Abstract: Separating volatile impurities from AlCl.sub.3 by supplying impure AlCl.sub.3 into a molten salt bath of a gas separation compartment in an electrolysis cell. The impurities are removed from the compartment and molten salt bath containing dissolved AlCl.sub.3 is carried under a partition into a chamber where the AlCl.sub.3 is electrolyzed. In a preferred embodiment, desublimation is avoided by supplying AlCl.sub.3 to the bath as a gas rather than in solid form.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an additive and the method of adding the additive to the electrolyte of a Hall-type cell in order to facilitate and improve the activation of the melt of the Hall-type cell. The additive decreases the impedance of the melt to the high energy impulses used in activation of the melt by increasing the dielectric constant of the melt. The additive is a high dielectric material selected from the group consisting of barium oxide, barium titanate, and titanium oxide.

Abstract: A process for selectively converting methane to ethylene and hydrogen is provided. Methane is brought into contact with a metal powder catalyst and subjected to a pulse train of microwave radiation for a sufficient period of time to effect conversion thereof. The reaction products are recovered.

Abstract: A refractory brick made from a size graded batch comprising 20-30 weight percent magnesite containing less than 0.8 weight percent silica, and the balance a chrome ore. The chrome ore includes oxides of chromium, aluminum and iron wherein the ratio between the oxides of chromium and the oxides of aluminum and iron is greater than 2 to 1. The silica content of the chrome ore is less than 2.7 weight percent, the iron oxide content is less than 17 weight percent, and the chrome ore to magnesite ratio is between 2.33 to 4 to 1.

Abstract: Alkylene glycols are prepared by reaction of an alcohol with formaldehyde and an organic peroxide having a formula R--O--O--R.sup.1 where R and R.sup.1 are independently either alkyl or aralkyl groups containing 3 to 12 carbon atoms. The reaction is carried out in the presence of electromagnetic radiation which is able to decompose the organic peroxide. The alcohol used in this process is either methanol, a secondary alcohol or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A process for the selective oxidation of olefins comprises the steps of forming a suspension of semiconductor powder in a solvent media, adding an olefin to the solvent media in the presence of an oxidant to form a mixture and, photochemically activating the mixture with illumination having an energy at least equal to the band gap of the semiconductor powder wherein the selectivity is controlled by the selection of A, of the solvent and of the oxidant. The process is one carried out at about ambient temperature and with gentle agitation. The semiconductor powder has the general formula A.sub.x B.sub.y C.sub.z where A is selected from Bi, Sn, Pt, Pd, Cu, Fe, W, V, Sb, Mo, Ru or Ag and mixtures thereof; B is Te, Sb, Ti, Cd, Mo, V or W and mixtures thereof; C is O or S; x equals 0 to 5; y equals 1 to 3; and z is a number necessary to satisfy the other elements, and is optionally metallized by an element selected from Pt, Pd, Cu or Ag.

Abstract: A heating element includes a sealed chamber containing hydrogen gas and a source of high energy light adapted to direct such high energy light into the hydrogen in the chamber to cause disassociation of the hydrogen molecules into hydrogen atoms whereby when the hydrogen atoms recombine to produce hydrogen molecules, heat is generated to heat the container. In addition, a method of heating a container comprises the steps of filling the container with hydrogen gas, directing high energy light into the hydrogen gas to cause disassociation of the hydrogen molecules into hydrogen atoms, and allowing the hydrogen atoms to recombine to form hydrogen molecules thereby giving off heat.

Abstract: The efficiency of liquid hydrocarbon fuel is increased by subjecting it to both magnetic forces and radioactive or laser rays. The fuel may be treated by the magnetic forces and rays either simultaneously or alternately. Furthermore, the magnetic forces and radioactive rays can be applied once or can be repeatedly applied. Devices are shown which accomplish these procedures.

Abstract: A method for improving product yields in an anionic metalloporphyrin-based artificial photosynthesis system for hydrogen generation which comprises forming an aqueous solution comprising an electron donor, methylviologen, and certain metalloporphyrins and metallochlorins, and irradiating said aqueous solution with light in the presence of a catalyst. In the photosynthesis process, solar energy is collected and stored in the form of a gas hydrogen. Ligands attached above and below the metalloporphyrin and metallochlorin plane are capable of sterically blocking photochemically inactive electrostatically bound .pi.--.pi. complexes which can develop.

Abstract: A salt melt of alkali and/or alkali earth chlorides and fluorides, heated to 50.degree.-100.degree. C. above the melting point is employed to purify heavily contaminated scrap aluminum. The scrap aluminum, preheated to 400.degree.-500.degree. C. is added to a melting or holding furnace containing the less dense salt melt, the mixture stirred if necessary and then held at the above mentioned melt temperature for at least one hour. First the sedimented metal phase, then the salt melt are filtered through a resistant open pore ceramic filter and thus freed of solid impurities. The aluminum is transferred to an electrolytic cell for purification, and the molten salt melt recycled.

Abstract: A colorless, cerium-and phosphorous-containing barium silicate glass, with a density of >3.3 g/cm.sup.2, a radiation length <43.5 mm, with strong fluorescence at 415-430 nm and with good scintillation properties, consisting essentially of (in percent by weight):______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 20-60 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-18 21-60 P.sub.2 O.sub.5 1-10 Li.sub.2 O 0-10 Na.sub.2 O 0-10 K.sub.2 O 0-15 MgO 0-10 SrO 0-12 BaO 30-60 30-60 La.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-10 Ce.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.5-8 Other oxides 0-20 Al.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: Nacreous pigments having improved light fastness are based on mica platelets coated with titanium dioxide and, optionally other additional metal oxides. These pigments carry an additional thin manganese oxide layer. The pigments are prepared in a process wherein mica is coated in aqueous suspension with one or more titanium dioxide hydrate layers and, optionally, with further metal oxide layers, mixed with the titanium dioxide hydrate or separately therefrom, and then is washed, dried and calcined. The process further comprises precipitating an additional layer of manganese hydroxide onto the base pigment, either directly after coating with the titanium dioxide hydrate and/or metal oxide layers or after the calcination thereof. The flakes are the washed, dried and calcined.The new pigment can be used for pigmenting plastics, lacquers, paints and cosmetics, inter alia.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive film having special utility for maintaining medical devices on the human skin. The film comprises a laminated base layer on a surface of which a water based pressure sensitive adhesive is coated. The adhesive is formed of a mixture of a polyacrylic latex and an ester resin, together with a thickening agent.

Abstract: The release pattern of a dispersion type active agent dispenser can be improved by forming the device from a depleted zone containing the agent at a concentration no greater than the saturation and a non-depleted zone containing the agent dispersed in the matrix at a uniform concentration greater than saturation. The depleted zone is disposed between the surface through which the agent is to be dispensed and at least a substantial portion of the non-depleted zone with the interface therebetween disposed at a non-uniform distance from the releasing surface. Certain embodiments are particularly useful for the transdermal administration of drugs.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in the water-gas shift reaction in which an aqueous solution of ammonia or an ammonia yielding compound serves as a catalyst to increase the rate of, as well as shift the equilibrium toward, the production of hydrogen. The ammonia yielding compounds are preferably ammonium hydroxide or the weak acid salts of ammonia. Water for the reaction may be supplied by the solvent for the catalyst so that a separate source of steam is not required.

Abstract: A water purification arrangement which uses as the water treating agent ionized oxygen allotrope gas in multiple (multivalent) ion charge forms (as distinguished from common chemical treatment substances), in which the raw material for practicing the invention is ambient atmospheric air, and specifically its atmospheric oxygen content. The arrangement provided has a gas flow path having multivalent oxygen ion allotrope forming sites that each include a magnetic flux field energy zone within the ambient air flow path characterized by interacting multi-polar magnets that exert flux fields across the flow path, and one or more elongate oxygen photolysis lamps enveloping the flux with ultraviolet light wave length ionizing electronvolt radiant energy emissions. The ambient atmospheric air is passed in a continuous flow through the flow path and then is conveyed to and is interspersed in the water to be treated in a continuous flow application.

Abstract: In order to control a crust breaker featuring a chisel which can be moved up and down to break the crust on a fused salt electrolytic cell, an electric impedance measuring circuit comprising signal generator and registering instrument is connected between the chisel and the molten electrolyte. As such the generator is preferably in the form of an alternating signal generator, and DC signals, such as operating parameters of the cell and the voltage between the anodes and the cathode, are excluded from the impedance measuring circuit by means of DC neutralizing capacitors.

Abstract: A boron nitride complex comprising hBN in which lithium or an alkaline earth metal is diffused and supported in the form of its boron nitride. The boron nitride complex is prepared by heating hBN powder or a sintered product thereof and lithium, an alkaline earth metal, a lithium nitride or boride, or an alkaline earth metal nitride or boride in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to diffuse in and deposit on hBN powder or sintered product thereof, the lithium or alkaline earth metal in the form of its boron nitride. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a light-transmitting dense body of cubic system boron nitride, which comprises diffusing in and depositing on a sintered product of hexagonal system boron nitride, from 0.15 to 3.0 molar % of Me.sub.3 B.sub.2 N.sub.4 where Me is an alkaline earth metal, and sintering the Me.sub.3 B.sub.2 N.sub.4 -containing product thereby obtained, at a temperature of at least 1350.degree. C. under a thermodynamically stable pressure for cubic system boron nitride.

Abstract: Surface properties or, in particular, antistatic performance of a shaped article of a synthetic resin can be remarkably and lastingly improved by the exposure of the surface to low temperature plasma in two steps, in one of which the plasma is generated in an atmosphere containing a nitrogen-containing organic compound, e.g. amine, amide and the like compounds, and in the other of which the plasma is generated in an atmosphere containing a fluorine-containing organic compound, e.g. fluorinated hydrocarbon compounds. Alternatively, the plasma treatment is undertaken in one step with low temperature plasma generated in an atmosphere containing both of the nitrogen- and fluorine-containing organic compounds.

Abstract: Electrolytic cells for production of Mg or other metal lighter than the molten electrolyte comprise electrode assemblies of anode 28, cathode 26 and intermediate bipolar electrodes 30 with substantially vertical regions 39 between them. The intermediate bipolar electrodes have open-top channels 50 along their top edges. An electrolyte/metal mixture rising from the interelectrode regions by gas lift is transported along these channels, substantially undisturbed by rising gas, to a weir 20 and then to a metal collection chamber 18. The electrolyte surface is kept at a constant level, preferably by means of a vessel 22 submerged in electrolyte in the metal collection chamber, to or from which molten electrolyte can be transferred to alter the surface level.