Abstract: A novel glycol and silicate-based surfactant composition is prepared by (a) obtaining a silicate-based component by a selective process involving (i) reaction of silicon tetrahalide with water and alcohol followed by (ii) transesterification with a polyether alcohol, and (b) subsequently combining the silicate-based component with glycols and/or polyglycol ethers. The resulting surfactant composition is utilized as a stabilizer in the production of polyurethane foam.

Abstract: An alloy system is disclosed which is particularly useful for heat exchanger and water tubing applications. This alloy system utilizes additions of zinc, nickel and iron to a copper base. Cobalt and manganese may also be added to the alloy and such elements as arsenic, antimony and phosphorus may be added as parting inhibitors to the system.

Abstract: Asbestos diaphragms in commercial cells for the electrolysis of brines are treated with a dispersion of an alkaline earth metal-containing silicate. Deposition of the dispersion within the diaphragm results in a decrease in hydrogen concentration in chlorine gas produced as well as an increase in current efficiency.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell having auxiliary circuit means for applying a cathodic protection current to cathode and exposed metal parts to help prevent corrosion thereof during cell shut-down.

Abstract: An alloy system is disclosed which is particularly useful for heat exchanger and potable water tubing applications. This alloy system utilizes additions of nickel, tin and manganese in a copper base with the optional addition of aluminum. Such elements as arsenic, antimony and phosphorus may be added as parting inhibitors to this system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for sealing the inlet and outlet of a continuous strip furnace so as to minimize oxygen infiltration into the furnace, prevent heat loss from the furnace and to make the seals readily accessible for repair and replacement.

Abstract: A method for hydrolyzing urea in aqueous solutions such as waste-water streams which comprises heating the aqueous solution containing urea in the presence of a catalytic amount of vanadium pentoxide for sufficient time and at sufficient temperatures to effect hydrolysis of substantially all of the urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A diaphragm for use in the electrolysis of alkali metal chloride solutions in electrolytic diaphragm cells is comprised of a mixture of an electrically non-conducting, non-swelling support material impregnated with a mixture of sand and a synthetic thermoplastic polymeric binding agent. The diaphragms may include a lubricant, a wetting agent or an additive such as alumina, inorganic phosphates, lithium salts, lime, magnesia or inorganic magnesium salts. The diaphragms of the present invention have increased chemical and dimensional stability, a long operational life and are non-polluting.

Abstract: A diaphragm for use in the electrolysis of alkali metal chloride solutions in electrolytic diaphragm cells is comprised of a mixture of sand and a polyolefin thermoplastic polymeric binding agent. The diaphragms may include a support material and an additive such as a lubricant. The diaphragms of the present invention have increased stability, a long operational life and are non-polluting.

Abstract: A diaphragm for use in the electrolysis of alkali metal chloride solutions in electrolytic diaphragm cells is comprised of a mixture of sand and a thermoplastic polymeric binding agent comprised of a mixture of a polyarylene sulfide and a polyolefin compound. The diaphragms may include a support material and an additive such as a lubricant. The diaphragms of the present invention have increased stability, a long operational life and are non-polluting.

Abstract: A method and composition are described for the decomposition of sodium-mercury amalgam in a reactor containing solid packing particles to form hydrogen, sodium hydroxide, and denuded mercury. The novel packing particles are comprised of a heterogeneous solid mixture of a matrix of a thermally stable polymer having embedded therein discrete particles of a surface active composition. Suitable thermally stable polymers include polyphenylene sulfide and suitable surface active compositions include carbon, iron, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, and molybdenum. The proportion of polymer in the packing generally ranges from about 20 to about 80 percent by volume. Preferably, the matrix is prepared in porous form which may also be coated with a surface active metal.

Abstract: A solar energy collector system including at least one heat exchange panel posessing a system of internal tubular passageways defining opposed headers connected by connecting portions of said passageways extending therebetween, said passageways including entry and exit portions extending from opposing ends of said headers to provide ingress and egress openings for a heat exchange medium. The panels include at least one internal, second passageway adjacent and in juxtaposition to said internal tubular passageways but spaced therefrom and independent therefrom.

Abstract: Compounds containing peroxy linkages connecting similar polyol ester constituents are described. These peroxy di-ester polyols are prepared by the direct esterification of peroxy diacids with polyols, in the presence of a strong mineral acid catalyst. The peroxy di-ester polyol products function as free radical initiators and grafting bases in the graft copolymerization of unsaturated monomers with polyols. These graft copolymers are useful in the formulation of polyurethanes.

Abstract: A diaphragm for use in the electrolysis of alkali metal chloride brines in electrolytic diaphragm cells is comprised of a support fabric impregnated with a non-fibrilic active component containing silica. The support fabric has a non-continuous coating of an electroconductive metal on one side of the fabric. Suitable electroconductive metals include nickel, nickel alloys, gold, gold alloys, platinum group metals, platinum group metal alloys, and mixtures thereof.The diaphragms are physically and chemically stable, provide reduced cell voltages during operation of the cell and have increased operational life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the overvoltage of a gas producing electrode of a chlor-alkali diaphragm cell is disclosed. The method includes positioning an exposed metal tip of a reference electrode from about 0.2 to about 1.0 mm away from the gas producing electrode within a stream of gas produced by the gas producing electrode. The apparatus includes the reference electrode so positioned. Platinized platinum wire and a RuO.sub.2 --TiO.sub.2 coated Ti wire are preferred as the reference electrodes for cathode and anode, respectively.

Abstract: Polychloroisocyanurate products are produced in a continuous process which reacts a cyanuric acid component with a chlorinating agent in a reaction mixture to which a purge gas is fed to remove in an effluent gas, any nitrogen trichloride produced along with other by-products. The effluent gas is fed to a gas analyzer such as a gas chromatograph which determines the concentration of NCl.sub.3 present and compares it with a predetermined upper limit. If this upper limit is equalled or exceeded, the gas analyzer activates means to flood the reaction mixture with purge gas to prevent explosive amounts of nitrogen trichloride from being present in the reaction mixture. The gas analyzer may also control the feed rate of the cyanuric acid component and the chlorinating agent.The pH of the reaction mixture is also continuously measured in a pH analyzer having means to control the flow rate of the purge gas and reactants should the predetermined pH limits for the reaction be attained or exceeded.

Abstract: A highly conductive and corrosion resistant low hydrogen overvoltage cathode. The cathode comprises a copper substrate plated with an alloy of nickel and molybdenum.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system which employs an asymmetric gas such as ammonia in an enclosed gas space between a black-coated solar energy absorber plate and the ambient atmosphere is described. The asymmetric gas allows solar radiation to be transmitted to the absorber plate where the radiation is converted into thermal energy. However, the asymmetric gas prevents re-radiation of infrared thermal radiation into the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for casting metals wherein the molten metal is contained and formed into a desired shape by the application of an electromagnetic field. A control system is utilized to minimize variations in the gap between the molten metal and an inductor which applies the magnetic field. The gap or an electrical parameter related thereto is sensed and used to control the current to the inductor.