Abstract: The process gives highly pure cyclopentadiene and methylcyclopentadiene from a cracked gasoline fraction. The merit of the process is that cyclopentadiene and methylcyclopentadiene are recovered by adding a simple distillation system to a conventional cracked gasoline treating plant without altering the plant and operating conditions thereof. An internal reflux stream is withdrawn from the stripping section of a BTX column of a conventional cracked gasoline treating plant, and is sent to a depolymerization-distillation column operated at a bottom temperature of 160.degree.-230.degree. C. The overhead stream of the column is sent to a cyclopentadiene column operated at a bottom temperature of 160.degree.-230.degree. C. Cyclopentadiene is recovered from the overhead of the column, and the bottom stream is sent to methylcyclopentadiene column operated at a bottom temperature of 170.degree.-210.degree. C. Methylcyclopentadiene is recovered from the overhead of the column.

Abstract: A solenoid for selectively actuating a valve. The solenoid has a housing removably connected in a fluid-tight manner to a housing of the valve. An actuating coil is housed within the solenoid housing with an actuating plunger coaxial therewith internally thereof. The plunger is actuated reciprocably to a projected position for opening the valve when the actuating coil is energized and restores to a restored position when the coil is deenergized. The plunger terminates in a push pin of lesser diameter and defines a shoulder therewith and an opposite end terminates in an axial shaft or axle shaft of lesser diameter which defines a second shoulder therewith. Flexible dampeners are mounted on both shoulders for dampening the plunger movement as it reaches two extreme positions corresponding to the projected and restored positions thereof. The dampeners engage portions of the solenoid housing to dampen the plunger arrival at its terminal or extreme positions.

Abstract: A process for purifying a halogenated alkenylphenol polymer by treating the polymer with an aqueous solution of a basic compound such as a hydroxide, carbonate, or hydrogen carbonate of an alkali metal, an alkylamine, or ammonium. By the treatment, low molecular weight halides, etc., contained in the halogenated polymer as impurities are effectively removed.

Abstract: A process of producing a high molecular weight alkenylphenol polymer which comprises cationically polymerizing an alkenylphenol, such as vinylphenol, in the presence of a nitrile using a cationic polymerization initiator in a homogeneous reaction system. The resulting alkenylphenol polymer is useful as a starting material for preparing a thermosetting resin, a high molecular weight electrolytic substance, an ion exchange membrane, adhesives, glass-fiber-reinforced composite materials, etc.

Abstract: A method for diaphragm electrolysis of an alkali metal halide which comprises electrolyzing an alkali metal halide solution by passing an electric current through an anode compartment and a cathode compartment of an electrolytic cell containing the alkali metal halide solution with an ion-exchange membrane of a graft copolymer of a polyolefin main chain and a side chain composed mainly of hydroxystyrene and grafted to the polyolefin main chain separating the anode compartment and the cathode compartment.

Abstract: A graft copolymer comprising a hydrocarbon polymer main chain and a side chain composed mainly of a styrene compound of the following formula (I) ##SPC1##wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an R'CO group, in which R' is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and a polyene compound grafted to the hydrocarbon polymer main chain and a process for preparing the graft copolymer comprising graft-copolymerizing the above copolymer components with the hydrocarbon polymer by ionizing radiation. The graft copolymer is especially suitable as an ion-exchange membrane or a basic polymer matrix for an ion-exchange membrane.