In a broad form the present invention relates to a method for oxidation of a species comprising sulfur in an oxidation state below +4, such as H.sub.2S, CS.sub.2, COS and S.sub.8 vapor, to SO.sub.2 said method comprising the step of contacting the gas and an oxidant with a catalytically active material consisting of one or more elements taken from the group consisting of V, W, Ce, Mo, Fe, Ca, Mg, Si, Ti and Al in elemental, oxide, carbide or sulfide form, optionally with the presence of other elements in a concentration below 1 wt %, at a temperature between 180° C. and 290° C., 330° C., 360° C. or 450° C., with the associated benefit of such a temperature being highly energy effective, and the benefit of said elements having a low tendency to form sulfates under the conditions, with the related benefit of an increased stability of the catalytically active material. The other elements present may be catalytically active noble metals or impurities in the listed materials.

Provided herein is technology relating to the amplification-based detection of bisulfite-treated DNAs and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and compositions for multiplex amplification of low-level sample DNA prior to further characterization of the sample DNA. The technology further provides methods for isolating DNA from blood or blood product samples, e.g., plasma samples.

Provided herein is technology relating to the amplification-based detection of bisulfite-treated DNAs and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and compositions for multiplex amplification of low-level sample DNA prior to further characterization of the sample DNA. The technology further provides methods for isolating DNA from blood or blood product samples, e.g., plasma samples.

A method of controlling aquatic pests: introducing sulfurous acid into water having the aquatic pests to treat the water until the aquatic pests are controlled, wherein the water is selected from open water, flowing water, or water open to the atmosphere. The aquatic pests are controlled within a control distance, which is within a distance of less than a mile from the site of introducing the sulfurous acid. The water can be open water or contained water, and the method comprises producing the sulfurous acid at a site of sulfurous acid introduction into the water. The aquatic pest is a zebra mussel, an Asiatic clam, a bryozoan or others. The method can include introducing the sulfurous acid so that the treated water has a pH of between about 6 and 6.5. The method can include introducing the sulfurous acid so that the treated water includes sulfites, bisulfites, and/or sulfur dioxide.

This invention relates to a system and method for improving sulfur recovery from a Claus unit. More specifically, this invention provides a sorption based SO.sub.2 selective crosslinked polyionic liquid system and method for treating acid gas streams and minimizing sulfur dioxide emissions therefrom.

This invention relates to a system and method for improving sulfur recovery from a Claus unit. More specifically, this invention provides a sorption based SO.sub.2 selective crosslinked polyionic liquid system and method for treating acid gas streams and minimizing sulfur dioxide emissions therefrom.

A reagent composition for a Karl Fischer titration includes (1) sulfur dioxide or a derivative thereof, (2) a derivative of imidazole, (3) an alcohol, and (4) at least one amino acid that is present in an amount that is greater than zero and up to about 10 weight percent based on a total weight of the reagent composition. Moreover, a molar ratio of the derivative of imidazole to the sulfur dioxide or derivative thereof is greater than 1:1. Iodine is optionally included in a one-component reagent and excluded in a two-component reagent. This disclosure further provides a method for determining an amount of water in a sample via Karl Fischer titration. The method includes the step of providing the sample, providing the reagent composition, which optionally includes the iodine (I.sub.2), and titrating the sample with the reagent composition.

A reagent composition for a Karl Fischer titration includes (1) sulfur dioxide or a derivative thereof, (2) a derivative of imidazole, (3) an alcohol, and (4) at least one amino acid that is present in an amount that is greater than zero and up to about 10 weight percent based on a total weight of the reagent composition. Moreover, a molar ratio of the derivative of imidazole to the sulfur dioxide or derivative thereof is greater than 1:1. Iodine is optionally included in a one-component reagent and excluded in a two-component reagent. This disclosure further provides a method for determining an amount of water in a sample via Karl Fischer titration. The method includes the step of providing the sample, providing the reagent composition, which optionally includes the iodine (I.sub.2), and titrating the sample with the reagent composition.

A reagent composition for a Karl Fischer titration includes (1) sulfur dioxide or a derivative thereof, (2) a derivative of imidazole, (3) an alcohol, and (4) at least one amino acid that is present in an amount that is greater than zero and up to about 10 weight percent based on a total weight of the reagent composition. Moreover, a molar ratio of the derivative of imidazole to the sulfur dioxide or derivative thereof is greater than 1:1. Iodine is optionally included in a one-component reagent and excluded in a two-component reagent. This disclosure further provides a method for determining an amount of water in a sample via Karl Fischer titration. The method includes the step of providing the sample, providing the reagent composition, which optionally includes the iodine (I.sub.2), and titrating the sample with the reagent composition.

A reagent composition for a Karl Fischer titration includes (1) sulfur dioxide or a derivative thereof, (2) a derivative of imidazole, (3) an alcohol, and (4) at least one amino acid that is present in an amount that is greater than zero and up to about 10 weight percent based on a total weight of the reagent composition. Moreover, a molar ratio of the derivative of imidazole to the sulfur dioxide or derivative thereof is greater than 1:1. Iodine is optionally included in a one-component reagent and excluded in a two-component reagent. This disclosure further provides a method for determining an amount of water in a sample via Karl Fischer titration. The method includes the step of providing the sample, providing the reagent composition, which optionally includes the iodine (I.sub.2), and titrating the sample with the reagent composition.