Abstract: Disclosed is the use of water-soluble graft copolymers prepared by free-radically initiated graft polymerization of 40 to 90% by weight of component (A), selected from the group consisting of monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and derivatives thereof, with 5 to 40% by weight of monomers (B), selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated C3-C10 monocarboxylic acids or the alkali or ammonium salts thereof, and 10 to 50% by weight of monomers (C), selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated N-containing monomers and/or ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing sulfo-groups, in cleaning compositions which, as well as the graft polymer, comprise at least one surfactant component, for hydrophilization and/or improvement of shine retention of hard surfaces which have been brought into contact with these cleaning compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of water-soluble graft copolymers prepared by free-radically initiated graft polymerization of 40 to 90% by weight of component (A), selected from the group consisting of monosaccharides, oligosaccaharides, polysaccharides and derivatives thereof, with 5 to 40% by weight of monomers (B), selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated C3-C10 monocarboxylic acids or the alkali or ammonium salts thereof, and 10 to 50% by weight of monomers (C), selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated N-containing monomers and/or ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing sulfo-groups, in cleaning compositions which, as well as the graft polymer, comprise at least one surfactant component, for hydrophilization and/or improvement of shine retention of hard surfaces which have been brought into contact with these cleaning compositions.

Abstract: Modified silicates are described which are obtained by reacting a waterglass solution with alkylsilanes of the general formula R—(CH2)n—Si—(X)3, in which X, in each case independently, is CH3, OCH3, OC2H5, OC3H7, OCOCH3 or Cl, and R is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched or cyclic radical having at least one O and/or N atom and at least 2 carbon atoms, and n is a number between 1 and 3, at a temperature in the range of from about 20 to about 80° C. The modified silicates are suitable for the hydrophilic finishing of hard surfaces, and can be used in detergents and cleaners.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of an enantiomerically enriched acylated amine wherein a phenylacetic acid derivative is brought into contact with a mixture of enantiomers of an amine H2NCR1R2R3, in which R1, R2, R3 are not equal to each other and each independently stand for H, CN, a whether or not substituted (cyclo)alkyl, ary-, alkylaryl or arylalkyl group, whether or not cyclic heteroalkyl or heteroaryl group with one or more N, O or S atoms or in which R1 and R2 (and R3) together with the C-atom to which they have been bound form a (bi)cyclic group that optionally contains one or more N, O of S atoms, in the presence of a Pen-G acylase derived from Alcaligenes faecalis. And method for the preparation of enantiomerically enriched amine of formula H2NCR1R2R3, in which R1, R2, R3 are as defined above, wherein an acylated amine is brought into contact with a Pen-G acylase originating from Alcaligenes faecalis.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing new water use in the water circulation system of a treatment plant in which the matter to be treated is purified and/or disaggregated using water in a treatment step. The suspension containing the remaining components is subjected to mechanical purification and the mechanically purified suspension is separated into two processing water streams. The first processing water stream is supplied back into the treatment step and the second processing water stream is subjected to a chemical-physical clarification. The chemically-physically clarified processing water stream is separated into two clarified water streams. The first clarified water stream is led into one of the two processing water streams and/or into the suspension and the second clarified water stream is subjected to a biological clarification. The biologically clarified water stream, being a fresh water stream, is led into one or two clarified water streams.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for disaggregating waste materials which contain at least partially reusable elements, mainly metals, plastics and cardboard. The waste materials are stirred in water by mechanical forces, large pieces, in particular plastic pieces, are coarsely crushed and soluble elements, in particular cardboard, are dissolved. The metallic elements are separated from the suspension as heavy materials, the remaining coarse solids, in particular plastics, are mechanically separated from the suspension, and the suspended fine solids are separated from the suspension by dewatering.

Abstract: A foam-inhibiting aqueous concentrate, stable in alkaline compositions, contains(a) about 5 to about 30% by weight of alkyl glucoside based on C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 fatty alcohols having a degree of glucosidation of about 1 to about 2,(b) about 5 to about 70% by weight of end-capped polyethylene glycol ether compound corresponding to formula IR.sub.1 O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n --R.sub.2 (I)wherein the radical R.sub.1 O is derived from 2-branched, even-numbered alkanols containing from 16 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is an alkyl radical containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and n is a number of about 5 to about 9,(c) about 5 to about 70% by weight of non-end-capped polyethylene glycol ether compound corresponding to formula IIR.sub.5 O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.2 --H (II)wherein the radical R.sub.5 O is derived from 2-branched even-numbered alkanols containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and z is a number of about 2 to about 5.

Abstract: A process for the production of alkyl polyoxyethylenes showing improved low-temperature behavior, by reaction of alcohols with ethylene oxide at elevated temperature in the presence of basic alkali metal compounds as catalysts and subsequent neutralization of the alkaline catalyst with acids, which under prior art practice was impractical because of clogging of reaction vessels and equipment associated with precipitation of salts during neutralization, is made practical by adding a finely divided solid to serve as a precipitation control agent during neutralization. The finely divided solids used are, in particular, organic and/or inorganic materials known in the prior art as filter aids, such as kieselguhr and sawdust or other finely divided cellulose.

Abstract: A process for the production of alcohol polyglycol ethers by reaction of an alcohol with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide wherein a basic alkali metal compound catalyst is employed in at least 0.5% by weight, expressed as sodium methylate, and based on the total weight of the reactants. The reaction mixture is neutralized in the presence of a filter aid.