Abstract: A process for preparing gamma-lactones which comprises contacting an alpha-olefin, oxygen and a carboxylic acid containing an alpha-hydrogen atom in the vapor phase at an elevated temperature and at a controlled pressure in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising an oxide of uranium. The catalyst preferably also contains at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of arsenic, antimony and bismuth oxides. A preferred process comprises contacting ethylene, oxygen and acetic acid at atmospheric pressure in the presence of a catalyst consisting essentially of oxides of uranium and antimony to produce gamma-butyrolactone.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying hardware items so as to facilitate the disposition of the items or products in appropriate places on panels in a time period much shorter than is conventionally encountered.

Abstract: Starch is converted to ethanol by a process in which an aqueous starch slurry is hydrolyzed in sequential liquefication and saccharification steps to provide sterile saccharified starch solution containing from about 60 to about 80 weight percent of fermentable sugar based on the weight of the original starch present and the fermentable sugar is thereafter continuously converted by fermentation to dilute aqueous ethanol ("beer") in a series of agitated fermentation vessels which contain progressively more ethanol and less fermentable sugar employing at least two strains of yeast for the fermentation, one of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively low concentration of ethanol and a relatively high concentration of fermentable sugar and the other of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively high concentration of ethanol and a relatively low concentration of fermentable sugar.

Abstract: The tendency of ethylene-vinyl ester interpolymer particles containing at least about 25% by weight of copolymerized vinyl ester to coalesce in the aqueous dispersion media in which they are prepared and consequently form unmanageable agglomerates which render impossible or greatly impede the practical filtration of the interpolymer particles, a tendency which becomes more pronounced with increasing vinyl ester content, is substantially diminished by adding an anti-coalescing amount of at least one water soluble alkanolamine processing aid to the aqueous dispersion media, or wash water used in recovery of the polymer particles prior to the recovery of the interpolymer particles therefrom. While in the alkanolamine-wet condition, the ethylene-vinyl ester interpolymer filter cake continues to resist coalescence and as such constitutes an excellent starting material for the preparation of hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl ester resins by solid phase alcoholysis.

Abstract: Compatibilized blends and composites of materials containing nitrile functionality with materials normally incompatible therewith are formed by mixing the components in the presence of an acid compatibilizing agent.

Abstract: The Mooney viscosity and green strength of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer gum stock is improved by the addition thereto of a suitable elastomer such as: high viscosity ethylene propylene rubber (EPR); nitrile rubber; polychloroprene; polyacrylate rubber; polyurethane; chlorinated polyethylene; polyester; ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM) terpolymer; and other elastomers such as ethylene-methyl acrylate, ethylene butyl acrylate and acrylonitrile types.

Abstract: A carbohydrate polymer such as starch and/or cellulose is converted to ethanol by a process in which an aqueous slurry of the carbohydrate polymer acid hydrolyzed to provide a sterile fermentable sugar solution is thereafter continuously converted by fermentation to dilute aqueous ethanol ("beer") in a series of agitated fermentations vessels which contain progressively more ethanol and less fermentable sugar employing at least two strains of yeast for the fermentation, one of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively low concentration of ethanol and a relatively high concentration of fermentable sugar and the other of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively high concentration of ethanol and a relatively low concentration of fermentable sugar.

Abstract: A fermentable sugar feed is continuously converted by fermentation to dilute aqueous ethanol ("beer") in a series of agitated fermentation vessels which contain progressively more ethanol and less fermentable sugar. At least two strains of yeast are selected for the fermentation, one of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively low concentration of ethanol and a relatively high concentration of fermentable sugar and the other of which provides a high rate of ethanol production in a fermentation medium containing a relatively high concentration of ethanol and a relatively low concentration of fermentable sugar.

Abstract: Olefins such as ethylene and propylene are hydrated in the liquid phase at elevated temperature and superatmospheric pressure to the corresponding alkanols in an aqueous reaction medium containing a catalytically effective amount of at least one substantially water-insoluble olefin hydration catalyst in the form of solid particles substantially uniformly distributed therein.

Abstract: A Group VIII noble metal catalyst supported on an alumina carrier having an alumina content greater than 99.0%, a crystalline alpha-alumina content of greater than 96%, a theta-alumina content of less than about 3.0%, a total calcium and magnesium content of less than 750 ppm, a surface area of about 2 to 6 m.sup.2 /g, an average crush strength of from about 20 to 45 lbs., a bulk density of less than about 1.35 g/cc, and an acetic acid loading of less than about 1.5% in 200 hours. The catalyst generally contains an alkali metal carboxylate activator and optionally a metal such as gold, copper, and the like. The catalyst is particularly useful for the preparation of unsaturated organic esters such as vinyl acetate and allyl acetate by a vapor phase process wherein a gaseous mixture of an olefinic compound, a lower carboxylic acid, and oxygen is contacted with the catalyst.

Abstract: Alcoholyzed ethylene-vinyl acetate resins and unplasticized, thermoplastic packaging films constituted thereof which are suitable as food wraps, particularly for the packaging of fresh red meat. The alcoholyzed resin is prepared from an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer containing from about 9 to 45 weight percent combined vinyl acetate and having a melt index of from about 0.1 to 70 g/10 min., the alcoholyzed resin containing from about 5 to 20 weight percent residual vinyl acetate and having a melt index of from about 0.1 to 100 g/10 min. Preferred films prepared from these alcoholyzed resins exhibit oxygen transmission rates in excess of about 350 cc/100 sq.in./24 hr./atm. at 23.degree. C, carbon dioxide transmission rates in excess of about 1000 cc/100 sq.in/24 hr./atm. at 23.degree. C, and moisture vapor transmission rates of from about 10 to 50 g/100 sq.in./24 hr. at 100.degree. F and 90% relative humidity (R.H.), essential characteristics of the thermoplastic films for wrapping cuts of fresh red meat.

Abstract: A process for the simultaneous saponification and dispersion of ethylene-vinyl acetate interpolymers into spherical particles having a number average particle size of about 10 microns or less is provided when an organic nitrogen base is used as the saponifying agent and a particular ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer is used as the dispersing agent.

Abstract: A dual purpose nozzle adapted to be attached to a blow gun or the like such that the blow gun can then be used for several functions; namely, to provide a high velocity jet of air for cleaning purposes and also to enable inflation of pneumatic tires or the like, thereby eliminating the need for repair shops to have to provide separate equipment for the two functions.

Abstract: The flame resistance of solid polymers are improved by treatment with a halogen containing amide having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkoxy; lower alkoxy carbonyl; ##STR2## X is chlorine or bromine; m is 0 or 1; n is 1-6; and y is 1-13.

Abstract: A tertiary amine and an alcohol are transalkylated. The tertiary amine is reacted with the alcohol, or with the formate ester of the alochol, at a temperature of from about 50.degree. to 300.degree. C. When the reaction is effected using the alcohol (rather than its formate ester), then the reaction is carried out in the presence of carbon monoxide.