Abstract: In the process for hydroformylation of 1,3-butadiene with carbon monoxide and hydrogen to form pentenals, the improvement comprising effecting the hydroformylation with 1,3-butadiene dissolved in an inert reaction medium at 100.degree. to 180.degree. C. at 5 to 35 MPa in the presence of an aqueous solution of a rhodium/phosphine complex and optionally a further phosphine as catalyst.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for recovering a sterilizing gas, in particular ethylene oxide, materials to be sterilized are sterilized with the sterilizing gas in a sterilizing chamber; the sterilizing gas/air mixture withdrawn from the sterilizing chamber is predried in a precooler; the predried sterilizing gas/air mixture is freed from residual moisture in a drier, the sterilizing gas liquefied in a low-temperature condenser and stored in a storage container until reuse in the sterilizing chamber. The sterilizing and the entire recovery of the sterilizing gas takes place at pressures beneath the atmospheric pressure surrounding the apparatus.

Abstract: 1,3-Butadiene is hydroformylated at 60.degree. to 150.degree. C. and 1 to 20 MPa in the presence of an aqueous solution which contains, as catalyst, at least one water-soluble rhodium compound and at least one water-soluble organic phosphine. A pH of 8 to 11 is maintained in the aqueous catalyst solution to increase the selectivity of the reaction with respect to the formation of n-five carbon aldehydes and their secondary products. The latter, in particular, can be hydrogenated to 2-propylheptanol, useful as the alcohol component of phthalic ester plasticizers.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for recovering a sterilizing gas, in particular ethylene oxide (ETO), materials to be sterilized are sterilized in a sterilizing chamber with a sterilizing gas and a gas flow is withdrawn from the sterilizing chamber. At least part of the sterilizing gas contained in said gas flow is liquefied and separated. The gas flow freed from liquefied sterilizing gas is returned to the sterilizing chamber whilst at the same time at least a part of the separated sterilizing gas is replaced by addition of inert-rendering gas, reducing the concentration of the sterilizing gas in the sterilizing chamber.

Abstract: A solvent condenser for an apparatus for recovering solvent from a carrier gas/solvent mixture is formed by at least one flooded evaporator.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for avoiding or reducing trouble-induced time delays in solvent recovery from production processes, apart from the solvent circuit and apart from the supplying of the locks with carrier gas, when necessary via at least one separate supply conduit a metered amount of pure carrier gas is supplied to the production plant and at the same time via at least one separate discharge conduit a substantially corresponding amount of mixture of carrier gas and solvent is withdrawn.

Abstract: The assembly for winding yarn on a thread package comprises electrically operated friction drive means and electrically operated axial drive means. The mandrel tube which carries the bobbin tube and the thread package is frictionally driven. The mandrel itself is axially driven by the electrically operated axial drive means. The friction drive and the axial drive are effective to operate in tandem. The friction drive comprises a synchronous motor. The axial drive includes a three-phase a.c. motor, a reluctance motor, or a d.c. motor.

Abstract: A device effects the method of controlling a reserve winding during winding of a thread onto a spool or core, in which the thread is fed to the spool by a delivery mechanism via a traversing device. A reserve winding zone is defined adjacent the end of the spool. The thread is applied to the spool at an intermediate point within the reserve winding zone. Then, the thread is moved outwardly along the spool toward the end thereof and subsequently moved inwardly in the direction of the thread package to be formed.The device comprises means for effecting the method of the invention. A specific embodiment includes a stationary limiting member and a pivotally mounted thread guide control member which moves in cooperation with the stationary member to effect the desired method.

Abstract: An expansible mandrel is useful for mounting spools and the like in winding machines. The mandrel comprises asecuring elements for locating clamping segments on the periphery of the mandrel. Mutually opposed conical surfaces are movably disposed with respect to each other for causing the clamping elements to exert an outwardly directed radial pressure thereby holding a mounted spool thereon. Each clamping segment is elongated and has a longitudinal axis disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. A plurality of recesses are distributed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center of each segment. The recesses are bores in a specific embodiment of the invention. The clamping segments are also substantially constant in width along the entire length thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for compensating short duration thread tension fluctuations during feed of thread to a textile machine. The method includes blowing a jet of fluid medium along the thread in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the thread from a delivery zone to a thread takeup zone. The blown jet of fluid medium produces a deflection of the thread from its straight path to form a storage or reserve of the thread from which thread may be taken during short-term fluctuations. The apparatus includes various forms of a blower mechanism and control means for providing the necessary storage or reserve of thread along its path of travel.