Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the ecological usage of acid effluents. Also disclosed is a sorption agent which is characterized in that an acid effluent, created from the production of fullers earth which contains as main ingredients Fe.sup.2+/3+ -, Al.sup.3+ -, Ca.sup.2+ - and Mg.sup.2+ cations and inorganic anions, is reacted with an alkali silicate. The resultant precipitate is separated in an aqueous phase and, when necessary, purified and dried. The sorption agent can be used for the bleaching of oils or for the removal of soaps, phospholipids and heavy metals from oils, specifically edible oils.

Abstract: A composition containing thiolate for the removal of heavy metal ions from dilute aqueous solutions, characterized in that the composition is a sorption complex of a thiolate with two or more -SMe- groups (wherein Me represents alkali or ammonium) with a swellable silicate, whose ion exchange capacity is 5-350 milliequivalents/100 g. The composition is suspended in the aqueous medium to be purified and separated off after the absorption of the heavy metal ions from the aqueous solution. The heavy metals can be recovered in known ways.

Abstract: A method for the processing of fecal waste by treatment with mineral clay, characterized in that:A. a smectite clay, enriched with aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, specific for the digestion of fecal waste, and with plant preparations which promote the increase of said microorganisms, and lime, is allowed to digest the fecal waste; andB. an acid phosphate is added to the fecal waste treated in this manner, after addition of the enriched smectite clay and shortly before use of the treated waste as a fertilizer.

Abstract: A process for the two-stage decomposition of hemicelluloses of xylane-containing natural products is disclosed for the purpose of obtaining xylose and/or xylitol. According to the process, in a first stage natural products containing xylane are brought into contact with an alkali hydroxide solution and the residue conveyed into a subsequent extraction zone where it is extracted. In a second stage the extraction residue of the first stage is brought into contact with dilute acid and the residue conveyed into a subsequent extraction zone is extracted. The process is characterized in particular that the treated material is moved continuously in both stages in successive reactors by conveyor devices having different conveying performances, e.g., different lengths, cross-sections, speeds of conveying and the like.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for the production of xylose or xylitol wherein a vegetable material is contacted with a basic substance and the solid residue is thereafter treated with an acid, the improvement resides in the use of stone nut shells, in employing a two-stage digestion initially with a 1.5-6 molar alkali metal hydroxide solution at 10.degree.-50.degree. C. and thereafter diluting the digestion mass to 0.75 molar or less and digesting at a temperature of at least 60.degree. C.

Abstract: Process for the two-stage decomposition of hemi-celluloses of xylan-containing natural products for the purpose of obtaining xylose and xylitol where the starting material is treated in the first stage with a basic medium and the obtained solid residue is subjected in a subsequent stage to an acid treatment wherein the alkaline and acid stages are carried out in a single reaction vessel.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of xylose solutions from oat husks which comprises:A. hydrolyzing oat husks with a solution of alkali metal hydroxide to provide oat husks from which the chemically bound acetic acid originally present therein has been substantially completely removed, and a solution of acetic acid, provided, that a quantity of not less than one mole, and not more than two moles, of said solution of alkali metal hydroxide is used per mole of acetic acid originally present in the oat husks;B. recovering the oat husks from which the chemically bound acetic acid has been substantially removed; andC. hydrolyzing the oat husks of step (b) with a mineral acid to provide a solid residue containing lignin and an acidic solution of D-(+)-xylose.

Abstract: Xylitol which is useful as a sugar substitute is produced from xylan containing natural products by: acid hydrolyzing xylan to xylose; concentrating the hydrolysis solution to remove acetic acid by-product; diluting with water; adjusting the pH to about 6.5 to about 7.5; catalytically hydrogenating the xylose to xylitol under pressure; and recovering xylitol by extraction.