Abstract: Waste water containing nitrogen compounds is treated by first breaking the nitrogen compounds down by electrolysis in the presence of chlorine ions. The electrolysis step converts chlorine ions to hypochlorite ions. The partially treated water is returned to a storage container. The hypochlorite ions oxidize the nitrogen compounds and are reconverted to chlorine atoms. The partially treated water then may be returned to the electrolysis container to regenerate hypochlorite ions. In a second step, the partially treated waste water is passed over a metal peroxide catalyst. The metal peroxide catalyst further breaks down the nitrogen compounds, and removes the excess hypochlorite ions.

Abstract: Waste water containing nitrogen compounds is processed by adding an oxidant to the waste water. The oxidant may be one or more of a chlorine oxidant or hydrogen peroxide. The oxidant breaks down the nitrogen compounds through a breakpoint reaction. The partially processed water then is contacted with a metal peroxide catalyst. The metal peroxide breaks down and removes excess oxidant. The reaction may be carried out at normal temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Charging and discharging of a battery are controlled while observing the state of the battery, thereby improving its efficiency and increasing battery service life. A program control circuit acquires vehicle speed from a vehicle speed sensor and the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine from a rotation sensor. The program control circuit controls an inverter which performs AC-to-DC or DC-to-AC conversion between a motor-generator coupled to the internal combustion engine and a battery mounted on the vehicle. At the same time, the program control circuit acquires the charging and discharging current (i) of the battery, which is detected by a current sensor, and calculates the time integral I of the charging and discharging current (i). The circuit controls the charging current to the battery during regenerative braking, and the discharge current when the vehicle is being driven, in accordance with a function of the time integral I.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an engine-braking master piston for a first cylinder actuated by a first rocker arm which, in turn, is actuated by the inlet push rod of another cylinder and an exhaust-gas-recirculation master piston is provided which is actuated by a second rocker arm which, in turn, is actuated by the exhaust push rod of another cylinder. An oil passage selector valve is provided for selectively switching over the hydraulic pressures produced by the engine-braking master piston and exhaust-gas-recirculation master piston to an oil passage to actuate a slave piston and open an exhaust valve of the first cylinder. To effect engine braking, the exhaust valve of the first cylinder opens as the piston is near its top dead center position at the end of the compression stroke or at the beginning of the expansion stroke.

Abstract: In addition to an engine-braking master piston, an exhaust-gas-recirculation master piston is provided to pressurize an oil having been supplied to an oil passage and open an exhaust valve in a suction stroke. A directional control valve selectively switches transmission of hydraulic pressures produced by the engine-braking and exhaust-gas-recirculation master pistons so that the exhaust valve adjacent to a top dead center in a compression stroke is opened to discharge the compressed air. Exhaust gas recirculation can be effected while braking action by a braking force produced in the compression stroke is ensured.

Abstract: The separation material for separating and recovering a blood coagulation factor comprises a porous matrix having linked thereon one or more ligands each consisting of a radical exhibiting an affinity for the blood coagulation factor to be recovered, said matrix having a specific surface area of at least 1.5 m.sup.2 per milliliter of the separation material with respect to pores having diameters of at least 0.1 .mu.m and being derived from a porous particulate material having an exclusion limit molecular weight of at least 1.5.times.1.sup.6 as determined with polyethylene glycol. The separation material is prepared by the process steps of subjecting a porous particulate material having an exclusion limit molecular weight of at least 1.5.times.10.sup.

Abstract: A novel ion exchanger useful for universal ion-exchange purposes and, in particular, for ion exchanger for ion-exchange chromatography is proposed, said novel ion exchanger being obtained by introducing radicals of one or more ion-exchangeable groups into cross-linked glucomannan beads by a chemical treatment thereof. Such ion exchanger beads are superior in the compressive strength and permit a high flow rate of the liquid to be subjected to ion exchange through an exchange column packed with them.