Abstract: An aromatic dicarboxylic acid is purified by oxidizing m-xylene or p-xylene to produce crude isophthalic acid or crude terephthalic acid, respectively. The products of the oxidizing step are hydrogenated in the presence of a palladium catalyst. Carbon monoxide is introduced during the hydrogenation step. The palladium catalyst is provided on a carbon substrate. The products of the oxidizing step are dissolved in a solvent, which may be water, prior to the hydrogenation step. The products of the oxidizing step may be dissolved at an elevated temperature, above the normal boiling point of the solvent. The oxidation step produces isophthalic acid, 3-carboxybenzaldehyde and fluorenones in the case of oxidizing m-xylene and produces terephthalic acid, 4-carboxybenzaldehyde and fluorenones in the case of oxidizing p-xylene.

Abstract: This invention relates to a molded object prepared from a copolyester having an inherent viscosity of 0.4 to 1.1 dL/g,wherein the acid component comprises repeat units from 90 to 40 mole % terephthalic acid and from 10 to 60 mole % of one or more additional dibasic acids selected from the group consisting of isophthalic acid, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, diphenyldicarboxylic acid, and stilbenedicarboxylic acid;wherein the glycol component comprises repeat units from 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

Abstract: High activity steam reforming catalysts are described particularly adapted for use in autothermal reforming processes. A rhodium catalyst on a calcium oxide impregnated alumina substrate allow the autothermal reforming process to take place with substantially no carbon plugging at oxygen to carbon ratios below what had been considered critical for avoiding carbon plugging of the catalyst in the past.

Abstract: A molten carbonate fuel cell anode-matrix composite and a molten carbonate fuel cell including such composite are described. The anode-matrix material comprises carbonate electrolyte in intimate combination with ceria anode-matrix material. The anode-matrix material shows substantially no phase change or reaction with the electrolyte after at least 2000 hours under molten carbonate fuel cell operating conditions.

Abstract: Hydrogen is produced from an electrolyte solution by suspending semiconducting platelets in a vertically flowing solution of the electrolyte contained in a radiant energy transparent, vertically disposed divergent fluid conduit. By utilizing a divergent fluid conduit to suspend the platelets in the vertically flowing electrolyte the platelets are maintained in a substantially stable equilibrium position in the conduit with a constant electrolyte flow rate and the particular array of platelets in the conduit can be specifically controlled by simply varying the weight, size or shape of the platelets, further improving the hydrogen generating capability of such system. The fluid conduit is impinged with radiant energy of sufficient wavelength to cause charge transfer in the platelets dissociating the electrolyte solution producing the hydrogen gas. The platelets are maintained suspended in the vertically flowing electrolyte by controlling the flow rate of the electrolyte solution.

Abstract: Processes of forming amorphous boron-carbon alloy in bulk form without crystallization are disclosed. Such products can be produced in thicknesses well in excess of ten mils by employing Reynolds number gas reactant flow conditions of 40 to 120. The resultant products of such processes having grain sizes preferably less than 30 A are also disclosed.