Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting hydrogen sorption and dissociation on an adsorbent metal at an elevated temperature, wherein the method is carried out in an apparatus including a vessel for containing an adsorbent metal, the vessel including a hydrogen intake path and a hydrogen discharge path, a pair of electrodes located at opposite ends of the vessel such that the vessel is insulated to the electrodes, and a source of power for supplying electric current to the electrodes, so as to effect electric current between the electrodes through the adsorbent metal.

Abstract: An electrode calibration apparatus which automatically calibrates a sensing electrode by providing a flow sensitive valve member which seals off flow of calibrating solution to the electrode during flow of a test solution past the electrode, but which permits calibrating solution to contact the electrode when the flow of test solution is interrupted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for thermally insulating precalcined anodes in cells for the production of aluminum by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in an electrolysis bath based on molten cryolite, comprising covering the upper part of the anodes with a heat-insulating layer of alumina and/or ground electrolysis bath, in which process a strip of aluminum substantially equal in height to the heat-insulating layer is applied to the upper part of the anode and over its entire periphery.To facilitate positioning of the strip, a ledge to which the strip is applied is formed around the periphery of the anode.

Abstract: A method of removing sulphur from coal prior to burning of the coal is the subject of the present invention. The coal is first comminuted to a size of no more than one inch and preferably one-half inch in diameter. The coal particles are placed in a reaction chamber in an aqueous suspension to which is added an inorganic base capable of reacting with hydrogen sulphide in order to neutralize the latter, such base preferably being calcium hydroxide. A photoelectric catalyst, characterized by structural imperfections to provide active sites for supporting a free radical reaction, is also introduced into the reaction chamber. The coal is then subjected to electromagnetic irradiation of a specific energy level in order to create a free radical reaction which results in removal of the sulphur from the coal. The coal is then cleaned and separated from the aqueous media, and the inorganic base and elemental sulphur are removed from the aqueous media.

Abstract: This invention provides a passive potentiostat which is adapted to function as a self-adjustable unipolar resistive load.The passive potentiostat is suitable for controlling the half-cell potential of a thermodynamically favorable electrochemical process, e.g., a process operating in a fuel cell mode or battery mode.

Abstract: An apparatus including a single electrolytic/reaction cell, for extraction of titanium sponge from rutile ore. Magnesium chloride is electrolytically separated into magnesium metal and chlorine gas within the cell. The chlorine gas produced is reacted with rutile ore and coke to produce titanium tetrachloride in a separate chlorinator and the product is directed to the cell subsequent to completion of electrolysis. Titanium tetrachloride is reacted with magnesium metal in the same cell where the magnesium is produced to form titanium sponge and magnesium chloride. The titanium sponge is separated within said cell with the magnesium chloride being recovered and recycled. Major impurities are separated by distillation. Plural electrolytic cells can be coupled to a single chlorinator in a continuous process. Very pure titanium sponge is produced with this self-replenishing process.

Abstract: A method for producing iodine or iodine derivatives which comprises oxidizing ammonium iodide with oxygen or oxygen-containing gas in a medium comprising a transition metal compound, a weak acid and water to produce the iodine or iodine derivatives.The iodine and iodine derivatives are useful as medical and agricultural chemicals, dyes, pigments, intermediates thereof and the like.

Abstract: A process is described for the selective production of hydrogen by means of heterogeneous photoredox catalysis, in which mixtures of water and alkali metal sulfites or sulfides, alkaline earth metal sulfites or sulfides or ammonium sulfites or sulfides are reacted under the action of light in a suspension of a cadmium sulfide, cadmium sulfoselenide or titanium dioxide/semiconductor powder which is at least partially coated with Cu, Cr, Ni, Co or a noble metal or mixtures thereof. The catalysts which can be employed in this process (coated semiconductor powders) are in some cases novel.

Abstract: A process for producing fluorine-containing organic compounds characterized in that fluorine-containing aliphatic iodides which comprise at least one selected from the group of R.sub.f I, R.sub.f ZnI and R.sub.f SnX.sub.2 I (where R.sub.f indicates a fluorine-containing aliphatic group; and X indicates halogen), or which comprise R.sub.f COOR' (where R.sub.f indicates a fluorine-containing aliphatic group; and R' indicates an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or aromatic hydrocarbon group) are reacted with organic compounds under ultrasonic wave action, whereby the R.sub.f group or the R.sub.f CO group is introduced into the said organic compounds.

Abstract: An electrolyte, containing alkali halide, is physically transformed by means of activation-triggering energy falling within a continuum of parameters defining threshold and maximum limits. The activation-triggering energy comprises various ionizing and subionizing forms. The resultant energy state exists in the frozen or molten condition and, in the latter, it is maintained for economically long periods either by a simultaneously induced chain reaction which is nearly powered by the heat of the material or by continuous exposure to radiation. Refurbishing impulses continue the effect.

Abstract: Aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic aliphatic and aromatic amines are prepared in a liquid phase reaction under the influence of light energy in the presence of a specified ammonium halide photocatalyst whereby addition of N--H bonds from ammonia or a primary or secondary amine occurs across the double bond of an olefin.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a process for electrochemically modifying electrochemically roughened aluminum or aluminum alloy-based support materials for printing plates. An aluminum or aluminum alloy-based support material is electrochemically roughened using alternating current in an electrolyte containing at least one from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid. Subsequently, at least one surface of the material is treated in an aqueous electrolyte, with the roughened material being made the cathode. The cathodic treatment results in removal of material from the surface in the order of from 0.1 to 10 g/m.sup.2, and is carried out in an aqueous electrolyte which has a pH value in the range from 3 to 11 and includes at least one water-soluble salt in a concentration ranging from 5 g/l up to the saturation limit thereof. The cathodic treatment is appropriately conducted using direct current at a current density from 3 to 100 A/dm.sup.2, at a temperature from 15.degree. to 90.degree. C.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrochemically deburring perforate metallic clad dielectric laminates such, for example, as laminated printed circuit boards (PCBs) or printed wiring boards (PWBs) and similar machined and fabricated laminated dielectric parts; and, more specifically, methods and apparatus for removing burrs formed during drilling, punching and similar machining operations for forming holes in a workpiece and wherein the conductive path for current flow during the electrochemical deburring process extends through the thru-hole perforations formed in the workpiece being deburred so as to concentrate current densities and preferential electrochemical attack in the regions of the clad at the peripheral edges of the thru-hole perforations in the clad dielectric laminate.

Abstract: An improved polyacrylamide gel in a gel buffer, a system and method for conducting discontinuous sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis is disclosed. The improved gel involves the use of a salt of 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol at a pH of from 6.4 to 7.3 The improved process involves the use of the gel in combination with 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol taurine as an electrolyte buffer at a pH of about 8.0 to 10.0.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying a working fluid and a wire electrode to a wire region of a wire-cut electrical discharge machine comprising a housing supported by a support member and having opposed aligned openings through which a wire electrode is passed into operation association with a workpiece at the work region to be operated on by the electrode. A working fluid is supplied under pressure into the housing and the working fluid passes through a nozzle supported in the housing against the workpiece. The nozzle is positioned in the housing to surround the wire electrode which travels therethrough and it projects from the housing to discharge the working fluid against the workpiece at a gap formed therewith. A guide die is supported in the housing to guide the wire electrode through the housing and the nozzle.

Abstract: Epichlorohydrin is prepared by the epoxidation of allyl chloride by a process which comprises irradiating an oxygen-saturated solution of allyl chloride in an aprotic solvent in the presence of an effective amount of an alpha-diketone sensitizer with the radiation of a 450 watt medium-pressure mercury lamp. Propylene oxide is prepared by a similar process by the epoxidation of propylene.

Abstract: A process to form polyethers from monoepoxides in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst being formed from a photoactivated rhenium carbonyl coordination compound precursor.

Abstract: A cw CO.sub.2 tunable laser is employed to irradiate an allyl halide selected from allyl chloride, allyl bromide, allyl fluoride, 2-methyl-3-chloropropene, and 2,3-dichloropropene and contained in one or more reaction cells at a predetermined pressure. A predetermined power level from about 25 to 150 watts, an irradiating time from about 0.2 second to about 60 seconds, and a selected radiation line for example P(36), P(32), P(28), P(26), or P(22) (that is resonant with an absorption band of the selected allyl halide) are employed to achieve dissociation of the selected allyl halide and to achieve a laser-induced photochemical synthesis of benzene and substituted benzenes.

Abstract: A device for the photosynthetic reduction of carbon dioxide and water by sunlight to formic acid, formaldehyde and methanol in the presence of semiconducting photoactive materials. Using preferred compositions of photoactive materials, selected from oxides and sulfides of copper, iron, molybdenum, ruthenium, lead, titanium, and from mixtures of any of these, and from barium titanate, calcium titanate, and strontium titanate, this photochemical solar collector also achieves photothermal energy conversion, thus providing the energy required for continuous distillation and recovery of the above organic materials produced.

Abstract: An improved polymer for use as an ion exchange membrane in an electrolytic cell wherein the polymer has pendant chains containing sulfonic acid ion exchange groups and has an equivalent weight of between about 800 and about 1500. The polymers have a hydration product of less than about 22,000.The electrolytic cell and its method of operation are described when these polymers are used as ion exchange membranes.