in Figure 4. The design features of this filter have been relied upon for more than 60 years in municipal applications. 

Type 304-19/10 (chromium nickel) provides a stable austenitic structure under all conditions of fabrication. Carbon (0.08% max.) is sufficient to have reasonable corrosion resistance without subsequent corrosion resistance for welded joints. Type 304 is used for food, dairy and brewery equipment, and for chemical plants of moderate corrosive duties. 

Alloy 800 (32% nickel, 20% chromium and 46% iron) is used for furnace equipment such as muffles, trays and radiant tubes and in oil and petrochemical plants as furnace coils for the reforming and pyrolysis of... 

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