Abstract: A method for bleaching unbleached softwood or hardwood pulps using hydrogen peroxide without added alkali for activation is described. The aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution contains an alkaline earth metal carbonate, preferably magnesium carbonate and can be used at elevated temperatures. Bleached hardwood or softwood mechanical pulps with high brightness, low yellowness (b*) and reduced reversion properties are produced.

Abstract: A method for bleaching unbleached softwood or hardwood pulps using hydrogen peroxide without added alkali for activation is described. The aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution contains an alkaline earth metal carbonate, preferably magnesium carbonate and can be used at elevated temperatures. Bleached hardwood or softwood mechanical pulps with high brightness, low yellowness (b*) and reduced reversion properties are produced.

Abstract: A method for reducing brightness reversion and yellowness (b*) of bleached mechanical wood pulps. The pulp is digested in an aqueous formaldehyde solution containing carbonate, preferably in an amount up to 30% by weight of pulp. Paper made from the digested pulp can be further improved by treating with a reversion inhibitor such as a polyethylene glycol bisthiol.

Abstract: Novel substantially odor-free polymeric thiol-containing antioxidant compounds suitable for preventing light induced brightness reversion or yellowing of pulps and papers and polymeric materials are described. The novel compounds are based on a polymeric backbone having thiolactate or thioglycolate groups grafted onto the ends thereof and are soluble in water or alcohol.

Abstract: C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 hydrocarbons may be produced under the action of pulsed microwave energy in a reactor containing activated charcoal as a catalyst/reactant. Methane and/or water is the other active ingredient and the product is primarily acetylene.

Abstract: Hydrogen cyanide is produced by reacting ammonia or urea and elemental carbon or a hydrocarbon while irradiating them with microwave energy.

Abstract: A process is provided for selectively converting methane and a hydrating agent to C.sub.3 to oxygenates. More particularly, methane is reacted with water in the presence of a nickel metal powder catalyst using microwave irradiation to produce acetone and propanol.

Abstract: A process for selectively converting methane to ethylene and hydrogen is provided. Methane is brought into contact with a metal powder catalyst and subjected to a pulse train of microwave radiation for a sufficient period of time to effect conversion thereof. The reaction products are recovered.

Abstract: An exceptionally effective technique has been developed for desulphurizing hydrocracked petroleum pitch containing organic molecules having at least some chemically bound sulphur. Particles of petroleum pitch and a para- or ferromagnetic material catalyst are intimately mixed and this mixture in the presence of hydrogen is subjected to microwave radiation so as to generate a high intensity oscillating electric field thereby releasing at least part of the chemically bound sulphur from the pitch as sulphur-containing gases without substantial increase of the temperature of the pitch and separating the sulphur containing gases thus formed. To avoid temperature rise during desulphurization, the microwave irradiation is preferably gated in a train of short pulses.

Abstract: A process for the safe and efficient disposal of toxic chlorinated hydrocarbon waste materials in which the chlorinated hydrocarbon is brought into close surface contact with a finely divided para- or ferromagnetic material, such as a fluidized bed of iron powder, in the presence of high intensity microwave radiation, so as to effect an electron transfer reaction which yields chloride anions, which subsequently react with the iron to form ferrous chloride, and an organic radical which is readily oxidized, in the presence of gaseous oxygen, to carbon dioxide and water.

Abstract: Stable paramagnetic alkali radical cationic triple ions of selected 1,2 and 1,4 dicarbonyl compounds and their nitrogen-containing analogs have been produced by both conventional alkali metal reduction of an appropriate organic compound and by a novel process in which the selected 1,2 or 1,4 dicarbonyl compound or the nitrogen containing analog thereof is mixed with an alkali tetraphenylborate and irradiated under ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Chemical compounds resulting from the mixing of organosilanes and quinones in the presence of di-tert-butyl peroxide as a sensitizer, exhibit strong blue phosphorescence. These compounds are highly resistant to deterioration by heat and UV irradiation. The unique feature of enhanced phosphorescence quantum efficiency at high temperature makes these systems most suitable for solar pumped lasers which usually will operate at relatively high temperature.