Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of solvents and/or lubricants from renewable sources, comprising the steps of fat hydrolysis and an esterification reaction of the fatty acids with alcohols in the presence of zinc oxide. To the product of the fatty acid esterification reaction, a non-solvent is added, obtaining a precipitate that is separated from the product and used as a catalyst in the previous hydrolysis step of the fats used as a raw material. In one embodiment, said process also provides an acidification step of waste soaps and surfactants. In one embodiment, the precipitate used as a catalyst in the fat hydrolysis step can be used as a catalyst also in the fatty acid esterification reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrolysis process carried out in the presence of a controlled carbon dioxide environment that allows recovering both the organic portion and the inorganic portion (glass fibers) of a fiberglass-reinforced plastic waste, at an organic yield recovered even higher than 95% by weight and with a suitable for manufacturing new articles, in particular fiberglass-reinforced plastic articles, which provides a profitable to the disposal in dump areas. In particular, the recovered organic products can be mixed as such, at a percentage as high as 20% and more, with a fresh unsaturated polyester resins that is normally used to manufacture common fiberglass-reinforced plastic articles, without worsening its features with respect to articles made starting from fresh resin alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrolysis process carried out in the presence of a controlled carbon dioxide environment that allows recovering both the organic portion and the inorganic portion (glass fibers) of a fiberglass-reinforced plastic waste, at an organic yield recovered even higher than 95% by weight and with a suitable for manufacturing new articles, in particular fiberglass-reinforced plastic articles, which provides a profitable to the disposal in dump areas. In particular, the recovered organic products can be mixed as such, at a percentage as high as 20% and more, with a fresh unsaturated polyester resins that is normally used to manufacture common fiberglass-reinforced plastic articles, without worsening its features with respect to articles made starting from fresh resin alone.

Abstract: A process for preparing ?,?-dichlorohydrin starting from glycerin and preferably gaseous anhydrous hydrochloric acid in the presence of low-volatility organic acids as catalysts.

Abstract: A method for forming packing for resin catalytic packed beds, comprising providing elastic elements capable of compressing under the pressure applied by resin particles which expand upon contact with a specific work substance, and have characteristics of elasticity and resiliency which are adapted for the expansion factor of the resin, preparing a packing constituted by a mixture of resin particles and elastic elements, mixed in proportions which are selected as a function of the degree of expansion, and loading the packing so as to constitute an elastic catalytic packed bed which is adapted to remain dimensionally stable following the expansion of the resin particles. The packing thus formed comprises a mixture of particles of resin, which can expand upon contact with a specific work substance and elastic elements.

Abstract: A process for producing esters from vegetal oils and animal fats, comprising the step of transesterification of vegetal oils or animal fats by reaction with an alcohol with low molecular weight in the presence of a catalyst comprising a salt of a carboxylic acid with a metal, wherein the salt of a carboxylic acid with a metal is a salt of a carboxylic acid with a metal selected from the group consisting of metals having a stability constant of the complex with di-benzoyl-methane log?DBM in the range between 8.54 and 10.35, or is a salt with a metal of a carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of fatty acids.

Abstract: A process for recovering column bottom residues produced by distillation of ethylene glycol resulting from an aromatic polyester production process, involving treating the residues with an aromatic mono-alkyl ester and distilling the reaction product.