Abstract: Bis(dinitroalkyl)acetals and formals having the formula (1) particularly bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal and bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal are produced by oxidative nitration of compounds having the formula (2): preferably via a sodium or other alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal, salt of compounds of Formula (2). Certain of the compounds of formula (1) are novel. All of the intermediates of formula (2) are novel and form another aspect of this invention, as does a process for their production by reacting an aldehyde with a nitroalkanol. The process can readily produce a mixture of the dinitro compounds known as BDNPA and BDNPF (also known as A/F) using the non-explosive intermediates, BNPA and BNPF, both of which are novel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synthesizing ethanol using synthetic routes via synthesis gas are disclosed. A method and apparatus for gasifying biomass, such as biomass, in a steam gasifier that employs a fluidized bed and heating using hot flue gases from the combustion of synthesis gas is described. Methods and apparatus for converting synthesis gas into ethanol are also disclosed, using stepwise catalytic reactions to convert the carbon monoxide and hydrogen into ethanol using catalysts including iridium acetate.

Abstract: A process for producing saleable liquids from organic material comprising the following steps. Providing organic material and separating it into solids, liquids and vapor. Reacting the liquids, combining it with water vapor and producing a volatized gas stream. Removing nitrogen dioxide from the gas stream to produce a scrubbed volatized gas stream. Reacting the scrubbed volatized gas stream with water vapor to produce a combined volatized gas stream. Removing carbon dioxide from the combined volatized gas stream to produce a subtracted volatized gas stream. Reacting the subtracted volatized gas stream with methanol to produce an enhanced volatized gas stream. Distilling the enhanced volatized gas stream to produce ethanol.

Abstract: A process for the production of oxygenated C2 hydrocarbons from cellulose is disclosed. The input cellulose waste is gasified using steam in the absence of air and the primary gaseous products of carbon monoxide and hydrogen are subjected to heat, pressure, and catalysts to form methyl alcohol. Carbon monoxide is added to the methyl alcohol and further subjected to heat, pressure and catalysts to form acetic acid. The acetic acid is purified using a distillation tower, and removed for sale. Output production is increased by adding further carbon monoxide and hydrogen from burners used to heat the gasifiers. Further carbon monoxide and hydrogen are also produced by steam gasification of the carbon residue to promote a water/gas shift. These gases are fed into the gas stream produced by the gasification of cellulose, and provide more feedstock for the reactions.

Abstract: Reactions of ring systems, such as aziridines, oxetanes and oxiranes with carboxylic acids, anhydrides, imides, lactones and carbonate esters are catalyzed by C3-C60, substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched-chained, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl carboxylate Cr+3 salts, preferably chromium +3 octoate. The catalysts also accelerate the reaction of hydroxy compounds with anhydrides, and of thiiranes with anhydrides. The catalysts selectively enhance the conversion of ring systems to form monomers, prepolymers, copolymers, functional end-group monomers, functional end-group prepolymers, and functional end-group polymers rather than forming homopolymers. By varying the catalyst concentration, molar ratios, and reaction temperatures, the reaction time required to form the desired product can be controlled.

Abstract: The use of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of alkyl and alkanol sulfonic acids as additives in pure metal and metal alloy sulfate electroplating baths has a number of unexpected benefits including wider useful current density range, improved appearance and in the case of tin improved oxidative stability. The metals and alloys include but are not limited to tin, nickel, copper, chromium, cadmium, iron, rhodium, ruthenium, iron/zinc and tin/zinc.

Abstract: The use of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of alkyl and alkanol sulfonic acids as additives in pure metal and metal alloy halide electroplating baths has a number of unexpected benefits including wider useful current density range and improved appearance. The metals and metal alloys include but are not limited to tin, lead, copper, nickel, zinc, cadmium, tin/zinc, zinc/nickel and tin/nickel.

Abstract: The use of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of alkyl and alkanol sulfonic acids as additives in pure metal and metal alloy sulfonic acid electroplating baths has a number of unexpected benefits including wider useful current density range, improved appearance and in the case of tin improved oxidative stability. An additional significant appearance is to reduce the overall costs of this type of bath with the more economical salts of alkyl and alkanol sulfonic acids. The metals and metal alloys include but are not limited to tin, lead, copper, nickel, zinc, tin/lead, tin/lead/copper, tin/zinc and zinc/nickel.

Abstract: The use of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of alkyl and alkanol sulfonic acids as additives in pure metal and metal alloy fluoroborate electroplating baths has a number of unexpected benefits including wider useful current density range and improved appearance. The metals and metal alloys include but are not limited to tin, lead, copper, cadmium, indium, iron, tin/lead and tin/lead copper.

Abstract: Scrubber sterilization method which initially sterilize a gas scrubber with an initial cleaning with hydrogen peroxide, provide an iodine level of approximately 5 to 10 mg/liter in water which is sprayed into the scrubber to contact the effluent gas stream and kill biological growth, provide injection of more concentrated iodine in water in the event the iodine level in the system falls below a predetermined level, and load the filtrate material in the gas scrubber with iodine to provide an unfavorable surface for adherence of biological growth as well as a secondary sterilization means in the event that the liquid stream with iodine is stopped due to equipment or power failure.

Abstract: A highly reliable digital level sensor assembly is provided to replace optical and capacitance type sensors in high purity chemical delivery systems. The digital level sensor assembly is particularly useful in bulk chemical refill delivery systems for high purity chemicals employing a manifold that ensures contamination free operation and canister change outs with a minimum of valves and tubing.

Abstract: A highly reliable digital level sensor assembly is provided to replace optical and capacitance type sensors in high purity chemical delivery systems. The digital level sensor assembly is particularly useful in bulk chemical refill delivery systems for high purity chemicals employing a manifold that ensures contamination free operation and canister change outs with a minimum of valves and tubing.

Abstract: A highly reliable digital level sensor assembly is provided to replace optical and capacitance type sensors in high purity chemical delivery systems. The digital level sensor assembly is particularly useful in bulk chemical refill delivery systems for high purity chemicals employing a manifold that ensures contamination free operation and canister change outs with a minimum of valves and tubing.

Abstract: A highly reliable digital level sensor assembly is provided to replace optical and capacitance type sensors in high purity chemical delivery systems. The digital level sensor assembly is particularly useful in bulk chemical refill delivery systems for high purity chemicals employing a manifold that ensures contamination free operation and canister change outs with a minimum of valves and tubing.

Abstract: A highly reliable bulk chemical refill system for high purity chemicals is provided. The system employs at least one metallic level sensor in a refillable ampule. The refillable ampule of the present invention comprises a metallic level sensor for sensing a high level or full level in the ampule. The metallic level sensor transmits this signal to a control unit that automatically stops the refilling process. Additionally the refillable ampule includes a low level sensor that either provides an automatic signal for starting the refilling process or an audible or visual alarm to alert an operator that the container is empty and requires refilling. At the same time, the low level sensor sends a signal to the processing equipment indicating the empty state of the ampule.

Abstract: A variable restrictor for controlling flow rate including a ferrule formed of a yieldable material and having an opening at one end cooperating with the carrier line delivering fluid thereto. A passageway in the ferrule communicating with the carrier line terminates at the opposite end of the ferrule which is provided with a conical-shaped end portion cooperating with a recess of a conforming taper provided in a member having a passageway communicating with the utilization device receiving the fluid. The flow rate is regulated by controlling the position of the ferrule relative to the cooperating recess which controls the amount of compression exerted upon the forward end of the ferrule and hence the amount of constriction of the passageway extending therethrough.

Abstract: A low pH solution and a method for conversion coating aluminum and aluminum alloy surfaces, as well as the coated surfaces themselves, utilizing zirconium, fluoride and nickel and, optionally, fluorophosphate.

Abstract: A low pH solution and a method for conversion coating aluminum and aluminum alloy surfaces, as well as the coated surfaces themselves, utilizing zirconium, fluoride and nickel and, optionally, fluorophosphate.

Abstract: Integral, skinned and unskinned, microporous microfiltration and ultrafiltration, electrophoresis membranes having high void volumes (above 50% void) composed of polycarbonates and copolymers of polycarbonates with polyalkylene oxides and the dry process for producing such membranes are disclosed.

Abstract: A dry-wet process for forming interiorally asymmetric hollow fiber cellulose acetate membranes is disclosed.