Abstract: A process for continuously preparing silane and a coproduct by reacting a metal hydride such as NaAlH.sub.4 with a silicon halide such as SiF.sub.4, utilizing, in conducting the reaction, equipment which includes, in series, a primary reactor, a secondary reactor and a separation zone. The metal hydride is reacted in the first reactor with less than a stoichiometric amount of the silicon halide, and the unreacted metal hydride is then passed to the second reactor wherein the remainder of the hydride is reacted in the secondary reactor, in which a stoichiometric excess of the silicon halide is added. The rate of silicon halide or metal hydride addition is governed by a temperature differential feed back from the reaction in the secondary reactor so that overall a stoichiometric or substantially stoichiometric operation is achieved.

Abstract: A continuous method for preparing silane and a co-product by reacting a metal hydride such as NaAlH.sub.4 with a silicon halide such as SiF.sub.4. The method involves a reactor loop comprising a primary reactor, a secondary reactor and a separation zone. Most of the metal hydride is reacted in the first reactor to which it is added in a substantially constant rate. The remainder of the hydride is reacted in the secondary reactor, in which all or substantially all of the silicon halide is added. The rate of silicon halide addition is governed by feed back from the reaction in the secondary reactor, (.rarw.T so that stoichiometric or substantially stoichiometric operation is achieved. This conserves resources, provides improved co-product and reduces costs.

Abstract: A process for recovering polyol fatty acid polyesters from the crude reaction product in which it is produced by contacting with an aqueous washing medium in the presence of an emulsion decreasing organic solvent so that the alkali metal fatty acid soaps and the color-forming bodies are taken into the aqueous phase, and upon settling the phases are separated from each other.