Abstract: A process for separating and recovering paraffin sulphonic acids from mixtures with water and sulphuric acid is described, consisting of: bringing such a mixture into contact under extraction conditions with a saturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic liquid hydrocarbon; separating an aqueous liquid phase containing sulphuric acid from an organic liquid phase consisting of the extraction solvent containing the paraffin sulphonic acids; and recovering the paraffin sulphonic acids from said organic liquid phase. The process is particularly applicable to products obtained from processes involving the sulphoxidation of paraffins with sulphur dioxide and oxygen, catalyzed by U.V. radiation.

Abstract: An amorphous modified poly(2,6-dimethyl-p-oxyphenylene) (PPO) is described with a glass transition temperature (Tg) within the range of 170.degree.-220.degree. C., of which the macromolecules contain units having trialkylsilyl groups bonded to the nucleus and/or to the methyl: ##STR1## together with units having hydroxyethyl groups bonded to the nucleus and/or to the methyl: ##STR2## This modified PPO is prepared by metalating PPO with a metalating agent and reacting the formed metalated PPO with a trialkylsilyl halide and with ehtylene oxide in succession.The use of the thus modified PPO for the preparation of flat, including asymmetric, membranes useful in gas mixture separation processes is described.

Abstract: A process for preparing a modified, amorphous poly-(2,6-dimethyl-p-oxyphenylene) (PPO) comprises:(a) metalating PPO with a metalating agent, and(b) functionalizing such a metalated PPO by reacting the PPO with a trialkylsilyl halide and/or ethylene oxide; and is characterized in that the reaction of metalation is carried out in an inert liquid vehicle which contains PPO in an at least partially suspended solid form, by operating under metalating conditions of gradually adding metalating agent to such a suspension, either continuously or as discrete portions. Depending on the functionalizing agents used, and on the sequence of addition thereof, the process makes it possible to obtain PPO polymers which are modified with trialkyl-silyl, hydroxyethylene and/or ethyleneoxytrialkyl-silyl functional groups. The modified PPO polymers are particularly suitable for preparing flat membranes, including asymmetrical membranes, for the separation of gas mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a compound comprising a diphosphonate/phosphite of a tetravalent metal:M[(O.sub.3 P--R--PO.sub.3).sub.1-(x+y) (HPO.sub.3).sub.2X (O.sub.3 P--R--PO.sub.3 H.sub.2).sub.2y ](where M, R, x and y have the meaning given in the description), in the form of a crystalline solid with an alpha-type lamellar structure with a distance between layers of 7.4 to 20.ANG. (depending on the dimensions of radical R), a BET surface area of 250 to 400m.sup.2 /g, and porosity within the mesopore range, with at least 50% of the pores measuring 20 to 30.ANG.. The compound, depending on the radical R used, may or may not have microporosity in the region between layers. Such a diphosphonate/phosphite of a tetravalent metal is obtained by reaction between diphosphonic acid, phosphorous acid and an oxyhalide of a tetravalent metal, in a solvent comprising dimethyl-sulphoxide/water containing hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: A solid, polymeric electrolyte is constituted by a solid solution of an ionic compound in a polyepoxide, wherein said polyepoxide is the product of copolymerization of a monoepoxide of formula: ##STR1## wherein: R stands for methyl or ethyl radical; andn is an integer comprised within the range of from 2 to 10;with a diepoxide of formula: ##STR2## wherein: m is an integer comprised within the range of from 2 to 10;with a molar ratio of monoepoxide to diepoxide comprised within the range of from 99.9/0.1 to 90/10;with said polyepoxide furthermore having a weight average molecular weight equal to, or higher than, 1,000, and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from -80.degree. to -60.degree. C.The solid, polymeric electrolyte can be converted into an electrochemical membrane useful in the manufacture of high-energy-density electrochemical generators, optical displays, electrochromic systems and sensors.

Abstract: A description is given, together with relative preparation processes, of a sensor containing an immunochemical membrane and a device of EOS or CHEMFET type containing surface silicon oxide adhering to said membrane via a polysiloxane matrix, characterized in that the immunochemical membrane is formed from a functionalized antigen or from the same functionalized antigen bonded to a protein, said immunochemical membrane being bonded chemically to the polysiloxane matrix by functional groups present on the same antigen or by bifunctional coupling agents.

Abstract: A process for oligomerizing propylene is described, consisting of reacting said olefin in the presence of an X-ray amorphous alumina-silica gel catalyst with a silica/alumina molar ratio of between 30/1 and 500/1, a surface area of between 500 and 1000 m.sup.2 /g, a total pore volume of between 0.3 and 0.6 ml/g, an average pore diameter of the order of 10 .ANG. or less, and free or substantially free of pores with a diameter greater than 30 .ANG..

Abstract: The permeability of high-permeability zones in a oil reservoir can be reduced by using a gellable aqueous composition with delayed gelation.The composition comprises:a) water;b) a high-molecular weight natural or synthetic water-soluble polymer cross-linkable by means of Cr.sup.3+ ions;c) a water-soluble inorganic Cr.sup.

Abstract: A process is described for forming a silicon carbide coating on nickel-based superalloys by:nitriding the alloy or depositing a titanium nitride film on the alloy by reactive sputtering;vapor-phase chemical deposition of a thin film of titanium nitride;annealing in a nitrogen and hydrogen atmosphere;vapor-phase chemical deposition of a silicon carbon layer.

Abstract: Mixed zirconium and yttrium oxides (ZrO.sub.2 (Y.sub.2 O.sub.3)) with a yttrium content (evaluated as metal) from about 15 to about 21% by weight, as powders in cubic crystal form, are prepared by:mixing an aqueous solution of zirconium and yttrium carboxylates with an organic solvent in the form of a nitrile or alcohol;from said mixture, precipitating solid particles of the precursors of mixed zirconium and yttrium oxides by operating at a pH between 5 and 7 and at ambient or close to ambient temperature; andcalcining said precipitated solid particles at high temperature to directly transform them from the amorphous state to the cubic crystal form.The mixed zirconium and yttrium oxides obtained in this manner are suitable for use in the ceramics sector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating a refinery slurry containing water, oil and a solid fraction, wherein the slurry is brought into contact with carbon dioxide gas in order to adjust the pH value of said slurry to an acidic value and, in that way, improve the separation, by mechanical means, of a first water phase and a first oil phase, from a sludge. The latter is submitted to an extraction with carbon dioxide, under supercritical conditions, in order to separate a second water phase and a second oil phase from a residual sludge, which is disposed of.The process makes it possible to remove most of the water, and, in particular, most of the oil contained in said slurry and a sludge to be disposed of which shows a reduced propensity to the elution of the residual oil.

Abstract: A gellable aqueous compositions able to reduce the permeability of high-permeability zones in an oil reservoir is a aqueous solution containing metered quantities of:a) a water-soluble organic polymer cross-linkable by the effect of a polyvalent metal ion cross-linking agent;b) a Cr(III) ion cross-linking agent; andc) a ligand for the cross-linking agent chosen from water-soluble organic alpha-hydroxy acids and alpha-amino acids.

Abstract: A method for reducing the permeability of a high-permeability zone in a high-temperature oil reservoir comprises:preparing a gellable polymeric aqueous solution, operating on the surface under controlled conditions;injecting said gellable solution into the oil reservoir through a well;moving the solution through the reservoir until it reaches and substantially fills the high-permeability zone to be treated; andgelling the solution in situ with consequent lowering of the permeability in said high-permeability zone, and is essentially characterized in that the gellable solution is an aqueous solution containing a Cr(III) ion cross-linking agent and a water-soluble organic polymer cross-linkable by the effect of said cross-linking agent, said solution being free or substantially free of ligands for the cross-linking agent and having a pH adjusted to a value within the range of 1.5 to 5.5, depending on the desired gelling time.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a multifunctional, ion-selective-membrane sensor is disclosed, which process comprises the following steps:a) preparation of a siloxanic prepolymer, followed by one or more deposition(s) of said siloxanic prepolymer on a device of MOS or ISFET type;b) preparation of a solution containing an ionophore, a monomer of a polymerisable olefin, 2,4-toluenediisocyanate and a dialcohol or a diamine or a glycol or a trialcohol or a triamine, which preparation is followed, after that said solution has been kept stirred for at least 48 hours at room temperature, by the deposition thereof on the siloxanic prepolymer, which deposition is carried out by means of a spinner;c) photochemical treatment in the presence of a photoinitiator by means of UV light, with a suitable mask being used, which allows the exposure to UV light to take place on one gate only;d) chemical washing of the sensor, by means of an organic solvent;e) thermal treatment ("thermal curing"), so as to complete the reactions of polym

Abstract: A process for the single-step coal liquefaction is disclosed, which comprises reacting coal in an aqueous suspension with carbon monoxide in the presence of a CO-conversion catalyst selected from the group consisting of an alkaline hydroxide and a carbonate, and in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst selected from the group consisting of transition metals and compounds thereof, by operating at temperatures within the range of from 300.degree. to 450.degree. C. for a reaction time within the range of from 30 to 80 minutes.

Abstract: Process for oxidating paraffinic compounds in order to yield the corresponding alcoholic and/or ketonic compounds, which process consists of reacting said paraffins with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, possibly dissolved in a solvent, by operating at a temperature comprised within the range of from 0.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., in the presence of a titanium-silicalite of formulapHMO.sub.2.qTiO.sub.2.SiO.sub.2whereinM is a metal selected from among aluminum, gallium and iron,p is comprised within the range of from 0 to 0.05 andq is comprised within the range of from 0.0001 to 0.04, and the H.sup.+ of HMO.sub.2 can be least partially replaceable or replaced by cations.

Abstract: Mixed oxides of zirconium and yttrium [ZrO.sub.2 (Y.sub.2 O.sub.3)], with an yttrium content (as computed as elemental metal) comprised within the range of from about 15 to about 21% by weight, as spherical particles with size comprised within the range of from 0.1 to 2 .mu.m, with an average size of the particles lower than 1 .mu.m, in the cubic crystal form, are obtained by:preparing a mixture by starting from an aqueous solution of zirconium and yttrium carboxylates; an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of nitriles or alcohols; and a non-ionic surfactant;causing solid colloidal particles of the precursor of mixed zirconium/yttrium oxides to precipitate from said mixture, by operating at a pH value comprised within the range of from 5 to 7, at room temperature or at temperature close to room temperature; andcalcining said precipitate of solid particles at a high temperature to cause said solid particles to be directly converted from the amorphous state into the cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Immunologically active polypeptide composition constituted by polypeptides having the formula:H--(Glu--Glu--Asn--Val--Glu--His--Asp--Ala).sub.n --OHwherein Glu=Glutamic Acid;Asn=Asparagine;Val=Valine;His=Histidine;Asp=Aspartic Acid;Ala=Alanineand wherein n has a value equal to, or larger than, 2.Said composition is useful for the preparation of antimalarial vaccines and of diagnostic kits for the detection of antimerozoite antibodies.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides constituted by at least two repeating, consecutive units of asparaginyl-proline (Asn-Pro).sub.n sequence, are described.The peptides are powerful immunogens, capable of inducing in laboratory animals the formation of a high concentration of antibodies capable of reacting both with the (Asn-Pro).sub.n peptides, and with the immunodominant epitope of the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum.The peptides, which can be obtained in a pure form by chemical synthesis, are particularly useful for preparing antimalarial vaccines and diagnostic kits for the determination of malaria in man.

Abstract: A method for reducing industrial or urban effluent COD is described, comprising treating said effluents with an aqueous solution of alkaline and/or ammonium salts or humic acids perpared by the dry oxidation of coal with oxygen or oxygen/nitrogen mixtures at a temperture of between 120 and 350.degree. C. at an oxygen partial pressure of between 0.1 and 10 ata for a contact time of between 15 and 600 minutes, followed by extraction of the crude oxidation product with an alkaline and/or ammoniacal solution, characterised in that said aqueous solution is fed into effluent, the pH of which has been previously adjusted to between 1 and 3.5, to the extent that the humic acid salts which exhibit flocculating action are in a concentration of less than or equal to 2000 mg/1 of effluent.