Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating an aqueous solution derived from sluicing of crude mononitrated or dinitrated aromatic compounds obtained by nitration of the corresponding aromatic compounds, consisting in: (a) contacting said aqueous solution with said aromatic compound thereby obtaining an aqueous phase and an organic phase; (b) recycling said organic phase in the nitration process; (c) distilling said aqueous phase; (d) recycling the resulting concentrated acid solution in the nitration process; (e) recycling or eliminating the recuperated water after distillation.

Abstract: Thermally stable alumina having a high specific surface at elevated temperatures, well suited as a catalyst support material, e.g., as the support substrate of catalysts useful for the conversion of exhaust gases emanating from internal combustion engines, contain an effective heat stabilizing amount of silica, such silica essentially being distributed within the crystalline network/structure of the alumina, and such silica-stabilized alumina having an isoelectric point above 7 and a reduced capacity for the isomerization of olefins.