Abstract: A system for producing high purity argon wherein crude argon produced in a cryogenic rectification plant is processed in a pressure swing adsorption unit. Residual gas from the pressure swing adsorption unit is recycled to the cryogenic rectification plant and high purity argon is cooled prior to recovery against oxygen-containing fluid which is subsequently passed into the cryogenic rectification plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of arabinonucleosides of general formula I ##STR1## in which X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom,from triacetates of general formula II ##STR2## in which X has the above-mentioned meaning, and the groupsAc respectively mean acetyl groups,which is characterized in that an esterase or lipase is caused to act on these compounds.

Abstract: A process for the production of arabinonucleotides of general formula I ##STR1## in which X represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, is described, which is characterized in that an arabinonucleoside of general formula II ##STR2## in which X has the above-mentioned meaning, is fermented in the presence of an aryl phosphate of general formula III ##STR3## in which Y symbolizes a hydrogen atom or a nitro group andZ symbolizes two hydrogen atoms or two alkali metal atoms,with a microorganism that is capable of phosphorylating nucleosides.

Abstract: A process for the production of dulcitol by fermentative reaction of lactose by galactokinase-negative mutants of genus Kluyveromyces is described, which is characterized in that5 g to 25 g of glucose is added to the fermentation culture after substantial hydrolysis of the lactose per liter orthe fermentation is performed under the conditions of the resting-cell process.

Abstract: To provide a reliable, yet resilient, seat for a cutter blade or knife (13) in a rotary milling body (11), the milling body is formed with a bore (21) which intersects the inner wall (19) of a recess (12) in the circumference of the milling body (11). A roll pin is inserted in the bore, retained therein, but projecting over the plane of the wall surface (19). The knife (13) is formed with a longitudinal groove (27), having opposite flat angled side walls (60), which fit around the projecting surface of the roll pin. A holding element (15), fitted into the recess, bears against knife and resiliently clamps it against the roll pin. Preferably, the holding element (15) and the knife (13) are formed with an interengaging projection (41) and recess (42) arrangement.

Abstract: A process for the production of 4-androstene-3,17-dione and 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione of the general formula ##STR1## wherein . . . . . symbolizes a single bond or a double bond, characterized in that ergosterol ##STR2## is fermented with a culture of a microorganism strain capable of side-chain degradation of sterols.

Abstract: A process for the production of 17-oxosteroids by fermentative oxidation of 17.beta.-hydroxy steroids is described, which is characterized in that for the fermentation, a bacterial culture of the species Mycobacterium spec. NRRL B-3805, Mycobacterium spec. NRRL B-3683, Mycobacterium phlei NRRL B-8154 or Mycobacterium fortuitum NRRL B-8153 is used.

Abstract: 20 -Methyl-5,7-pregnadiene-3.beta.,21-diol derivatives of general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 means a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group andR.sub.2 means a lower alkyl group orR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together represent a tetramethylene group or a pentamethylene group and a process for their production are described.

Abstract: A process is claimed for the preparation of 4-androstene-3,17-dione and 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione of the general formula ##STR1## wherein symbolizes a single bond or a double bond, characterized by fermenting .alpha.-sitosterol with a culture of a strain of microorganisms capable of side chain degradation of sterols.

Abstract: A process for the production of 4-pregnene-3,20-dione and its derivatives of general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 means a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom or a methyl group,R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group, andR.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together symbolize a carbon-carbon bond orR.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group or an alkanoyloxy group with up to 6 carbon atoms andR.sub.4 means a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, is described, which is characterized in that a pregnane derivative of general formula II ##STR2## in which R.sub.1, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 have the above-mentioned meaning, symbolizes a single bond or a double bond,R.sub.5 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group or an alkanoyloxy group with at most 6 carbon atoms andR.sub.6 means a hydrogen atom or an alkanoyl group with at most 6 carbon atoms, is fermented with a bacterial culture of species Mycobacterium spec. NRRL B-3805.

Abstract: A process for the production of ergoline derivatives of general formula I is described ##STR1## in which the bonds represent two single-bonds or a double bond and a single bond.R.sub.1 means a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with 1-6 carbon atomsR.sub.2 symbolizes a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with 1-6 carbon atoms,R.sub.3 represents a carboxyl group or a grouping of formula--CONR.sub.4 R.sub.5 or --NHCQNR.sub.6 R.sub.7with R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 meaning hydrogen or an alkyl radical with 1-6 carbons atoms optionally substituted by a hydroxy group and R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 meaning an alkyl group containing 1-4 carbon atoms and Q meaning an oxygen or sulfur atom.

Abstract: A process for the production of .beta.-carboline derivatives of general formula I ##STR1## in which X represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom,Y represents a carbon-oxygen bond or a methyl group,R.sub.1 represents an alkyl group with up to 6 carbon atoms andR.sub.2 represents an alkyl group with up to 4 carbon atoms,from 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-.beta.-carboline derivatives of general formula II ##STR2## in which X, Y, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 have the above-mentioned meaning, is described, which is characterized in that the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-.beta.-carboline derivatives are fermented with a fungi culture of genus Fusarium or Myrothecium.

Abstract: A plant for the production of molten metals, includes a melting vessel and a metallurgical vessel receiving the melt from the melting vessel for aftertreating the melt and closed by a lid. The melting vessel has a tap opening for the melt provided on the bottom level of the melting vessel and located on the periphery of the melting vessel. The tap opening is positioned above a pour-in opening of the metallurgical vessel. In order to ensure a continuous melting procedure, the pour-in opening of the metallurgical vessel following the melting vessel is provided above a melt guiding chute arranged within the metallurgical vessel.

Abstract: A plant for the production of molten metals includes a melting vessel in whose wall burners and optionally oxygen-containing-gas feeding ducts are installed and on whose upper end a charging device as well as a gas evacuation duct receiving the offgases forming enter.In order to enable the continuous charging of the melting vessel by avoiding any unintentional escape of gas from the melting vessel, both the gas evacuation duct and the charging means run into the upper end of the furnace shaft laterally and approximately diametrically opposite each other. The charging means projects into a charging opening brushed over by a gas curtain and an intake chute for charging material is provided below the charging opening in a manner directed towards the center of the furnace shaft.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the production of molten steel or steel pre-products from scrap contaminated with combustible waste-like substances and heated and melted in a metallurgical meltdown vessel. In order to be able to dispose of the forming noxious substances at low costs and to keep the offgases free of impurities detrimental to the environment, the gas forming during charging of scrap into the metallurgical vessel and during heating and melting of the scrap, after conditioning to a temperature range of between 1000.degree. and 1500.degree. C., is used as a heating gas in a lime-burning process including a moving lime fixed-bed under release of its sensible heat. Sulfur- and chlorine-containing components of the heating gas are absorbed on the burnt lime and the dust contained in the heating gas is separated in the lime fixed-bed. The heating gas, which is purified and cooled at its passage through the lime fixed-bed, subsequently is finally purified in a filtering plant.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for the preparation of L-amino acids of general Formula I ##STR1## wherein A means the residue of an amino acid molecule, from D,L-aminonitriles of general Formula II ##STR2## wherein A has the meaning given above, characterized by fermenting the .alpha.-aminonitriles with a culture of Actinetobacter calcoaceticus DSM 3875 and reacting the thus-obtained D,L-amino acid amides of general Formula III ##STR3## wherein A has the meaning given above, with a culture of a microorganism containing amino acid amide racemases and L-amino acid amide amidases.

Abstract: Process is described for the production of L-amino acids of general formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 means an alkyl radical with at most 12 carbon atoms optionally substituted by hydroxy groups, mercapto groups, halogen atoms, amino groups, carbonyl groups or guanidino groups and/or interrupted by oxygen atoms, nitrogen atoms or sulfur atoms, and in the case of mercapto compounds of formula I also their dithio compounds, characterized in that the microorganism Nocardia spec. DSM 3306 or its enzymes are allowed to act on a D,L-imidazolidinedione derivative of general formula II ##STR2## in which R.sub.1 has the above-named meaning or, in the case of mercapto compounds of formula II, also in their dithio compounds.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the purification of wastewaters containing biodegradable aliphatic compounds which is characterized in that these compounds are brought into contact with microorganisms capable of biodegradation immobilized by embedment in a gel-type organic polymer that does not denature the microorganisms.

Abstract: A process is claimed for the preparation of chanoclavine, characterized by cultivating the microorganism Claviceps spec. DSM 2837 and isolating the thus-formed chanoclavine after termination of fermentation.

Abstract: A process is claimed for the preparation of festuclavine, characterized by cultivating the microorganism Claviceps paspali 2838 and isolating the thus-formed festuclavine after termination of fermentation.