Abstract: Alkanes are converted to unsaturated carboxylic acids by contacting an alkane with an oxidizing agent and a Wells-Dawson type heteropolyacid supported on wide pore polyoxometallate salts.

Abstract: The invention is a valve for a microwavable container having a flexible lid. The valve has two posts extending from one side of a body member, and the posts correspond to two apertures in the lid. The cross-sectional area of the posts are larger than the apertures in the lid, and the distal portions of the posts are larger than the proximal portions. When the posts are engaged with the apertures a liquid-tight seal is formed. One post can be removed from its corresponding aperture to create a vent for microwave cooking, while the other post remains engaged with the lid to anchor the valve to the lid. The body portion of the valve extends beyond the vent post and preferably flares upwardly and fans laterally to form a tab to facilitate opening of the vent. The body portion also preferably has a thin between the posts in a direction substantially perpendicular to the line of the posts to facilitate hinging of the valve.

Abstract: The invention is a corrosion ring gauge for evaluating the limit of allowable corrosion on the mated surfaces defining the gasket seating area of a bolted pipe flange, and a method for performing the evaluation. The invention includes a ring having an interior edge corresponding to the allowable radial corrosion advancement on a mated surface when the ring is centered on the mated surface. Attached to the ring are at least two centering pins, each of which is aligned with the position of a bolt bore on the flange when the ring is centered on a mated surface. The method of the invention involves centering the corrosion ring gauge on a mated surface and marking the location of the interior edge of the ring on the mated surface. After removing the corrosion ring gauge from the mated surface, a straight edge is positioned on the mated surface so that it intersects the marked location.

Abstract: Alkanes are converted to unsaturated carboxylic acids by contacting an alkane with an oxidizing agent and a heteropolyacid supported on wide pore polyoxometallate salts.

Abstract: Modified mineral fillers, derived from either a coarse particle kaolin clay or a coarse particle ATH, having excellent utility in thermoset polymers as low paste viscosity fillers are disclosed. The method of treatment involves the use of specific weight ratio combinations of a silane and a long chain aliphatic alcohol. The treatment of clay can also involve the auxiliary use of a surfactant in small amounts, which is utilized to emulsify the silane and aliphatic alcohol treatment components in water either individually or as a co-emulsion blend prior to their addition to the clay. The surfactant, which is preferably a nonionic surfactant having a HLB value of 12-18, aides in uniformly treating all the clay particle surfaces with the silane/alcohol treatment combination. Coarse particle clays having general utility in the invention are those having an average Stokes equivalent particle diameter of at least 3.