Abstract: A system for removing ethylene from fruit storage chambers by catalytic combustion of ethylene in a closed circuit, wherein two heated catalytic reactors, each packed with catalyst and therebelow successive layers of material of weak heat conductivity, such as ceramics, and good heat conductivity, such as metal shavings, the reactors being connected therebetween by a collector to transpose gases from one reactor to the other, and a conduit provided with a heat exchanger connected between the collector and a storage chamber to conduct a small portion of the combusted gases to the storage chamber and cool the same before introduction thereto, and fan means for alternately conducting gas to and from the reactors and the storage chambers.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preservation of horticultural products in freshness by circulation of the atmosphere surrounding these products and removal of ethylene from it on the outside of the storage chambers, consisting in removing ethylene by catalytic combustion. Combustion of ethylene is carried out advantageously in the presence of platinum catalyst, obtained by impregnation of active aluminum oxide of specific surface area of about 200 m.sup.2 /g with a 0.05-0.5% solution of chloroplatinic acid followed by drying and heating in the stream of air at the temperature up to 550.degree. C. Ethylene combustion is carried out advantageously in the presence of platinum catalyst additionally activated by impregnation with oleic acid at the temperature of 60.degree.-80.degree. C., slow heating in the stream of nitrogen up to the temperature of 400.degree.-450.degree. C. for 2 hrs, followed by heating in the stream of air at the temperature 500.degree.-550.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing methacrylic esters from by-products, derived from aldehydes in the Oxo process.Other esters of methacrylic acid as exemplified by ethyl, propyl and butyl methacrylates can also be obtained.Isobutyrdehyde is oxidized with oxygen or oxygen-containing gas to isobutyric acid which is then esterified with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 aliphatic alcohol and the resulting isobutyric ester is then oxidized in liquid phase with oxygen or oxygen-containing gas to form a hydroxy isobutyric ester derivative which is then subjected to dehydration.