Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of an alkyl glycoside stable in hue and odor, which comprises the steps of (1) reacting a sugar with alcohol to obtain an alkyl glycoside reaction product containing a higher alcohol, (2) decoloring the alkyl glycoside reaction product with hydrogen peroxide, (3) contacting the decolored alkyl glycoside with a metal/hydrogen complex represented by formula (I)M(BH.sub.4).sub.z (I)wherein M is an alkali metal, Ca, Zn or (CH.sub.3).sub.4 N; andz is 1 when M is an alkali metal or (CH.sub.3).sub.4 N and z is 2 when M is Ca or Zn; to substantially eliminate residual hydrogen peroxide, and then (4) decomposing the remaining metal/hydrogen complex with an acid.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing reduced iron briquettes, wherein reduced iron obtained by a direct reduction method is made into briquettes using a briquette machine, and whereafter the hot briquettes are subject to gradual cooling at a cooling rate in the range of 150.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. per minute using water spray. The reduced iron briquettes thus obtained are (a) less prone to breakage break during storage and transport; (b) less prone to degeneration into powder accompanying such breakages etc.; and (c) also display an excellent degree of metallization. Hence, the loss in weight during storage and transport can be reduced, and the harmful effects caused by dust to the transport vehicles, ships, loading/unloading equipment, and operators of the same can be reduced. Also, since the number of breakages is reduced, there is also a reduction in the amount of any re-oxidation of the reduced iron which tends to occur at newly exposed faces, whereby a product of more consistent quality can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for producing an alkylglycoside by a reaction of a saccharide and a monohydric alcohol, the method comprising the steps of carrying out the reaction of the saccharide and the monohydric alcohol; adjusting a reaction mixture containing an unreacted monohydric alcohol and an alkylglycoside produced to a pH of 2 to 6.5; and removing the unreacted monohydric alcohol from the reaction mixture by distillation to obtain the alkylglycoside, wherein decoloration treatment may be carried out before removing the unreacted monohydric alcohol.

Abstract: An alkoxylation catalyst comprising metal oxides, having a basicity point expressed in pKa value from 9 to 25 and an acidity point expressed in the amount of ammonia gas adsorbed from 50 to 500 .mu.mol/g, and a process for preparing an alkoxylate with the use of this catalyst. According to the present invention, an alkoxylate having a distribution of the number of moles of alkylene oxide added within a narrow range can be prepared and the reaction product is little contaminated with unreacted starting material and by-products. Further, the catalyst can easily be eliminated from the reaction product.

Abstract: A detergent composition for hard surfaces is disclosed, which contains: (a) a mixture consisting of at least two compounds represented by formula (I), wherein s is an integer from 1 to 10, representing the number of moles of the ethylene oxide group, which are different in degree of polymerization, said mixture (a) satisfying relationship (1), wherein N.sub.t is the percent by weight of a compound having t mol of the oxyethylene group added based on the weight of mixture (a). The detergent composition has excellent detergency and foaming properties and is useful for removal of denatured oily dirt in the kitchen.

Abstract: Alkyl glycoside aqueous solutions, which satisfy the following conditions (a) and/or (b):(a) the solution is maintained at a pH value exceeding 7, and(b) the solution contains a water-soluble alcohol, are highly stable with respect to microbial activities, such as putrefaction and fungal growth, and are useful as surface active agents.

Abstract: To provide a sulfonate represented by the following general formula (1A) which is useful as an organic peracid precursor in bleach compositions for domestic use, a process for producing it, and a bleach composition having no irritative smell, high bleaching power and excellent persistence of the bleaching power during the use: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, etc., R.sup.2 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a phenylene group, etc., R.sup.3 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, p is 0 or 1, A represents an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1 to 100, and Ma represents an alkali metal atom. etc.

Abstract: A working fluid composition for use in a refrigeration system which comprises a refrigerating oil comprising a compound having one or more ketone groups in the molecular structure as a base oil and a hydrofluorocarbon.

Abstract: A working fluid composition for use in a refrigeration system which comprises a refrigerating oil comprising a compound having one or more ketone groups in the molecular structure as a base oil and a hydrofluorocarbon.