Abstract: A process for the manufacture of alkylacetophenones wherein (1) benzene is acylated, (2) the alkylaryl ketone thus obtained is hydrogenated catalytically, and (3) the alkylbenzene thus obtained is acetylated, in only one solvent chosen from among chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms and 2 or 3 chlorine atoms per molecule, and their mixtures.

Abstract: A coating composition for application to an electrically conductive and relatively inert support at least the surface layer of which is titanium or a titanium alloy, to form a coated electrode for electrochemical processes, the composition essentially containing thermally decomposable compounds of iridium and of at least one non noble element selected from the group consisting of lithium, boron, beryllium, magnesium, gallium and germanium, in a liquid vehicle, the atomic ratio of iridium/non noble element being between 1/4 and 8/1. An electrode provided with a coating of this composition exhibits, inter alia, increased service life.

Abstract: In the manufacture of oriented hollow articles made of thermoplastic material by the steps of extruding a continuous hot tubular parison of thermoplastic material; pre-blowing such parison in a pre-blowing mold to produce preforms having a cylindrical body with a diameter not more than 20% greater than that of the parison; thermally conditioning the resulting preforms at a temperature sufficient to cause orientation of the thermoplastic material when it is being stretched; and effecting a final blow-molding of the thermally conditioned preforms, the mechanical properties of the resulting articles in the vicinity of their base are improved by carrying out the pre-blowing step while holding each parison tightly between two half-molds defining a cavity which has the shape, at the location of the base of the preform, of a quarter sphere of diameter equal to that of the preform, and cutting off the resulting flash by means on an elongated blade having a semicircular cross section and a diameter corresponding to th

Abstract: Process for preventing build-up in the reactors used in the free radical polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and more particularly of vinyl chloride, in which the reactor walls are subjected to heat treatment before the reactors are charged in preparation for the polymerization process.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in electrolytic cells with vertical metal anode plates, such as diaphragm cells for the electrolysis of a brine. The cell according to the invention comprises a baseplate with slots passing therethrough and anode plates which pass through the slots in the baseplate and which are connected to a current lead-in disposed beneath the baseplate. Sealing joints are interposed between the anode plates and the faces of the slots and are supported by the current lead-in.

Abstract: A continuous fibrillated structure, formed by the abrupt pressure release of a two-phase liquid mixture of polymer and solvent at elevated temperature and pressure so as to cause the instantaneous vaporization of the solvent, is shredded by introducing a make-up fluid into the two-phase liquid mixture before the pressure release is complete.

Abstract: Process for the fabrication of boric acid by carboammoniac attack of a borate mineral, involving subjecting a borosodium ore, in its natural state or previously refined, and in a finely ground condition, to a treatment in an aqueous medium with carbonic anhydride and ammonia in a manner to precipitate sodium bicarbonate which is separated. The remaining mother liquor is cooled to obtain crystals of ammonium borate which are separated, redissolved, the obtained solution being decomposed by thermal means in order to form ammonia which is recycled to the ore treatment and a boric acid solution from which the acid is separated by crystallization. This process permits obtaining two valuable products: NaHCO.sub.3 and H.sub.3 BO.sub.3. When the ore is preliminarily refined, more effective utilization can be made of the ammonia.

Abstract: Halogenated polyether-polyols lacking terminal primary chlorohydrin and hydroxyl groups are reacted with organic isocyanates to produce semi-rigid or rigid polyurethane foam having excellent physical, mechanical and processing characteristics and good fire-resistance. The polyether-polyols are used individually, as admixtures with each other and/or as admixtures with non-halogenated polyether-polyols.

Abstract: Vertically stacked electrolytic cells are fluid-tightly separated from one another by separator and collector means generally horizontally disposed between superposed cells. Each of the cells has side walls and generally vertical and parallel spaced cathodes supported by the side walls, with generally vertical and parallel anode plates alternating with the cathodes. A current collector between the superposed cells is connected to lower ends of anode plates in the upper cell and to upper ends of anode plates in the lower cell so as to feed electric current to anode plates of both cells.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell having a base or bottom wall on which are supported sidewalls enclosing the anodes and cathodes within. A seal is constructed between the sidewalls and bottom wall and on which the sidewalls rest. The seal is constructed as a framework of flat bars of rectangular cross section made of rigid material encased in an envelope made of a resilient material having a U-shaped cross section. The envelope is closed on a portion facing into the interior of the cell and its two side legs are held between the framework and the sidewalls and between the sidewalls and the bottom wall respectively.

Abstract: A process is provided for the manufacture of fibrils of short length by suddenly releasing the pressure acting on a two-phase liquid mixture of molten polymer and solvent and which is at a high pressure and a high temperature. The two-phase liquid mixture is ejected through a pressure release orifice so as to vaporize the solvent instantaneously and solidify the polymer, and the flow path of the two-phase liquid mixture is perturbed at the instant when it enters the pressure release orifice.Spinnerets are provided which have a perturbation chamber containing a supply orifice and a pressure release orifice.

Abstract: The production of oriented hollow plastic articles having no weakened zone particularly in their bottom is ensured by blow molding of preforms having a base sealed along a straight line of length practically the same as half the perimeter of their cylindrical lateral part and gradually by changing from the cylindrical shape to the rectilinear shape in the region of the base so that the perimeter remains practically constant throughout all cross-sections.

Abstract: Granules of ammonium or alkali metal poly-.alpha.-hydroxyacrylates having an apparent specific gravity of between 0.35 and 0.55 kg/dm.sup.3 and an ability to flow, expressed by the time taken for a weight of 250 g to flow through the 16 mm diameter orifice of an analysis funnel with a short stem, not exceeding 10 seconds are disclosed. The granules are prepared by agglomerating solid particles of small dimensions by spraying them in a fluid bed with a solution of poly-.alpha.-hydroxyacrylate.

Abstract: Equipment for heating polar polymers to the temperature at which they become plastic comprises a microwave generator, a tubular component acting as a waveguide in conjunction with the generator, means for supplying the tubular component with the polar polymer and for causing the latter to travel through the tubular component and at least one static malaxating device positioned inside the tubular component.

Abstract: A process is provided for purifying vinylidene chloride by removing dichloroacetylene. The vinylidene chloride to be purified is treated with a solution containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of metal sulfites and metal hyposulfites to form a reaction mixture, and thereafter the purified vinylidene chloride is separated from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Novel granules containing sodium chlorite have an apparent specific weight between 1.3 and 1.45 kg/dm.sup.3 and are prepared from an aqueous medium containing sodium chlorite, by the steps of passing the medium into a fluidized bed drier for evaporting water from the medium, and maintaining in the drier a constant presence of seeds smaller than the required granules.

Abstract: Phosphorus-containing halogenated unsaturated polyester compositions are prepared by heat treating halogenated unsaturated polyesters derived from at least one epihalohydrin and maleic anhydride. The heat treatment is carried out in the presence of an organic phosphite at a temperature of between 50.degree. and 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is provided for the manufacture of salts of poly-alpha-hydroxyacrylic acids, which salts contain monomeric units of the formula ##EQU1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms and wherein M represents a cationic radical resulting from the dissociation of a base. A solid polylactone derived from the corresponding poly-alpha-hydroxyacrylic acid is reacted with the base in the presence of water and the reaction is carried out in a liquid medium containing a diluent so that the polyacetone and the salt produced do not dissolve in the medium.

Abstract: Photodegradable compositions based on vinyl chloride polymers containing a ferrocene and an .alpha.-phenylindole as sensitizers to accelerate natural photodegradation and their use in the production of hollow bodies. Said compositions undergo photodegradation appreciably more quickly than known compositions based on vinyl chloride polymers containing solely a ferrocene.

Abstract: This invention relates to the polymerization and copolymerization of .alpha.-olefins and to catalysts and cocatalysts for that purpose wherein the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising an organometallic compound and the cocatalyst reaction product of a halogenated transition metal compound and an organic compound of a divalent metal containing oxygen and nitrogen and being substantially free from hydroxyl groups attached to the divalent metal.