Abstract: Hydrogen is produced by reacting carbon monoxide with steam at a temperature of at least 200.degree. F. in the presence of a supported catalyst containing: (1) at least one alkali metal compound derived from an acid having an ionization constant below 1 .times. 10.sup.-3, (2) a metallic hydrogenation- dehydrogenation material, and (3) a halogen moiety. The ratio of metal component to alkali metal compound, each calculated on the basis of the oxide thereof, ranges from 0.0001 to about 10 parts by weight per part by weight of the alkali metal compound. The halide constituent is present in amounts in excess of about 0.01 weight %, based on total catalyst. A preferred catalyst composition comprises potassium carbonate, a mixture of cobalt and molybdenum oxides and combined chlorine contained on an alumina support.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the production of finely-divided metal oxides by the oxidation of the corresponding metal halide wherein a secondary gas is introduced into a heated primary gas through apertures in the reaction zone wall, the apertures formed with at least two different cross-sectional areas along their length, the small cross-sectional area being at the inlet end of the aperture for the secondary gas.

Abstract: Silica xerogels having pore volumes greater than about 2.0 cc/g., the major portion of which volumes are provided by pores having pore diameters ranging from 300 to 600 A, and surface areas ranging from 200 to 500 m.sup.2 /g. Xerogels having such cumulative pore volume, pore diameter distribution, and surface area characteristics are useful as supports for stereospecific catalysts for particle form olefin polymerization reactions effecting the production of low molecular weight, high melt index polyolefins.

Abstract: Alumina-cryolite waste from aluminum pot lines is subjected to oxidation in a fluidized bed reactor to remove carbon and organic contamination. Agglomeration of the alumina-cryolite product occurs in the fluidized bed and a pellet product suitable for return to the aluminum pot lines is produced.

Abstract: Lithium hexafluoroarsenate containing impurities, such as LiAsF.sub.5 OH HF, is purified by passing a solution of the impure product in an organic solvent, such as methyl formate, through a column of activated alumina which selectively adsorbs and removes such impurities.

Abstract: An aluminum halohydrate is formed by first preparing a reactive aluminum by permeating highly pure aluminum with mercury in the presence of a hydrogen ion source and then contacting the reactive aluminum with a source of iodine, chlorine, bromine or fluorine in the presence of water. The products obtained show high stability, uniformity from batch to batch, and a pH of about 4.3.

Abstract: A malleable or press-forgeable ingot of barium fluoride, for use as an optical body, may be grown from an ultra-pure precipitate of barium fluoride which contains less than 10 parts per million (ppm) of strontium or calcium. A process is disclosed for crystallizing barium nitrate crystals in the presence of nitric acid, reacting barium nitrate with ammonium carbonate to form barium carbonate, recovering barium carbonate crystals, suspending the barium carbonate crystals in water and precipitating barium fluoride with hydrofluoric acid. The barium fluoride crystals are recovered, dried and then calcined in the presence of ammonium fluoride or bifluoride. Barium fluoride (BaF.sub.2) crystals obtained by the process of this invention contain less than 10 ppm of each strontium and calcium.Crystals of an alkaline earth metal fluoride which have been calcined in the presence of a fluoride of ammonium are unexpectedly densified, and are particularly suited for melt-growth of an ingot in a known manner.

Abstract: Chlorine dioxide is generated very efficiently and safely by reducing a chlorate in a strong acid in the presence of a complex catalyst consisting of palladium (II) and a .beta.-diketone.

Abstract: By providing about 1 percent of an extremely finely divided powder, e.g. less than about 60 microns, disposed throughout a body of sodium chloride particles, the salt particles can be heated without caking to temperatures higher than otherwise obtainable without experiencing caking. Suitable powders include those binary oxides, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates and hydroxides of Group II and Group IV elements, which are solids within the temperature range to be encountered.

Abstract: A process for removing fluorine from phosphoric acid solutions comprising combining relatively dilute (e.g. 28% P.sub.2 O.sub.5) fluorine-containing phosphoric acid with up to about 2% colloidal silica, heating said slurry to a temperature of about 190.degree. F under reduced pressure in phosphoric acid concentrators and removing silicon tetrafluoride in a vapor stream. The liquid stream is concentrated (50% to 54% P.sub.2 O.sub.5) phosphoric acid having a fluorine content of less than about 0.5%. The gaseous silicon tetrafluoride which also contains water vapor is alternatively scrubbed with a solution of ammonium bifluoride to convert said silicon tetrafluoride to fluosilicic acid and ammonium fluosilicate or with a solution of ammonium fluoride to convert said silicon tetrafluoride to ammonium fluosilicate.

Abstract: Contacting rock salt containing at least one member of the group consisting of anhydrite and calcium sulfate as an impurity with an aqueous sodium chloride solution initially containing from about 200 to about 300 g/l of sodium chloride and having a calcium ion concentration of 0.01 to 0.5 g/l and a sulfate ion concentration of 0.1 to 15 g/l, the multiplication product of said calcium ion concentration and said sulfate ion concentration having a maximum value of 2, and discontinuing said contact after the sodium chloride brine has formed.

Abstract: There is provided an improved process for the production of chlorine dioxide wherein an alkali metal chlorate, and hydrochloric acid are reacted in a vessel, and the salt crystals are separated from the generator crystal slurry.

Abstract: Sodium Chlorite is made stable under storage conditions by (1) admixing with the sodium chlorite a stabilizing salt chemically inert to sodium chlorite and having at least one hydrate whose melting point is higher than about 50.degree. C, in amount such that said stabilizing salt can capture a quantity of water equal to at least about 5% of the weight of the sodium chlorite (NaClO.sub.2), the weight of the water in the total mixture being at least about 5% of the weight of said sodium chlorite and (2) drying the mixture sufficiently to reduce the water not captured by the stabilizing salt to an amount equal approximately to zero. Sodium chlorite thus stabilized is thermally stable and does not congeal into a solid mass even when stored in drums for several months at 50.degree. C.

Abstract: Bromine is produced by reacting chlorine and ethylene dibromide in the presence of an iron halide catalyst, e.g. ferric chloride.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting basic magnesium carbonate into pure hot-pressable magnesium fluoride such as is used for the hot-pressing of infra-red radiation transmitting optical bodies. The process includes contacting a slurry of basic magnesium carbonate with carbon dioxide to form enough magnesium bicarbonate or hydrates of magnesium carbonate, in situ, to alter the particles in the slurry. Carbonation of the slurry increases solubility of the solids by establishing an equilibrium relationship in solution between the unstable magnesium bicarbonate and hydrates of magnesium carbonate particles. When the carbonated slurry is contacted with a slight excess of hydrofluoric acid it precipitates solid particles of fine hydrous magnesium fluoride. Neutralization of excess hydrofluoric acid is effected with ammonium hydroxide. The solid particulate precipitate is dried and calcined to yield hot-pressable magnesium fluoride powder of exceptional purity and consistent quality.

Abstract: In the production of aluminum fluoride, a fluorine compound is absorbed from a gas containing the fluorine compound into a gas absorbing liquor comprising water containing alumina or hydrated alumina, or an aqueous aluminum fluoride solution containing alumina or hydrated alumina, and the absorbed fluorine compound is reacted with alumina or hydrated alumina to precipitate hydrated aluminum fluoride of high quality.

Abstract: A process for the production of silane in a reaction vessel comprising (i) a single closed chamber, (ii) a hollow tube open at both ends, said tube being disposed in the lower portion of the chamber; and (iii) means for circulating liquid in the lower portion of the chamber in such a manner that the liquid flows in a downward direction through the tube and in an upward direction outside of the tubeComprising the following steps:A. maintaining a melt of lithium chloride in the lower portion of the chamber, the level of the melt being above the tube;B. activating the circulating means;C. introducing liquid lithium into the melt in such a manner that at least a part thereof is brought to the surface of the melt;D. introducing hydrogen gas above the surface of the melt in such a manner that hydrogen gas reacts with lithium at the surface of the melt to form lithium hydride,The lithium, lithium hydride, and melt being admixed by the circulating means to provide a homogeneous mixture thereof;E.

Abstract: Potassium tantalum fluoride substantially free from compounds of silicon and niobium is prepared from a crude tantalum-niobium salt solution by use of aqueous hydrofluoric acid having a dissolved content of a silicon compound by mixing the salt solution with a water-insoluble organic solvent for said salts; extracting the organic phase with aqueous medium; mixing the organic phase with silicon-contaminated aqueous hydrofluoric acid; mixing the organic phase with a hot silicon-free solution of an ionizable potassium compound, and separating and cooling the aqueous phase thereby precipitating potassium tantalum fluoride. The phases are separated between steps.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of selenium by liquid-liquid extraction from a urethane solution containing selenium compounds by contacting the selenium-containing urethane solution at a suitable temperature with water and a saturated aliphatic or alicyclic paraffin hydrocarbon or mixtures thereof. The selenium may be recovered from the resulting hydrocarbon phase in the form of selenium per se or selenium dioxide for reuse in the preparation of urethanes.

Abstract: A method for producing aluminum chloride comprises contacting Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 with a reducing agent and chlorine in a bath of molten metal halides to form aluminum chloride and recovering the aluminum chloride by vaporization.