Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of obnoxious waste effluents, both industrial and municipal, such as chemical waste landfill leachates, chemical process wastewaters and other obnoxious waste effluents by the use of microbial cultures, especially adapted to biodegrade the obnoxious chemicals in the chemical wastes, such as activated sludge and inoculants for activated sludge, and the new inoculated activated sludges and their use in biological wastewater systems such as continuous and batch reactors.

Abstract: An improved three-piece polymeric hydrogen vent assembly for use on chlor-alkali diaphragm cells comprises an elongated tube containing a standpipe and an inverted cup which separates the standpipe from the tube. The cup has a plurality of openings in its base portion and a manometer fitting in its top. The entire three-piece assembly is fabricated from a polymeric material, preferably polypropylene, and can be conveniently molded in a one-piece unit. Each individual component of the assembly can be separately cut from the single molded unit and assembled.The hydrogen vent assembly is primarily useful as a replacement for existing steel components and has the advantages of being less corrosive than carbon steel, easier to install, and safer in operation since it has a reduced risk of overflow during cell start-up.

Abstract: Cathodes comprising a conductive metal substrate, such as ferrous metal or titanium, having thereon an intermediate protective layer and an overcoating of a mixture of platinum and another noble metal are prepared. These cathodes function in aqueous alkali metal salt solution electrolytic cells or alkali metal halate electrolytic cells to reduce the cathode overvoltage in comparison with conventional ferrous metal electrodes.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of compounds of the formula ##STR1## which comprises contacting compounds of the formula ##STR2## wherein n is 0 to 5, andm is 1 to 3in the vapor phase, with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of a granular, porous high surface area catalyst prepared by treating .alpha.-alumina with hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: A fire retarding composition is disclosed which is made from a reaction mixture of aqueous phosphoric acid and an alkylene oxide, wherein the weight ratio of oxide to acid reactants is within the range of about 0.01:1 to about 0.25:1. The composition produces improved fire retardancy when used to treat cellulosic material.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of meta-substituted diaryl ethers comprises reacting an ortho-haloaryl compound with a phenol compound in a non-aqueous medium in the presence of an alkaline metal base. In a specific embodiment m-phenoxytoluene is prepared by reacting orthochlorotoluene with phenol in the presence of an alkaline metal hydroxide in a substantially non-aqueous liquid medium.

Abstract: Solid refractory compositions comprising an inorganic particulate refractory material and a carbonaceous binder therefor comprising a substantially carbonized phenol-aldehyde condensate resin chemically modified by reaction with lignin and/or molasses. The refractory compositions of the invention are characterized by an enhanced bending strength even at extreme temperatures and a desirable diminished porosity compared to comparable refractory compositions having carbonaceous binders derived from conventional phenol-aldehyde resins.

Abstract: Phosphaadamantane compounds are provided to control the curing behavior of phenolic-type novolac resins under storage conditions at moderate temperatures.