Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production of a noble metal salt preparation, the noble metal salt preparation comprising at least one noble metal sulfonate and thiourea and the use for surface coating by electroplating or electroless plating of a noble metal or metal alloy.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for reducing organic content of brine comprising subjecting a brine solution to at least two purification treatments selected from electrochemical treatment, chlorinolysis, or other chemical oxidation treatment, carbon adsorption, extraction, biological treatment and chrystallizing treatment; wherein the organic content of purified brine is sufficiently low to enable sense of the purified brine in an industrial process.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for reducing organic content of brine comprising subjecting a brine solution to at least two purification treatments selected from electrochemical treatment, chlorinolysis, or other chemical oxidation treatment, carbon adsorption, extraction, biological treatment and chrystallizing treatment; wherein the organic content of purified brine is sufficiently low to enable sense of the purified brine in an industrial process.

Abstract: A plurality of stages is employed to reduce the total organic carbon (TOC) content of a brine by-product stream to produce a recyclable brine stream having a TOC content of less than about 10 ppm. In a first stage treatment, a brine by-product stream may be subjected to chlorinolysis at a temperature of less than about 125 0C to obtain a chlorinolysis product having a TOC content of less than about 100 ppm, which may be treated in a second stage with activated carbon to obtain a TOC content of less than about 10 ppm. The chlorinolysis may be a reaction with sodium hypochlorite, which may be produced in situ by treatment of the brine by-product stream with chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide. The brine by-product stream may contain a high amount of difficult to remove glycerin, such as a brine by-product stream from the production of epichlorohydrin from glycerin.

Abstract: A method for carboxylating terminal alkynes that have at least one additional aliphatic carbon atom in an &agr; position and that do not have a proton which has a higher acidity than that of the proton of the terminal triple bond. In an undivided electrolysis cell equipped with a cathode and an anode, a solution of the terminal alkyne in an aprotic solvent is acted upon by carbon dioxide at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The invention provides a method in which carbon dioxide is selectively inserted between the terminal C—H bond, without disturbing the triple bond, and can be carried out without a catalyst or catalyst precursor.

Abstract: A cable operated, in-line skate braking system that is originally or retrofittedly attached to an in-line skate. The braking system has rigid main body portions laterally disposed of the shoe component of the skate and can be part of the right skate, the left skate, or both. An actuating line is anchored at the user's waist, and is connected to the brake mechanism. Rearward of the shoe component, the rigid main body portion projects upwardly and away from the plane of the skating surface, and forms a pair of arms that holds the brake mechanism. The brake is slidably secured to the main body, and moves into contact with the ground when the actuating line is drawn. The skating surface engaging area of the brake body is held such that it is maintained parallel to the ground. The actuating line branches into two actuating cables that pass through guides and pulleys mounted on each of the skate.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic clip with broad jaws for gripping an object over a long area. The clip has arms with an upper and lower surface and ends with a plurality of complementary offset teeth. In unstressed condition, the clip is not under tension. When kinetic energy is stored in the clip, the arms are pinched together and the teeth intermesh and cross over at an angle forming broad jaws. The jaws grip the object between the angled upper surfaces of the arms below the cross over point of the teeth.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a door assembly comprising a door and a side panel assembly having a front and a rear wall. The front wall is formed by one or more releasably secured panels which may be accessed from the front or from the rear through a panel in the rear wall.A mail slot is also described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a door assembly comprising a door and removable matching panels spaced to the side of the door forming the front wall of a side panel assembly. The side panel assembly includes an interior passage for placing accessories or appliances on the front wall. A novel mail box slot is also described.