Provided are a method of preparing a metal oxide-silica composite aerogel, which includes preparing metal oxide-silica composite precipitates by adding a metal salt solution to a silicate solution and performing a reaction, and drying the metal oxide-silica composite precipitates by irradiation with infrared rays in a wavelength range of 2 m to 8 m, and a metal oxide-silica composite aerogel having excellent physical properties, such as low tap density and high specific surface area, as well as excellent pore properties prepared by the method.

Provided are a method of preparing a metal oxide-silica composite aerogel which includes preparing a silicate solution by dissolving water glass at a concentration of 0.125 M to 3.0 M, after adding and mixing a metal salt solution having a metal ion concentration of 0.125 M to 3.0 M to the silicate solution, precipitating metal oxide-silica composite precipitates by adjusting a pH of a resulting mixture to be in a range of 3 to 9, and separating and drying the metal oxide-silica composite precipitates, wherein the metal salt solution includes a magnesium (Mg)-containing metal salt in an amount such that an amount of magnesium ions is greater than 50 mol % based on a total mole of metal ions in the metal salt solution, and a metal oxide-silica composite aerogel having low tap density and high specific surface area prepared by the method.

Methods and composition are provided for deriving cement and/or supplementary cementitious materials, such as pozzolans, from one or more non-limestone materials, such as one or more non-limestone rocks and/or minerals. The non-limestone materials, e.g., non-limestone rocks and/or minerals, are processed in a manner that a desired product, e.g., cement and/or supplementary cementitious material, is produced.

A process for manufacturing an aqueous sodium chloride solution and the use of such solution for the manufacturing of crude sodium bicarbonate from SOLVAY ammonia process or for the manufacturing of soda ash, comprising the steps of: a) dispersing a first solid material comprising sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, and sodium sulfate, and a second solid material comprising calcium chloride in an aqueous liquid to produce an aqueous medium; b) subjecting the aqueous medium to clarification to produce a clarified aqueous medium; and c) recovering the clarified aqueous medium as aqueous sodium chloride solution; wherein a weight L/S ratio between the weight of the aqueous liquid used to produce the aqueous medium and the total weight of the first solid material and the second solid material is in the range of from 0.7 to 3.5.

A process for manufacturing an aqueous sodium chloride solution and the use of such solution for the manufacturing of crude sodium bicarbonate from SOLVAY ammonia process or for the manufacturing of soda ash, comprising the steps of: a) dispersing a first solid material comprising sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, and sodium sulfate, and a second solid material comprising calcium chloride in an aqueous liquid to produce an aqueous medium; b) subjecting the aqueous medium to clarification to produce a clarified aqueous medium; and c) recovering the clarified aqueous medium as aqueous sodium chloride solution; wherein a weight L/S ratio between the weight of the aqueous liquid used to produce the aqueous medium and the total weight of the first solid material and the second solid material is in the range of from 0.7 to 3.5.

The invention is directed to kits, compositions, tools and methods comprising a cyclic industrial process to form biocement. In particular, the invention is directed to materials and methods for decomposing calcium carbonate into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide at an elevated temperature, reacting calcium oxide with ammonium chloride to form calcium chloride, water, and ammonia gas; and reacting ammonia gas and carbon dioxide at high pressure to form urea and water, which are then utilized to form biocement. This cyclic process can be achieved by combining industrial processes with the resulting product as biocement. The process may involve retention of calcium carbonate currently utilized in the manufacture of Portland Cement.

The invention is directed to kits, compositions, tools and methods comprising a cyclic industrial process to form biocement. In particular, the invention is directed to materials and methods for decomposing calcium carbonate into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide at an elevated temperature, reacting calcium oxide with ammonium chloride to form calcium chloride, water, and ammonia gas; and reacting ammonia gas and carbon dioxide at high pressure to form urea and water, which are then utilized to form biocement. This cyclic process can be achieved by combining industrial processes with the resulting product as biocement. The process may involve retention of calcium carbonate currently utilized in the manufacture of Portland Cement.

Systems and methods for preventing biocorrosion of fuel handling components located in a sump in a fuel dispensing environment. One method includes exposing a hygroscopic material to moisture-laden air in the sump such that the hygroscopic material deliquesces into a liquid solution and exposing a buffer material to ethanol-blended fuel vapors in the sump. The method also includes collecting the liquid solution in a reservoir and monitoring the level of the liquid solution in the reservoir using a liquid level sensor. Further, the method includes notifying service personnel of the level of the liquid solution in the reservoir.

Systems and methods for preventing biocorrosion of fuel handling components located in a sump in a fuel dispensing environment. One method includes exposing a hygroscopic material to moisture-laden air in the sump such that the hygroscopic material deliquesces into a liquid solution and exposing a buffer material to ethanol-blended fuel vapors in the sump. The method also includes collecting the liquid solution in a reservoir and monitoring the level of the liquid solution in the reservoir using a liquid level sensor. Further, the method includes notifying service personnel of the level of the liquid solution in the reservoir.

A method for comprehensively treating low-concentration ammonia-nitrogen wastewater by completely recycling is disclosed. The low-concentration ammonia-nitrogen wastewater and carbide slag or quick lime are mixed and reacted to obtain a mixed solution containing ammonia water and ammonium chloride. The mixed solution is transferred into an ammonia-water evaporative concentration tower to separate the ammonia water and thus obtain an ammonia vapor and a calcium chloride waste solution. The ammonia vapor is transferred into an ammonia-water cooler, and the calcium chloride waste solution is introduced into an aging pool for aging, and then filtered to obtain a purified calcium chloride solution; and the purified calcium chloride solution is introduced into an MVR triple-effect evaporator for evaporation, so as to obtain distilled water and a concentrated calcium chloride solution. The concentrated calcium chloride solution is introduced into a fluidized bed for spray granulation, so as to obtain an anhydrous calcium chloride product.