Abstract: Granules of magnesium salts are obtained by spraying onto agitated feed particles of the salt a small amount of a dilute aqueous solution of a synthetic poly hydroxy-substituted compound, such as polyvinylalcohol, and drying the resultant agglomerate. It is especially suitable to carry out the granulation process in a warm air fluidized bed using feed particles of mainly below 200 microns producing eventually a low bulk density product mainly in the range 200-100 microns. The granular salts have a particle size of from 0.15 to 1.0 mm and a free-flowing bulk density of from 0.3 to 0.6 kg/l.

Abstract: Sulphophenyl esters can be made amongst other routes by reacting an acyl halide with a phenol sulphonate salt, but it has been suggested in the prior art that there are substantial problems or disadvantages associated with carrying out the reaction in the presence of an organic solvent such as gelation of the reaction medium or excessive reaction times.In the present invention, the process employs as organic solvent high boiling point primarily aliphatic hydrocarbons which forms with linear acyl halide a reaction medium in which products of high and/or improved purity and/or yield are obtainable without gelation and in reasonable reaction periods, especially between C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 linear acyl chlorides and sodium phenol sulphonate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous alkaline bleach compositions containing hydrogen peroxide. Under alkaline conditions, it is particularly difficult to prevent the hydrogen peroxide decomposing excessively rapidly during storage, but the addition of an alkaline additive minimizes any change in the pH of washing solutions obtained by dissolution of generally bleach free washing compositions containing anionic surfactants. Hydrogen peroxide-containing aqueous alkaline bleach having acceptable peroxide stability can be obtained by employing ethanol or isopropanol in conjunction with a phosphonate, especially ethylene (diamino tetramethylene phosphonate,) particularly with a polyhydroxy carboxylate, preferably gluconate, or an amino acetate. The liquid bleach can contain a small proportion of a surfactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preferential precipitation of cobalt from aqueous acidic sulphate solutions of nickel and cobalt.The separation is carried out by introducing at least a stoichiometric amount of Caro's Acid containing no more than a small amount of hydrogen peroxide into the nickel/cobalt solution progressively over a period of at least an hour, while maintaining the solution of a pH from 3.1 or 3.5 up to 4.7 by addition of an alkali metal hydroxide carbonate or bicarbonate, or at 4.3 to 4.7 with the corresponding ammonium compound, and, thereafter separating the precipitate from the aqueous cobalt depleted solution.

Abstract: Strontium-modified aluminium alloys may be produced by using strontium peroxide as the source of strontium. The strontium peroxide may be mixed with molten aluminium or molten aluminium alloy in a quantity sufficient to give the desired strontium metal content in the alloy being produced. The temperature of the molten aluminium or aluminium alloy with which the strontium peroxide is mixed is preferably at least 1000.degree. C.The strontium peroxide alloys produced may be master alloys for use in the production of casting alloys, or may be casting alloys. Strontium acts as a grain refiner in such alloys.

Abstract: In a process according to the present invention pre-reduced lateritic ores containing iron and nickel are leached with an aqueous sulphuric acid leach liquor containing or into which is introduced in the presence of the ore a peroxidant selected from hydrogen peroxide and peroxymonosulphuric acid. By so doing, the liquor is obtained with a lower concentration of iron than if the peroxidant had not been employed.In preferred embodiments the leaching is carried out at from 40.degree. to 70.degree. C. for a period of 1 to 5 hours; when hydrogen peroxide is used, it is preferably introduced continuously or progressively throughout the reaction period and when peroxymonosulphuric acid is used it is preferably introduced initially. The acidity of the liquor can be reduced at the end of the reaction to pH3 to 4 to further lower the content of iron in solution.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of cast urethane rubbers by the reaction together of a diisocyanate, a polyol and a chain extender wherein the urethane is prepared by reacting together an isocyanate-rich quasi-prepolymer and an hydroxyl-rich prepolymer. The said quasi-prepolymer is formed by reacting all of the di-isocyanate with a part of the polyol and the said hydroxyl-rich prepolymer is formed by reacting all of the chain extender, the remaining part of the polyol and a part of the said quasi-prepolymer. The cast urethane rubbers find use in demanding applications like solid tires.