Abstract: A removable frame for reduction of axle loads for heavy vehicles is disclosed herein. The frame includes a pair of lever arms pivoted to each other at one end with adjustable biasing means between the free ends of the lever arms. One of the lever arms has at least one wheel supported thereon while the other arm is rotatably connected to a support member adapted to be attached to a vehicle frame. A centering mechanism normally maintains the lever arm in a predetermined position on the support member and accommodates rotation with respect to each other.

Abstract: Process for the two-stage decomposition of hemi-celluloses of xylan-containing natural products for the purpose of obtaining xylose and xylitol where the starting material is treated in the first stage with a basic medium and the obtained solid residue is subjected in a subsequent stage to an acid treatment wherein the alkaline and acid stages are carried out in a single reaction vessel.

Abstract: Concentrated sulfuric acid and/or oleum is prepared by the catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide using a gas containing water vapor, SO.sub.2 and oxygen. The catalytic oxidation is carried out in two stages. After the first stage an intermediate cooling of the reaction gas, and absorption of the water vapor content and an intermediate absorption of the sulfur trioxide formed in the first stage are performed. In the second stage the unreacted SO.sub.2 is catalytically oxidized to SO.sub.3 in the absence of water vapor, this SO.sub.3 being absorbed in sulfuric acid. An apparatus for carrying out the process is disclosed including a primary catalysis stage, means for the intermediate cooling of the reaction gas, means for the removal of the water vapor content, means for the intermediate absorption of the SO.sub.2 of the first stage, a secondary stage for the catalytic oxidation of the unreacted sulfur dioxide in the absence of water and an end absorption unit for SO.sub.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of xylose solutions from oat husks which comprises:A. hydrolyzing oat husks with a solution of alkali metal hydroxide to provide oat husks from which the chemically bound acetic acid originally present therein has been substantially completely removed, and a solution of acetic acid, provided, that a quantity of not less than one mole, and not more than two moles, of said solution of alkali metal hydroxide is used per mole of acetic acid originally present in the oat husks;B. recovering the oat husks from which the chemically bound acetic acid has been substantially removed; andC. hydrolyzing the oat husks of step (b) with a mineral acid to provide a solid residue containing lignin and an acidic solution of D-(+)-xylose.

Abstract: Xylitol which is useful as a sugar substitute is produced from xylan containing natural products by: acid hydrolyzing xylan to xylose; concentrating the hydrolysis solution to remove acetic acid by-product; diluting with water; adjusting the pH to about 6.5 to about 7.5; catalytically hydrogenating the xylose to xylitol under pressure; and recovering xylitol by extraction.

Abstract: A process for the hydrolysis of oat husks is carried out with alkali metal hydroxide or alkali metal chlorite in a first stage and with mineral acid in a second stage to provide D-(+)-xylose. The xylose can be recovered as such, or converted in situ to xylitol. The solid residue by-product of the aforesaid process for the hydrolysis of oat husks, following removal of the lignin content thereof, is readily convertible to cellulose.

Abstract: Sulfur compounds oxidizable to form sulfuric acid and organic compounds oxidizable to CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O are removed from an exhaust gas of a contact-process plant for producing sulfuric acid by treating the exhaust gas with a scrubbing solution consisting of dilute sulfuric acid and peroxydisulfuric acid. The peroxydisulfuric acid is produced electrolytically from fresh dilute sulfuric acid and the resulting electrolyte is continuously introduced into the scrubbing acid cycle. The exhaust gas is treated in a vertical venturi with uniflow, i.e. codirectional flow of the gas and the scrubbing solution, and the gas is then passed through a horizontal venturi and subsequently upwardly through a packing layer.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONThe present Application is related to the commonly assigned copending application Ser. No. 308,849 filed Nov. 22, 1972 and entitled METHOD OF REMOVING GASEOUS IMPURITIES FROM WASTE GASES now abandoned.