Abstract: Specified copolymers of tert-butylstyrene are dissolved in a liquid aliphatic hydrocarbon fuel, especially an aircraft fuel, by the steps of (i) blending the finely-divided copolymer with a non-solvent hydroxylic liquid miscible with the fuel, (ii) mixing the blend into the fuel so as to give a copolymer concentration of 01.-1% by weight, and (iii) dissolving in the fuel so treated an amino compound in an amount of 0.01-0.6 mole per 100 g of copolymer present. The copolymers thus dissolved impart to the fuel a resistance towards mist formation when the fuel is subjected to conditions of shock.

Abstract: UV stable linear polyesters, e.g. PET, contain in their chain copolymerized bis(hydroxyalkoxy)xanth-9-ones, preferably 3,6-bis-(2-hydroxyethoxy)xanth-9-ones. The polymers are obtained by polymerization in the presence of a tetrahydroxy benzophenone, preferably the 2,240 ,4,4'-isomer. The method of polymerizing in the presence of dihydric phenols to obtain ethoxyaryloxy polyesters is also described.

Abstract: The viscosity of a slurry of terephthalic acid in ethylene glycol is reduced if the terephthalic acid is first submitted to mild attrition at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: Dyestuffs having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 each independently represent oxygen or ##STR2## in which Y is hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon radical or an acyl radical,R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted aryl radical, preferably phenyl, andX.sup.1 and X.sup.2 each independently represent hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkyl, alkoxy, nitro, amino, substituted amino, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, optionally substituted carbamoyl, alkylthio, arylthio, alkylsulphonyl, arylsulphonyl, acyl, acyloxy, hydroxy, sulphonic acid or sulphonic acid ester, orX.sup.1 and X.sup.2 together form a 5- or 6-membered, carbocyclic or heterocyclic, saturated or unsaturated, including aromatic, ring which may carry further substituents; processes for the manufacture of these dyestuffs and their use for coloring aromatic polyester textile materials.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of 3(2,2-dihalovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropane carboxylic acids, especially permethrin acid ethyl ester, by reacting a diazoacetic acid ester with a 1,1-dihalo-4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene in the presence of a catalyst comprising a divalent rhodium salt of a carboxylic acid or borofluoric acid. The products have improved yields and better cis/trans isomer ratios than when the more common catalysts, e.g. copper-bronze, are used.

Abstract: Supported ruthenium metal catalysts prepared by reduction of carbonyl compounds give improved yields of methane in the hydro-cracking of hydrocarbons, especially alkanes and alkyl aromatics. Alkanes may be cracked to methane at low temperature (200.degree.-300.degree. C.) and the de-alkylation of alkyl benzenes may be controlled sufficiently to allow removal of isomers e.g. ethylbenzene from xylenes. The novel catalysts comprise ruthenium clusters having average dimensions below 20 A.

Abstract: A slurry composition based essentially on ammonium nitrate, prepared by a process which comprises comminuting solid substance containing ammonium nitrate by grinding in the presence of a saturated solution of solid in a liquid in which the solid has a solubility greater than 1% by weight, the mixture of the solution and the solid being in fluid condition with the solid being a separate phase during grinding and the solution having dissolved therein an additive which is a crystal growth inhibitor for the solid whereby crystal growth is inhibited at both existing crystal surfaces and new crystal surfaces created by the breaking down of relatively coarse particles.

Abstract: Production of aromatic polyethers by reacting (i) a mixture of a bisphenol and a dihalobenzenoid compound or (ii) a halophenol, in which dihalobenzenoid compound or halophenol the halogen atoms are activated by ortho or para --SO.sub.2 -- or --CO-- groups, with an alkali metal (bi)carbonate, wherein the reaction is carried out in the absence of a solvent and in the presence of an infusible particulate support substance, preferably inorganic or polymeric, yielding a reaction medium in the form of a free-flowing powder by the end of the reaction.

Abstract: A compound of formula: ##STR1## wherein one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represents a group of formula:W--(CF.sub.2).sub.m --where W represents an atom of hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine and m has the value one or two, and the other of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represents an atom of fluorine, chlorine or bromine, or a group of formula: ##STR2## where each of X, Y and Z independently represents an atom of hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine, and Q represents the hydroxy group, a lower alkoxy group containing up to six carbon atoms or the chlorine or bromine atom.

Abstract: A reaction slurry of a solid aromatic carboxylic acid such as terephthalic acid in mother liquor such as acetic acid which has been obtained by catalytic oxidation of an aromatic compound such as p-xylene in a solvent such as acetic acid is held in a washing zone to allow the solid acid to separate under gravity into fresh solvent, and a washed slurry of solid acid in solvent is withdrawn.

Abstract: Water-soluble monoazo dyes for nylon having the formula: ##STR1## wherein ring A may optionally be substituted by halogen, trifluoromethyl, alkoxy, acylamino or alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R represents hydrogen or unbranched alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.1 represents hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, X represents unbranched alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl, halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, sulpho, vinylsulphonyl, hydroxyethylsulphonyl, sulphatoethylsulphonyl, --SO.sub.2 NHR.sup.2, wherein R.sup.2 represents hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or --COOR.sup.3 wherein R.sup.3 represents hydrogen, alkyl having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl or aryl, and n represents an integer of from 0 to 3.The dyes are suitable for application to polyamide textile materials. They give a high degree of thermal stability and fastness to wet treatments and to light.

Abstract: Improvements in coated film bases. Photobase comprising a film support, e.g. a polyethylene terephthalate film, having a copolymeric subbing layer comprising a copolymer of acrylic acid or an alkyl ester thereof/methacrylic acid or an alkyl ester thereof/itaconic acid or itaconic anhydride, e.g. an ethyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate/itaconic acid copolymer, and containing free itaconic acid, half ester or anhydride which is directly adherent to light-sensitive photographic emulsions.

Abstract: In a gas analysis method and apparatus especially suitable for controlling the inlet air to fuel ratio of a lean-running internal combustion engine, combustion effluent gas is divided into a plurality of part streams, there is added to a first part stream whichever of a combustible and a combustion-supporting constituent it is deficient in, combustion is effected and the temperature difference between the streams is measured. Preferably the temperature difference is measured by reference to the magnitude of the electric current required to heat an untreated part stream to the temperature of a part stream heated by combustion due to the added constituent. Preferably the temperature sensor used acts as a catalyst for the combustion and as a heating element, so that combustion takes place only in the vicinity thereof. Gas flow through the apparatus is preferably effected by a constant vacuum engine intake.

Abstract: A diaphragm or membrane suitable for cladding a cathode box for use in an electrolytic cell and comprising a plurality of foraminate cathodes of the pocket type, the diaphragm or membrane comprising a sleeve portion and a plurality of tabs on both edges of the sleeve portion, and preferably two tabs on both edges of the sleeve portion, the dimensions of the sleeve portion being such that, when the diaphragm is positioned in a pocket of the cathode box, the edges of the sleeve portion and the tabs thereon project beyond the extremities of the pocket so that they may be joined to the tabs and sleeve portions of diaphragms or membranes in adjacent pockets of the cathode box.

Abstract: A catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of highly unsaturated hydrocarbons, e.g. acetylene, in the presence of less unsaturated hydrocarbons, e.g. ethylene, comprises palladium supported on a calcined refractory material comprising a calcium aluminate cement having a Ca:Al ratio of 1:4 to 1:10, the average depth of penetration of the palladium into the catalyst pieces being less than 300 .mu.m.

Abstract: A component of a polymerization catalyst is prepared by reacting an organomagnesium halide with a solid, inorganic oxide, then reacting the product with a Lewis Base compound, particularly an ester and finally with titanium tetrachloride. After reacting the organo-magnesium halide with the inorganic oxide it may be treated with a halogenating agent before it is reacted with the Lewis Base compound. The product obtained is combined with an organo-aluminium compound preferably together with a Lewis Base and used to polymerize an olefin monomer particularly propylene or mixtures of ethylene and a 1-olefine containing at least 4 carbon atoms. The catalyst system has a high activity, is stereospecific and has a lower proportion of halogen than some other catalyst systems.

Abstract: Heat-bondable laminates of polyester (2) bonded to one surface of a metal (aluminium) foil (3) the other surface of which is bonded to a polyolefin heat-bondable layer (4). Laminates of this type are used to make food containers (1) to replace metal cans which are sterilized at 125.degree. C. The heat-bondable layer used hitherto has been high density polyethylene which has a melting point too close to 125.degree. C. and gives only barely adequate tear strength and impact resistance. The laminates of this invention use instead of the polyethylene, a sequential copolymer of propylene with 12 to 30% by weight ethylene and containers made from them achieve better tear strengths and impact resistances and can be sterilized at temperatures as high as 140.degree. C.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle capable of being automatously guided towards a predetermined destination by the geometrical computation of light signals received by at least two on-board detectors which relate the direction of each signal received to the axis of the vehicle. Useful in restricted areas such as automatic warehouses and loading bays.

Abstract: Articles are blow molded from thermoplastic polymeric materials containing high proportions of fillers such as glass fibres. The method comprises extruding the filled polymeric material through a die having a mandrel for constraining the material into a tubular shape, coextruding between the die and the outer surface of the material, a liquid having a freezing temperature lower than that of the material, cooling the liquid and the outer surface of the material during their passage through the die to a temperature below the freezing temperature of the material but above the freezing temperature of the liquid while maintaining the inner surface of the material molten, squeezing the extrudate at suitable intervals to fuse the molten inner surface together and thereby seal discrete lengths, and inflating the sealed lengths to conform to a surrounding mold to produce a shaped article. Lamina shapes may be foam-filled to give stiff panels.

Abstract: A resilient, thermally bonded, non-woven fibrous batt having a uniform compression modulus in one plane which is more than the compression modulus measured in a direction perpendicular to that plane, and a substantially uniform density across its thickness is obtained by preparing a batt comprising at least 20% by weight of crimped and/or crimpable conjugate fibres having or capable of developing a crimp frequency of less than 10 crimps per extended cm. and a decitex in the range of 5 to 30. The batt is thermally bonded by subjecting it to an upward flow of a fluid heated to a temperature sufficient to heat the batt to a temperature in excess of the softening temperature of the low softening component but below the softening temperature(s) of the other component(s) of the conjugate fibre to effect inter-fibre bonding. The thermally bonded batt is then cooled by an upward flow of cool air.