Abstract: The thermal shock resistance of monolithic catalysts is improved by pre-coating a ceramic monolithic carrier, before the application of catalytic components, with an organic filling material which can be melted and burned out and which comprises a dispersion of very fine solid particles, by heating the carrier above the melting point of the filling material, then applying the catalytic components and then burning out the filling material.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for the removal and the recovery of washcoat remaining in the channels of freshly coated monolithic or honeycombed catalytic carriers. The carrier is inserted into a chamber from above and tightly fitted therein at least with the lowest part of the carrier therein. The chamber is fitted with a collection area and a runoff located thereunder. The runoff leads via a shutoff valve into a separation vessel under a vacuum. The opening and closing of the shutoff valve causes air to be aspirated through the carrier channels, which are open at the top or are gradually opened by means of a slotted slide. This action causes the washcoat remnants to be transferred into the separation vessel, where they can be collected in the sump and are then pumped off. The apparatus can be used in systems for manufacturing catalysts for cleaning exhaust gases.

Abstract: Finely divided precipitated silica with high structure and a______________________________________ BET surface (DIN 66 132) of 150 to 350 m.sup.2 /g Stamping density (DIN 53 194) between 60 and 120 g/l DBP number between 3.0 and 4.0 ml/g Particle size distribution at least 70% from 1 to 6 .mu.m ______________________________________can be prepared by heating a mixture of water and sodium silicate under agitation to a temperature of 70.degree. to 80.degree. C., adding concentrated sulfuric acid into this mixture until half of the alkali present has been neutralized, shearing the reaction mixture and optionally raising the temperature at the same time to 86.+-.5.degree. C. Concentrated sulfuric acid is added after a period of 30 to 120 minutes at a rather high rate until the pH of the silica suspension produced is 3.0 to 3.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for the removal and the recovery of washcoat remaining in the channels of freshly coated monolithic or honeycombed catalytic carriers. The carrier is inserted into a chamber from above and tightly fitted therein at least with the lowest part of the carrier therein. The chamber is fitted with a collection area and a runoff located thereunder. The runoff leads via a shutoff valve into a separation vessel under a vacuum. The opening and closing of the shutoff valve causes air to be aspirated through the carrier channels, which are open at the top or are gradually opened by means of a slotted slide. This action causes the washcoat remnants to be transferred into the separation vessel, where they can be collected in the sump and are then pumped off. The apparatus can be used in systems for manufacturing catalysts for cleaning exhaust gases.

Abstract: Finely divided precipitated silica for use as a delustering agent with high structure and a______________________________________ BET surface (DIN 66 132) of 150 to 350 m.sup.2 /g Stamping density (DIN 53 194) between 60 and 120 g/l DBP absorption number between 3.0 and 4.0 ml/g Particle size distribution at least 70% from 1 to 6 .mu.m ______________________________________ can be prepared by heating a mixture of water and sodium silicate under agitation to a temperature of 70.degree. to 80.degree. C., adding concentrated sulfuric acid into this mixture until half of the alkali present has been neutralized, shearing the reaction mixture and optionally raising the temperature at the same time to 86.degree..+-.5.degree. C. Concentrated sulfuric acid is added after a period of 30 to 120 minutes at a rather high rate until the pH of the silica suspension produced is 3.0 to 3.5.

Abstract: Aerogel like silica is prepared having:A BET surface area between 80-450 m.sup.2 /g;A bulk density between 10-60 g/l;A DBP number between 2.4-3.8;An average particle size range of 0.1-7 .mu.m;A most frequent particle size range of 1-2 .mu.m;A pH value in a 4% aqueous suspension of 6-8.The aerogel is produced by homogeneously distributing 5-50 weight % of water in air dispersed pyrogenic silica and drying the powdery mixture obtained. The products are especially useful as delustering agents.

Abstract: New indole-2-carbaldehyde compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is lower alkylR.sub.2 is hydrogen, halogen, or lower alkyl or alkoxy,With the proviso that when R.sub.2 is halogen or ethyl,R.sub.1 can also be hydrogenAnd the physiologically compatible derivatives thereof, are outstandingly effective in lowering excessive blood sugar in mammals.