Abstract: An improved process for selective vapor phase oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride involving the use of a recirculating solids reactor having a reaction zone and a catalyst regeneration zone wherein n-butane is converted to maleic acid in the reaction zone by use of a vanadium/phosphorous oxide (V/P/O) catalyst in oxidized form and the reduced vanadium/phosphorous oxide catalyst is regenerated by contact with oxygen in the regeneration zone. Replenishment of the inherent catalyst losses associated with the catalyst recycling process is accomplished by adding to the catalyst in the regeneration zone vanadium/phosphorous oxide catalyst precursor at a rate of addition that effectuates in situ calcination and activation of the vanadium/phosphorous oxide catalyst precursor while simultaneously maintaining the desired operating temperature of the n-butane to maleic anhydride conversion reaction. Such a process is useful in maintaining the high operating capacity of the reactor over an extended period of time.

Abstract: Polyether glycols, especially poly(tetramethylene ether) glycols, having a narrow molecular weight distribution (e.g., Mw/Mn=1.2 to 1.80), are made by a process which consists of separating the low molecular weight fraction in an ultrafiltration module. In these units, molten PTMEG is fed at temperatures in the range of 30.degree. to 150.degree. C. and pressures ranging between 25 and 1500 psi. The PTMEG retentate from the ultrafiltration unit is also characterized by water content <25 ppm and low to negligible concentration of oligomeric cyclic ethers.

Abstract: Star-shaped poly (hydroxyacid) chains and the process for preparing them are disclosed. The star shaped polymers have the residue of a central polyfunctional compound having at least 5 hydroxyl or amino groups and 5 to 100 carbon atoms with polymeric arms attached to the functional groups. The polymeric arms are formed from lactide, glycolide or caprolactone. In a preferred aspect the inner segment of the arms are an amorphous copolymer of D-lactide and L-lactide and the outer segment of the arms are a semicrystalline polymer of one of L-lactide or D-lactide.

Abstract: A process or the production of glyoxylic acid involving the enzymatic oxidation of glycolic acid. The process provides a commercially practical method involving the reaction of glycolic acid in an aqueous solution at a starting concentration range of 200 mM to 2,500 mM in the presence of oxygen, glycolate oxidase and catalase at a pH of 7 to 10.

Abstract: A process for the production of glyoxylic acid involving the enzymatic oxidation of glycolic acid. The process provides a commercially practical method involving the reaction of glycolic acid in an aqueous solution at a starting concentration range of 200 mM to 2,500 mM in the presence of oxygen, glycolate oxidase and catalase at a pH of 7 to 10 and in the presence of an amine such as ethylenediamine, or tris(hydroxymethyl)-methylamine.

Abstract: Environmentally benign closed cell compositions made by foaming star-shaped polymers with a plurality of poly(hydroxy acid) chains attached to a central polyfunctional compound having a plurality of hydroxyl and/or amino groups.

Abstract: The stabilization of aqueous or alkanolic solutions of choline and derivative of choline against discoloration on aging by the addition of an unsubstituted hydroxylamine salt to the choline solutions at levels of less than 1 percent.

Abstract: A process for inducing flocculation involving the mixing of an aqueous solution of a chitosan salt with a material to be flocculated (e.g., oil, algae, or the like) and then adding a halogenating agent (e.g., sodium hypochlorite) thus forming a N-halochitosan.

Abstract: Polymers of the general formula R--(A-B-A-I)-.sub.x A-B-A-R and their preparation are disclosed. In the general formula, -A- is a polyhydroxy acid residue preferably a polymer of either 98 to 100% L-lactide or 98 to 100% D-lactide having a molecular weight of 500 to 40,000 and preferably 2,000 to 20,000, -B- is an oligomeric diol or diamine residue, having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 20,000 and preferably 2,000 to 8,000. The polymers are prepared by polymerizing a lactone onto the diol or diamine followed by reacting the resulting polymeric H-A-B-A-H with an diisocyanate or diacyl chloride to form the -L- chain extending units in the general formula.

Abstract: Process for beneficiating titanium bearing ore selected from the group consisting essentially of titaniferous ores, leucoxene, rutile, perovskite, and sphene comprising:(a) contacting said ore with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid having a concentration of about 3-30 percent by weight said contacting taking place at a temperature of about 160.degree.-300.degree. C., until the desired amount of impurities are solubilized and a leachate is formed,(b) removing the leachate from the product of step (a).

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, also known as glyphosate. The process comprises hydrogenating a mixture containing glyoxylic acid and aminomethylphosphonic acid, the mixture having been enzymatically prepared in situ by the reaction of glycolic acid and oxygen in an aqueous solution containing aminomethylphosphonic acid and the enzymes glycolate oxidase and catalase.

Abstract: Trifluoromethane or monochlorodifluoromethane and carbon tetrachloride are converted to trichloromonofluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane and chloroform using a catalyst of activated aluminum and magnesium oxides.

Abstract: An improved vapor degreaser characterized by a deep freeboard zone (i.e., freeboard to width ratio of 1.0 to 2.3) containing a three-stage condenser/heat exchanger configuration comprising: a water-cooled lower primary exchanger operating above 32.degree. F. to effect condensation of the bulk of the vapor generated by the boiling sump and a combination of an intermediate exchanger above, but preferably overlapping, the primary exchanger and a dehumidifying third exchanger position just below the top lip of the degreaser, both operating at a temperature below 32.degree. F. (preferably +10.degree. to -30.degree. F.) to effect a reduction in the vapor concentration gradient that controls the rate of vapor diffusion through the freeboard zone. The improved vapor degreaser is particularly useful in reducing vapor losses when using low boiling solvents.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing mixtures of glyoxylic acid and aminomethylphosphonic acid. The process comprises reacting glycolic acid and oxygen in an aqueous solution in the presence of aminomethylphosphonic acid catalyst consisting of glycolate oxidase and catalase. The resulting mixtures are useful intermediates in the production of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing high purity anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF) having low levels of oxidizable impurities by electrolytically oxidizing the impurities. Specifically, trivalent arsenic impurity in the anhydrous hydrogen fluoride is oxidized to a non-volatile pentavalent arsenic compound. The resultant solution is distilled to recover high purity anhydrous hydrogen fluoride with low levels of arsenic impurity.

Abstract: A high-boiling hydrochlorofluorofluorocarbon (HCFC) solvent comprising a blend of for every 100 parts by weight of a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (e.g., 1,1,1-trifluorodichloroethane or 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane) from about 25 to about 400 parts by weight of a selected organic solvent (e.g., dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, or mixture of dimethyladipate, dimethylglutarate, and dimethylsuccinate). Such solvents are useful in liquid/vapor phase cleaning applications even at elevated temperatures above the boiling temperature predicted by Raoult's law.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing high purity anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF) having low levels of oxidizable impurities by electrolytically oxidizing the impurities. Specifically, trivalent arsenic impurity in the anhydrous hydrogen fluoride is oxidized to a non-volatile pentavalent arsenic compound. The resultant mixture is distilled to recover high purity anhydrous hydrogen fluoride with low levels of arsenic impurity.

Abstract: A method of producing an anhydrous niobium or tantalum pentafluoride involving reacting the corresponding pentoxide or oxyhalide with an excess of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in the presence of a sufficient dehydrating agent (e.g., COCl.sub.2, SOCl.sub.2 or SO.sub.2 Cl.sub.2) to react with any water formed. Such a process is useful to produce a catalyticallyactive anhydrous niobium or tantalum pentafluoride in essentially a single liquid phase reaction step.

Abstract: Process for making aggregate suitable for use as a road base material comprising:(a) mixing metal chlorides with alkaline substance selected from the group consisting essentially of at least one cementitious material and optionally about 0.1-50%, based on the total weight of the alkaline substance, of at least one neutralizing agent, said mixing taking place in the presence of water in the amount of about 70-200 percent, based on the total weight of the alkaline substance,(b) partially curing the product resulting from step (a), and(c) agitating the product resulting from step (b) until aggregate is formed.

Abstract: A process for separating and recovering organic vapors (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons) from a feed stream of organic vapors and air wherein organic vapors are present in the "window concentration" range being too high for conventional carbon adsorption and too low for efficient compression/condensation recovery. By passing the organic vapor and air feed stream through the feed side of a semipermeable membrane unit, a vapor depleted stream exiting the membrane unit can then be processed by conventional carbon adsorption while a vapor enriched stream from the membrane unit can be processed by conventional compression and condensation.