Abstract: A process for manufacturing 1,3-glycols is disclosed. The process comprises reacting an epoxide with synthesis gas in the presence of rhodium and a phosphine.

Abstract: In a hydroformylation process wherein an alpha-alkene of 2 to about 10 carbon atoms is reacted with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a rhodium triorganophosphine complex to produce an aldehyde having one carbon atom more than the alkene, the aldehyde product being continuously separated from the liquid reaction medium by gas stripping or distillation, rhodium moiety is recovered from the condensed reactor overhead vapors by redistillation under defined conditions.

Abstract: In the operation of a recycling anaerobic filter for treating aqueous waste streams, the rate of production of methane is measured continually at frequent intervals and the COD feed rate is varied to maintain a predetermined, timed, relationship between that varied feed rate and the measured methane production rate.

Abstract: Ethylene glycol is prepared by reacting methanol and an organic peroxide of the formula R--O--O--R.sub.1, wherein R and R.sub.1 are each an alkyl or aralkyl group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, in the presence of a minor amount of a basic material. Preferably, formaldehyde is present as a reactant in the presence of water. The presence of the basic material reduces the hydrogen ions which are formed and thus reduces the amount of methylal produced.

Abstract: In catalytically oxidizing methanol in the vapor phase according to already-known processes for the production of formaldehyde, the hot formaldehyde-containing gaseous effluent of the catalytic converter is rapidly cooled by being passed through the tubes of a heat exchanger which are filled with balls composed of a solid which is substantially inert toward formaldehyde. As compared with a similar cooling system in which the tubes are empty or in which enhancement of heat transfer is attempted by using metal heat-transfer enhancement devices such as twisted metal ribbons, the present method affords reduced post-reaction decomposition of formaldehyde while at the same time allowing use of a relatively high temperature on the shell side of the heat exchanger whereby it becomes possible to raise steam at a pressure higher than that characteristic of the prior art.

Abstract: C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids are scrubbed from gas phase mixtures of such acids and water by gas absorption techniques utilizing a liquid solvent comprising a polyoxyalkylene glycol or a monoalkyl or dialkyl ether thereof. The solvent enriched with the acid is subjected to distillation to recover a substantially anhydrous acid product.