Abstract: A method for the production of aluminum hydroxide, including reacting water in the liquid phase and aluminum at a pH above about 12.4. In this pH range, aluminum hydroxide is produced at acceptable rates both for aluminum surface areas above 75,000 mm.sup.2 /g and for aluminum surface area of less than about 50,000 mm.sup.2 per gram, and even down to 20 mm.sup.2 per gram. According to an alternative view of the invention, it is characterized by the production of aluminum hydroxide by reacting aluminum with liquid water containing choline. Aluminum hydroxide particles having unique morphologies are obtained.

Abstract: In the cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes, the endoscope surfaces to be cleaned are successivelya) brought into contact with a cleaning solution which is heated to 55.degree. to 65.degree. C., kept at that temperature for 1 to 15 minutes and then drained off and which contains a low-foam nonionic surfactant, a proteolytic enzyme, at least one complexing agent and, optionally, other standard detergent constituents, and has a pH value of from 6 to 8;b) brought into contact with a disinfectant solution which is heated to 55.degree. to 65.degree. C., kept at that temperature for 1 to 15 minutes and then separated off and which contains an aldehyde selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde and aliphatic C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehydes and at least one complexing agent, and has a pH value of from 6 to 8;c) washed at least twice with water of which the pH value is adjusted to pH 6-8, the water being heated to 55.degree. to 65.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for producing chlorine dioxide from an aqueous solution of chloric acid and alkali metal chlorate which is prouced in a electrolytic cell having an anode compartment, a cathode compartment and at least one ion exchange compartment between the anode and cathode compartments. The process includes the steps of feeding an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chlorate to the ion exchange compartment, electrolyzing an anolyte in the anode compartment to generate hydrogen ions, passing the hydrogen ions from the anode compartment through a cation exchange membrane into the ion exchange compartment to displace alkali metal ions and produce an aqueous solution of chloric acid and alkalimetal chlorate, passing the alkali metal ions from the ion exchange compartment into the cathode compartment, and finally passing the aqueous solution of chloric acid and alkali metal chlorate to a chlorate dioxide generator.

Abstract: An ozone generator (1) comprises an ultra-violet lamp (2), means (3, 12, 13) for directing a flow of an oxygen containing gas through a zone (16) in which the gas is exposed to ultra-violet radiator emanating from the lamp, and means (8, 9) to expose the gas to a high voltage, low current electric field prior to or during exposure to ultra-violet radiation. Preferably at least one magnet 15 is associated with lamp 2 so that ionized particles within the lamp are concentrated by a magnetic field to congregate in a localized region in the vicinity of the zone (16).

Abstract: Process for electroplating and apparatus therefor characterized by guiding just released bubbles to rise up symmetrically between the substrate plate and each of the anode plates so as to cause stable rising currents; providing a pair of passages outside of the bath so as to receive the bath solution overflowing above the upper edges of the bath wall to be jointed with the respective rising currents near the bath bottom; and preventing the descending and turning currents from disturbing just released bubbles near the joint positions of the descending and rising currents.

Abstract: A process for producing stable, high purity ferrate (VI) employing beta-ferric oxide (beta-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3) and as the iron source. The process results in the efficient and effective productions of ferrate with high yields and small amounts of waste production.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for surface treating the inside surfaces of hollow or three dimensional plastic objects. While the invention will be described with respect to plastic objects, it will be understood that other objects having a high dielectric strength, such as ceramics, cardboard, paper and wood, may be similarly treated. The surface treating is effected by selectively directing a high voltage plasma field to a selected interior surface of the object to enhance adhesion of various glues, inks and the like. The plasma field is generated in the interior of a tunnel directed into an opening of the hollow portion of the object to be treated. A specially designed electrode is supported from the opening to direct in a controlled manner the field to the selected interior area of the object to be treated. The electrode is supported form a high dielectric shield covering a central area of the opening to direct the plasma field around the shield to a laterally extending electrode below the shield.

Abstract: A pulsed surface discharge apparatus for treating dielectric surfaces, such as polymers, having a pair of electrodes spaced apart adjacent to a surface to be treated, means for supplying an inert gas, or a predominantly inert gas mixture, adjacent to the surface in the region between the electrodes, an electric pulse generator providing repeated pulses of a high voltage to the electrodes sufficient to cause breakdown of the inert gas and generate a discharge across the surface to be treated, and a dielectric surface transport for moving the surface to be treated past the electrodes. The electrodes and inert gas may be enclosed within a treatment chamber having entrance and exit ports for the material to be treated, and adapted for wire, rod, tube, sheet or other forms of dielectric material. One embodiment encloses the supply of dielectric material, which material drags inert gas along with to the discharge region.

Abstract: Electrolytic processes for the growth of crystalline tin or other elemental crystals, with or without the use of a substrate. Exemplified cubic forms of alpha-tin and tetragonal forms of beta-tin are grown using a shaped anode and a pointed cathode to provide electrical geometric fields within an electrodeposition system to enhance the growth of the desired crystalline tin.

Abstract: A stabilized spray displacement tin plating process of copper printed circuit innerlayers is disclosed for the manufacture of multilayer printed circuit boards. During prolonged use of spray tin plating, the plating solution becomes saturated with cupurous thiourea complex which precipitates interfering with spray nozzles and other mechanical components. The tin plating solution is stabilized by removing portions from the reservoir before saturation is reached, selectively precipitating the thiourea complex, and returning the remaining solution back to the reservoir. The precipitated cupurous thiourea complex is redissolved in acid and either disposed of by conventional waste treatment or the acid solution can be electrowinned to reclaim copper and oxidize thiourea to form a more acceptable acid solution for waste treatment.

Abstract: A process for producing a natural gas condensate having a reduced amount of mercury from a mercury-containing natural gas wellstream, wherein the wellstream is separated into gaseous and liquid fractions. The treatment of the gaseous fraction includes treatment with a carbonate solution which, upon regeneration, yields an acid gas. A portion of the acid gas is mixed with the liquid fraction, the mixture is then filtered, passed over a substance capable of adsorbing hydrogen sulfide, and separated into a stream comprising a natural gas condensate and at least one other stream comprising lower molecular weight hydrocarbons and/or other gases.

Abstract: A sulfate scavenger for chromium-plating baths consists of barium chromate or dichromate or mixtures of the two, added either directly to the bath or as part of a replenishment mixture with chromic acid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrolytic ozone generation are described which process comprises feeding raw water to an ozone-generating electrolytic cell partitioned into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber by means of a solid electrolyte, said feeding of raw water being only to the cathode chamber, and conducting electrolysis to thereby produce ozone in the anode chamber.

Abstract: An additive composition is described with comprises a mixture of(a) poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), and p0 (b) at least one sulfur-containing compound selected from compounds of the formulaeRS(R'O).sub.n H (I)orS--[(R'O).sub.n H].sub.2 (II)wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing up to about 24 carbon atoms, each R' is independently an alkylene group containing 2 or 3 carbon atoms, and each n is independently an integer of from 1 to about 100.This additive composition is useful in acidic plating baths containing zinc or a mixture of zinc ions and at least one additional metal selected from nickel and cobalt. The plating baths also contain chloride ions or a mixture of chloride and sulfate ions.

Abstract: The formation of sodium sulfate by-product in sulfuric acid-based chlorine dioxide generating processes is decreased and preferably eliminated entirely, by effecting electrochemical treatment of sodium ion-containing feed materials for the generator to remove sodium ions and to add hydrogen ions. Sodium hydroxide may be produced as a by-product. The process is generally applicable to the electrochemical treatment of alkali metal chlorates, alkali metal sulfates and mixtures thereof to produce acidified solutions useful in providing chlorate ion-containing feeds to such chlorine dioxide generating processes or for other purposes.

Abstract: An improved aqueous acidic trivalent chromium electrolyte and process for increasing the tolerance thereof to the presence of deleterious contaminating metal ions and organic impurities which normally progressively increase during commercial operation of the electrolyte ultimately resulting in chromium electrodeposits which are commercially unsatisfactory due to the presence of streaks, clouds, and hazes in the deposit. The improved composition contains an effective amount of at least one EDTA compound which is effective to mask the adverse effects of such contaminating metal and organic impurities and which also enhances the codeposition of such metal contaminants on the parts being plated thereby reducing, and in some instances, preventing the accumulation of such contaminating metal ions in the electrolyte.

Abstract: A method is shown for constructing portions of a sucker rod pump of the type having a steel plunger with an exterior cylindrical wall and a barrel with a cylindrical bore. A chromium case if formed on the cylindrical bore to a selected depth for receiving the plunger in sliding contact. The chromium case is formed by forming a base electrolyte bath including water, chromic acid, a sulfate component, an alkyl sulphonic acid, and an anion of molybdenum. The bore is then exposed to the aqueous electrolyte bath at a current density and at a plating temperature sufficient to form a chromium deposit of desired thickness on the bore.

Abstract: A method for the electrolytic pin plating of a steel plate using an insoluble anode, said anode being an insoluble electrode comprising a corrosion-resistant metal substrate having provided thereon a coating containing a platinum group metal or an oxide thereof, said anode being enclosed with a diaphragm.

Abstract: An acidic pretreating solution for silver plating, which comprises as an agent for preventing the silver deposition by displacement, an inorganic acid and/or an organic acid, and a silver plating process which uses this pretreating solution. The pretreating solution provides long lasting preventive effect against silver deposition by displacement and the resulting silver plated layer firmly adheres to a metal substrate surface.

Abstract: The invention presented relates to (a) novel complexes of cobalt salts and copolymers of maleic anhydride, ethylenediamine and epichlorohydrin; (b) electroplating compositions for deposit of zinc-cobalt alloys wherein the cobalt is employed in the form of a complex of the above type; and (c) a process for the electrodeposition of bright zinc-cobalt alloys using the latter compositions.