Abstract: Provided is a method for producing high-purity acetaldehyde from acetic acid inexpensively and industrially efficiently. The present invention relates to a method for producing acetaldehyde via acetic acid hydrogenation. The method hydrogenates acetic acid to give a reaction fluid. The reaction fluid is charged into an absorber. From the reaction fluid, condensed components are absorbed with an absorbing liquid, and non-condensable gases are dissolved in the absorbing liquid. A bottom liquid of the absorber is decompressed (reduced in pressure) to strip the dissolved non-condensable gases from the absorbing liquid. The residual liquid after the non-condensable gas stripping is recycled to the absorber.

Abstract: A nitrile compound having a complicated structure (e.g., 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile) is converted into an amide compound with high production efficiency, by using a novel microorganism of which the gene 16S rRNA has a specific base sequence. As the microorganism, Rhodococcus sp. Cr4 strain and Rhodococcus sp. Am8 strain or the like is employed.

Abstract: A nitrile compound or an amide compound is hydrolyzed in the presence of an inorganic acid or other acidic catalyst or an alkali metal hydroxide or other basic catalyst, and the by-produced ammonium salt of the acidic catalyst or the produced salt of a carboxylic acid and a base is electrodialysed to form an acid and ammonia or aqueous ammonia, or to form a base and ammonia. The obtained acid or base may be recycled as a catalyst for the hydrolysis of the nitrile compound or amide compound, and the obtained ammonia is reutilized as a nitrogen source for the nitrile compound or amide compound. Such amide compound may be produced by hydration of a nitrite compound in the presence of a manganese oxide.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus for four-wheel drive includes a transfer mechanism for adjusting for the difference between rotating forces applied to front and rear wheels of a vehicle. A differential gear is coupled with a transmission, and the transfer mechanism is coupled with the differential gear. An annular oil sealing portion is provided on a shaft of the transfer mechanism to partition and separate the transfer mechanism from the differential gear.