Abstract: A process for producing a high purity aromatic polycarboxylic acid by purifying a crude aromatic polycarboxylic acid in accordance with the steps of (I) forming an amine salt of an aromatic polycarboxylic acid from the crude polycarboxylic acid and an amine, (II) continuously decomposing the salt in a salt decomposition reactor in operations of (i) supplying an aqueous solution of the amine salt of an organic polycarboxylic acid formed in the step of forming a salt, (ii) removing the amine and water by distillation under heating and (iii) taking out a slurry containing crystallized aromatic polycarboxylic acid, and (III) separating and recovering crystals of the aromatic polycarboxylic acid from the slurry which is taken out in the step of decomposing the salt.

Abstract: A process for producing a high purity aromatic polycarboxylic acid by purify a crude aromatic polycarboxylic acid in accordance with the steps of (I) forming an amine salt of an aromatic polycarboxylic acid from the crude polycarboxylic acid and an amine, (II) continuously decomposing the salt in a salt decomposition reactor in operations of (i) supplying an aqueous solution of the amine salt of an organic polycarboxylic acid formed in the step of forming a salt, (ii) removing the amine and water by distillation under heating and (iii) taking out a slurry containing crystallized aromatic polycarboxylic acid, and (III) separating and recovering crystals of the aromatic polycarboxylic acid from the slurry which is taken out in the step of decomposing the salt.

Abstract: A process for producing a high purity aromatic polycarboxylic acid by purifying a crude aromatic polycarboxylic acid in accordance with the steps of (I) forming an amine salt of an aromatic polycarboxylic acid from the crude polycarboxylic acid and an amine, (II) continuously decomposing the salt in a salt decomposition reactor in operations of (i) supplying an aqueous solution of the amine salt of an organic polycarboxylic acid formed in the step of forming a salt, (ii) removing the amine and water by distillation under heating and (iii) taking out a slurry containing crystallized aromatic polycarboxylic acid, and (III) separating and recovering crystals of the aromatic polycarboxylic acid from the slurry which is taken out in the step of decomposing the salt.

Abstract: A method for preparing a modified optically isotropic pitch comprising, preparing a synthetic pitch by reacting a member selected from the group consisting of a conjugated polycyclic hydrocarbon containing a low molecular weight alkyl group or a material containing such a substituted hydrocarbon in the presence of hydrofluoric acid/boron trifluoride, and treating the synthetic pitch by passing an oxidizing gas through the synthetic pitch at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A method for preparing a modified optically isotropic pitch comprising, preparing a synthetic pitch by reacting a member selected from the group consisting of a conjugated polycyclic hydrocarbon containing a low molecular weight alkyl group or a material containing such a substituted hydrocarbon in the presence of hydrofluoric acid/boron trifluoride, and treating the synthetic pitch by passing an oxidizing gas through the synthetic pitch at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The invention provides for a lithium secondary battery using a non-aqueous solvent wherein the anode material is prepared by the pyrolysis of organic compound starting materials obtained by reacting at least one conjugated polycyclic compound with a nitro compound or with a nitrating agent. The anode material contains at least the elements carbon and nitrogen, the nitrogen content ranging from 0.5% to 6% by weight. Eighty percent or more of this nitrogen is bound to carbon by either C--N or C.dbd.N bonds. The ratio of the intensity of the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ("XPS") peak observed for the anode material at 401.2.+-.0.2 eV to the intensity of peak observed for the anode material at 398.8.+-.0.4 eV is 1.0:1 or more.

Abstract: A mixture of carbon powder and a carbonaceous binder is molded and pyrolyzed in an atmosphere of nitrogen to form a carbon molded article for a negative electrode. The properties of the carbon molded article are: an interfacial distance (d002) within a range from 3.38 .ANG. to 3.56 .ANG. measured by X-ray diffraction; and a three-point strength of 100 kgf/cm.sup.2 or greater at room temperature. A lithium secondary battery formed by using this carbon molded article as the negative electrode has a high energy density per unit volume and advantageous charge-discharge characteristics for higher loads.