Abstract: An improved lining for an electrolytic furnace for producing aluminum is disclosed having sufficient thickness that heat flow therethrough is such that an insulative coating provided on the inside surface of a perimetric metal shell around the electrolytic furnace is not exposed to temperatures above an upper temperature limit at which the coating is impenetrable by molten salt. Such improved lining includes an inner layer of high-fired refractory, penetrable by the molten salt and resistant to chemical corrosion by such penetration. The inner layer is of sufficient thickness that a salt freeze line is located therein. Within the inner layer and outside the freeze line is a layer of material impenetrable by molten aluminum. In at least the bottom portion of the furnace and outside the inner layer is at least one layer of glass refractory impermeable to the molten salt.

Abstract: A process for storing energy from solar radiation whereby solar radiation is converted into electrical current which is supplied to an electrochemical cell in combination with water and carbon dioxide gas to produce formic acid as an electrochemical storage medium. The formic acid can be easily decomposed by catalysts known in the art into carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas which can be burned as fuel or used as a starting material in numerous commercial applications.

Abstract: A dielectric oxide film is modified by the incorporation of a minor amount of carbonaceous material. The modified film is produced by anodizing an aluminum electrolytic capacitor anode in a conventional electrolyte containing a minor amount of an alpha- or ortho- hydroxy carboxylic acid or salt.

Abstract: Chemical compounds resulting from the mixing of organosilanes and quinones in the presence of di-tert-butyl peroxide as a sensitizer, exhibit strong blue phosphorescence. These compounds are highly resistant to deterioration by heat and UV irradiation. The unique feature of enhanced phosphorescence quantum efficiency at high temperature makes these systems most suitable for solar pumped lasers which usually will operate at relatively high temperature.

Abstract: The product 1,2-bis(hydroxyphenyl)ethane-1,2-diol of electrolytic reductive coupling of hydroxybenzaldehyde is recovered by maintaining the electrolyte solution at a pH at which the product diol 1,2-bis(hydroxyphenyl)ethane-1,2-diol, precipitates out leaving the hydroxybenzaldehyde in solution, and continuously or intermittently filtering to collect the product diol.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for adjusting the space between an adjustable anode and a cathode in an electrolytic cell wherein current measurements and voltage measurements are obtained for conductors to the anode sets and compared with predetermined standards for the same conductors and anode sets. Measurement of deviation from the predetermined standards are used to determine the direction of anode adjustment. A digital computer operably connected to motor drive means adapted to raise or lower anode sets upon appropriate electric signals from the computer is a preferred embodiment of this invention.

Abstract: An improvement in the process of electrohydrodimerizing acrylonitrile to adiponitrile wherein the plated electrodes, which are employed in the process as a part of an electrolytic cell, are, without removal from the cell, cleaned and replated.

Abstract: An anode suitable for use in a chlor-alkali diaphragm cell comprised of one or two groups of coated film-forming metal parallel elongated members lying in a plane, or in separate parallel planes connected to one another. The members (e.g. wires) extend lengthwise from the point of connection and are resiliently mounted to give them flexibility.

Abstract: A metal processing furnace of the indirect arc type having opposed electrodes projected into and establishing an ionized atmosphere in the furnace crucible is provided with apparatus that introduces a finely divided charge mixture consisting essentially of silica and coke into the system for free-fall into and through the ionized atmosphere. Following reaction of the mixture's ingredients in the ionized atmosphere, silicon carbide crystals are deposited at the bottom of the furnace interior below the ionized atmosphere for subsequent collection and removal from within the furnace system. By control of charge composition and process parameters, silicon carbide crystals having predominantly either alpha or beta crystalline structures and with crystal sizes predominantly in the range of 250 to 3,000 microns are produced.

Abstract: A corona discharge device is disclosed in which a cylindrical shell made of a dielectric material is mounted around a rotatable axle. Electrodes are arranged inside and outside of the shell so as to provide a corona discharge across a material to improve its surface qualities. A method of corona discharge treatment with the above apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly for facilitating the electroplating of the electrical contacts (30) of a hermetically sealed electrical connector. The fixture includes a plurality of springs (11) mounted on an insert (10) which has a plurality of holes (12) adapted to receive electrical contacts (30) and place all the electrical contacts in common electrical circuit relationship for electroplating.

Abstract: A low overvoltage cathode is disclosed which has a metal substrate plated with a porous coating of dendritic copper which is in turn plated with a low overvoltage metal alloy. The substrate is preferably copper and the low overvoltage alloy is preferably a Ni-Mo alloy.

Abstract: A process for producing sulfones in which sulfur dioxide is electrolytically transformed into SO.sub.2.sup.- ions and caused to react with organic compounds having functional groups replaceable by SO.sub.2.sup.-, in an aprotic organic solvent, to produce the corresponding organosulfone. According to the present improvement a phosphoric acid triester such as phosphoric acid tribenzyl ester, is added to the solvent as an organic compound capable of reacting with halogen ions of a salt, such as tetraalkylammoniumhalogenide or tetraalkylphosphoniumhalogenide, introduced into the solvent as a conductivity-promoting agent.

Abstract: A hanger element for an electroplating rack, specifically for suspending earrings for pierced ears for plating comprising a conductor part threaded at one end for attachment to the rack and provided at its other end with a collet for receiving the stem of an earring, a jacket of chemically inert plastic material within which the part is embedded except for the threaded end and the colleted end and a removable cap mounted on the colleted end with one end abutting the jacket and the other extending beyond the colleted end, said cap containing an axial hole for snugly receiving the colleted end and an axial passage extending beyond the end of the hole through the end of the cap for snugly receiving the stem of the earring for engagement within the collet.

Abstract: Novel alkoxy derivatives of N-substituted cyclic amines of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen, an alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an aryl group having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an aralkoxy or aroxy group,R.sup.2 is a linear or branched alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the chain,X is OR.sup.3 , where R.sup.3 represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms,Y is hydrogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-O-alkyl, provided that in the case where R.sup.1 is an alkoxy group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Y is not H.

Abstract: A process for dissolving metals, alloys or metallic compound materials in metal cyanamide and/or thiocyanate and/or cayanide and/or halide melts containing optionally metal carbonate and/or cyanide, characterized in that substances are added to the melt which form or liberate CN, and/or CNO and/or SCN radicals in the melt under the reaction conditions.

Abstract: The electrochemical oxidation of activated alkyl substituted aromatic compounds in which the alkyl substituent is acyloxylated in a direct oxidation process may be effected by treating an activated alkyl substituted aromatic compound with a fatty acid, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt thereof and a phase transfer agent in an electrochemical cell to form oxidative products of the starting compound.

Abstract: A tetraalkylthiuram disulfide is prepared in a higher yield without formation of by-products by subjecting the corresponding alkali metal dialkyldithiocarbamate to electrolytic oxidation, which is carried out in a two-layer electrolytic solution consisting essentially of either (1) water and carbon disulfide or (2) water and a mixture of carbon disulfide and a halogenated alkane of higher density than water, the carbon disulfide being predominant in the mixture, by means of electrodes placed in the aqueous layer containing the dialkyldithiocarbamate. The resulting disulfide is extracted to the lower layer of the electrolytic solution and is recovered from the layer. The dialkyldithiodicarbamate can be continuously produced in situ by adding carbon disulfide and dialkylamine gradually to the aqueous layer of the electrolytic solution, which contains an alkalimetal hydroxide produced during the electrolytic oxidation of the dialkyldithiocarbamate.

Abstract: The electrofinishing of stainless steel items, especially cutlery items, to a substantially corrosion resistant mirror finish is achieved in two steps, the first step involving electropolishing and the second step passivation of the electropolished surface. Apparatus for effecting the electrofinishing operation is also described.

Abstract: Method for producing colored anodic oxide films on aluminum-based alloy materials comprising steps of subjecting the material having an oxide film thereon to a coloring electrolytic treatment in a bath of electrolyte containing water soluble nickel salt and boric acid. The material is applied with alternating voltage pulses having negative pulse duration which is the same as or greater than duration of positive voltage pulse.