Abstract: A device for the raising and lowering of a chimney flue liner pipe within a chimney comprised of a wedge element affixed by a hinge member to a release element, the wedge element having a wedge element release rope aperture and a wedge element lowering rope aperture defined therein, and the release element having a release element lowering rope aperture and a release element release rope aperture defined therein; a release rope passing through the wedge element release rope aperture and the release element release rope aperture and affixed to the wedge element, and a lowering rope passing through the release element lowering rope aperture and then through the wedge element lowering rope aperture and affixed to the wedge element.

Abstract: A novel chelating agent having the formula ##STR1## in whichA. EACH OF X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3, and X.sub.4 is a member selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen; (ii) an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms; (iii) --CN; (iv) --So.sub.3 M.sub.1 ; (v) --COOM.sub.1 ; (vi) --OM.sub.3 ; (vii) --NO.sub.2 ; (viii) --OH; and (ix) ##STR2## in which each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms;B. each of M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, and M.sub.4 is a member selected from the group consisting of (i) a hydrogen ion; (ii) an alkali metal ion; (iii) one-half an alkaline earth metal ion; and (vi) an ammonium ion having the formula ##STR3## in which each of R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 is a member selected from the group consisting of (A) hydrogen; (B) an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms; and (C) a hydroxyalkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms; andC. Z is a member selected from the group consisting of (i) hydrogen; and (ii) hydroxyl.

Abstract: N,N'-Dicarboxymethyl-1,3-propanediamine (designated PDDA) is prepared by reacting 1,3-propanediamine with formaldehyde and HCN to form hexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetonitrile, which is hydrolyzed with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide to form dialkali metal hexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetate which, in turn, is reacted with mineral acid to form the desired PDDA and formaldehyde.N,n'-dicarboxymethyl-2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediamine (designated HYDROXY-PDDA) is prepared by reacting 1,3-diamino-2-propanol with formaldehyde and HCN to form 5-hydroxyhexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetonitrile, which is hydrolyzed with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide to form dialkali metal 5-hydroxyhexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetate which, in turn, is reacted with acid to form the desired HYDROXY-PDDA and formaldehyde.

Abstract: N,N'-Dicarboxymethyl-1,3-propanediamine (designated PDDA) is prepared by reacting 1,3-propanediamine with formaldehyde and HCN to form hexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetonitrile, which is hydrolyzed with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide to form dialkali metal hexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetate which, in turn, is reacted with mineral acid to form the desired PDDA and formaldehyde.N,n'-dicarboxymethyl-2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediamine (designated HYDROXY-PDDA) is prepared by reacting 1,3-diamino-2-propanol with formaldehyde and HCN to form 5-hydroxyhexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetonitrile, which is hydrolyzed with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide to form dialkali metal 5-hydroxyhexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetate which, in turn, is reacted with acid to form the desired HYDROXY-PDDA and formaldehyde.

Abstract: N,N'-Dicarboxymethyl-1,3-propanediamine (designated PDDA) is prepared by reacting 1,3-propanediamine with formaldehyde and HCN to form hexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetonitrile, which is hydrolyzed with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide to form dialkali metal hexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetate which, in turn, is reacted with mineral acid to form the desired PDDA and formaldehyde.N,n'-dicarboxymethyl-2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediamine (designated HYDROXY-PDDA) is prepared by reacting 1,3-diamino-2-propanol with formaldehyde and HCN to form 5-hydroxyhexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetonitrile, which is hydrolyzed with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide to form dialkali metal 5-hydroxyhexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetate which, in turn, is reacted with acid to form the desired HYDROXY-PDDA and formaldehyde.

Abstract: Iminodiacetonitrile is prepared by a process comprising: (a) forming an aqueous reaction mixture by admixing water, hexamethylenetetramine, formaldehyde, and HCN; and (b) forming iminodiacetonitrile by passing the aqueous reaction mixture through a continuous reaction zone while maintaining the temperature within the continuous reaction zone at 50.degree.-250.degree. C. The resulting iminodiacetonitrile can be recovered or it can be hydrolyzed to form an alkali metal salt of iminodiacetic acid which can be recovered or converted to iminodiacetic acid which can be recovered.In other embodiments: (a) the hexamethylenetetramine solution and the formaldehyde solution can be combined before being admixed with the HCN; or (b) the formaldehyde solution and the HCN can be admixed with a stabilizing acid to form an acid stabilized aqueous solution of formaldehyde and HCN before being admixed with the hexamethylenetetramine solution in the reaction zone in which iminodiacetonitrile is formed.

Abstract: N,N'-Dicarboxymethyl-1,3-propanediamine (designated PDDA) is prepared by reacting 1,3-propanediamine with formaldehyde and HCN to form hexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetonitrile, which is hydrolyzed with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide to form dialkali metal hexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetate which, in turn, is reacted with mineral acid to form the desired PDDA and formaldehyde.N,n'-dicarboxymethyl-2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediamine (designated HYDROXY-PDDA) is prepared by reacting 1,3-diamino-2-propanol with formaldehyde and HCN to form 5-hydroxyhexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetonitrile, which is hydrolyzed with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide to form dialkali metal 5-hydroxyhexahydropyrimidine-1,3-diacetate which, in turn, is reacted with acid to form the desired HYDROXY-PDDA and formaldehyde.