Abstract: Hydrophobic polymeric separators are made wettable to electrolytic cell fluids by a post-manufacturing process of treating with fluorinated surface-active agents. The application of a hydrophilic film of fluorosurfactant onto separator surfaces followed by drying renders the separator permanently wettable. The hydrophilic surfaces rendered inert by drying are reactivated in-situ after installation of the separator by contacting the separator surfaces with heated aqueous solution. The pre-installation process provides a convenient means for shipping fully manufactured separators and for their storage by users until actually needed. From an operational standpoint, the pre-installation process eliminates fouling of the cell with foam occurring with conventional in-situ wetting procedures.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymer blends having improved hydrolytic stability, moldability and flame retardancy which comprise, in admixture, (1) a linear aromatic polyester prepared from an aromatic dicarboxylic acid reactant and a bisphenol reactant and (2) polyphenylene sulfide. Desirably from about 1 to less than about 50 mole percent of said bisphenol reactant is a halogen-substituted bisphenol.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a polymeric microporous electrolytic cell separators for producing alkali metal hydroxide at high current efficiencies, said separator having:a. porosity of at least about 60%;b. thickness of between 8 and 130 mils;c. hysteresis of from 0.30 to 0.99 wherein hysteresis is defined as the ratio of the amount of mercury trapped within the pore structure of the separator after release of pressure to 1 psi compared to the amount of mercury present when first subjected to total impregnation by mercury at 50,000 psi, andd. distribution of pore sizes in a range between 0.004 and 34 microns wherein at least 85% of said pores have a diameter of between 0.12 and 33 microns and at least 60% of said pores have a diameter between 0.

Abstract: A process for the para-directed chlorination of alkylbenzenes comprises reacting an alkylbenzene with chlorine in the presence of a catalyst mixture previously prepared by the steps of (a) reacting sulfur monochloride with toluene or chlorotoluene in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst, and (b) reacting the reaction product of step (a) with chlorine.

Abstract: Phenolic novolak resins are described which are structurally characterized as having from about 55% to about 90% of the available theoretical paraphenyl linkages in the resin chain bridged to a phenyl group. The resin compositions of this invention provide extended resin stability at relatively low temperatures without significant adverse affect on the cure speed at the molding temperature. The resins are especially suited for use in runnerless injection or cold manifold molding processes, but can also be used in transfer, compression and injection molding processes.

Abstract: Phenolic novolak resins are described which provide extended resin stability at relatively low temperatures without significant adverse affect on the cure speed at the molding temperature. The resins are especially suited for use in runnerless injection or cold manifold molding processes, but can also be used in transfer, compression and injection molding processes.

Abstract: In a process for making a prilled product from a molten substance therefor steam or heated gas is intermittently introduced into the prilling apparatus to clean the apparatus. In one embodiment the molten substance is passed through a filter zone prior to introduction to a nozzle provided with orifices to produce the prilled product and the flow of molten substance through the filter zone is periodically interrupted and steam or heated gas is passed through the filter zone in the direction opposite to the flow of molten substance to clean the filter zone. More than one filter zone can be operated in parallel so that while one filter zone is being cleaned, molten substance is passed through another filter zone to provide for continuous operation of the process.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a prilled product from a molten substance wherein steam or heated gas is passed through the nozzle which produces the prilled product prior to the introduction of the molten substance through the nozzle at the beginning of the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described. A thermosetting molding material, suitably a synthetic resin composition such as a phenolic molding composition, is initially heated and plasticized. The plasticized mass is passed as a stream through an injection nozzle which is maintained at a temperature sufficiently high to keep the mass in a plasticized condition but sufficiently low to avoid any substantial curing or setting-up of the mass. The plasticized mass is next passed through a temperature-controlled manifold maintained at a temperature sufficiently high to keep the mass in a plasticized condition but sufficiently low to avoid any substantial curing or setting-up of the mass. In the manifold the plasticized stream is divided into two or more smaller streams which are passed through a plurality of outlets into a plurality of partially open, heated molds. The mold cavities are maintained at temperatures sufficiently high to cure the thermosetting molding material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel organic compound, (3-trifluoromethyl)-benzoyl cyanide, and a process for the preparation thereof comprising(a) converting (3-trifluoromethyl)-benzotrichloride to the corresponding benzoyl chloride,b) cyanation of the benzoyl chloride to produce the corresponding benzoyl cyanide, (3-trifluoromethyl)-benzoyl cyanide.

Abstract: Molding compositions containing a phenol-aldehyde resin, a filler material and processed mineral fiber as a processing aid are described. The compositions are suited to be extruded and comminuted to produce a nodular product essentially uniform in size and useful in injection, transfer, and compression molding processes.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable, pigmentable polyester molding compositions comprise:(A) a polymerizable polyester component; and(B) an additive component comprising discrete particles of less than about 50 microns diameter of a lightly cross-linked styrene terpolymer having a glass transition temperature of below about 100.degree. Celsius and which is chemically inert with respect to the polyester component and is swellable but insoluble therein. The additive component is the reaction product of styrene, an unsaturated monofunctional comonomer and a polyfunctional monomer such as divinyl benzene.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing phosphorus compounds wherein phosphorus vapor containing P.sub.2 molecules is condensed at a temperature below the solidification point of red phosphorus and the resulting solid is then reacted with a phosphorus-reactive material. When the phosphorus-reactive material is water at an elevated temperature, phosphine is produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for the production of 1-phenyl-3-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-propanone. The process comprises the steps of:(a) condensing 3-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde with acetophenone under basic conditions to form a substituted chalcone,(b) epoxidation of the substituted chalcone to produce the corresponding epoxide,(c) converting the epoxide to a chlorohydrin,(d) catalytic hydrogenolysis of the chlorohydrin to produce a diol and subsequently converting the diol into the corresponding alcohol, and(e) oxidizing the alcohol to produce 1-phenyl-3-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-propanone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel organic compound, phenyl alpha,beta-epoxy-beta-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethyl ketone. This compound may be produced by:(a) condensing 3-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde with acetophenone under basic conditions to form a substituted chalcone, and(b) epoxidation of the substituted chalcone to produce the corresponding epoxide, phenyl alpha,beta-epoxy-beta-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethyl ketone.

Abstract: A nozzle pre-heating device is provided for use in a tower for prilling molten substances. The device comprises a pre-heating chamber which is open only at the upper portion thereof for pre-heating a prilling nozzle and is closed at the bottom to shield the nozzle from the cooling effects of upper flowing gas in the prilling tower. The device is provided with means for moving either the nozzle or the pre-heating device from proximity to one another when the pre-heating device is not in use, thereby permitting free flow of the molten substance from the nozzle during normal operation of the prilling tower.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermoplastic polymeric composition which comprises a glass fiber-filled polybutylene terephthalate and which contains as an improvement a warp-inhibiting amount of a polymeric additive consisting of a linear aromatic substantially halogen-free polyester consisting of a bisphenol monomer residue and a dicarboxylic acid monomer residue and having a relatively low intrinsic viscosity. The compositions exhibit substantially diminished warpage on molding without a deleterious effect on the other properties of the glass fiber-filled polybutylene terephthalate. Preferred compositions of the invention also exhibit enhanced tensile strength compared to comparable pure glass fiber-filled polybutylene terephthalate.

Abstract: An improved prilling tower is provided for the prilling of molten substances wherein a receiver equipped with an exhaust conduit is positioned below the nozzle during pre-heating of the nozzle prior to normal operation, after the end of a normal operating cycle or when the nozzle is replaced during operation of the prilling tower. Means are provided for moving either the receiver or the nozzle in a horizontal direction so that the nozzle is out of proximity with the receiver during normal operation of the prilling tower. More than one nozzle or more than one receiver can be employed in a prilling tower to provide for continuous operation of the prilling tower during replacement or cleaning of the nozzles.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of halate, such as sodium chlorate, includes an electrolytic cell having a plurality of anodes and cathodes, clearance passageways between which have electrolyte, hypohalite and gaseous electrolysis product, principally hydrogen, moving upwardly between them, an enclosure covering the tops of at least four such passageways and narrowing down to a passageway extending upwardly from the top of the enclosure and a downward passage for circulation of electrolyte which includes an upper baffled portion and a lower unbaffled portion, the unbaffled part being alongside the electrodes and extending to the bottom of the cell, from which electrolyte is drawn upwardly past the electrodes. Natural circulation due to gravity flow and density differences between the liquid electrolyte and that entrained in gas or having gas entrained in it is normally sufficient so that stirring or pumping means are not required.

Abstract: A method of operating a plurality of electrolytic diaphragm cells utilizing interruptable or off-peak electrical power varying from a higher electrical load level to a lesser electrical load level and subsequently returning to a selected higher electrical load level is described, which comprises the steps of:(a) reducing the brine feed into each cell in an amount at least about proportional to the scheduled electrical load reduction,(b) reducing the electrical load from a higher level to a lower level over a time period of not less than about 20 minutes,(c) operating the cells at such lower electrical load level until additional current is available, and, when additional current is available,(d) increasing the brine feed into each cell to between about 100 and about 150 percent of the original feed rate,(e) increasing the electrical load level to a selected higher level over a period of not less than about 10 minutes,(f) adjusting the brine feed to the original feed rate, and(g) maintaining the caustic concen