Abstract: A porous diaphragm for an electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of alkali metal halides is comprised of a thermoplastic support fabric impregnated with particles of a siliceous composition. The thermoplastic support fabric has an anode side, a cathode side opposite the anode side, and a thickness of at least 0.3 millimeters. The cathode side has a greater hydrophobicity than the anode side. To provide greater hydrophobicity which results in controlled, reduced cell voltages, for example, the cathode side of the support fabric is treated with an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: An improved method for reacting a gas with a liquid medium and an improved reactor therefore is described. In this method, gas is fed to the liquid medium in an agitated reactor through a plurality of sparger means which are positioned in the horizontal cross sectional area of the reactor between the reactor perimeter and the central agitator vortex. In addition, the gas spargers are located in separate segments of the cross sectional area. The improved method and reactor are particularly suitable in glass lined reactors which are employed in the preparation of halogenated isocyanurates such as trichloroisocyanuric acid by the chlorination of an aqueous solution of monosodium cyanurate and hypochlorous acid.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of chlorine dioxide by the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of sodium chlorite is provided. The process comprises electrolyzing the aqueous sodium chlorite solution to produce chlorine dioxide which dissolves to produce an aqueous solution of NaClO.sub.2 containing chlorine dioxide. The aqueous solution of sodium chlorite-containing ClO.sub.2 is passed through a photometric cell to measure the chlorite ion concentration as a function of the color produced by the ClO.sub.2 -NaClO.sub.2 -H.sub.2 O system. Chlorine dioxide gas is removed from the aqueous solution and recovered.The novel process of the present invention employs solutions containing low, accurately controlled concentrations of sodium chlorite ion which when electrolyzed avoid the formation of by-products such as a dark colored chlorine dioxide complex and sodium chlorate.

Abstract: A resin chelating agent and process for making it are disclosed. The process comprises reacting the crosslinked product formed from the reaction of an aqueous suspension of a polyethyleneimine with a polycarboxylic acid with a mixture of a caustic agent comprising an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide and carbon bisulfide to produce the finished resin. The resin can be produced in both head and powder form and is capable of selectively removing a large number of metallic contaminants from process and waste water streams. It is also essentially insensitive to the presence of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal ions dissolved in said streams.

Abstract: A method of dispensing plural component polyurethane foam is disclosed wherein the working parts are cleaned by a combination of air purging and immersion in a static solvent bath.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrolytic cell, wherein the electrode comprises a conductor and an element of a second metal, at least a portion of each having contact surfaces being held in intimate contact with the other, said conductor and said element each having a conductive coating applied to the contact surface, said conductive coating comprising between about 20 and about 30 percent indium and between about 80 and about 70 percent gallium, whereby the contact resistance between said conductor and said element is reduced.

Abstract: Method and means for automatically controlling chlor-alkali cells are described. Control is exercised on the basis of a mass flow analysis, starting from a target caustic concentration for the catholyte output, to establish individual set points for optimum cell system operating conditions so as to achieve said target output value. Such control is accomplished by a central automatic control unit which is adapted to monitor the operation of the cell and its associated brine and caustic output subsystems and to institute appropriate corrective actions whenever a tolerance band around one or more of said set points is exceeded.The control unit is further adapted to provide daily and weekly operating summaries and to store said summaries for trends analyses to establish the scope and significance of any long-term degradative processes which might be occurring.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of an alkali metal chloride brine is comprised of an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated by a cation exchange membrane. The anode is comprised of an unflattened expanded structure of a valve metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, tantalum, niobium, and alloys thereof. At least one side of the anode has as the electrochemically active surface an electrodeposited layer of a valve metal oxide. A plurality of cracks traverse the electrodeposited layer and a coating of a platinum metal group oxide covers the electrodeposited layer and substantially fills the cracks. The cationic exchange membrane is comprised of a laminated structure having a first surface adapted to contact an anolyte in which the ion exchange groups are predominately sulfonic acid groups. The first surface is also in contact with the electrochemically active surface of the anode.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing a polybromopyridine compound comprises admixing a polychloropyridine compound with an anhydrous water soluble solvent in a first reaction zone to form a solution of the polychloropyridine compound. Hydrogen bromide gas is introduced into the solution while maintaining the temperature in the range of from about 70.degree. to about 140.degree. C. to produce a solution of the polybromopyridine compound. The solution is cooled to a temperature in the range of from about 5.degree. to about 35.degree. C. to precipitate the polybromopyridine compound from the anhydrous solvent. The polybromopyridine compound is separated from the anhydrous solvent and the anhydrous solvent is returned to the first reaction zone. Polybromopyridine compounds of increased purity are produced in a process having reduced material, energy and operating costs. The process does not require the use of water or other co-solvents nor the distillation of the reaction product mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are selected N,1-disubstituted hydrazinecarboxamides having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, aromatic containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, and cycloalkyl containing from about 5 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms and hydroxyalkyl containing from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms. These compounds have utility as antioxidants for a variety of organic compounds subject to oxidative degradation, including functional fluids such as petroleum fuels and lubricants. Selected hydrazinecarboxamides having the aforesaid formula are also novel compounds.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for producing a poly(dithiocarbamate) resin chelating agent which comprises dissolving a polyimine in an alcohol solvent to form a polyimine solution. A polyisocyanate is admixed in the polyimine solution to produce a cross-linked polyamine-polyurea precursor resin. The cross-linked polyamine-polyurea precursor resin is then reacted with a mixture of NH.sub.4 OH and CS.sub.2 to produce a poly(dithiocarbamate) resin chelating agent.The novel process can employ a polyimine in anhydrous or aqueous suspension form and uses non-hazardous solvents for the polyisocyanate reactant.

Abstract: An improved cathode with a conductive metal core and a Raney-type catalytic surface predominantly derived from an adherent Beta nickel (NiAl.sub.3) crystalline precursory outer portion of the metal core is disclosed. The precursory outer portion preferably has molybdenum added to give a precursor alloy having the formula Ni.sub.x Mo.sub.1-x Al.sub.3 where x is within the range of from about 80 to about 95 weight percent. Also disclosed is a method of producing a low overvoltage cathode. The method includes the steps of taking a Ni-Mo core or substrate having about 5-20 weight percentage of Mo and coating it with aluminum then heat treating to form a Ni-Mo-Al alloy with mostly a Beta nickel structure and then leaching out the Al to produce a Raney surface.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing heavy metal contaminants from impure alkali metal nitrates containing them. The process comprises mixing the impure nitrates with sufficient water to form a concentrated aqueous solution of the impure nitrates, adjusting the pH of the resulting solution to within the range of between about 2 and about 7, adding sufficient reducing agent to react with heavy metal contaminants within said solution, adjusting the pH of the solution containing reducing agent to effect precipitation of heavy metal impurities and separating the solid impurities from the resulting purified aqueous solution of alkali metal nitrates. The resulting purified solution of alkali metal nitrates may be heated to evaporate water therefrom to produce purified molten alkali metal nitrate suitable for use as a heat transfer medium. If desired, the purified molten form may be granulated and cooled to form discrete solid particles of alkali metal nitrates.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing metal-silica, particularly aluminum-silica colloidal complexes in an alkali metal halide, particularly sodium chloride, brine used as an anolyte feedstock for membrane electrolytic cells. Such stabilization is achieved by modifying the startup procedure of the cell so as to promote a sufficient level of hydroxyl ion backmigration during electrolysis so as to keep the pH of said brine at a value about 3.5.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrolytic cell, and a method for producing same, wherein said electrode comprises an internal copper conductor and an external element of a second metal, at least a portion of each having contact surfaces being held in intimate contact with the other, said conductor and said element each having a conductive coating applied to the contact surface, said conductive coating comprising between about 20 and about 30 percent indium and between about 80 and about 70 percent gallium, whereby the contact resistance between said conductor and said element is reduced.

Abstract: Hydrogenation processes utilizing improved Raney nickel alloy catalysts are disclosed. The catalyst comprises a monolithic mesh type structure of a nickel alloy having an integral Beta phase Raney Ni.sub.x M.sub.1-x coating on its outer surfaces, where M is a catalytic activator selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, ruthenium, tantalum and titanium and where x, the weight fraction of nickel in the combined alloy, is between about 0.80 and about 0.95. The catalyst is effective in processes for hydrogenation of aromatic compounds of the type ##STR1## wherein K is either benzene or naphthalene, R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic chain containing from about 1 to about 9 carbon atoms or a phenyl radical, R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic chain containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are hydrogen atoms, hydroxy, or nitro groups.

Abstract: Automatic height sensing mechanism is provided to sense the height of an individual pallet or slip sheeted pallet and automatically adjusts the stripper plate above the sensed height as the pallet is moved along a predetermined path of travel by a conveyor.

Abstract: A method of electrometrically monitoring the pH of an electrolyte in an electrolytic cell with a pH sensor having a reference electrode with a porous membrane is provided by placing the pH sensor in the electrolyte flow stream, floating the reference electrode at the cell potential, and monitoring the pH sensor readings via potential measuring apparatus.

Abstract: A process for producing a concentrated aqueous solution of an alkali metal chlorate and an alkali metal chloride comprises feeding an aqueous alkali metal chloride solution to an electrolysis zone at a constant feed rate. Electric current is supplied to the electrolysis zone at an initial current load. The aqueous alkali metal chloride is electrolyzed to produce a concentrated chlorate solution comprised of an alkali metal chlorate and the alkali metal chloride. A portion of the concentrated solution is fed to an analysis zone and analyzed to measure the ratio of the concentration of the chlorate ion to the concentration of the chloride ion. The measured ratio is compared in a processing zone with a predetermined value range for the ratio and, where the measured ratio falls outside of the predetermined value range, altering the initial current load to the electrolysis zone. The concentrated alkali metal chlorate solution is recovered.

Abstract: In an electrolytic cell there is provided an improved gas-liquid disengager design which employs an arcuate interior periphery in conjunction with the existing kinetic energy of the electrolyte fluid as the fluid exits the electrolysis compartment of each electrode and enters the disengager along a predetermined path of flow that is tangential to the internal periphery to disengage the electrolytic product gas more efficiently in a compact gas-liquid disengager.