Abstract: Amorphous silica is rendered hydrophobic by treating the silica with hydrogen fluoride vapors. The hydrophobic silica thus produced is useful in applications wherein either the sorbed fluoride values are desired or else the hydrophobic properties are desired. The hydrophobic properties are overcome by extended contact with water and the silica then becomes hydrophilic.

Abstract: Aqueous process streams or waste waters destined for merging with public waters sometimes contain deleterious amounts of heavy metals, e.g., lead (Pb) compounds. The heavy metal compounds may be substantially removed or reduced to harmless levels by treating the acidic aqueous streams with chromate or dichromate ions, then heating the solution to oxidize organics and/or heavy metal-organics, then raising the pH to an alkaline pH to precipitate the heavy metal chromate, and separating the heavy metal chromate from the aqueous stream.

Abstract: This invention pertains to improvements in the manufacture of soda-lime glass from pelletized glass batch material in which a major portion of the alkali metal oxide flux material (e.g. Na.sub.2 O) in the final glass is derived from an alkali metal hydroxide (e.g. NaOH) and in which the alkali metal hydroxide is reacted with alkaline earth metal oxide source material during the preparation of the pelletized glass batch material. The improvements are obtained by reacting aqueous, concentrated, alkali metal hydroxide with at least a portion of the alkaline earth metal oxide source material (e.g. limestone) to form an aqueous slurry which contains the reaction products, then mixing with the slurry the remaining glass batch materials under conditions to assure thorough mixing and then pelletizing and heating the batch material at a temperature of at least about 145.degree. C to assure substantially complete drying of the pellets and substantially complete reaction of the alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: Fluorosilicic acid solutions, which normally undergo decomposition when distilled, thereby creating unwanted forms of SiO.sub.2, are rendered stable during distillation by providing in the fluorosilicic acid solution an amount of HF which is at least about 10 parts of HF per 36 parts of H.sub.2 SiF.sub.6 and an amount of H.sub.2 O which is at least about 54 parts of H.sub.2 O per 36 parts of H.sub.2 SiF.sub.6. The mixture is distilled to remove any excess H.sub.2 O and excess HF that is present, without encountering formation of SiO.sub.2, until an azeotropic solution containing about 36% H.sub.2 SiF.sub.6, about 10% HF and about 54% H.sub.2 O is reached. The ternary azeotrope, being of constant quality and concentration, is more suitable for use in various processes, such as processes for making fumed SiO.sub.2, than H.sub.2 SiF.sub.6 solutions which are not of constant quality or concentration.

Abstract: Tetrachloropyridine is prepared by heating pentachloropyridine in an aqueous medium under pressure, with agitation, in the presence of a particulate oxidizable metal, e.g., zinc and a hydrogen-producing acid, e.g., hydrogen chloride. The tetrachloropyridine is then conveniently extracted with an inert, water-immiscible solvent, e.g., a halogenated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Electrodes are prepared by coating electrically conductive substrates with an electrically conductive film comprising a single-metal spinel of the formula Co.sub.3 O.sub.4. The coating can include modifier oxides selected from Groups III-B through VII-B, Groups III-A through V-A, and the Lanthanides and Actinides. Particularly suitable as modifier oxides are the oxides of zirconium, vanadium, titanium, lead, tantalum, tungsten, niobium, cerium, or molybdenum.These electrodes are particularly suitable for, but not limited to, use as the anode in an electrolytic chlorine cell wherein a diaphragm is interposed between an anode and a cathode in an aqueous electrolyte solution containing sodium chloride.

Abstract: Aluminum alloys prepared from commercial grade aluminum and containing minor amounts of indium and zinc, useful as galvanic anodes, are improved by the addition of a small amount of silicon.

Abstract: Process for the non-catalytic liquid phase oxidation of halo-olefins, having 2 to 7 carbon atoms, by O.sub.2 at elevated temperatures and pressures to produce oxygenated organic products having the same number of carbon atoms as the starting material.

Abstract: An improved process and composition for water- and oil-proofing textiles which comprises treating a textile with a polymeric fluorocarbon finishing agent and at least one reactive polymer extender of the formula ##EQU1## and curing the treated textile at from 80.degree.C to 170.degree.C for 0.1 to 60 minutes; wherein C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 are carbon atoms of a polyalkylene copolymer chain, R and R' are hydrogen, alkyl, phenyl, --COOH or a segment of a polyalkylene chain, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or the like, of up to about 20 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen. The treatment in accordance with the present invention results in synergistic improvements in the oil- and/or water-repellent properties of the conventional fluorocarbon agents.

Abstract: Urea is pyrolyzed in a falling film reactor at a temperature of from about 180.degree. to about 240.degree.C. A short residence time in the reactor provides for good urea conversion with minimal formation of other autocondensation pyrolyzates.