Abstract: This invention relates to a chemical method of effectively decontaminating metallic wastes that have been contaminated by radioactive substances and which have resulted from the demolition of nuclear power plants or reactors in operation. The method is that when the increase in the amount of dissolution of metal ions from the wastes causes the potential of the aqueous sulfuric acid to increase beyond a certain level, the dissolved metal ions are reduced electrolytically to control the potential of said aqueous sulfuric acid to become lower than said certain level.

Abstract: A process for producing sodium hydroxide and ammonium sulfate by electrolysing an aqueous solution of sodium sulfate is disclosed. The process is carried out in a three-compartment electrolytic cell having a central compartment separated from an anode and a cathode compartment by, respectively, anion selective and cation selective ion exchange membrane. The solution of sodium sulfate is circulated through the central compartment, while solutions of sodium hydroxide and ammonium sulfate are circulated, respectively, through the cathode and the anode compartment. During the process, ammonia is added to the anolyte to at least partially neutralize sulfuric acid produced in the anode compartment and reduce the back migration of protons from the anolyte into the central compartment. As a result, high purity ammonium sulfate of commercial value higher than that of sulfuric acid is produced with high current efficiency and in concentrations higher than those achievable for sulfuric acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkali metal dichromates and chromic acid by the electrolysis of monochromate and/or dichromate solutions in a multi-chamber cell, wherein the anode chamber is shielded from the solution of chromate, dichromate and/or chromic acid by a bipolar ion exchanger membrane.

Abstract: A method for removing NOX from gases is provided. A gas comprising NOX and/or SO.sub.2 is flowed behind a gas permeable anode. Air is simultaneously flowed behind the gas permeable cathode, and the cathode is separated from the anode by a liquid electrolyte. An external potential is applied between the anode and the cathode to bring about the oxidation of NOX and/or SO.sub.2 at the anode and the reduction of dioxygen at the cathode to yield nitric oxide and/or sulfuric acid, and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: There is described a new and improved method of treating raw animal hides and skins prior to tanning, wherein the hides and skins are initially washed, trimmed, fleshed and demanured, including the steps of dipping the hides and skins in a dilute antiseptic solution for a predetermined amount of time, removing excess moisture from the hides and skins following dipping, and irradiating the hides and skins with substantially monodirectional electron beams to expose each hide and skin to a dose adjustable within the range of 0.75 to 4.0 Mrads at a dose rate adjustable within the range of 10.sup.5 to 10.sup.7 rads/sec.

Abstract: Separation methodology is disclosed which allows for the separation of mixtures of carbohydrates into highly resolved detectable bands of carbohydrates. The method involves first reacting a mixture of carbohydrates with charge generating moieties which are capable of fluorescing such as 1-amino-4-naphthalene sulfonic acid (ANSA) to form carbohydrate conjugates. The conjugates are subjected to a first-dimensional gel electrophoresis in a first direction to provide separate bands of carbohydrates in the gel. A band in the gel is removed and subjected to second-dimensional electrophoresis in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. More specific bands of more highly resolved carbohydrates are then formed in the second-dimensional gel. The more specific bands within the second-dimensional gel are then electro-blotted onto a substrate surface and can be viewed in extremely small amounts due to the fluorescent capability of the ANSA when viewed under ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Saccharide in mixtures are separated into groups or individual saccharides and tested for their affinity for particular proteins. The method of the invention is carried out by conjugating saccharides in a mixture with charge-generating moieties and moieties capable of fluorescing such as 4-amino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid (ANSA) to form conjugates. The saccharide conjugates are subjected to electrophoretic resolution within gels. The resolved bands of material can be seen under ultraviolet light and are electro-blotted onto charged nylon membranes to provide a stable record of the electrophoretic separation. The blots (visible under ultraviolet light) on the nylon membranes are brought into contact with particular proteins in order to determine the binding affinity of these particular proteins to particular saccharides on the nylon membrane. The proteins are preferably bound to labels so that the binding of the proteins to the saccharides can be easily detected.

Abstract: A process for electrolytically producing an aqueous solution of chlorine dioxide in an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and at least one ion exchange compartment between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment, the process comprising feeding an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chlorite to the ion exchange compartment, electrolyzing an anolyte in the anode compartment to generate hydrogen ions, passing the hydrogen ions from the anode compartment through a cation exchange membrane into the ion exchange compartment to displace alkali metal ions and produce an aqueous solution of chlorine dioxide, and passing alkali metal ions from the ion exchange compartment into the cathode compartment.

Abstract: The improved method and apparatus for recovering silver from a waste photographic processing solution, in which the waste solution is supplied into the cathode compartment of an electrolytic cell which is separated from an anode compartment by a diaphragm, and electrolysis is performed with the current density at cathode and the current concentration in the cathode compartment controlled in such a way that silver ions are reduced in said waste solution with the hydrogen bubbles evolved by electrolytic reaction, and the reduced silver ions are precipitated as silver grains in the waste photographic processing solution.

Abstract: Capillary tubes useful for performing capillary zone electrophoresis separation techniques are prepared by precoating the capillary tubes with an adhesive agent, preferably a dilute agarose phase. The analytical agarose-based media then is positioned in the tubes, where it adheres to the earlier coating. The analytical media exhibits strong structural integrity and adheres well to the capillary tubes; moreover, the media is suitable for capillary zone electrophoretic separation of biopolymers.

Abstract: A process for producing chlorine dioxide by oxidizing a hypochlorous acid solution to produce a chloric acid solution, and, electrolyzing the chloric acid solution to produce chlorine dioxide.The novel process of the present invention provides a commercially viable process for producing the chloric acid and eliminates the formation of an acidic salt solution in the production of chlorine dioxide which requires disposal. Further, the process permits a reduction in the amount of acid required in the generation of chlorine dioxide.

Abstract: A method of separating mixtures of saccharides into distinct detectable groups is disclosed. In accordance with the method a tri-functional conjugate must first be provided. The tri-functional conjugate is obtained by reacting a mixture of saccharides with moieties (a) capable of providing a charge upon ionization; (b) capable of fluorescing under ultraviolet light; and (c) having a light-activatable azido group thereon. The different functional moieties may all be present on the same moiety and connected directly to the saccharide or may be connected to each other wherein only one of the moieties is connected directly to the saccharide. The tri-functional conjugates are subjected to electrophoretic separation to obtain separate groups of conjugates in the gel. The groups of conjugates are transferred from the gel to the surface of a membrane which is exposed to light for a sufficient time and light frequency to activate the azido-group.

Abstract: An electrophoretic gel container for protecting an electrophoresis plate during shipment and storage, the electrophoresis plate being the type including a substrate having a major surface and a gel layer adhered to a portion of the major surface with the substrate including a peripheral portion free of the gel layer. The container includes a top portion and a bottom portion which are sealingly engageable with one another. The top and bottom portions have cooperating projections such that the top and bottom may be interlocked together. The gel layer substrate includes alignment apertures and the container includes alignment sockets in the bottom portion and locking pins in the top portion. The alignment sockets extend through the alignment apertures in the electrophoresis plate and has locking pins engage the alignment sockets to further secure the electrophoresis plate against movement.

Abstract: Capillary tubes useful for performing capillary zone electrophoresis separation techniques are modified to provide sample pre-treatment in situ. In one preferred embodiment, a polyacrylamide stacking gel is formed in a capillary tube and separated from the free zone of the tube by a polystyrene frit. The modified capillary permits effective filtration of macromolecules from analysis or their retardation to allow for sequential analysis.

Abstract: A process for electrolytically producing an aqueous solution of chloric acid and alkali metal chlorate in an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and at least one ion exchange compartment between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment. The process includes the steps of feeding an aqueous solution of an alkali metal chlorate to the ion exchange compartment, electrolyzing an anolyte in the anode compartment to generate hydrogen ions, passing the hydrogen ions from the anode compartment through a cation exchange membrane into the ion exchange compartment to displace alkali metal ions and produce an aqueous solution of chloric acid and alkali metal chlorate, and passing alkali metal ions from the ion exchange compartment into the cathode compartment.

Abstract: An electrochemical process and electrolytic cell for manufacturing chlorine-free chlorine dioxide from a dilute alkali metal chlorite solution in a single step is disclosed. The electrolytic cell uses a porous flow-through anode and a cathode separated by a suitable separator. The alkali metal chlorite solution has a conductive salt additive.

Abstract: Described is an isoelectric focusing electrophoretic process for the separation and purification of an amphoteric or neutral chemical compound from one or more electrically charged chemical compound(s). Said process is illustrated below at the example of the purification of a protein from contaminating proteins and salts. It may be carried out in an apparatus especially designed therefor, e.g. an apparatus as depicted in FIG. 1. Said apparatus and various modifications thereof are also claimed. The mixture to be separated is present within a hydraulic flow in chamber 8. Cylinders 5 and 12 contain immobilized pH-gradients or are replaced by amphoteric isoelectric pH-membranes. Each of said pH-gradients and pH-membranes has conductivity and both buffering and titrant capacity in its pH-interval.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided where the preferred embodiment is useful for sorting seric or plasmatic lipoproteins into four cholesterol fractions. The device comprises a plurality of gel matrixes, preferably agarose-based, defining a liquid pathway upon which a directioinal electrophoretic gradient can be imposed. The gel matrixes are in a serial relationship and preferably are of a successively decreasing pore size from a most upstream matrix to a most downstream matrix. In a preferred embodiment the three more downstream gel matrixes are in a noncontiguous relationship and are separated by interfaces containing buffer. These interfaces are adapted to receive a separate lipoprotein fraction upon reversal of the electrophoretic gradient direction.

Abstract: An electrode comprising a gas permeable and liquid permeable coating bonded to an ion exchange membrane, said coating comprising low overvoltage electrocatalytic particles, more electroconductive electrolyte resistant particles and an electrolyte resistant binder compatible with the membrane to bond the particles thereto, the electrode coating being provided with a plurality of pores with a pore size of at least 0.1 microns.Effective porosity is imparted to the layer of particles by means of a sacrificial, pore-forming agent and by leaching out such agent after the particles have been bonded together and the layer formed is in its desired thickness, preferably after it has been deposited upon the membrane.Surface resistivity of the layer is reduced and the layer is effectively reinforced by incorporating electroconductive particles which often have a higher overvoltage than the electrocatalytic particles and also have high electroconductivity.

Abstract: It has hitherto been difficult to achieve the even deposition of a cup-shaped body from slurry flowing around a mandrel. This specification discloses a deposition apparatus including control means providing a substantially uniform slurry flow rate over all surfaces of the mandrel to give uniform deposition.