Abstract: A method of controlling the build-up of organic and/or inorganic contaminants (e.g., carbonates, nitrates, nitrites, and the like) in an aqueous process stream, comprising directing at least some of the contaminated stream to a heating means wherein at least some of the contaminants are decomposed. Thereafter, the decomposition products are removed and the purified stream is returned to the process. In a preferred embodiment, the process is an alkylene oxide manufacturing process, and the contaminated aqueous stream is the effluent from a catalyzed scrubbing system for removal of carbon dioxide. Organic contaminants are decomposed to carbon dioxide, which is flashed off; inorganic salts which are decomposed to gases are flashed off; inorganic salts which are not converted to gases are scrubbed out.

Abstract: A process is provided for epoxidation of an alkene in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas which comprises contacting the alkene and the oxygen-containing gas under epoxidation conditions in the presence of at least one gaseous efficiency-enhancing member of a redox-half reaction pair, a performance-enhancing amount of a fluorine-containing substance and a supported silver catalyst comprising a catalytically-effective amount of silver on a solid porous support and at least one efficiency-enhancing salt of a member of a redox-half reaction pair.

Abstract: High surface area molybdenum disulfide, MoS.sub.2, is produced by the thermal decomposition of selected ammonium thiomolybdate salts at temperatures of about 300.degree.-800.degree. C., with said salts being heated to decomposition temperature at a rate in excess of about 15.degree. C./min., e.g., about 20.degree.-30.degree. C./min., in an essentially oxygen-free atmosphere. The product molybdenum disulfide has superior catalytic properties for the water gas shift and methanation reactions compared with conventional MoS.sub.2. The stability of the catalyst is enhanced by decomposing the thiomolybdate salt in admixture with an inert, preformed particulate diluent or by bulk doping said salt with tungsten or vanadium prior to decomposition of the salt. The molybdenum disulfide of the invention also has desirable properties for use in catalyzed hydrogenation and hydrotreating reactions, i.e., hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodesulfurization reactions, particularly when employed in nickel or cobalt-promoted form.

Abstract: High surface area molybdenum disulfide, MoS.sub.2, is produced by the thermal decomposition of selected substituted ammonium thiomolybdate salts at temperatures of about 300.degree.-800.degree. C., with said salts being heated to decomposition temperature slowly, in an essentially oxygen-free atmosphere, through the temperature interval in which the substantial portion of the particular substituted ammonium thiomolybdate salts decompose. The product molybdenum disulfide has superior catalytic properties for the water gas shift and methanation reactions compared with conventional MoS.sub.2. The stability of the catalyst is enhanced by decomposing the thiomolybdate salt in admixture with an inert, preformed particulate diluent or by bulk doping said salt with tungsten or vanadium prior to decomposition of the salt. The molybdenum disulfide of the invention also has desirable properties for use in catalyzed hydrogenation and hydrotreating reactions, i.e.

Abstract: An improved process for catalytically oxidizing alpha-beta unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes in the vapor phase with molecular oxygen to produce alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acids using a catalyst composition which has been thermally activated in the presence of ammonia, and which comprises the elements Mo, V, W, Cr and Cu.

Abstract: An improved process for catalytically oxidizing alpha-beta unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes in the vapor phase with molecular oxygen to produce alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acids using a catalyst composition which has been thermally activated in the presence of ammonia, and which comprises the elements Mo, V, W, Cr and Cu.

Abstract: Finely-divided metal oxides are prepared by the steps of (a) contacting a compound of a metal with a carbohydrate material to obtain an intimate mixture thereof, (b) igniting this mixture to oxidize the same and to insure conversion of substantially all of said metal compound to a fragile agglomerate of its metal oxide, and (c) pulverizing the product of step (b) to form a finely-divided metal oxide powder having a mean particle size below about 1.0 micron. Certain of the finely-divided metal oxide powders produced by this process have the useful property of sinterability at temperatures significantly lower than metal oxide powders heretofore readily available. The powders are useful in the preparation of high strength compacted shapes for use in high temperature and/or corrosive environment, in the preparation of refractory cements, catalysts, catalysts supports and the like.