Abstract: Apparatus is described for feeding a wire from a wire coil to a processing tation. When wire is taken from a coil and fed to a processing station, because of the tension imposed on the wire, the wire end carries out uncontrolled movements which in arc welding are known as "pig-tailing" effects. In order to obviate such uncontrolled movements of the wire after issuing from conventional guide means, in the present wire guide apparatus the wire is guided with a radius of curvature r which is equal to the radius of curvature which the cylindrical spring formed by the cylindrically wound wire has in its relaxed state. The wire guide apparatus comprises a guide tube which is joined tangentially to the coil housing and which is constructed with a slightly curved shape. Connected to the guide tube is a mouthpiece which has a curved tubular duct the radius of curvature of which is equal to the radius of curvature r.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for carrying out repair, maintenance or testing of apparatus, components and the like in hot cells, more particularly hot cells of reprocessing plants for spent nuclear fuels. The position of damage zones is detected and ascertained with the use of coordinates. Replacement parts and tools are moved into the maintenance and work position in dependence upon the coordinate data, and the repair or maintenance work is automatically carried out under computer control, with remote operation and remote monitoring. For carrying out the work, computer-controlled handling machines and manipulators are used which are adapted to travel in controllable manner in the hot cell. The monitoring and detecting, using coordinates, of damage zones and defects may be carried out with the use of cameras and/or leak detectors.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a process for the continuous production of isobutyric acid or an alkyl ester thereof by the Koch synthesis, which process comprises reacting propylene, carbon monoxide, and water or an alkanol in the presence of hydrogen fluoride in at least one reaction space containing a liquid phase and a gas phase under high pressure, releasing said pressure at least partially, whereby a gas containing organic compounds from said synthesis evolves from said liquid phase, adding oxygen to said evolved gas and at least partially combusting the organic compounds contained therein, then contacting the evolved gas containing the at least partially combusted organic compounds with at least a portion of the water or alkanol to be reacted with said propylene and carbon monoxide, whereby at least a portion of said combusted organic compounds are absorbed by said water or alkanol, returning said water or alkanol containing the absorbed combusted organic compounds to said reaction space, and discharging any unab

Abstract: Difficultly flammable polyarylene ether resins containing phosphorus having the structure ##STR1## and methods for making the same.

Abstract: An aqueous artificial resin dispersion, comprising an aqueous phase and a water-insoluble disperse phase formed from particles containing a copolymer formed in substantial part from a water insoluble or slightly soluble first monomer, wherein the copolymer additionally is formed from a second monomer of the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents hydrogen or methyl, R' represents hydrogen or an alkyl radical with 1 to 12 C-atoms, R" represents an alkyl radical with 7 to 20 C-atoms, and M represents a proton, an alkali metal ion, or an ammonium ion, with the proviso that the aqueous phase is free of low molecular weight, ionic emulsifying agents. Such dispersions are particularly well suited for continuous emulsion polymerization because of the highly stable monomer emulsions formed by mixtures produced according to the invention.

Abstract: Isobutyric acid is oxidatively dehydrogenated to methacrylic acid by passing a gaseous mixture of isobutyric acid, oxygen, nitrogen and optionally water vapor at temperatures of 300.degree.-450.degree. C. and pressures of 0.5 to 5 bar over a catalyst comprising molybdenum oxide, which also contains vanadium, phosphorous and a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, zinc, silver, aluminum, titanium, lead, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and tin, preferably precipitated on a solid silica support and calcined at 200.degree. to 400.degree. C. At conversion levels of 80 to 100% of the isobutyric acid used, a methacrylic acid selectivity of 60 to 74% is attained.