Abstract: In a process for the production of unsaturated hydrocarbons comprising catalytic conversion of a feed gas comprising carbon oxides and hydrogen, the improvement which comprises carrying out said conversion at a temperature of 250.degree. to 350.degree. C. and under a pressure of 10 to 30 bars, said catalyst comprising at least one difficultly reducible oxide of the transition metals of Groups V and/or VII of the Periodic Table combined with at least one metal of Group 8 of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is positioned within a hollow body such as a pipe for detecting possible flaws in the body wall. The probe is designed for rotational and longitudinal movement in said pipe and includes an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver mounted eccentrically within a liquid filled chamber of the probe, so that transmitted impulses strike the inner wall of the pipe at such an angle that the angle of refraction of the sound wave in the material of the wall is always less than 90.degree..

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a magnesium-containing supported catalyst for the polymerization and copolymerization of .alpha.-olefins. The magnesium is bound via oxygen to a porous metal oxide; e.g. silicon dioxide and/or aluminum oxide, and has alkoxy groups. This solid is reacted with a transition metal compound and one or more organometallic compounds of Groups I to III of the Periodic Table are added.

Abstract: A process for preparing pulverulent ethylene homopolymers or copolymers with a grain size of less than 200 .mu.m which comprises contacting coarse-particled ethylene homopolymers or copolymers in the form of a suspension with an aliphatic ketone containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms, heating the same with a mixture of said ketone up to a temperature above the softening point of the polymer and thereafter cooling the same.

Abstract: A polyol composition comprising a solid polyol which is crystalline under normal conditions and, as an anti-caking agent therefor, a tertiary amine containing at least two identical organic substituents, each having two to twenty carbon atoms. A method of preventing caking of polyols is disclosed wherein to such polyols there is added at least one of such tertiary amines, preferably in a concentration of 0.05 to 0.25 percent by weight based on the weight of the polyol.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by endothermal partial oxidization of an organic compound with steam and/or carbon dioxide is disclosed wherein at least a portion of the heat required for the partial oxidation is obtained by direct heat exchange with products obtained from the gasification of a carbonaceous ash-forming fuel with oxygen in the presence of steam.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of a supported catalyst for the preparation of polyolefins which have a component A and a component B, wherein component A consists essentially of a reaction product ofa compound of a first metal of sub groups IV to VI of the Periodic Table of the Elements with an organic compound of a second metal of main groups I to III of the Periodic Table of the Elements, said reaction being carried out at a temperature of from -60.degree. C. to +40.degree. C., andan inorganic carrier,component B being an organo metallic compound,the improvement comprising suspending the carrier in an agent which is oxygen, sulfur, and moisture free, simultaneously and separately adding to the carrier and the agent the compounds of the first and second metals in liquid or dissolved form, excluding oxygen and moisture from the reaction, and maintaining a molar ratio of the compound of the first metal to the compound of the second metal of 1:3 to 3:1.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for periodically sluicing residues which are produced when gasifying ash-containing fuels with oxygen or an oxygen-containing composition under a pressure of 10 to 200 bars wherein ash is granulated in a water bath connected to a gasification chamber, suspended in water and passed into a non-pressurized collecting vessel provided with a conveyor is described. The improvement comprises:a. discharging the residue from said water bath which is maintained in fluid communication with said gasification chamber via a lock vessel, said lock vessel being connected to a surge tank which contains water so that the lock vessel remains constantly filled with water;b. equalizing the pressure between said lock vessel and said gasification chamber including said water bath by opening a connection to a process water feed line for said water bath and admitting water therein;c.

Abstract: A method for the production of ethanol or propanol comprising the reaction of methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst contains a cobalt compound, a ruthenium compound, iodine or an iodide, and a bi-dentate organic phosphine or phosphite. The reaction is carried out at 150.degree. to 250.degree. C., 200 to 600 bars, and in the presence of 5 to 25% by weight of water, based on the methanol.

Abstract: The conventional process for the preparation of unsaturated hydrocarbons comprises catalytic hydrogenation of carbon oxides at 220.degree. to 500.degree. C. and pressures of up to 30 bars. It has been found that, by carrying out the foregoing reaction in the presence of at least one low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol, the yield of olefins and the catalyst life are substantially and surprisingly improved.

Abstract: Aldehydes having 3 to 14 carbon atoms are stabilized against polymerization and autocondensation by the addition thereto of triethanolamine or dimethylethanolamine in an amount at least 10 ppm (based on the amount of aldehyde) and preferably 20 to 100 ppm.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol is disclosed wherein hydrogen peroxide and 2,3-dimethylbutene are reacted with formic acid at 50.degree. to 70.degree. C. while stirring, the 2,3-dimethylbutene and hydrogen peroxide being introduced into the formic acid simultaneously but separately. The diol can be obtained by hydrolysis of the pinacol monoformate formed.

Abstract: An improved process for de-cobaltizing the primary product of an oxo synthesis is disclosed wherein the primary product is contacted with steam introduced into a vessel to which the primary oxo product is introduced but initially maintained in out of contact relationship to such product by a cooling medium whereby heat transfer from the steam to the primary product is initially avoided. The primary product and steam are fed to a cylindrical reactor having a conical base, and after the steam has risen 1/2 to 2/3 of the height of the conical base it comes in contact with the primary product whose liquid level height in the vessel is maintained at one to two times the vessel's diameter. An apparatus for performing such process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for the measurement of temperatures in a reactor such as those operated under high pressure and/or temperature is disclosed. The temperature is measured by the use of a pyrometer which is in optical communication with a measuring duct which can be disposed in the wall of the reactor and is in optical communication with the reactor interior. The measuring duct comprises two concentric tubes the outer one of which extends beyond the inner tube in the direction of the reactor interior and has a conical construction immediately following the termination of the inner tube. The concentric tubes are provided with a common end section such as in the form of a cone in the direction of the reactor exterior. A hermetic housing defining a safety chamber is disposed exterior thereof, the hermetic housing having two opposed pressure type and heat resistant windows in alignment with the inner tube and the pyrometer. The hermetic housing is not normally permanently attached to the measuring duct.

Abstract: A new catalyst for the homo- and copolymerization of .alpha.-olefins by a Ziegler type catalysis is described, the catalyst being prepared by reaction of a titanium (IV) compound with a carrier substance in the presence of a solution of at least about 0.1 weight percent of an atactic poly-.alpha.-olefin followed by reduction of the reaction product with an organoaluminum compound in an inert inorganic solvent and activation with an organoaluminum compound. The novel catalyst is useful in the preparation of extremely high molecular weight polyolefins of fine grained structures.

Abstract: A process is described for the polymerization of ethylene or copolymerization of ethylene with a C.sub.3 to C.sub.15 alpha olefin in solution, suspension or in the gas phase at 20.degree. to 250.degree. C. and 1 to 100 bars in the presence of a mixed catalyst comprising a separately produced halogen-containing titanium(III) compound and an organoaluminum compound while controlling the molecular weight with oxygen, wherein a mixture of organoaluminum compounds is employed comprising a halogen-containing aluminum alkyl and a trialkyl aluminum compound in a molar ratio of 1:0.05 to 1:20, the combined amount of organoaluminum compounds being present in an amount of 0.01 to 20 moles per one mole of halogen-containing Ti(III) compound.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for periodically sluicing residues which are produced when gasifying ash-containing fuels with oxygen or an oxygen-containing composition under a pressure of 10 to 200 bars wherein ash is granulated in a water bath connected to a gasification chamber, suspended in water and passed into a non-pressurized collecting vessel provided with a conveyor is described. The improvement comprises:a. discharging the residue from said water bath which is maintained in fluid communication with said gasification chamber via a lock vessel, said lock vessel being connected to a surge tank which contains water so that the lock vessel remains constantly filled with water;b. equalizing the pressure between said lock vessel and said gasification chamber including said water bath by opening a connection to a process water feed line for said water bath and admitting water therein;c.

Abstract: An improvement in a radiation boiler for cooling a gas stream containing solid and molten particles wherein gas is introduced vertically via a gas feed at the top of a radiation boiler having a cooled gas outlet and a water bath disposed at the bottom thereof for removing the particles after they have been solidified and cooled. Between the gas feed and the water bath are disposed at least two concentrically arranged cylindrical tubular heat exchange elements vertically disposed in the boiler and forming at least one annular passage therebetween. The passage through the innermost heat exchange element is in fluid flow registry and fluid flow communication with the gas feed.

Abstract: A methanation catalyst comprising cobalt, nickel and magnesium, disposed on a carrier; a process for its preparation and use of the catalyst for methanation.

Abstract: In a process for the production of ethanol and n-propanol by conversion of methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst containing cobalt, platinum, at least one halogen or halide, and an organic phosphine or phosphite, the improvement comprising the halogen or halide being chlorine or a chloride, and the phosphine or phosphite being bidentate. In addition, the conversion is carried out at pressures of 200 to 800 bars in the presence of 5 to 25% by weight of water, based on the methanol.