Abstract: Membranes, which may be used for the separation of gases, comprise a thin film of a semi-permeable material composited on a porous support member. The membranes are prepared by passing a support member through a solution of a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent containing a semi-permeable membrane forming prepolymer and cross-linking agent. This step is then followed by the cross-linking of the prepolymer by treatment at an elevated temperature. The process may be exemplified by passing one finely porous surface of a cellulose nitrate-cellulose acetate support member through a solution of dimethyl silicone in a halogenated solvent such as trifluorotrichloroethane followed by treatment at a temperature in the range of from about 50.degree. to about 150.degree. C. to form the desired membrane.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of the peroxide number and color of olefins comprises contacting the olefin with an adsorbent and separating the contacted olefin from the adsorbent. The process is effective for internal olefins, a class of olefins in which reduction of peroxide number by conventional means is ineffective. Examples of effective adsorbents which may be employed in the process includes charcoal, alumina, silica, diatomaceous earth and montmorillonite clays.

Abstract: An additive for inhibiting sedimentation and retarding degradation of hydrocarbon oils as evidenced by discoloration comprises the reaction product of a poly(oxyalkylene)amine with an epihalohydrin at a temperature from about 40.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. in the presence of an inorganic base.

Abstract: A process for purifying glucose isomerase comprises the steps of acid treatment and salt fractionation. An enzyme solution is treated with an acid, such as acetic acid, to a pH from about 3.5 to about 5.0. The proteinaceous solids are collected and extracted with a buffer, such as imidazole, whose solution has a pH of about 6 to about 8. The solution is then collected and a salt, such as ammonium sulfate, is dissolved therein from about 40% to about 50% of its saturation point. The proteinaceous solids which form are removed and additional ammonium sulfate is dissolved to attain from about 41% to about 60% of its saturation point, followed by collection of the solids containing purified enzyme. A composition which preserves enzyme activity upon storage of glucose isomerase and which imparts resistance to thermal deactivation of said enzyme comprises an aqueous solution of glycerol, a buffer whose solution is at a pH of about 6 to about 8, divalent cobalt ions and magnesium ions.

Abstract: Highly active catalysts may be prepared by admixing a macrocyclic metal complex with a solid support followed by shaping the resulting admixture and subjecting said admixture to a calcining step at an elevated temperature in the range of from about 400.degree. to about 700.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere. The preparation process is exemplified by the admixture of alumina hydrous oxide with chlororhodium phthalocyaninetetrasulfonate, extruding the catalyst, drying, and thereafter calcining the admixture at a temperature of about 500.degree. C. to provide a catalyst complex.

Abstract: The activity and stability of immobilized enzymes may be improved by treating an immobilized enzyme comprising an enzyme covalently bound to polymeric material which is absorbed on an inorganic porous support material with a bifunctional monomeric material and a substrate followed by additional treatment with an enzyme and thereafter again treating the complex with additional bifunctional monomer and substrate.

Abstract: The recovery of metal values such as nickel from a metal bearing source such as lateritic ores in which the metal bearing source is subjected to a reductive roast at an elevated temperature in the range of from about 700.degree. to about 1300.degree. F. in contact with at least one additive and thereafter extracting the metal bearing source in an ammoniacal solution whereby the desired metal such as nickel is leached out and recovered, the yield of the desired metal may be increased by subjecting the source to an annealing process during the reductive roast thereof.

Abstract: Rutile, which has been obtained by precipitation from a hydrogen chloride solution will contain a relatively large amount of residual chlorine containing compounds such as the various forms of titanium chloride. These residual chlorine containing compounds may be removed in an economical way by treating the rutile with hydrogen peroxide in an acidic solution at relatively low temperatures to substantially reduce the chloride content of the product.

Abstract: Acrylonitrile may be prepared by dehydrogenating propionitrile in the presence of dehydrogenation catalysts comprising a nonacidic complex containing a Group VIII metal and at least one metal selected from Groups IVA, VA, and VIIB of the Periodic Table. If so desired, the catalyst may also include a metal from Group IA or IIA of the Periodic Table and the combination may be supported on inorganic materials. The catalyst may be exemplified by platinum, tin and lithium composited on alumina.

Abstract: Tertiary amines may be prepared by reacting an olefinic compound, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and a heterocyclic compound containing at least one nitrogen atom which possesses at least one hydrogen atom in the presence of a rhodium- or ruthenium-containing catalyst at temperatures in the range of from about 50.degree. to about 350.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of from about 10 to about 300 atmospheres. The reaction may be exemplified by reacting undecene, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and morpholine in the presence of rhodium chloride to prepare N-dodecylmorpholine.

Abstract: Alcohols may be synthesized by reacting an olefinic compound, carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a Group VIII organometallic complex catalyst at reaction conditions which include a temperature in the range of from about 50.degree. to about 250.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of from about 10 to about 300 atmospheres. In addition, the reaction is also effected in the presence of a promoter compound comprising a nitrile.

Abstract: Support matrices for immobilized enzymes may be prepared by treating a solid porous, inorganic, water-insoluble support such as an alumina with a prepolymerized polymeric compound. After treating the solid support the resultant organic-inorganic composite may then be derivatized, one example of derivatization being nitration of the composite with nitric acid and reducing the nitro-substituted composite to form an aminopolystyrene alumina composite. This composite is then treated with a bifunctional monomer to form a copolymeric which is substantially entrapped in the pores of the solid support, said copolymeric material containing functionalized pendent groups to which an enzyme may be coupled to form an immobilized enzyme conjugate.

Abstract: Alkyl aromatic compounds may be subjected to an electrochemical oxidation in an appropriate electrochemical cell utilizing a semi-emulsion solution comprising said alkyl aromatic compound in a dilute mineral acid solution containing a salt of a transition metal. The reaction is preferably effected at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure utilizing an electrical energy which includes a voltage in the range of from about 2 to about 20 volts or a current density in the range of from about 0 to about 1000 miliamps per square centimeter.

Abstract: Alkyl aromatic compounds may be subjected to electrochemical oxidation in an appropriate electrochemical cell utilizing an emulsion solution comprising said alkyl aromatic compound in an aqueous acidic medium which contains a salt of a transition metal. The reaction is effected at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure utilizing an electrical energy which includes a voltage in the range of from 2 to about 30 volts or a current density in the range of from about 20 to about 1000 milliamps per square centimeter.

Abstract: Conductive or semi-conductive elements which may be utilized as heating elements are manufactured in a continuous process utilizing a method known as pultrusion. The elements are prepared by forming semi-cured sheets comprising a support containing a mixture of a conductive or semi-conductive powder and a resin. The semi-cured sheets are fitted with conductive buss bars to form a conductive or semi-conductive element which is thereafter encapsulated in a glass roving-resin mixture to form the desired element. This element is then pulled through a heated die to effect the desired physical shape and thereafter may be cut to the desired size.

Abstract: Tertiary amines may be prepared by reacting an aldehyde, hydrogen and a nitrogen-containing compound such as ammonia, a primary amine or a secondary amine in the presence of a rhodium- or ruthenium-containing catalyst at temperatures in the range of from about 50.degree. to about 350.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of from about 10 to about 300 atmospheres.

Abstract: Organic-inorganic support matrices for immobilized enzymes comprise a solid, porous, inorganic, water insoluble support combined with a copolymeric material resulting from the reaction of aminopolystyrene and a bifunctional monomer. The matrix is prepared by depositing a salt of amino-polystyrene within the pores of the solid support from an aqueous solution at a pH less than 7 after which the resulting composite is then reacted with an excess of a bifunctional reactive monomer thus forming a copolymeric organic material in situ substantially entrapped in the pores of the support and containing functionalized pendent groups to which an enzyme may be coupled to form an immobilized enzyme conjugate.

Abstract: Alkyl pyridines may be synthesized from a mixture of ethylene, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and ammonia by reacting the mixture in the presence of metal catalyst complexes selected from the group consisting of metal phthalocyanines and metal carbonyls which act as a catalyst for the reaction at temperatures which may range from about 50.degree. to about 300.degree. C. and pressures ranging from about 10 atmospheres to about 300 atmospheres.

Abstract: In a process for recovering titanium metal values from a titanium bearing source which also contains iron, the source is subjected to a reductive roast followed by a leach of the reduced source with hydrogen chloride. The suppression of the dissolution of titanium during the leaching step of the process will be effected by the addition of a phosphoric acid to the leaching solution.

Abstract: The present process involves an improvement in the hydrometallurgical recovery of metal values from metal bearing sources such as ores and the like. When subjecting a metal bearing source to a reductive roast in a reducing atmosphere followed by cooling the reduced metal bearing source, extracting the cooled source and recovering the resultant nickel value, it is possible to utilize a smaller amount of an additive which assists in the recovery of metal values by scrubbing the off-gases from the reductive roast utilizing a fresh metal bearing source feed as the scrubbing material.