Abstract: A method for increasing the evaporation rate of an evaporative pond comprising a pond liquor comprising water and at least 1% by weight of sodium carbonate, said evaporative pond being in contact with an ambient air at an ambient air temperature of more than 0° C., the method comprising the following steps: feeding part of the pond liquor to a heat exchanger; heating the pond liquor in the heat exchanger with heat and producing a heated pond liquor; feeding the heated pond liquor into a spraying device at a temperature called hereafter ‘operating temperature’ of at least 10° C. above the ambient air temperature; and spraying the heated pond liquor into an open area of the evaporative pond with the spraying device, so as to evaporate at least part of the water of the pond liquor when sprayed.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least one vinylidene fluoride (VDF) polymer [polymer (F)]; and inorganic particles at least partially coated with at least one perfluoropolyether block copolymer [polymer (E)] comprising: A) one or more (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene segment (chain Rf), comprising recurring units having at least one catenary ether bond and at least one fluorocarbon moiety, and B) one or more polyalkylene segment (chain Ra) comprising recurring units of formula: —(CR1R2—CR3R4)—, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, equal to or different from each other, are selected from the group consisting of H, halogens (preferably F, Cl); C1-C6 (hydro)carbon groups, optionally containing fluorine or other heteroatoms, referably perfluoroalkyl or (per)fluorooxyalkyl. The invention also discloses a method of coating various substrates using said composition.

Abstract: Use of TiOF2 as semiconductor in a photoelectric conversion device, in particular in a dye-sensitized solar cell. A photoelectric conversion device, in particular a dye-sensitized solar cell, comprising a semiconductor layer containing at least TiOF2. The TiOF2 is preferably used in the form of nanoparticles. Dyes, method(s) of making them, and their use in photoelectric conversion devices, especially in dye-sensitized solar cells. A dye-sensitized solar cell comprising at least one fluorinated compound as a dye and at least TiOF2 as semiconductor.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing hydrogen peroxide by an anthraquinone process, comprising the steps of: (i) hydrogenating an organic working solution containing one or more anthraquinone derivatives in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst to form a hydrogenated working solution; (ii) oxidizing the hydrogenated working solution by introducing an oxygen-containing oxidizing gas at an overpressure into an oxidation reactor, and contacting the oxidizing gas with the hydrogenated working solution to form an oxidized working solution, whereby hydrogen peroxide is formed; (iii) withdrawing an oxidation off gas from the oxidation reactor; (iv) recovering the formed hydrogen peroxide from the oxidized working solution; (v) subjecting the oxidation off gas withdrawn from said oxidation reactor, which has an excess pressure over atmospheric pressure, to a demisting treatment to obtain a demisted oxidation off gas; and (vi) feeding the demisted oxidation off gas as propellant gas into a gas ejector to produce a va

Abstract: A process for producing sodium bicarbonate from a sodium carbonate bearing stream (A) comprising at least 2% sodium chloride and/or sodium sulfate by weight, a part of such stream (A) being generated by a sodium carbonate crystallizer, comprising: a) mixing the stream (A) with part of a stream (B) to produce a stream (C); b) bicarbonating the stream (C) with a gas (D) comprising CO2 to produce an aqueous suspension (E) containing crystals (F) comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals; c) separating the aqueous suspension (E) to obtain crystals (F) comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals and an aqueous mother liquor (G); d) partly debicarbonating such liquor (G) and removing part of the water to obtain the stream (B) and an optional gas (H); e) recycling at least part of the stream (B) to step a); and f) removing the remainder of the stream (B) or part of the aqueous mother liquor (G) to be further processed.

Abstract: A solution mining method for recovering alkali values from a cavity of an underground ore formation comprising trona and/or wegscheiderite; a manufacturing process using such method to make sodium-based product(s); and a sodium-based product obtained therefrom. The method comprises: an ore dissolution phase (a) in which the incongruent double-salt in trona and/or wegscheiderite is dissolved from an ore face in a first solvent, and a cavity cleaning phase (b) in which sodium bicarbonate deposited on the ore face during the dissolution phase (a) is dissolved into a second aqueous solvent having a higher pH, hydroxide content, and/or temperature and is partly or completely converted in situ to sodium carbonate. The method further comprises withdrawing a liquor resulting from either phase to the ground surface, optionally recycling some liquor to the cavity; and passing some liquor through a crystallizer, a reactor, and/or an electrodialyser, to form at least one sodium-based product which is recovered.

Abstract: Aqueous parasiticidal suspension typically comprising from 1 to 15% by weight of silica and from 30 to 45% by weight of sodium bicarbonate and method for controlling the development of parasites on animals raised in buildings, according to which the environment of the animal in the building is brought into contact with this aqueous suspension.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of pyrazole-4-carboxamides, in particular, of 3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamides which are useful as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The carboxamides are prepared from the corresponding pyzole-4-carboxylic acid esters and appropriate amine in the presence of a base. The reaction is performed in a reaction medium which is essentially free of water; alternatively, the base is used in an amount equal to or greater than 0.25 equivalents per mole of amine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel triscarbazole compound comprising cyclo- or polycycloalkyl or aralkyl substituent, which can be represented by Formula (I). wherein; RA is a substituent comprising a substituted or unsubstituted cyclo- or polycycloalkyl group wherein the ring system comprises three to twenty carbon atoms or an aralkyl group having an overall number of nine to twenty carbon atoms, RB, RC, RD and RE are any substituent other than a substituted or unsubstituted aniline, and m, o, p and q are same or different at each occurrence and represent an integer from 0 to 4.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a polymer by polycondensation of a hydroxy acid, said polymer comprising at least 80% by weight of units that correspond to the hydroxy acid, according to which at least one polyfunctional reactant capable of giving rise to the formation of a three-dimensional polymer network is mixed with the hydroxy acid, and according to which the mixture is subjected to temperature and pressure conditions and for a duration which are all suitable for giving rise to the formation of the network. Poly(hydroxy acid) (PHA) obtainable by such a process.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a cyclic diester of an alpha-hydroxyacid comprising heating the alpha-hydroxyacid at a temperature from 100 to 250° C. in the presence of at least one polyol and of at least one catalyst selected from the group consisting carboxylates and alkoxides of Ti, Zr, Al and Sn.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a cyclic compound of formula (I) which comprises (a) adding an acid halide of formula R1—C (O)—X, to a vinyl ether of formula (II): CH2?CH—OR2, to produce an addition product, and (b) reacting the addition product with a compound of formula (III): Y-A-Z; wherein R1 is a halogenated alkyl group; wherein X is fluorine, chlorine, or bromine; wherein R2 is an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, or an aryl group; wherein Z and Y designate independently carbon or a heteroatom; and wherein A is a linking group between Z and Y comprising 0, 1, 2 or 3 atoms in the cycle.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an ester or the respective free acid of a 1-substituted-3-fluoroalkyl-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid of formula (I), wherein in such formula (I), Y is H, F or an alkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms which is optionally substituted by at least one halogen atom, an aralkyl group or an aryl group; R1 is H or an organic residue; R2 is H or an organic residue. Such process comprises submitting a compound of formula (II) to a reduction reaction, wherein in such formula (II), Y is the same as defined for formula (I); X is Cl, Br or I; R1? is H or an organic residue; and R2? is H or an organic residue.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion containing a vinylidene chloride polymer (P1) containing vinylidene chloride in a proportion of at least 50% by weight, and at least one random, alternating or gradient copolymer (C1) having: a) at least one monomer unit (m1) carrying at least one phosphonate group —PO(OH)(OR1) with R1 being a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical comprising from 1 to 11 carbon atoms, and b) monomer units (m2) which represent at least 50% by weight of the copolymer (C1), derived from at least one monomer (M2) chosen from styrene, maleic anhydride, itaconic acid and the (meth)acrylic monomers corresponding to the general formula CH2=CR2R3 in which R2 and R3 are described herein, copolymer (C1) not containing monomer units derived from vinylidene chloride.

Abstract: Process for synthesizing a chemical, in particular an agriculturally or pharmaceutically active compound, including: a first step comprising reacting a carboxylic acid halide with a vinyl ether to prepare a halogenated precursor of an alkenone; a second step comprising eliminating hydrogen halide from such precursor to form an alkenone, preferably by thermolysis under specific conditions; and a third step which uses the formed alkenone as a building block to synthesize the chemical. First step may be done in a liquid reaction medium comprising an alkenone or a halogenated alkenone precursor, or in a liquid reaction medium in turbulent state, specifically by creation of gas bubbles of the carboxylic acid halide herein. Second step may include a flash thermolysis, vacuum thermolysis, thermolysis under stripping with inert gas, and/or a thermolysis at a temperature from >90° C. to 120° C. Third step preferably comprises reacting the alkenone with a nitrogen-containing compound.

Abstract: Polymer compositions comprising poly(aryl ether ketone)s and graphene materials. In particular, a polymer composition comprising: A) a poly(arylether ketone) and B) 0.1 to 70 wt. %, based on the combined weight of A) and B), of at least one non-tubular graphene material. Use of such polymer compositions for the manufacture of molded or extruded articles. Molded or extruded articles made from such polymer compositions.

Abstract: Batch process for the manufacture of oxidized starch by contacting an aqueous medium comprising already oxidized starch with native starch and with at least one oxidizing agent selected from a peroxide compound or from an alkali metal hypochlorite, and by reacting them at a temperature below the gelatinization temperature of the native starch and of the oxidized starch, the reaction being conducted in the presence of a homogeneous manganese-based complex coordination catalyst when the oxidizing agent is a peroxide compound. The resulting oxidized starch can be used as an additive for the paper industry or for the food industry.

Abstract: A process for the selective dehydrofluorination of hydrochlorofluoroalkanes and novel hydrochlorofluoroalkenes is described wherein an effective amount of a catalytically active metal compound is applied which is selected from the group consisting of AlF3??, MgAlxF2+3x?? and MgZryF2+4y??, wherein x and y have, independently of one another, values in the range of from 0 to 0.33 and ? has a value in the range of from 0 to 0.1. Certain hydrofluorochloroalkenes are also described, as well as their use as intermediates in chemical reactions.

Abstract: Process for the combined regeneration of at least two soluble salts contained in a residue of an industrial process comprising heavy metals, comprising: adding an amount of reactive aqueous solution needed to completely dissolve the salts which are desired to be regenerated to the residue; subjecting the resulting aqueous suspension to a separation to obtain an aqueous production solution on the one hand and insoluble impurities on the other hand, which are removed; successively subjected the aqueous production solution to at least two selective crystallization steps intended to crystallize, separately, the at least two soluble salts which are desired to be regenerated, which are washed, dried and regenerated separately; and adjusting the concentration of at least one of the soluble salts to be regenerated in the aqueous production solution, at the moment when such solution is subjected to the step of crystallization of this salt, to give rise to the selective crystallization of this salt, by addition of a co

Abstract: LiPO2F2, an electrolyte salt additive for batteries, is manufactured by the reaction of POF3, PF5 or mixtures thereof, with Li3PO4 forming a reaction mixture comprising LiPO2F2. When POF3 is applied, the reaction mixture which contains essentially only LiPO2F2 is preferably extracted from the reaction mixture with a solvent which also is applicable as solvent for lithium ion batteries. If PF5 is applied, then, depending on the molar ratio of PF5 and Li3PO4, the reaction mixture also contains LiF and/or LiPF6. To isolate pure LiPO2F2 from LiF, the reaction mixture containing essentially only LiPO2F2 and LiF may for example, be extracted with dimethoxyethane, acetone, dimethyl carbonate or propylene carbonate. To isolate pure LiPO2F2 from LiPF6, the reaction mixture containing essentially only these constituents is preferably extracted with a solvent which also is applicable as solvent for the LiPF6 in lithium ion batteries to dissolve and remove LiPF6.