Functional Fluid and a Process for the Preparation of the Functional Fluid

Abstract

A functional fluid for the removal of contaminates such as but not limited to, acid causing components in gas, sulfur components and carbon oxides from fluid streams, and removal and treatment of NO X & SO X from post combustion emissions. Also described is the manufacturing process to produce the functional fluid both in a batch atmospheric process system as well as a closed system capable of operating at above or below atmospheric conditions.

1 - 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A product, comprising:
 a functional fluid having a specific gravity of about 1.25 to 5, and a pH of from about 9 to about 13, obtained by reacting silicon, alkali metal hydroxide and a solution comprising water and a chlorine source in a reactor vessel at a temperature of no greater than about 200° F. (93° C.), wherein the chlorine source is chlorine gas or liquid chlorine.   
     
     
         60 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein the silicon and alkali metal hydroxide are added to the reaction vessel prior to the addition of the solution comprising water and chlorine. 
     
     
         61 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein the chlorine source is liquid chlorine. 
     
     
         62 . The product according to  claim 61 , wherein the water and liquid chlorine are in a ratio of from about 10:1 to about 30:1 by volume. 
     
     
         63 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein the water and liquid chlorine are in a ratio of about 20:1 by volume. 
     
     
         64 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein the amount of silicon to alkali metal hydroxide is in a ratio of from about 1:5 to about 5:1 by volume. 
     
     
         65 . The product according to  claim 64 , wherein the amount of silicon to alkali metal hydroxide is about 1:1 by volume. 
     
     
         66 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein additional solution comprising water and liquid chlorine is added at a rate sufficient to maintain the reaction until one or more of the metal silicon or alkali metal hydroxide is spent. 
     
     
         67 . The product according to  claim 59 , where the reaction temperature is no greater than about 175° F. (80° C.). 
     
     
         68 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein the metal of the alkali metal hydroxide is lithium, sodium or potassium. 
     
     
         69 . The product according to  claim 68 , wherein the metal is sodium. 
     
     
         70 . The product according to  claim 69 , wherein the sodium hydroxide is in solid form. 
     
     
         71 . The product according to  claim 69 , wherein the sodium hydroxide is in the form of an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         72 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein the silicon is silicon metal grade 441. 
     
     
         73 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein the silicon comprises particles having a mean particle diameter ranging from about 1 mm to about 150 mm. 
     
     
         74 . The product according to  claim 73 , wherein the silicon comprises particles having a mean particle diameter ranging from about 24 mm to about 150 mm. 
     
     
         75 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein the water is distilled water. 
     
     
         76 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein the reactor vessel is open to the atmosphere. 
     
     
         77 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein the reactor vessel is closed to the atmosphere. 
     
     
         78 . The product according to  claim 59 , wherein the silicon and sodium hydroxide in solid form are loaded to a height equivalent of about 30% of the reactor vessel's volume, prior to addition of the solution comprising water and liquid chlorine.