Abstract: Triglycerides in fats and oils are lipase-hydrolyzed to fatty acids and glycerol, in the absence of surfactants, wherein much less lipase is employed than previously used, and yet essentially all the triglycerides are hydrolyzed. A special mixer is used having impeller blades, baffles to prevent mass swirling, and a spiral heating/cooling coil.

Abstract: Treatment of alpha-lactose with certain alcohols (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) at temperature of from about 120.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C. and pressures of from about 500 to 200 psi for sufficient time will result in complete transformation of all forms of alpha-lactose to beta-lactose. This beta-lactose has a high solubility in water where alpha-lactose has low solubility.

Abstract: Isopropenyl esters are prepared rapidly by reacting for about ten minutes at about 120.degree. C. and a pressure of about 400 pounds per square inch a fatty acid and propyne in the presence of loaded zeolite catalyst.

Abstract: .alpha.-Substituted acrylic acids are prepared from carboxylic acids in high yield and high purity by novel process. The .alpha.-substituted acrylic acids are prepared by condensing a fatty acid with 2-amino-2-methylpropanol, neutralizing the resulting oxazoline reaction mixture, converting the oxazoline with paraformaldehyde to an intermediate which is heated with an azetrope such as cumene or xylene and the resulting methylene oxazoline hydrolyzed to obtain the desired product.

Abstract: Isopropenyl esters and half isopropenyl ester-half carboxylic acid products are prepared by reacting at a temperature of about 150.degree.-160.degree. C. at maximum pressures of from about 400 to 1000 psi for about 10 to 20 hours in the presence of a suitable catalyst and in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid with methylacetylene or with a gas containing a mixture of methylacetylene, allene and some inert short chain hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Water repellancy is imparted to fibrous cellulosic textile material by applying to it, for a very short period of time, an isopropenyl ester containing a catalytic amount of an acid catalyst and then heat curing the treated material. Excellent water repellancy is obtained at a very low degree of substitution and a high degree of retention of tensile strength.

Abstract: Paper and paperboard made of felted cellulose fibers are chemically modified by applying to them an isopropenyl ester containing a catalytic amount of an acid catalyst and then heat curing the treated product. The process imparts water repellancy to the paper products with a very low degree of add-on, but with a very high degree of retention of tensile strength. The products also have excellent printability, are resistant to boiling water, and retain their opacity after exposure to water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gaining access to the contents of pressurized vessels and systems and for discharging the contents safely under controlled conditions. The apparatus, comprised essentially of a ball valve and pressure tube assembly having a coaxial conduit in which is mounted for longitudinal movement a rotatable shaft and drill bit, is connected to the pressurized vessel. The rotatable shaft in the preferred embodiment is provided with fluid conducting means so that when communication with the contents of the vessel is made, pressure on both ends of the shaft is equalized. At this point, the ball valve is shut off, the pressure tube assembly, shaft and drill bit are removed, and a hose or other take-off device is connected to the ball valve for safe disposal of the contents of the pressurized vessel.