Abstract: Ground polymeric elastomer or other polymeric plastic, particularly from recovered scrap, is surface modified by treatment with a gaseous mixture containing a minor amount of fluorine and a larger amount of at leasts one reactive gas in an inert gaseous carrier. By the treatment the ground material is made more compatible for admixture with polyfunctional polymer-forming liquids, thereby obtaining novel composites of controlled physical properties. The other reactive gas is preferably oxygen or one of the gases from the group consisting of: chlorine and SO.sub.2 with or without added oxygen.

Abstract: A silicon diffusion coating is formed in the surface of a metal article by exposing the metal article to a reducing atmosphere followed by treatment in an atmosphere of 1 ppm to 100% by volume silane, balance hydrogen or hydrogen inert gas mixture. Hydrogen with a controlled dew point is utilized as a surface preparation agent and diluent for the silane.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for the production and recovery of an O.sub.2 -lean argon stream from a gas mixture containing argon and oxygen. The argon-containing gas mixture is initially treated in a cryogenic separation unit to produce a crude argon stream having an argon concentration between 80-98%. The crude argon stream is passed to a membrane separation unit where it is separated to produce an O.sub.2 -lean argon stream and an O.sub.2 - rich stream. The O.sub.2 -rich stream is recycled tothe cryogenic separation unit and the O.sub.2 -lean argon stream is recovered as product or futher purified.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for polymerizing trialkylsilylacetylene derived monomers to form the corresponding poly(trialkylsilylacetylene) polymer. The polymerization reaction is carried out in the presence of an organic solvent over a catalyst comprising a halide of a transition metal of group Vb or VIb. The molecular weight of the resultant polymer is decreased by adding to the reaction mixture, in a concentration between about 0.5-25 wt. %, a compound having the structural formula ##STR1## wherein each R is independently methyl, C.sub.2-4 alkyl or phenyl, and n is from 1 to 100.

Abstract: A process for making shaped articles by injecting a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer into a mold cavity in which is maintained a reactive atmosphere containing between 0.1 mole % and 50 mole % F.sub.2 and at least 20 ppm O.sub.2 while the polymer is being injected into the mold, such that any portion of the polymer contacts the reactive atmosphere for a time not greater than 0.5 sec.

Abstract: The present invention is a membrane and a process for separating at least one component from at least one other component in a gas mixture. A gaseous mixture is passed over a membrane having a thin film of a molten salt hydrate which is selectively permeable to at least one component in the gaseous mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved process for separating alcohols from ethers and/or hydrocarbon raffinate in an etherification process. The excess alcohol reactant, which forms azeotrope mixtures with the product ethers and C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 raffinate, is removed by passing the liquid azeotrope mixture over a pervaporation membrane which effectively breaks the azeotrope and permeates the alcohol with high flux and high selectivity. In a typical etherification process, one or more pervaporation membrane units can be located ahead of the ether/raffinate distillation step, in conjunction with the distillation step with a liquid side draw, after the distillation step, or a combination of any of the above. The present invention also provides an improved process for separating alcohols from ethers and/or hydrocarbon raffinate in an ether decomposition process for the production of high purity iso-alkene products.

Abstract: Ground polymer elastomer or other polymeric plastic, particularly from recovered scrap, is surface modified by treatment with a gaseous mixture containing a minor amount of fluorine and a larger amount of at least one reactive gas in an inert gaseous carrier. By the treatment the ground material is made more compatible for admixture with polyfunctional polymer-forming liquids, thereby obtaining novel composites of controlled physical properties. The other reactive gas is preferably oxygen or one of the gases from the group consisting of: chlorine and SO.sub.2 with or without added oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for improving the barrier properties of thermoplastic substrates. A surface of the thermoplastic substrate is contacted with a reactive gas stream having an F.sub.2 concentration greater than or equivalent to 0.0001 atm. partial pressure of F.sub.2 per atm. total pressure and sufficient oxygen such that the F.sub.2 /O.sub.2 ratio is less than or equal to about 100, with the remainder being additional reactive and/or non-reactive components. A barrier coating material is applied to the treated surface of the substrate and subsequently undergoes a curing step to form the final product.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for separating ammonia from mixtures of other gases or from aqueous streams. The ammonia-containing mixture is contacted with a membrane containing, as the active component, a salt having the structural formula: NR.sub.4.sup.+ X.sup.-, wherein each R is independently H or a straight chain or branched alkyl group and X.sup.- is an organic or inorganic anion. The membrane is useful for the selective permeation of ammonia from mixtures of gases containing ammonia, nitrogen and hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for separating one or more components of a gas mixture. The process comprises passing the gas mixture over a membrane, which is selectively permeable to the component being separated, due to one or more reversible reactions between the component desired to be separated and a layer of active molten material immobilized in a suitable support material and/or encapsulated in a non-porous gas permeable polymer material.

Abstract: The present invention is a group of new polymers and treated, semi-permeable, polymeric membranes made from the new polymers, having improved selectivity for separating components of a gas mixture. The membrane is provided by fluorinating a polymer cast into membrane form, having the general structural formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl group; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl groups; R.sub.4 is a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl or aryl group; X is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl group or phenyl; m is at least 100; and n is 0 or 1.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing ring alkylated aromatic amines. In accordance with this process an aromatic amine is reacted with an olefin, diolefin or an alcohol using a non-zeolitic molecular sieve as a catalyst. Under the conditions of the process the catalyst is extremely active, and with aromatic amines that are capable of alkylation at the ortho and para positions, high selectivity to the ortho alkylated isomer can be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for separating ammonia from mixtures of other gases or from aqueous streams. The ammonia containing mixture is contacted with an anion exchange polymer cast into membrane form, which selectively permeates NH.sub.3 thereby providing a separation from the other components in the mixture. Alternatively, ammonia recovery may be achieved by employing the said anion exchange polymer as a selective, reversible NH.sub.3 sorbent.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for applying a highly permeable coating on a hollow fiber substrate. The hollow fiber substrate is continuously passed through a polymeric coating solution and withdrawn from the solution through a coating die to form a uniform polymeric solution coating on the outer surface of the hollow fiber. A portion of the solvent from the coating is allowed to evaporate thereby forming a thin, dense surface layer after which the remaining solvent from the coating layer is leached out. The resultant material is a highly permeable, coated composite hollow fiber membrane which can be used in gas and/or liquid separations.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for making shaped articles by injecting a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer into a mold cavity in which is maintained at atmosphere containing between 0.1 mole % and 50 mole % F.sub.2 and at least 20 ppm O.sub.2 while said polymer is being injected into the mold. The process results in shaped articles having altered physical and chemical characteristics. A weld line formed where two interfaces of the polymer are joined in the mold cavity serves as a clean break point when pressure is applied to an article formed by the process. The atmosphere in the mold cavity may contain SO.sub.3.

Abstract: Selective mono- or di-amination of alkanediols is controllably obtained by catalytic reaction with secondary amines at moderate temperature and autogenous pressure, by selection of the catalyst employed. Ruthenium complexes compounded or admixed with selected organic phosphines, such as triphenylphosphine, favor high yields of alkanolamines, while ruthenium complexes in the absence of organic phosphines favor production of alkylenediamines. Iridium complexes with or without organic phosphines in admixture or chemical combination, also promote production of alkylenediamines.

Abstract: The present invention is a cobalt complex having the structural formula: ##STR1## wherein each R.sub.1 is independently, a phenyl or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group; each R.sub.2 is independently hydrogen, a phenyl, or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group; R.sub.3 is either N-succinimido substituted with a C.sub.3 or greater hydrocarbon functionality at the carbon atoms .alpha. to the imido carbonyl carbons, or a carbonyl functionality having a C.sub.1 greater hydrocarbon substituent with the proviso that if said substituent is methyl, R.sub.2 cannot be hydrogen; and Y is o-phenylene, --CH.sub.2 --.sub.a, wherein "a" is 2 or 3, --CH.sub.2 --.sub.b NR.sub.4 --CH.sub.2 --.sub.c, wherein "b" and "c" are independently 2 or 3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group.These complexes have the ability to selectively and reversibly bind oxygen, thus making them useful components of oxygen separation membranes and absorbents.

Abstract: A modified activated sludge system is provided wherein wastewater containing BOD.sub.5 and phosphate values is admixed in an initial zone with biomass-containing recycled sludge to form a mixed liquor under conditions effecting sorption of BOD.sub.5 in the biomass. Subsequently, said mixed liquor is subjected to aeration in an oxidation zone under conditions for effecting oxidation of BOD.sub.5, such that oxidizing agent is incorporated into the oxidation zone at a rate not substantially exceeding the rate of oxidation. By such operation, considerable savings in power requirements for oxygen transfer to the mixed liquid are had, while developing and maintaining a dense non-bulking biomass having the properties of good removal of phosphate from the wastewater influent.

Abstract: The present invention involves an efficient process for recovering helium from a gas mixture containing helium and at least one other component. Separation is effected by integrating a semi-permeable membrane-based unit with a non-membrane type separation unit.