Abstract: A process for producing an oxalate diester is provided. The oxalate diester is produced by reacting an aliphatic alcohol, carbon monoxide and molecular oxygen at an elevated temperature and under pressure in the presence of a catalyst comprising (1) metallic palladium or a palladium compound, (2) a heteropoly-acid and (3) at least one nitrogen compound selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, nitrogen oxides and esters of nitrous acid.

Abstract: Agitation shafts provided with agitation vanes at lower portions thereof are fastened rotatably to the outer circumferential surface of a support cylinder to form a soft ground hardening machine. Connecting means are provided between upper and lower portions of the support cylinder. The connect-means are adapted to be tensed and slackened for eliminating the inclination of the machine in operation. In a soft ground hardening method using this machine, the inclination thereof can be eliminated as the direction in which the machine is inserted into or withdrawn from the soft ground is measured momentarily.

Abstract: Agitation shafts provided with agitation vanes at lower portions thereof are fixed rotatably around a support cylinder to form a soft ground hardening machine. A direction control unit is provided at a lower portion of the support cylinder so as to control the direction in which the machine is inserted into and withdrawn from the soft ground. In a method of hardening the soft ground by using this machine, the direction in which the machine is inserted into and withdrawn from the soft ground is controlled as the direction in which the machine is being inserted into or withdrawn from the soft ground is measured.