Abstract: Weakly acidic colloidal dispersions of cerium (IV) compounds in aqueous media, the colloidal solids of which having the general formula Ce(A).sub.x (NO.sub.3).sub.y (OH).sub.4-x-y, in which A is the anion of a water-soluble monovalent carboxylic acid having a pK.sub.a of from 2.5 to 5.0, are produced by (a) reacting and destabilizing an aqueous colloidal dispersion of a cerium (IV) compound with a water-soluble salt of such monovalent acid, (b) separating the precipitate which results, and (c) dispersing the precipitate thus separated in an aqueous medium, e.g., distilled water.

Abstract: Ceric hydrocarbyloxy nitrates having the general formula: ##STR1## are obtained by reaction of ceric ammonium nitrate with x moles of ammonia and an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic alcohol having from two to twenty carbon atoms, and are useful in the preparation of ceric hydrocarbyl oxides difficult or expensive of access by other routes, and in synthesis of other organic ceric compounds.

Abstract: Cerous 3.sup.30 values are converted into ceric 4.sup.+ values, in a conventional separator-free electrolytic cell, by emulsifying an organic phase containing a cerium 4.sup.+ extractant in an aqueous sulfuric phase which includes the cerium 3.sup.+ values to be converted; simultaneously electrolytically oxidizing the cerium 3.sup.+ values into cerium 4.sup.+ values in a zone of electrolysis including an anode and a cathode, whereby the cerium 4.sup.+ values formed are liquid/liquid extracted into the organic phase; separating the resulting emulsion into an aqueous phase and an organic phase enriched in cerium 4.sup.+ values; and recovering the enriched organic phase.

Abstract: Bonded, coherent fibrous web substrates well adopted as cathodic elements for electrolytic cells and advantageously incorporating an electrocatalytic agent, include a web matrix which comprises a plurality of fibers, at least a portion of which comprising electrically conductive fibers, e.g., carbon fibers, said plurality of fibers being coherently bonded together with a fluorine-containing polymer, and said web substrate having a resistivity of up to about 0.4 .OMEGA..cm.

Abstract: Lithium metal is continuously prepared by, in a specially adapted electrolytic cell, (i) continuously electrolyzing the lithium chloride which comprises a mixture of molten salts, which mixture comprises the medium of electrolysis and such medium of electrolysis naturally circulating within an interspace defined between the electrodes of the cell, said interspace being devoid of physical barrier between said electrodes, (ii) continuously withdrawing therefrom product lithium metal in admixture with the mixture of molten salts, and (iii) continuously discharging undiluted chlorine gas therefrom.

Abstract: Lithium is continuously converted into lithium hydride, is suitable phase contactor/decanter apparatus, by continuously hydrogenating in a first reaction zone, at elevated temperatures, an agitated intimate admixture of metallic lithium in a mixture of molten salts, continuously discharging the effluent of said hydrogenation reaction to a second zone of decantation, whereby said effluent is separated into a floating light phase essentially consisting of unreacted lithium metal and a heavy phase which comprises product lithium hydride dissolved in said mixture of molten salts, continuously recycling floating light phase back to the hydrogenation reaction zone, continuously withdrawing heavy phase from said zone of decantation, and recovering product lithium hydride from said withdrawn heavy phase.

Abstract: Silane, SiH.sub.

Abstract: A porous diaphragm for an electrolytic cell enables, e.g., the electrolysis of NaCl to NaOH, in high concentration and in good yield, said diaphragm comprising an electrolytically acceptable porous sheet member having a total pore volume and average equivalent pore diameter adapted for electrolysis, and having an ion exchange resin fixedly deposited within the pores and occupying from 8 to 30% of the total pore volume thereof.

Abstract: Essentially pure silane, SiH.sub.

Abstract: Crystalline methionine is prepared from an alkali metal methioninate by continuously electrolyzing an aqueous solution of the said alkali metal methioninate and a support electrolyte in an intermediate compartment of a cell comprising an anode compartment, an intermediate compartment containing the said aqueous solution and separated from the anode compartment by a cationic membrane, and a cathode compartment separated from the intermediate compartment by a cationic membrane, so that the alkali metal ions of the said methioninate are replaced by hydrogen ions generated in the anode compartment and themselves migrate to the cathode compartment to form an alkali metal hydroxide therein, and recovering free crystalline methionine from the electrolyzed aqueous solution in the said intermediate compartment, and alkali metal hydroxide from the said cathode compartment.

Abstract: Aluminum hydroxychloride compositions characterized by the presence of SO.sub.4.sup.-2 anions and at least one anion of selected organic acids are disclosed, as well as their particular utility in the treatment of soft water.

Abstract: A porous diaphragm for an electrolytic cell enables, e.g., the electrolysis of NaCl to NaOH, in high concentration and in good yield, said diaphragm comprising an electrolytically acceptable porous sheet member having a total pore volume and average equivalent pore diameter adapted for electrolysis, and having an ion exchange resin fixedly deposited within the pores and occupying from 8 to 30% of the total pore volume thereof.

Abstract: A wettable microporous diaphragm for electrolysis having a base of a fluorinated resin is disclosed. This diaphragm is prepared by depositing a copolymer of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and a non-ionic unsaturated monomer in the pores of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is particularly useful for the electrolysis of alkali metal chlorides.

Abstract: Silane, a useful intermediate in the production of silicon, is facilely quantitatively prepared by hydrogenating chlorosilanes in a bath of molten salts, said molten bath comprising a ternary mixture of lithium chloride and two other metal chlorides, such two other metal chlorides being either two different alkaline earth metal chlorides, or one alkaline earth metal chloride and one alkali metal chloride, or two different alkali metal chlorides, and said ternary mixture having a melting point not in excess of about 400.degree. C.

Abstract: Textiles, preferably yarns and fibers, based on synthetic polymers, with permanent conducting properties, which possess, on the surface, a uniform continuous layer consisting of at least 3% of copper sulphide, the composition of which is such that the atomic ratio Cu/S is between 1.5 and 2, and preferably more than 1.7, and of which the ratio R/R.sub.o is between 1 and 10, R being the electrical resistance after treatment for 400 hours at 60.degree. C. and at a humidity of 70%, and R.sub.o being the initial resistance of the treated textile. The synthetic polymer is based on polyamide or polyester, or is an aromatic polyamide or a polyamide-imide. Processes for the manufacture of these textiles and textile articles with permanent conducting properties, such as floor/wall coverings, containing between 0.01 and 5% of the treated textiles, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Gallium oxide, Ga.sub.2 O.sub.3, well adapted for the manufacture therefrom of garnets, luminophors, and the like, is prepared by (i) admixing, under stirring, a solution of a gallium salt with a base to convert said salt into gallium hydroxide, Ga(OH.sub.3 ; (ii) aging said gallium hydroxide reaction medium at elevated temperatures to effect precipitation therefrom of a gallium oxide/hydroxide fraction, GaO(OH); (iii) next filtering said gallium oxide/hydroxide fraction from said precipitation medium; (iv) drying and (v) calcining said filtered precipitate to convert same into said gallium oxide, Ga.sub.2 O.sub.3, with said oxide/hydroxide fraction (vi) being washed either before or after said filtration step (iii).

Abstract: A wettable microporous diaphragm for electrolysis having a base of a fluorinated resin is disclosed. This diaphragm is prepared by depositing a copolymer of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and a non-ionic unsaturated monomer in the pores of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is particularly useful for the electrolysis of alkali metal chlorides.

Abstract: A process for treating a rock essentially constituted by calcium aluminophosphate, comprising the treatment of the ground rock with a concentrated sulfuric acid in stoichiometric excess with respect to calcium and aluminum, at a temperature of above about 120.degree. C., for a time between a few minutes and about 5 hours, followed by controlled water take-up. Subsequently, a residue containing substantially all the calcium and the aluminum of the rock and a solution of the acids serving to digest a tricalciumphosphate charge are separated. The process is particularly suitable for the treatment of Thies phosphate ore.

Abstract: A cathode for an electrolytic cell, providing a low overvoltage on contact with the electrolyte, having at least one surface of a compound comprising (a) a metal of the group comprising nickel, copper, iron and cobalt, and (b) another element of the group comprising any of the preceding metals, titanium, lanthanides, magnesium, boron, molybdenum, manganese, vanadium, niobium and tantalum and their hydrogenation products. The cathode is particularly useful in the electrolysis of alkali chlorides.

Abstract: Bonded, coherent fibrous web substrates well adopted as cathodic elements for electrolytic cells and advantageously incorporating an electrocatalytic agent, include a web matrix which comprises a plurality of fibers, at least a portion of which comprising electrically conductive fibers, e.g., carbon fibers, said plurality of fibers being coherently bonded together with a fluorine-containing polymer, and said web substrate having a resistivity of up to about .[.0.4.]. .Iadd.4.0 .Iaddend..OMEGA..cm.