Abstract: A process for removing SO.sub.2 from a gas mixture including SO.sub.3 and SO.sub.2 having a volume ratio of SO.sub.3 to SO.sub.2 greater than 1. The process includes intimately contacting the gas mixture in a contacting zone, removing a stream of purified gas containing less SO.sub.2 than the gas mixture from an upper portion of the contacting zone, and removing a stream of sulfuric acid from a lower portion of the contacting zone. Also provided are processes for manufacturing sulfuric acid utilizing the process for removing SO.sub.2 which allow increasing the production of concentrated sulfuric acid solutions by producing more sulfur trioxide without an increase of sulfur dioxide emissions.

Abstract: A process for the purification of 1,1,1-trichloroethane contaminated with at least one undesirable C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 chlorocarbon, for example, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethylene and/or trichloroethylene, which process comprises contacting the impure 1,1,1-trichloroethane with a particulate adsorbent, the adsorbent being a particulate product of controlled pyrolysis of a polysulfonated macroporous crosslinked vinylaromatic polymer having a surface area of at least about 500 m.sup.2 /g, a micropore pore volume of at least about 0.24 ml/g, a macropore pore volume of less than about 0.24 ml/g and a ratio of macropore to micropore pore volume of less than 100 percent is provided.

Abstract: Perchloroethylene and hydrogen chloride are made by thermal noncatalytic chlorination of hydrocarbons and/or their partially chlorinated derivatives using carbon tetrachloride as a reactive diluent under conditions which maximize consumption of carbon tetrachloride and minimize the production of heavy ends, such as hexachlorobenzene and other tarry products.

Abstract: Perchloroethylene and hydrogen chloride are made by noncatalytic thermal chlorination of hydrocarbons and/or their partially chlorinated derivatives by reacting them with chlorine in the presence of hydrogen and carbon tetrachloride as a reactive diluent, under conditions which maximize consumption of carbon tetrachloride and minimize the production of heavy ends, such as hexachlorobenzene and other tarry products.

Abstract: Perchloroethylene and hydrogen chloride are made by thermal noncatalytic pyrolysis of carbon tetrachloride in the presence of elemental hydrogen and chlorine under conditions which maximize consumption of carbon tetrachloride while minimizing the production of heavy ends.

Abstract: A superior catalyst for the oxychlorination of C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feeds comprises a mixture of copper chloride and alkali metal chloride, especially potassium chloride, and preferably also magnesium chloride, which mixture is deposited on an alumina support that has been thermally stabilized by integral incorporation therein of a certain class of lanthanide oxide. The use of such thermally stanle catalyst in the production of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene by oxychlorination of a C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feed results in particularly good process efficiencies in terms of long on-stream times, relatively low reactor corrosion rates, high HC1 conversion, reduced burning, and convenienty flexible selectivity to specifically desired product.

Abstract: A vapor cleaning process for cleaning soil from solid articles comprising the use of an azeotropic vapor mixture of perchloroethylene and water as the cleaning agent which condenses on the articles and thus cleans them. Liquid perchloroethylene and water are placed in a lower portion of a degreasing chamber, the articles to be cleaned are introduced into an upper portion of the chamber, the perchloroethylene and water are heated and evaporated to form a minimum-boiling azeotropic vapor mixture, the vapor mixture is condensed on the articles whereby soil is removed from them, and the cleaned articles are then removed from the chamber.

Abstract: A superior catalyst for the oxychlorination of C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feeds comprises a mixture of copper chloride and alkali metal chloride, especially potassium chloride, and preferably also magnesium chloride, which mixture is deposited on an alumina support that has been thermally stabilized by integral incorporation therein of a certain class of lanthanide oxide. The use of such thermally stable catalyst in the production of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene by oxychlorination of a C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feed results in particularly good process efficiencies in terms of long on-stream times, relatively low reactor corrosion rates, high HCl conversion, reduced burning, and conveniently flexible selectivity to specifically desired product.

Abstract: A superior catalyst for the oxychlorination of C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feeds comprises a mixture of copper chloride and alkali metal chloride, for instance, potassium chloride, and preferably also magnesium chloride, which mixture is deposited on an alumina support having a surface area in excess of 20 and less than 100 m.sup.2 /g. The thermal stability of such a catalyst composition can be further improved by incorporating 0.2 to 5 percent silica in the alumina support. The use of such microspheroidal catalyst in the production of perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene by oxychlorination of a C.sub.2 hydrocarbon feed in a fluidized bed reactor results in particularly good process efficiencies in terms of high HCl conversion, and good flexible selectivity to specifically desired product, reduced burning and long on-stream times.

Abstract: In a process for making methyl chloride by the catalytic hydrochlorination of methanol in the liquid phase, the common formation of unwanted dimethyl ether by-product is reduced by conducting the process in at least two reactors operating in series and by introducing all or substantially all of the required hydrogen chloride feed into the first reactor while splitting the introduction of methanol feed, preferably as a vapor, between or among the reactors.The overall feed ratio of methanol to hydrogen chloride is in the range between about 0.65 to about 1.0 mol methanol per mol hydrogen chloride. Aqueous zinc chloride is the preferred catalyst.

Abstract: Caustic soda beads are transferred from a railcar to a receiving zone by means of an open loop air circuit. Ambient air is compressed in the circuit to a pressure of at least 75 psig in a compressor which simultaneously demoisturizes the air. Thereafter, the air is delivered to a dryer to be further demoisturized. The demoisturized, pressurized air is passed through a pressure reducing valve such that the air pressure is reduced to below 25 psig. A first portion of the low pressure air is conducted to the interior of the railcar. A second portion of the demoisturized, low pressure air is conducted through a control valve and then past an outlet of the railcar to cause caustic soda beads to become entrained therein and conducted to the receiving zone. The control valve is automatically adjusted in accordance with the pressure in the railcar to regulate the amount of pressurized air supplied to the railcar in order to maintain a constant pressure within the railcar.

Abstract: The production of undesirable 1,1,2-trichloroethane and unsym-tetrachloroethane during the production of perchloroethylene is eliminated or essentially eliminated by an improved oxychlorination reaction. The oxychlorination reaction is carried out in the presence of a copper chloride-alkali metal chloride catalyst mixture deposited on a microspheroidal activated alumina carrier having an average particle size of between about 40 and about 70 microns and a surface area of at least about 100 m.sup.2 /g with the copper chloride and alkali metal chloride being present on the carrier in a weight ratio of at least about 1.2 to 1. Reaction parameters, including, e.g., time, temperature and pressure, are controlled to produce a reaction product containing perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene, and the reaction product is free from 1,1,2-trichloroethane and unsym-tetrachloroethane.

Abstract: Ferric iron is removed from chlorinated hydrocarbons having less than 6 carbon atoms per molecule by intimately contacting the latter with an oil that comprises one or more hydrocarbons having at least 6 concatenated aliphatic carbon atoms per molecule. The hydrocarbon oil is present in an amount sufficient to interact with a major portion of the ferric iron. The resulting mixture of the chlorinated hydrocarbon stream and the hydrocarbon oil is heated simultaneously with the intimate contacting, and a precipitate is allowed to form. The chlorinated hydrocarbon stream is then separated from the hydrocarbon oil and from the precipitate, and the precipitate is subsequently separated from the hydrocarbon oil, which may be recycled and re-used.

Abstract: A wall brush for dislodging loose matter from a wall face is disclosed. A plurality of x-shaped scraper elements are disposed in a plurality of beams such that end portions of each scraper element project through flange portions of its beam. An anchor chain flexibly suspends the beams. The wall brush is reciprocated on a section of the wall face until it is cleared of loose matter.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing food-grade caustic such as sodium hydroxide wherein hydrazine or a derivative or salt thereof is used as a corrosion inhibitor, residual hydrazine is removed from the concentrated caustic product solution by oxidation. The oxidation of residual hydrazine is accomplished by adding to the hydrazine-containing concentrated caustic solution, which is characterized by a pH of 14 or higher, a 5- to 10-fold stoichiometric excess of hydrogen peroxide or an equivalent peroxy compound or hypochlorite.

Abstract: An improved electrotinplating process and acidic electroplating bath therefor is disclosed. The acidic electroplating bath contains tin ions and a chelate salt comprising an acid bismuth sulfate gluconate. An improved electrotinplating process is therefore provided which produces an electroplated tin-bismuth alloy which is resistant to the effects of tin pest and the formation of tin whiskers.

Abstract: Tin ions are provided to the electrolyte-containing cathode compartment of an electrolysis cell in which the anode and cathode compartments are separated by a cationic permselective membrane. The anolyte is generally a mineral acid or tin salt thereof. Operation of the electrolysis cell results in the deposition of tin in a purified form onto the catode which may be recovered as tin metal. Alternatively, the deposited tin and cathode compartment can be washed and the cathode compartment filled with an acid solution. Reversal of the current polarity results in the production of tin salts which may be recovered. Tin salts may also be concurrently anodically produced while tin metal is cathodically electrowinned.

Abstract: Ferric iron is removed from chlorinated hydrocarbons having less than 6 carbon atoms per molecule by intimately contacting the latter with an oil that comprises one or more hydrocarbons having at least 6 carbon atoms per molecule. The hydrocarbon oil is present in an amount sufficient to interact with a major portion of the ferric iron. The resulting mixture of the chlorinated hydrocarbon stream and the hydrocarbon oil is heated simultaneously with the intimate contacting, and a precipitate is allowed to form. The chlorinated hydrocarbon stream is then separated from the hydrocarbon oil and from the precipitate, and the precipitate is subsequently separated from the hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: Tin salts, such as, for example, alkali metal stannates, are produced by contacting at elevated temperatures an aqueous alkaline solution, such as for example, alkali metal hydroxide solutions, with a tin-containing material in the presence of a reaction promotor comprising the combination of activated carbon and an oxygen supplying agent.

Abstract: Chlorinated phenols, e.g. pentachlorophenol, are stabilized against degradation, including degradation to chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, caused by heat and other adverse conditions, by combining with them stabilizing amounts of at least one stabilizer selected from the group consisting of high-boiling epoxides and epoxidized oils, drying oils, unsaturated fatty acids and unsaturated esters of fatty acids.