Abstract: Inorganic granules are characterized in that when the maximum extent of a granule is termed D and the dimension perpendicular to the maximum extent has a maximum extent termed A, A/D is 0.5 to 0.9; and in at least 80% of the granules, the position of A crossing with D is within 0.3D on either side of the center of D. Such granules can be obtained in a high yield by introducing inorganic powders capable of calcination into an organic porous body having a 3-dimensional net-like structure and subjecting the porous body to isotropic pressing thereby to form inorganic granules in pores of the porous body. The organic porous body is then burned off and at the same time, the inorganic granules are calcined. The inorganic granules are useful as bone fillers and the like.

Abstract: An improved process for producing shaped ceramic articles of calcium phosphate by reacting calcium ions with phosphate ions in an aqueous medium at pH 8 or up to give gelatinous precipitates of calcium phosphate, with the molar ratio of calcium to phosphorus being 1.45 to 1.75, dispersing the precipitates into an aqueous medium to give a slurry containing 5 to 25 wt % of solids, casting the slurry into a mold conforming to the desired shape of the article and having the mold face finished sooth with a hydrophobic polymer or metal, drying the slurry at 130.degree. C. or below to give a ceramic green body of calcium phosphate, and sintering the green body at 800.degree. to 1400.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for producing acetaldehyde is disclosed, which comprises reacting acetic anhydride with hydrogen in gaseous phase in the presence of a supported catalyst comprising a palladium, a platinum or a rhodium component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a waste anesthetic gas by contacting the laughing gas contained in the waste anesthetic gas with a catalyst comprising one or more metal oxides selected from the group consisting of ferric oxide, cobalt oxide, cupric oxide, chromium oxide, manganese dioxide and nickel oxide to decompose the laughing gas into nitrogen and oxygen. This method is of practical value for preventing the neighborhood of hospitals from environmental pollution problem.