Abstract: A process for inducing photochemical reactions using laser radiation employs a dielectric waveguide cell formed by a capillary passage communicating at its ends with a gas inlet chamber and a gas outlet chamber, each chamber being configured to encompass a cone of laser radiation focussed onto, or diverging from, the respective end of the capillary passage. The passage is configured to propagate the laser radiation therealong in one or more selected waveguide modes, thus defining an extended region of high fluence.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolytic cell including first and second inclined or nonhorizontal electrodes, means for holding the first electrode in position relative to the second electrode to form an inter-electrode zone of specified dimension, wherein the first electrode is held essentially free from support by the internal surfaces of the cell, and conductive means for electrically connecting one electrode to a separate liquid pad of higher conductivity than the electrolyte.Also disclosed is an electrolytic method including establishing first and second inclined or nonhorizontal electrodes in relative position in an electrolytic cell to form an inter-electrode zone of specified dimension for containing an electrolyte, supporting the first electrode essentially free from support by an internal cell surface, and connecting one electrode electrically with a separate liquid pad of higher conductivity than the electrolyte.

Abstract: To promote nucleation of a solute in a solution (e.g. wax dissolved in lubricating oil), free excess charge which is net unipolar is introduced into the solution, for example by charge injection, and the solubility for the solute is reduced (for example by cooling), at least until nucleation of the solution takes place. Nucleation is the physical mechanism which leads to precipitation of the solute and so this method can be applied for the electrical pretreatment of the solution to produce a precipitate, following which the precipitate can be removed from the solvent by conventional separation techniques or be present to provide desired physical or chemical characteristics. An alternative method is to reduce the solubility of the solute in the solution almost to the point of nucleation, and only then to introduce the free excess charge so as to precipitate the onset of nucleation.

Abstract: Radiation from fission or fusion nuclear reactors or the like is converted to chemical energy form in a process simplifying handling of the constituent materials and operable at moderate temperatures and pressures with conventional plant construction materials. Thus a chemical in liquid phase is irradiated to form precipitate solid and gaseous constituents. Preferable chemicals are SnCl.sub.4 in the process SnCl.sub.4(1) .fwdarw.SnCl.sub.2(s) +Cl.sub.2(g) and TiCl.sub.4(1) .fwdarw.TiCl.sub.2(s) +Cl.sub.2(g). To obtain titanium metal the following step is used: ##STR1## This latter process also stores enough energy to release hydrogen from water.

Abstract: An electrolytic process comprising evolving oxygen on an anode in a molten salt, the anode comprising an alloy comprising a first metal and a second metal, both metals forming oxides, the oxide of the first metal being more resistant than the second metal to attack by the molten salt, the oxide of the second metal being more resistant than the first metal to the diffusion of oxygen. The electrode may also be formed of CuAlO.sub.2 and/or Cu.sub.2 O.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the electrochemical decontamination of polluted water in a cell containing a porous cathode in the presence of oxygen. The oxygen is reduced in the presence of the cathode and the electro-reduction products are themselves used as depollution agents in the polluted water.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing oxalic acid to a product includes a cell. A separator which separates the cell into two chambers; a catholyte chamber and an anolyte chamber. Each chamber has an inlet and an outlet. A porous cathode having a catalyst is arranged within the catholyte chamber so that an aqueous catholyte, having ammonium chloride, entering the inlet of the catholyte chamber will pass through the cathode. A porous anode is arranged within the anolyte section so that an aqueous electrolyte, having ammonium chloride, entering the inlet of the anolyte section will pass through the anode and exit through the outlet of anolyte section. A source provides the catholyte which is a mixture of oxalic acid and an aqueous electrolyte, having ammonium chloride, to the inlet of the catholyte chamber while another source provides the electrolyte to the inlet of the anolyte chamber. A d.c.

Abstract: A fine powder of aluminum nitride having an average particle diameter of not more than 2 microns and comprising at least 94% by weight of aluminum nitride, at most 3% by weight of bound oxygen and at most 0.5% by weight as metal of metal compounds as impurities.The fine aluminum nitride powder is prepared from a fine alumina powder and a fine carbon powder as starting materials.The fine aluminum nitride powder provides a sintered body having a high purity and a high density such as at least 2.9 g/cm.sup.3.The fine aluminum nitride powder is also useful as a raw material for alpha-Sialon, beta-Sialon and AlN polytypes, as an addition aid in various ceramics.

Abstract: In order to inject a net unipolar charge, for example using a charge injector (1), into a liquid containing a dispersed contaminant without risk of blockage or arcing in the charge injector which could arise if the contaminated liquid were passed through the charge injector (1) itself, instead a substantially contaminant-free liquid is passed through the charge injector (1) and then the charged contaminant-free liquid brought into contact with the contaminated fluid in a mixing chamber (33), for example. The invention finds particular application in the electrostatic removal of contaminant from a liquid, where the mixing chamber is provided within a separation vessel (6), preferably containing a bed of densely packed beads (32). In the mixing chamber, the contaminants migrate under the influence of the electric field induced in the liquid mixture and conglomerate on the exposed surface of the beads.

Abstract: Lithium metal is continuously prepared by, in a specially adapted electrolytic cell, (i) continuously electrolyzing the lithium chloride which comprises a mixture of molten salts, which mixture comprises the medium of electrolysis and such medium of electrolysis naturally circulating within an interspace defined between the electrodes of the cell, said interspace being devoid of physical barrier between said electrodes, (ii) continuously withdrawing therefrom product lithium metal in admixture with the mixture of molten salts, and (iii) continuously discharging undiluted chlorine gas therefrom.

Abstract: A method of electrowinning a metal such as aluminum from e.g. a cryolite based melt containing alumina employs an enode having as its operative surface a protective coating which is maintained by the presence of constituents of the coating dissolved in the melt. The protective coating is preferably a fluorine-containing cerium oxycompound electro-deposited in-situ from cerium species dissolved in a fluoride-based melt.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved liquid phase chlorination process for the chlorination of methyl chloride to preferentially produce methylene chloride. The chlorine is provided to the reaction mixture in a mole percent, based upon the total moles of chlorine and methyl chloride in the mix, which ranges from about 16 mole percent to about 2 mole percent.

Abstract: The zirconium 91 isotopic content of zirconium is reduced by forming a solution of a zirconium compound and a scavenger of 8-hydroxyquinoline or its derivatives, and irradiating the solution with light at a wavelength which excites the compound so that it reacts with the scavenger. Because the molecules containing the zirconium 91 isotope remain excited longer, they react disproportionately with the scavenger. The reaction product, which precipitates from the solution, is therefore enriched in the zirconium 91 isotope. Micelle-forming agents can be added to the solution to enhance the isotopic enrichment.

Abstract: Novel coating compositions are disclosed which comprise aqueous dispersions of polyamine resins in the form of their acid salts along with azetidinedione crosslinking agents and other optional adjuvants.The compositions give rise to improved methods for the electrodeposition of heat-curable films on substrates.The compositions and methods find particular utility in the cathodic deposition of coatings and films on automotive parts and household appliances.

Abstract: Hydrogen is produced by irradiating a solution of H.sub.2 S dissolved in alkaline liquid medium using light in the visible range.

Abstract: A metal alloy oxide film and sputtering method for its production are disclosed, as well as a high transmittance, low emissivity coated product employing said metal alloy oxide film as an antireflective film in combination with a metallic film such as silver.

Abstract: A method for preparing 4-keto-9-methylphenazine, which comprises methylation of phenazine with dimethylsulphate, followed by keeping the resulting reaction mixture at a temperature within the range of from 0.degree. to 10.degree. C. and carrying out a photo-chemical oxidation of the resulting 9-methylphenazinium methylsulphate by UV-irradiation for not longer than 3 hours, bringing the pH of the reaction mixture to 8.5-9.5, a repeated irradiation thereof for additional 3-5 hours, and isolation of the desired product.

Abstract: A method for making ultra-fine ceramic particles, in which metal powder constituting a portion of the ultra-fine ceramic particles intended for production is injected at a rate of not less than 70 grams per minute into a plasma jet so that the metal powder is vaporized. The vaporized metal powder is then mixed with a reactive gas, which includes an element consituting the other portion of the ultra-fine ceramic particles, filled in the surrounding area of the plasma jet, and thereby the vaporized metal powder and the reactive gas produce a synthetic reaction. The ultra-fine ceramic particles are produced continuously because of the reaction flame.

Abstract: Photochemical reactions are conducted using polymer beads arranged as a monolayer, e.g. floating on the surface of a moving body of water. The polymer bead is impregnated with a reactant, floated on the water or otherwise exposed as a monolayer in direct sunlight so as to expose the reactant to solar radiation, collected at a downstream location, treated to remove product from the polymer, and then the bead can be recycled. The process can be used to collect and store solar energy in chemical form, or for conducting photochemical synthesis to produce useful chemical products.

Abstract: A refractory for use in a non-ferrous metal melting furnace, comprising a mixture of high-alumina aggregate particles containing at least 60% by weight of aluminum oxide and silicon nitride particles, admixed with particles of a solid substance; e.g., graphite, which generates carbon monoxide by reaction with the melt of said non-ferrous metals. This refractory has an advantage of being highly difficult to be corroded by slag formed during melting of said non-ferrous metal.