Abstract: A process for preparing methanol in a liquid reaction medium by reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst system consisting of an alkali metal alcoholate and a copper catalyst, wherein the liquid reaction medium in the reactor in addition to methanol and methyl formate contains at least 50% by volume of a non-polar organic solvent having a dielectricity constant which is lower than that of pure methanol at the same temperature.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes two connector parts provided with respective covers, which in the disconnected condition of the connector, protects interfaces in the light path and which, during mating of the connector parts for mutual coupling therebetween, is adapted to be displaced in order that the interfaces be exposed and that a continuous light path is established through the connector. Each cover has a wiper element adapted to clean the corresponding interface when the cover is displaced. Preferably each connector part has a separate fiber holder which suitably is suspended in a movable manner. The location of the light path in the side-wall of the connector provides particularly good protection and cleaning.

Abstract: Magnetic polymer particles prepared by treating compact or porous polymer particles with a solution of iron salts and, if desired, salts of other metals which are capable of forming magnetic ferrites, in which the solution swells or penetrates into the particles. Iron hydroxide and other metal hydroxides, if employed, are precipitated, e.g. by raising the pH value, and the particles are optionally heated. In the iron salts used, the ratio between di- and trivalent iron is suitably such that magnetic iron oxide is formed directly. It is also possible to use oxidizing or reducing groups or additives to obtain such a ratio. When other metal salts are used in addition to iron salts, the operation is carried out in the same manner. For instance, when Mn.sup.++, Co.sup.++ or Ni.sup.++ salts are used in addition to Fe.sup.++ salts, the divalent iron is oxidized to trivalent so that magnetic ferrite is obtained. The polymer particles which are treated with metal salts preferably contain metal-binding groups.

Abstract: Water intended for injection into an oil reservoir is freed from oxygen by gravitating the water through a vacuum tower. Gases liberated from the water by the vacuum process are drawn off at the bottom of the respective stages of the tower. Liberated nitrogen at the top of each stage will then flow down through the tower in cocurrent flow with the water and thus act as an internal stripping gas reducing the partial pressure of oxygen in the gaseous phase. Gases and vapors drawn off from the bottom of each vacuum stage after the first stage are pressurized to the pressure of the preceeding stage and reinjected into that stage.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of polymer latex by emulsification of an initiator or initiator mixture and optionally a solvent in the presence of emulsifier in water in a first step and adding a monomer and polymerizing in a second step. The process is carried out by emulsifying an essentially water-insoluble initiator or initiator mixture in the first step at a temperature above the melting point of the initiator or initiator mixture if no solvent is used, and below its decomposition temperature, optionally together with an essentially water-insoluble liquid solvent, which forms a liquid solution together with the initiator or the initiator mixture at the emulsification temperature, then, in a second step adding monomer, possibly additional emulsifier and that part of the desired amount of water which was not added in the first step, and initiating polymerization as per se known by heating.

Abstract: Process for removal of sulphur dioxide from exhaust gases by absorption in an aqueous solution containing ions of adipic acid, and stripping of sulphur dioxide with steam. Solid adipic acid is added to the absorption solution before or during the steam stripping in such an amount that all the acid is dissolved at the stripping temperature, and after the stripping the solution is cooled to substantially below the absorption temperature to precipitate solid adipic acid which is separated off and is added again after the absorption which takes place with a solution which is unsaturated with adipic acid.

Abstract: Diffusion barrier for electrolysis furnaces for the preparation of aluminium by electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a fluoride melt. The diffusion barrier comprises a material which reacts with sodium fluoride to form compounds which are solid at the operation temperature of the furnace.

Abstract: Process for preparing aqueous dispersions of a somewhat water-soluble low-molecular organic material, in which swellable particles prepared in a first step are swelled with the organic material in the second step. When the organic material is a polymerizable monomer the dispersion prepared is converted to a polymer dispersion. In the first step swellable oligomer or oligomer-polymer particles are prepared by(a) dispersing an aqueous mixture containing an oil-soluble initiator or a solution of an oil soluble initiator in an organic solvent, and then swelling the dispersed initiator-containing droplets with monomer and effecting polymerization, or(b) swelling polymer particles in aqueous dispersion with vinyl monomer and an oil-soluble initiator and effecting polymerization, the ratio between initiator and monomer used being so high that in the polymerization an oligomer having a degree of polymerization of 5-200 is formed.

Abstract: The invention provides monodisperse polymer particles and dispersions thereof, said particles having a diameter of preferably 5 .mu.m or more. Such polymer dispersions are prepared by in a first step preparing a dispersion of smaller monodisperse polymer particles containing one or more materials having a very low solubility in water, and a relatively low molecular weight, then in a second step adding a partly water-soluble monomer which diffuses into the particles from the first step, and then effecting polymerization.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing an aqueous emulsion or dispersion of a partly water-soluble material, and optionally further conversion of the prepared dispersion or emulsion to a polymer dispersion when the partly water-soluble material is a polymerizable monomer. In a first step a dispersion of polymer particles is prepared containing one or more materials having a very low solubility in water, then in a second step there is added the partly water-soluble material which diffuses into the particles from the first step, and then, if the partly water-soluble material is a polymerizable monomer, polymerization may be effected.

Abstract: Acoustic beacon for use at sea and having a pipe-shaped housing in the one nd of which is space for a battery which drives a transmitter disposed coaxially around the housing at the other end where there is arranged a pressure switch covered by a membrane. The transmitter is switched on by the pressure switch when the pressure on the outside of the membrane exceeds a certain limit when the beacon falls in water.

Abstract: Plasma burner provided with an electrode holder for the support of a cently arranged electrode and an outer electrode, a device for applying an electrical voltage for producing an electric arc between the electrodes and a device for the supply of gas to the electric arc area of the electrodes. The electrodes constitute a continuously consumable electrode system in which the outer electrode has the shape of a pipe while the other electrode is pipe- or rod-shaped and coaxially arranged within the outer electrode so as to define therebetween a passage of annular cross-section. The electrode holder is designed to conduct gas through the passage forwards to a front, free end of the electrodes where the electric discharge occurs from the end of the inner electrode.

Abstract: Process for producing finely divided aqueous emulsions from materials of ited water solubility. These materials are diffused into pre-formed particles dispersed in water which are formed from vinyl compounds by emulsion polymerization under conditions which cause the pre-formed seed latex to include in the particles 10-100 percent oligomers having a molecular weght of 200-10,000. These seed particles take up 20-500 times their own volume of the material of limited water solubility.

Abstract: A process for preparing a latex by efficiently homogenizing an aqueous mixture containing an emulsifier and a water-insoluble solvent for the monomer(s) to be polymerized, adding monomer and if desired further water to the homogenized mixture and also a water-soluble polymerization initiator. Instead of a water-soluble polymerization initiator an oil-soluble polymerization may be used having sufficient solubility to diffuse through the aqueous phase into the drops of water-insoluble solvent and monomer.

Abstract: The invention relates to insulating elements particularly intended for use as a supporting core material in wall structures and the like, e.g. of the sandwich type. The insulating element consists of an insulating body of a non-supporting material such as mineral wool, which is intersected by a plurality of parallel, relatively thin sheet-formed bracing members of a stiffer material, such as polyester, polyethylene or the like, imparting to the element improved rigidity in one or more directions. The invention also relates to a beneficial method of producing such insulating elements, the method mainly comprising placing mats of the non-supporting insulating material in layers with intermediate coatings of the stiffer bracing material, and then cutting or dividing the assembled layers into slices with a thickness corresponding to the desired thickness of the insulation.

Abstract: A process for preparing a latex by efficiently homogenizing an aqueous mixture containing an emulsifier and a water-insoluble solvent for the monomer(s) to be polymerized, adding monomer and if desired further water to the homogenized mixture and also a water-soluble polymerization initiator. Instead of a water-soluble polymerization initiator an oil-soluble polymerization may be used having sufficient solubility to diffuse through the aqueous phase into the drops of water-insoluble solvent and monomer.