Abstract: A process for preparing pigmented PVdF-based powder coating products is disclosed, which comprises the steps of (i) mixing PVdF resin with a compatible thermoplastic resin, preferably PMMA in a weight ratio of about 80:20 to 40:60, with pigments, and with a small amount of flow promoter, (ii) pelletizing the mixture of (i), and (iii) cryogenically grinding the pellets and sieving the large particles. Also disclosed is a process for coating a substrate, comprising the steps of (a) applying the above prepared powder coating product on a substrate, and (b) subjecting to a heat treatment.

Abstract: A paint composition comprising a film-forming polymer, and at least one sparingly soluble metalliferous pigment, and wherein said polymer comprises (A) from 20 to 45 wt. % of monomer units of at least one triorganotin salt of an olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid; (B) from 5 to 35 wt. % of at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of VP (vinylpyrrolidone), VPi (vinylpiperidone) and VC (vinylcaprolactam), and wherein the total of A+B amounts to from about 40 to about 70 wt. % of the polymer composition; and (C) the balance of said polymer being monomer units of at least one C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl methacrylate, styrene and mixtures of said methacrylate and styrene.

Abstract: A process for the decomposition of a halogenated organic compound which comprises contacting the compound with a polyglycol and an alkali or alkaline-earth hydride, optionally in the presence of an alkali salt, at a temperature which does not exceed 100.degree. C., and under an atomosphere having a reduced oxygen content.The process is particularly useful for the decontamination of industrial oils containing chlorinated biphenyls because the treated oil is not degraded during the decontamination process.

Abstract: A catalytic treatment process is disclosed, which is carried out under pressure, in the presence of water, and with a molecular sieve catalyst which is TEA-silicate or silicalite previously stabilized by halogenation. This process may be applied to the aromatization or to the isomerization of hydrocarbon feedstocks, and to the oligomerization of olefins. The conversion rate of the process is very stable as a function of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an autoreplicative plasmid containing DNA which encodes herbicide resistance, such that the plasmid is capable of transforming a yeast cell to become resistant to one or more organic herbicide growth inhibitors. Also disclosed is a process for the selective culture of yeasts transformed by the plasmid.

Abstract: A process for removing the basic nitrogen compounds from gas oils comprises treating the gas oils with a homogeneous solvent mixture comprising a diluted aqueous acid solution and an alcohol having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, the volume ratio of alcohol to diluted aqueous acid solution being between 90/10 and 10/90, the volume ratio of solvent mixture to gas oils being between 0.5 and 5.

Abstract: The decomposition of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), is carried out under an inert atmosphere using a reagent comprising a polyglycol partially neutralized with sodium, and a weakly basic compound.

Abstract: A process for removing sorbed lubricating oil additives from siliceous filter material is provided. The process comprises forming a slurry of the additive-laden siliceous filter material and an aromatic solvent. Water is added to the slurry prior to separating the siliceous filter material from the slurry. The recovered filter material is substantially additive-free. The lubricating oil additives may be optionally recovered from the aromatic solvent by appropriate means such as distillation.

Abstract: Disclosed are self-extinguishing polystyrenic compositions with improved thermal stability properties, comprising a styrenic resin and a fire-retardant agent which can either comprise solely a brominated pentaerythritol having at least one free-OH group or such a compound in combination with a peroxide.

Abstract: Soils are consolidated with formation of a top layer having compressive strength by treating soil particles with cement, alkali silicate and a dialdehyde, at ambient temperature.

Abstract: Vectors are disclosed for cloning any foreign DNA in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, which vectors comprise a restriction site bank containing a large number of unique restriction sites. The disclosed vectors permit the cloning of large DNA fragments and complete genes without the risk of unwanted DNA cleavage by restriction enzymes. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the aforementioned vectors and processes using the vectors for the cloning of DNA, for the production of polypeptides, and the like.

Abstract: A method for reducing oil slick on seawater comprising applying to the oil slick a dispersing compositions containing at least one surface-active agent, at least one solvent, and a nitrogen-containing compound which is a nutrient for the micro-organisms which are active in oil metabolism. The nitrogen-containing compound is a monoalkylguanidinium salt ##STR1## wherein R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, saturated or unsaturated, containing from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen or an acid anion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing carbonyl sulfide from a liquid olefinic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising (a) passing said hydrocarbon feedstock over an absorbent material comprising zinc oxide and a promoter selected from the group consisting of alumina, silico-aluminas and any combination thereof; and (b) recovering a liquid olefinic hydrocarbon stream having a substantially reduced carbonyl sulfide content.

Abstract: A process for the isomerization of n-butenes, comprising contacting, at elevated temperatures, a feed containing n-butenes with a catalyst comprising a crystalline silica polymorph of the silicalite type in the presence of stream to recover a steam containing isobutene. The reaction can be carried out in either liquid or vapor phase.

Abstract: A process for producing isobutene, comprising contacting, at elevated temperatures, a feed containing propylene with a catalyst comprising a crystalline silica polymorph of the silicalite type in the presence of steam to recover a stream containing isobutene. The reaction can be carried out in either liquid or vapor phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the total amount of organic carbon in a sample comprising the successive steps of: (a) heating the sample in an inert atmosphere to a first temperature capable of cracking at least a fraction of the organic material contained in the sample; (b) measuring the amount of organic carbon contained in at least a fraction of the effluent resulting from this cracking; (c) heating the sample in an oxidizing atmosphere to a second temperature at most equal to the first temperature; (d) measuring the amount of organic carbon in the effluent produced by the oxidation of the organic material, and (e) deriving from the above measurements the total organic carbon content of the sample. In order to perform the method of the invention, there is also provided means for performing each of the successive steps. In a further refinement, the method also includes steps for determining the mineral carbon content so that the total carbon content of the sample can be determined.

Abstract: Compositions for treating oil slicks on seawater said dispersing compositions containing at least one surface-active agent, at least one solvent, and a nitrogen-containing compound which is a nutrient for the micro-organisms which are active in oil metabolism. The nitrogen-containing compound is a monoalkylguanidinium salt ##STR1## wherein R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, saturated or unsaturated, containing from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen or an acid anion.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing compost and composting compositions having a high nitrogen content and being particularly advantageous for use as fertilizers, said process utilizing petroleum sludge and an organic biomass which preferably contains wood industry residue and organic waste products.

Abstract: Stable diesel fuel emulsions of the water-in-oil type comprising from about 97 to about 90 volume percent of a mixture of a major amount of usual diesel fuel and a minor amount of at least about 5 volume percent of an aqueous solution of methanol, ethanol or a mixture thereof, and from about 3 to about 10 volume percent of an emulsifying blend of sorbitan monooleate and a water soluble, ethoxylated, non-ionic surfactant; and a process for producing such stable emulsions comprising adding while stirring the aqueous alcohol solution to a mixture of diesel fuel and emulsifying blend.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for rapid on-site analysis of a water-borne oil-slick, which system utilizes a combination of devices designed to permit on-site determination of the water content and specific gravity of the oil/water mixture, and the initial boiling point of the water-free oil.