Abstract: A process is provided for removing vinyl chloride from gaseous streams containing the same wherein the gaseous vinyl chloride stream is contacted with a hypochlorous acid solution for substantially complete absorption and reaction of the vinyl chloride, thereby minimizing the hazards associated with passage of vinyl chloride monomer to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of improving the yield of plants, particularly crop plants, such as legumes and cotton, by the application to the plants of an effective amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of substituted thioureas having the formula: ##EQU1## wherein R and R' are the same or different and are aliphatic hydrocarbon of 1 to 12 carbon atoms and aromatic hydrocarbon up to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for the production of ammonium nitrate is provided wherein ammonium chloride is contacted with a gaseous stream containing nitrogen dioxide, in an inert liquid dispersing medium.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of ethylene dichloride from ethane. Ethane is introduced into an autothermic (self-sustaining) cracking zone together with controlled proportions of chlorine and oxygen. The autothermic cracking zone is maintained at a temperature above about 700.degree. C. but below 1000.degree. C. for a sufficient time to convert from about 20 to 95 percent of the ethane having about 96 to 74 percent ethylene yield, respectively, based on the converted ethane. The reaction mixture, containing predominantly ethylene and hydrogen chloride, is quenched with a volatile liquid. The quenched mixture is passed, together with oxygen, into a catalytically activated oxyhydrochlorination zone to convert the ethylene, hydrogen chloride and oxygen to ethylene dichloride. If vinyl chloride is desired as a product, part or all of the produced ethylene dichloride is passed to a second cracking zone for conversion to vinyl chloride product and hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: Low bulk density products containing at least 10% Wegscheider's Salt, by weight, in needlelike form are produced from sodium bicarbonate by heating in the presence of a slow inert gas stream an aqueous feed mixture comprising, by weight, at least about 50% sodium bicarbonate and about 15 to 30% Wegscheider's Salt.

Abstract: A method of treating solid waste material containing minor amounts of water soluble chromium compounds with a reductant, particularly sulfide ions, to convert the soluble chromium to an insoluble state, and produce a solid waste from which substantially no chromium can be leached by water, as by exposure to rain.

Abstract: According to the present invention, sodium nitrite is recovered from an aqueous solution containing dissolved sodium nitrite and sodium chloride by a process which comprises subjecting said solution to crystallization in a first crystallization zone under conditions sufficient to effect crystallization of sodium chloride, including operating at temperatures of from about 110.degree. to 130.degree.C, to produce a first slurry containing sodium chloride crystals; separating said crystals from said first slurry to produce a solution containing dissolved sodium nitrite; subjecting said sodium nitrite solution to crystallization in a second crystallization zone under conditions sufficient to effect crystallization of sodium nitrite from said solution, including operating at temperatures of from about 10.degree. to 60.degree.C, to form a second slurry containing sodium nitrite crystals; and recovering said sodium nitrite crystals from said second slurry.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for removing carbon deposits from the inner surfaces of a coke oven gas offtake by introducing steam into the gas offtake in an amount and under conditions sufficient to remove at least a portion of said carbon. The steam may be introduced either countercurrent to, or in the direction of, the flow of the gases exiting through the gas offtake.

Abstract: Palladium catalysts employed in the hydrogenation of reducible cyclic organic compounds containing deleterious nitrogen impurities are reactivated according to a process comprising separating spent catalyst from the hydrogenation reaction mixture; contacting the separated spent catalyst in a liquid reaction medium with a reactivating agent selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal bicarbonates, carbonates, nitrates, chlorides, fluorides, hydroxides and mixtures thereof, to reactivate the catalyst; and recovering the reactivated catalyst for recycle to the hydrogenation reaction mixture.

Abstract: Processes for decreasing mercury butter formation in mercury electrolytic cells employing brine which contains strontium wherein the brine is treated to lower the strontium content to 0.5 ppm or less. The removal of strontium from the brine may be effected by treating the brine with an ion exchange resin in sodium form to adsorb strontium thereon. Alternatively, strontium may be removed by treating the brine with a water-soluble metal hydroxide, subjecting the resulting mixture to partial evaporation to produce sodium chloride as precipitate and saturated brine solution and admixing the precipitate with water to form brine for electrolysis.

Abstract: A method for recovering substantially all of the fluorine and uranium values and at least 90 percent of the rare earth metal values from brine raffinate obtained as by-product in the production of phosphoric acid by the hydrochloric acid decomposition of tricalcium phosphate minerals. A basically reacting compound is added to the brine raffinate to effect a pH of at least about 9, whereby fluorine, uranium and rare earth metal values are simultaneously precipitated therefrom. These values may then be separately recovered from the precipitate by known processes.

Abstract: An improved process for producing ammonium nitrite in high yield which comprises contacting a gaseous stream containing nitric oxide and oxygen with an aqueous solution containing a basically reacting ammonium compound in the presence of free carbon dioxide.