Abstract: A method to purify an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide by countercurrently contacting the ammonia and hydroxide, in a volume ratio of about 0.6 to 1 to about 1 to 1, in a packed bed. The temperature in the lower portion of an extractor in which the process is carried out is controlled and maintained within a range of at least about 155.degree. to about 170.degree. F.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprising a base member; an electrical conducting contact member; a means in cooperative combination with the base member and the electrical contact member adapted to move the contact member outwardly from the base member toward an electrical bus member. The switch further includes a releasable clamping means in cooperative combination with the base member and the electrical contact member adapted to clamp the bus member and the electrical contact member together with a sufficient force to permit flow of electrical current between the bus member and the electrical contact member.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to fabricate shaped membranes or diaphragms with substantially leak-free seams suitable for use in electrolytic cells to produce a halogen and an alkali metal hydroxide. A preferred polymeric sheet material is formed into a desired configuration and a fusible substance is placed at or near the edges of the polymeric material prior to applying heat and, optionally, pressure to the fusible substance.

Abstract: Improved asbestos-containing diaphragms and mats are prepared by bonding the asbestos fibers to one another by pyrolyzing an organic titanate in situ.

Abstract: An innate catalytically-active electrode, especially well suited for the electroreduction of oxygen in alkaline media, is comprised at least partially of a substantial proportion of a metal phthalocyanine in dry powder form compounded in intimate mixture with a finely comminutated, particulate metal all fabricated together in an integral porous body form of structure.

Abstract: An apparatus to electrolytically produce multivalent metals, such as titanium, from compounds thereof. The apparatus includes a suitable containing body with an anode and a cathode in compartments therein spaced apart by a foraminous diaphragm with at least a surface portion consisting essentially of nickel or, preferably, cobalt. The diaphragm has a diaphragm coefficient of greater than zero to about 0.5 when the coefficient of flow is about 0.1 to about 25. A multivalent metal compound feed means is combined with the cathode compartment to supply a multivalent metal compound to a molten salt electrolyte in the cathode compartment. The apparatus is sealed from the atmosphere to avoid contamination of the bath and metal product with certain atmospheric gases. Means of providing sufficient electrical and thermal energy to operate the cell are provided.

Abstract: A method to electrolytically produce metallic titanium from compounds thereof. The method includes first inserting a foraminous diaphragm with at least a surface portion consisting essentially of nickel or, preferably, cobalt into an electrolytic cell. The diaphragm has a diaphragm coefficient of greater than zero to about 0.5 when the coefficient of flow is about 0.1 to about 25 in an electrolytic cell. The cell further includes an anode spaced apart by the diaphragm from a cathode and a titanium compound feed means. A feed means is combined with the cathode compartment to supply a titanium compound to a molten salt electrolyte in the cathode compartment. The apparatus is preferably sealed from the atmosphere to avoid contamination of the bath and metal product with certain atmospheric gases. An ionizable titanium compound is subsequently introduced into the electrolyte and an electromotive force impressed between the anode and the cathode to thereby deposit metallic titanium on the cathode.

Abstract: A method of providing a particulate suitable for use in, for example, coating compositions, such as paints. The described method comprises depositing a metal on a substrate by, for example, electroless or vapor deposition methods. The metal deposit is then removed from substrate to provide a plurality of distinct metal platelets suitable for combination with a carrier and use in a coating composition.

Abstract: An electrical method to determine the suitability of a diaphragm for use in an electrolytic cell. The method comprises inserting the diaphragm between a primary anode and a primary cathode immersed in an electrolyte and then impressing a known direct current electromotive force between the electrodes. The change in electrical properties across the electrolyte resulting from insertion of the diaphragm is determined. Such change is indicative of the suitability of the diaphragm for use in an electrolytic cell and can be a measure of diaphragm uniformity.

Abstract: An improved method to prill calcium chloride comprising feeding a molten, aqueous calcium chloride solution into a boiling refrigerant with a boiling temperature less than the freezing temperature of the solution. The solution is fed into the boiling refrigerant from an opening positioned upwardly from and spaced apart from the upper surface of the refrigerant.

Abstract: A method of coating an electrode with an activating oxide comprising admixing an oxide particulate of titanium and ruthenium with a solution of titanium and ruthenium halides in an alcohol with a boiling temperature less than that of water, applying a layer of the mixture to a surface of a valve metal substrate, removing the liquid portion from the layer and then oxidizing the remaining portion of the layer.

Abstract: A new nonfuming, soldering and brazing flux particularly useful in soldering aluminum surfaces which comprises a mixture of zinc bromide and an alkali metal bromide such as potassium bromide.

Abstract: An agent suitable to treat metals to, for example, desulfurize steel is disclosed. The treating agent is produced by coating a porous body with molten magnesium, oxidizing the magnesium coating and then impregnating the oxide coated porous body with magnesium.

Abstract: A process to improve the corrosion resistance of an aluminum plate deposited on a substrate by the catalytic decomposition of an aluminum hydride. The process preferably involves heating at least the aluminumm plate aluminum a temperature of at least about 50.degree.C. for from about 4 to about 24 hours.