Abstract: An automated gas measuring system comprises a constant pressure reactor system and a gas consumption monitoring system. A pressure drop in the reactor as a result of gas consumption is detected and the flow rate of gas to the reactor is adjusted to compensate for the pressure drop. Gas consumption is determined by measuring a drop in pressure in a gas holder due to the flow of gas from it to the constant pressure reactor system. The operations are controlled and automated by a control algorithm in a microcomputer.

Abstract: Selective hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bonds of conjugated diene copolymers is effective homogeneous solution in an organic solvent in the presence of certain divalent ruthenium carbonyl complex catalysts. The ruthenium catalysts have the general formula:Ru(CO)HA(Z).sub.3 ( 1)wherein A is a halogen atom, most preferably chlorine, or a hydrogen atom and Z is -PR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are selected from alkyl and aryl groups, preferably all the phenyl group, or have the general formula:Ru(CO)XY(Z).sub.2 ( 2)wherein X is a carboxylate group, particularly ClCH.sub.2 COO--, Cl.sub.2 CHCOO--, Cl.sub.3 CCOO--, F.sub.3 CCOO--, CH.sub.3 COO--, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 COO-- or p--ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 COO--, y is a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine atom or a bromine atom, or a hydrogen atom or a carboxylate group, Z is as defined above.

Abstract: Selective hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bonds of conjugated diene copolymers is effective homogeneous solution in an organic solvent in the presence of certain divalent ruthenium carbonyl complex catalysts. The ruthenium catalysts have the general formula:Ru(CO)HA(Z).sub.3 (1)wherein A is a halogen atom, most preferably chlorine, or a hydrogen atom and Z is --PR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are selected from alkyl and aryl groups, preferably all the phenyl group, or have the general formula:Ru(CO)XY(Z).sub.2 (2)wherein X is a carboxylate group, particularly ClCH.sub.2 COO--, Cl.sub.2 CHCOO--, Cl.sub.3 CCOO--, F.sub.3 CCOO--, CH.sub.3 COO--, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 COO-- or p--ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4 COO--, Y is a halogen atom, preferably a chlorine atom or a bromine atom, or a hydrogen atom or a carboxylate group, Z is as defined above; or have the general formula:Ru T(CO)(NO)(Z).sub.