Abstract: Process for removing the nitrogen impurities from a liquid hydrocarbon mixture comprising introducing into a low volume mixer the hydrocarbons to be treated together with a dilute aqueous acid solution to form an emulsion, withdrawing said emulsion into a decantation zone where it breaks and recycling to the low volume mixer from 80 to 95% by volume of the aqueous acid solution coming from the decantation zone, so as to maintain in said low volume mixer a volume ratio of the hydrocarbons to the aqueous acid solution from about 0.3 to about 13, preferably from about 0.5 to about 4, and the pH of the aqueous acid solution from about 0.1 to about 1.5.

Abstract: A continuous mass polymerization process for preparing rubber reinforced styrenic copolymers comprising forming a solution in an inert solvent of a styrenic polymer matrix and a monomer material capable of polymerizing to form a cross-linked rubbery polmyer, continuously charging the solution into a polymerization reactor and subjecting the solution to mass polymerization conditions whereby there is formed in situ a cross-linked rubbery polymer dispersed in the styrenic polymer matrix, continuously withdrawing the reaction mixture from the polymerization reactor and recovering the resulting rubber reinforced styrenic copolymer.

Abstract: The process for the catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons and more particularly of petrolatum of similar raw material having a high content in microcrystalline waxes comprises introducing a molecular oxygen-containing gas into melted petrolatum in the presence of a usual oxidation catalyst and in the presence of water, which is used in an amount comprised between about 1% and 25%, based on the weight of petrolatum.The acid products resulting from this oxidation reaction and their calcium soaps are anti-rust compounds.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for on the site determination of the characteristics of an oil-pollutant containing water. The determinaton includes the use of a combination of devices designed to permit the on-site determination of the water content and specific gravity of the mixture of water and pollutant, and the initial boiling point of water-free pollutant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the purification of a crude terephthalic acid product contaminated with up to 10% by weight of partially oxidized impurities including p-toluic acid and 4-carboxybenzaldehyde, comprising the steps of dissolving the crude product in water by heating up to a temperature at least about 5.degree. C. higher than necessary for having the resulting solution saturated with terephthalic acid; cooling the resulting solution down to a temperature not lower than about 185.degree. C. to precipitate purified crystals; recovering the purified crystals by solid-liquid separation at a temperature not lower than that used for the precipitation of the purified crystals; and washing the recovered crystals by contacting with water at a temperature which is at least as high as the temperature of the recovery step.

Abstract: Disclosed are self-extinguishing polystyrenic compositions with improved thermal stability properties, comprising a styrenic resin and a fire-retardant agent which can either comprise solely a brominated pentaerythritol having at least one free-OH group or such a compound in combination with a peroxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-extinguishing polystyrenic composition comprising a polystyrenic resin, a fire-retardant amount of a halogenated organic fire-retardant agent and a nitrogen-containing organic compound selected from the group consisting of amines, amides and ammonium compounds containing from 20 to 40 carbon atoms and their mixtures, said nitrogen-containing compound being used in an amount varying between 0.5 and 50% based on the weight of fire-retardant agent.

Abstract: The reaction mixture obtained by oxidizing p-xylene in the presence of water as diluent, at a temperature comprised between 140.degree. and 220.degree. C., and consisting of terephthalic acid crystals in suspension in an aqueous solution comprising unreacted p-xylene, intermediate oxidation products thereof, the heavy-metal catalyst and water is introduced in the upper part of a sedimentation column wherein the acid is separated by gravity and is washed with a counter current of water introduced near the bottom of said column, the temperature of the washing zone being higher than the minimum value T.sub.w given by the equation T.sub.w =144+0.225 T.sub.R, wherein T.sub.R is the oxidation temperature.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises the successive steps of: (a) heating the sample in an inert atmosphere to a first temperature capable of cracking at least a fraction of the organic material contained in the sample; (b) measuring the amount of organic carbon contained in at least a fraction of the effluent resulting from this cracking; (c) heating the sample in an oxidizing atmosphere to a second temperature at most equal to the first temperature; (d) measuring the amount of organic carbon in the effluent produced by the oxidation of the organic material, and (e) deriving from the above measurements the total organic carbon content of the sample. In order to perform the method of the invention, there is also provided means for performing each of the successive steps. In a further refinement, the method also includes steps for determining the mineral carbon content so that the total carbon content of the sample can be determined.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the continuous production of terephthalic acid from p-xylene, comprising the steps of oxidizing p-xylene in a first oxidation zone in the presence of not more than about 10 weight % of water and a cobalt/manganese catalyst up to a conversion of about 15% terephthalic acid; oxidizing the partially-oxidized compounds in a second oxidation zone in the presence of an additional amount of water up to about 20 to 70% by weight and in the presence of an additional amount of the catalyst up to a conversion of about 50% by weight terephthalic acid; stripping p-xylene vapors from the second oxidation zone; separating crystals of crude terephthalic acid from the effluent from the second oxidation zone from the soluble components of the effluent; countercurrently washing the separated crystals with fresh water to produce a slurry; recycling a part of soluble components to the second oxidation zone, and another part of the first oxidation zone to provide the latter with heavy metal catalyst; and

Abstract: A process for purifying crude terephthalic acid is disclosed which comprises treating a solution of crude terephthalic acid in an aqueous solution of a water-soluble heavy metal salt wherein the heavy metal is cobalt, manganese, iron or nickel under elevated pressure and at elevated temperature in the presence of a supported noble metal catalyst with nitrogen gas or a gas-mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen. The treated solution is then separated from the catalyst and purified crystalline terephthalic acid is recovered by crystallization and separation from the mother liquor wherein impurities and the heavy metal salts are retained. The process is especially useful for directly treating crude terephthalic acid obtained in an oxidation process in the presence of a heavy-metal-salt-catalyst.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing rubber reinforced resins which are copolymers of styrenic compound, acrylonitrile and diolefinic compound.

Abstract: A continuous process for polymerizing a monomer mixture of acrylate and diolefinic compound in the presence of a copolymeric matrix of styrene and acrylonitrile.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing terephthalic acid by oxidizing p-xylene which comprises contacting a substantially liquid mixture of p-xylene with p-toluic acid and water wherein the molar ratio of p-toluic acid to p-xylene is between about 0.01 and about 100 and the molar ratio of water to p-toluic acid is between about 0.4 and about 60, with a molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of an oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing styrenic resins is disclosed which comprises the steps of:(a) adding monomer material selected from the group consisting of monomers and monomer mixtures being capable of forming a rubbery polymer by polymerization and preferably comprising an acrylic acid ester to a polymeric matrix comprising a polymer of a styrenic compound;(b) contacting the polymeric matrix and the monomer material under conditions in which said monomer is absorbed by said polymeric matrix; and(c) polymerizing said monomer material with formation of a rubbery polymer partly grafted on the polymeric matrix.The resulting styrenic resin exhibits good impact strength and gloss.

Abstract: Process for producing isophthalic acid by direct oxidation of m-toluic acid or a mixture of m-toluic acid with m-xylene and partially oxidized intermediates under mild conditions without the presence of consumable organic solvents or corrosive bromine promoters comprising forming a homogeneous, aqueous mixture of said substrate containing from 10 to 80 weight percent water and an active catalyst comprising a manganese compound or a mixture of a maganese compound and a cobalt compound, the minimum concentration (M) of catalyst in said mixture in millimoles per kilogram of mixture being given by the equation ##EQU1## wherein x is the mole fraction of maganese in the catalyst, y is the mole ratio of water to m-toluic acid and z is the ratio of dissolved isophthalic acid to m-toluic acid, the maximum concentration of catalyst being not more than about 40 millimoles catalyst per kilogram of mixture and reacting said substrate with a molecular oxygen-containing gas at a temperature from about 140.degree. to 220.

Abstract: A process for preparing terephthalic acid is disclosed which comprises the steps of oxidizing a substantially homogenous liquid reaction mixture, comprising p-toluic acid, optionally in admixture with p-xylene and partially oxidized p-cylene derivatives, an amount of between 5% and 80% by weight of water, and an oxidation catalyst comprising a catalytically-active metal compound such as manganese compounds, cobalt compounds or mixtures thereof, with an oxygen-containing gas. At least a minimum amount of M millimoles of the catalytically-active metal compound per kg of the liquid reaction mixture is used, wherein M is defined by the following equation (1) ##EQU1## wherein y represents the molar ratio of water/p-toluic acid in the reaction mixture,x represents the molar ratio of manganese/total amount of manganese + cobalt in the catalyst composition Mn/(Mn+Co),A equals about 0.200,B equals about 10.9,C equals about 4.35; andD equals about 0.0724.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing rubber reinforced styrenic resins which are composite systems containing a copolymer of styrene and unsaturated nitrile together with copolymers of acrylates and conjugated diolefins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-extinguishing polystyrenic composition comprising a polystyrenic resin, a fire-retardant amount of a halogenated organic fire-retardant agent and a benzotriazolic compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H or --CH.sub.3 and R.sub.2 is H or --CH.sub.2 N(R.sub.3).sub.2 wherein R.sub.3 is H, an alkyl radical containing from about 1 to 12 carbon atoms or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, in an amount between about 1 and 50% of the weight of said fire-retardant agent.

Abstract: A nitrogen-containing nickel catalyst adapted for catalyzing partial and selective hydrogenation of natural oils is disclosed, which comprises nickel and such an amount of a nitrogen-containing basic compound which is equivalent to from about 5 to about 40 atoms of nitrogen per 100 atoms of nickel.The catalyst is effective in catalyzing the partial hydrogenation of natural oils in such a manner that poly-unsaturated compounds are selectively hydrogenated and the formation of saturated compounds, transisomers, and conjugated dienes is limited and liquid hydrogenation products can be obtained. The catalyst is prepared by treating a nickel catalyst with the nitrogen-containing compound at elevated temperatures optionally under hydrogen.