Abstract: For sensing gaseous hydrocarbons in a gas mixture, a device consisting of two sensitive elements, one being a reference element, which are heated to different temperatures. The sensors, formed by subjecting films deposited by silk-screen processes to heat treatment at high temperature, are connected to an electronic evaluation circuit.

Abstract: Process for recovering and causing highly viscous petroleum products to flow by means of an aqueous dispersion of the petroleum product, in which the dispersant is selected from alkali metal or ammonium salts of organic sulfonates having the following properties: (A) sulfur content of at least 10%; (B) water solubility at 20.degree. C. of at least 15% by weight; (C) decrease in water surface tension, at a concentration of 1% by weight, not higher than 10%.

Abstract: Injection of additive such as ammonia or calcium compounds along with a small amount of hydrocarbon, preferably methane or natural gas, in a relatively high temperature region of the effluent stream for effectively reducing pollutants such as NO.sub.x and SO.sub.x. Preferably, injection is achieved by atomization of a liquid-form additive or additive solution with a small amount of gaseous hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing a difunctional catalyst active, in the hydroisomerization of long-chain normal paraffins is disclosed, which is constituted by an amorphous silica-alumina gel and one or more metals belonging to Group VIIIIA.

Abstract: An aqueous gellable composition capable of producing gels resistant to syneresis in the presence of divalent ions, contains:a water-soluble acrylamide polymer or copolymer,a crosslinking agent formed by a water-soluble aldehyde, or a water-soluble aldehyde and a water-soluble phenol,a water-soluble anti-syneresis agent selected from: organic carboxy acids, organic hydroxy acids and aminoacids, or among aminophosphonic acids and their alkali-metal or ammonium salts.When malonic acid is used, a delay in aqueous composition gelation is additionally obtained.

Abstract: A new plasmid vector is described which can replicate in B.subtilis and which can express and secrete, in the culture medium, human beta interleukin-1 (beta IL-1) without amino acid sequences extraneous to the natural molecule, a strain of B.subtilis transformed by the vector and a method for the expression and secretion of mature human beta interleukin-1. The human beta interleukin-1 thus obtained shows a specific acitvity of 1.times.10.sup.9 U/mg of protein and is particularly suitable as a stimulant for the immune system, as an adjuvant in vaccines for the activation of the repair mechanism in cases of tissue damage, and for the treatment of auto-immune diseases in man.

Abstract: A catalytically active gel product is described consisting of a silica matrix which is amorphous to x-rays with uniform porosity, monomodal pore distribution and high surface area, within which one or more metal oxides possessing catalytic activity are dispersed. A process for preparing this catalytic gel is also described.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing alkyl glycosides of general formula (I), by reacting an alcohol with a reducing sugar or with an equivalent of the latter, in the presence of a binary catalyst formed by a strong organic acid and a weak, also organic, base, having a K.sub.a within the range of from 10.sup.-8 to 10.sup.-1.

Abstract: A thermotropic polyesterimide, in which the liquid-crystalline phase is of nematic structure within a useful temperature range, consists of units of formula: ##STR1## the units being in the following ratios:a/(b+c)=1c/b=0-50/50, and preferably c/b<30/70The polyesterimide of the present invention possesses self-reinforcement characteristics, or reinforcement characteristics for traditional thermoplastic materials.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing particular hydroxyalkyl glucosides in the presence of a binary catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated process for producing olefins by starting from methane containing gas mixture, which process essentially comprises the following steps:converting methane into higher hydrocarbons by oxidative coupling carried out in the presence of air and/or oxygen;dehydrogenating, with the aid of a catalyst, said higher hydrocarbons, with an olefin-rich mixture being obtained;removing H.sub.2 O, CO.sub.2, CO and H.sub.2 from the resulting olefinic mixture;removing from said olefinic mixture any not converted methane, and recycling it upstream from the oxidating coupling;separating ethylene from the olefinic mixture;separating any not dehydrogenated ethane from the olefinic mixture.

Abstract: Aqueous drilling muds effective at high temperature containing complexes, preformed or formed in situ, of tetravalent zirconium with one or more organic acids, or relative salts, of general formula (I) ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which can be the same or different, represent --H, --COOH, --CH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 COOH or --CH(OH)COOH, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 jointly represent an oxo group (.dbd.O).

Abstract: In order to reduce the rate of coke formation during the industrial pyrolysis of hydrocarbons, the interior surface of a reactor is coated with a uniform layer of a ceramic material, the layer being deposited by thermal decomposition of a non-alkoxylated organosilicon precursor in the vapor phase, in a steam containing gas atmosphere in order to form oxide ceramics.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a solid, polymeric electrolyte in membrane form, constituted by a solid solution of an ionic compound in a crosslinked polyether, characterized in that said polymeric electrolyte is obtained by (1) blending a prepolymer, an ionic compound, a plasticizer, and a free-radical-generating activator; and (2) applying the resulting blend on an inert carrier and exposing said blend to a source of ultraviolet light, thermal radiation or electron beam, until the blend is completely crosslinked. The instant invention also provides an electrolyte separator for use in electrochemical devices, optical and electrochemical displays and sensors, which comprises the polymeric electrolyte of the instant invention.

Abstract: The process for activating a catalytic composition for paraffin dehydrogenation containing gallium, alumina, possibly silica and/or one or more alkaline or alkaline-earth metals, comprises thermal activation in air followed by post-activation effected by the following stages:oxidation with air and/or oxygen or a mixture containing oxygen and inert gas;purging with inert gas;reduction with hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and an inert or reducing gas.The catalytic composition activated by said process contains gallium, alumina, silica and possibly one or more alkaline or alkaline-earth metals, the alumina being in .delta. or .theta. phase or in .delta.+.theta. or .delta.+.theta.+.alpha. phase mixture.

Abstract: Process for preparing a solid, polymeric electrolyte, in membrane from, characterized in that:(1) a mixture is prepared, which contains:(a) a vinyl ether (I) of formulaR--(--O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --).sub.n --O--CH.dbd.CH.sub.2wherein R=Me or Et and n is an integer comprised within the range of from 1 to 16;(b) a divinyl ether of formulaCH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--(--O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --).sub.m --O--CH.dbd.CH.sub.2wherein m is integer comprised within the range of from 1 to 10, in a molar ratio to the vinyl ether (I) comprised within the range of from 2:98 to 60:40;(c) an ionic compound in an amount comprised within the range of from 1 to 30% by weight;(d) an oligomer or a dipolar aprotic liquid in an amount comprised within the range of from 0 to 80% by weight;(e) a photoinitiator in an amount comprised within the range of from 0 to 10% by weight;(2) the above mixture is applied onto an inert support and is exposed to a source of ultraviolet light, or to an electron beam.

Abstract: Process for oxidating paraffinic compounds into their corresponding alcoholic and/or ketonic derivatives, which process consists in causing said paraffins to react, at a temperature comprised within the range of from 0.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., preferably in an acidic medium, with a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen, in the presence of a catalyst on the basis of titanium-silicalite and of a noble metal and/or a derivative of such a metal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the state of, and for locating any detachment of, the protective covering of immersed or buried pipelines or other metal structures subjected to cathodic protection with constant current, on the basis of the overall electrical resistance offered by the pipeline/covering/ground system, consisting of applying local sinusoidal wave excitation currents of different frequencies to the pipeline and measuring the corresponding voltage responses, then comparing the measured responses of the system to determine, on the basis of response differences or coincidences at the various frequencies, whether within the portion under consideration there is detachment with corrosion underway or whether there is simple covering decay.

Abstract: A sensor device for gaseous hydrocarbons includes two semiconductor oxide-based sensitive elements, one of which is a sensitive reference element and the other a sensitive measuring element, this measuring element being covered with a layer of electrically insulating porous material containing a dispersed noble metal. The two sensitive elements are formed by silk-screen processes, are connected to an electronic signal comparison system, and are maintained at different temperatures when in operation. The sensor has improved selectivity in determining gaseous hydrocarbons, in particular methane, even if high concentrations of interfering gases such as ethanol are present.

Abstract: An electrochromic window comprises a tungsten oxide electrode on a transparent conductive glass sheet and a nickel oxide counterelectrode. The counterelectrode is activated by electrochemical intercalation of lithium on a transparent conductive glass sheet. The window also comprises a solid polymeric electrolyte interposed between the electrode and the counterelectrode. The electrolyte is formed by a solid solution of an ionic lithium compound in a solid crosslinked polyepoxide. The polyepoxide is obtained by copolymerization of a monoepoxide with a diepoxide.