Abstract: Conditioning and concentration of microalgae are accomplished by the process steps of grinding a dilute aqueous dispersion of microalgae in the presence of grinding media and then applying adsorptive bubble separation. This process is amenable to the use of dilute feed microalgal dispersions such as are encountered in the production of algal biomass for biofuel applications.

Abstract: Conditioning and concentration of microalgae are accomplished by the process steps of grinding a dilute aqueous dispersion of microalgae in the presence of grinding media and then applying adsorptive bubble separation. This process is amenable to the use of dilute feed microalgal dispersions such as are encountered in the production of algal biomass for biofuel applications.

Abstract: Conditioning and concentration of microalgae are accomplished by the process steps of grinding a dilute aqueous dispersion of microalgae in the presence of grinding media and then applying adsorptive bubble separation. This process is amenable to the use of dilute feed microalgal dispersions such as are encountered in the production of algal biomass for biofuel applications.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are described for adsorptive bubble separation of hydrophobic particles from liquid dispersions. When a gas-liquid-particle dispersion is introduced into a separation vessel, a baffle directs the rising bubbles toward the perimeter of the apparatus. At the liquid surface, bubbles with attached hydrophobic materials form a floating froth layer, which is directed toward a froth collection launder. Also disclosed is an improvement for froth flotation processes comprising using a vacuum to pull froth and/or collapsed froth into and through the froth collection launder and froth drain line.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are described for adsorptive bubble separation of hydrophobic particles from liquid dispersions. The process may be used to treat the gas/liquid dispersion after it has been introduced from two or more ducts near the perimeter or from a central duct of the separation vessel. When the gas-liquid-particle dispersion is introduced from a central duct, the rising bubbles are directed by, e.g., a baffle toward the perimeter of the apparatus, where they rise. At the liquid surface, bubbles with attached hydrophobic materials form a floating froth layer, which is directed toward a central froth collection launder. Rising froth at the perimeter pushing the froth bed into the reduced area of the center encourages further coalescence of the bubbles and increases liquid drainage from the froth, thus leading to concentration of the collected materials without the need for complex equipment geometry.

Abstract: Process and apparatus are described for adsorptive bubble separation of hydrophobic particles from liquid dispersions. The process may be used to treat the gas/liquid dispersion after it has been introduced from two or more ducts near the perimeter or from a central duct of the separation vessel. When the gas-liquid-particle dispersion is introduced from a central duct, the rising bubbles are directed by, e.g., a baffle toward the perimeter of the apparatus, where they rise. At the liquid surface, bubbles with attached hydrophobic materials form a floating froth layer, which is directed toward a central froth collection launder. Rising froth at the perimeter pushing the froth bed into the reduced area of the center encourages further coalescence of the bubbles and increases liquid drainage from the froth, thus leading to concentration of the collected materials without the need for complex equipment geometry.

Abstract: Conditioning and concentration of microalgae are accomplished by the process steps of grinding a dilute aqueous dispersion of microalgae in the presence of grinding media and then applying adsorptive bubble separation. This process is amenable to the use of dilute feed microalgal dispersions such as are encountered in the production of algal biomass for biofuel applications.

Abstract: This invention pertains, firstly, to the use of mixtures of hydriodic acid and organic solvent soluble iodide salts as catalysts for the hydration of .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes to form a mixture of the corresponding 2-alkene-1,4-diol and 3-alkene-1,2-diol isomers. Secondly, this invention describes the use of pH to control the 2-alkene-1,4-diol/3-alkene-1,2-diol product ratio, and achieve improved 2-alkene-1,4-diol selectivities by controlling the pH to near neutral values. Thirdly, this invention includes a catalyst recovery process whereby a liquid/liquid extraction is used to separate the product from the catalyst. In this extraction, .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkene, or a .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkene-containing organic solvent, is used to extract the catalysts from water, leaving the diol products in the aqueous phase, from which they may be subsequently recovered by distillation, extraction or by other means.

Abstract: This invention pertains, firstly, to the use of mixtures of hydriodic acid and organic solvent soluble iodide salts as catalysts for the hydration of .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes to form a mixture of the corresponding 2-alkene-1,4-diol and 3-alkene-1,2-diol isomers. Secondly, this invention describes the use of pH to control the 2-alkene-1,4-diol/3-alkene-1,2-diol product ratio, and achieve improved 2-alkene-1,4-diol selectivities by controlling the pH to near neutral values. Thirdly, this invention includes a catalyst recovery process whereby a liquid/liquid extraction is used to separate the product from the catalyst. In this extraction, .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkene, or a .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkene-containing organic solvent, is used to extract the catalysts from water, leaving the diol products in the aqueous phase, from which they may be subsequently recovered by distillation, extraction or by other means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 3,4-dichlorotetrahydrofuran, 3,4-dibromotetrahydrofuran, 2,3-dichlorotetrahydrofuran, and 2,3-dibromotetrahydrofuran by the reaction of 2,5- or 2,3-dihydrofuran with chlorine or bromine in the presence of a quaternary onium halide compound. The reaction preferably is carried out by the addition of the dihydrofuran and chlorine or bromine to an organic, halogenation solvent containing chlorine or bromine and the quaternary onium halide compound.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polyether compounds obtained by the reaction or polymerization of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in the presence of an onium iodide compound such as an ammonium or phosphonium iodide, an organotin compound such as a trihydrocarbyltin iodide, and a nucleophilic initiator compound. The polyether compounds comprise n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein the total value of n+m is 2 to 70, m/(n+m) is greater than 0.75 and up to 0.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 1,2-bis(acyloxyates) comprises acylation of epoxides with carboxylic anhydrides in the presence of a catalytic composition containing a tertiary amine and a carboxylic acid. Preferably, the carboxylic acid is a conjugate acid of the carboxylic anhydride. The carboxylic acid acts as a co-catalyst and its use in conjunction with the tertiary amine significantly increases the rate of reaction and results in higher selectivity. The catalytic composition may be prepared prior to acylation or in situ providing application versatility.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel saturated polyether compounds comprised of n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein (i) residues (1) and (2) have the structures: ##STR1## (ii) the total value of n+m is 2 to 70 and m/(n+m) is 0.05 to 0.98; (ii) at least 98 percent of the terminal hydroxyl groups of the polyether have the structure: ##STR2## The polyethers are obtained by first polymerizing 3,4-epoxy-l-butene to produce unsaturated polyether precursors comprising residues (1A) and (2A) having the structures: ##STR3## and then hydrogenating the unsaturated polyether precursors. The hydrogenation advantageously is performed in the presence of a nickel hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Polyether polymers obtained by the reaction or polymerization of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in the presence of an onium iodide compound such as an ammonium or phosphonium iodide, an organotin compound such as a trihydrocarbyltin iodide, and a nucleophilic hydroxyl initiator compound. The polyether polymers comprise n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein the total value of n+m is 2 to 70, m/(n+m) is greater than 0.75 and up to 0.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polyether compounds obtained by the reaction or polymerization of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in the presence of an acidic catalyst and a nucleophilic initiator compound. The polyether compounds comprise n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein the total value of n+m is 2 to 70, n/(n+m) is a value in the range of 0.70 to 0.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel saturated polyether compounds comprised of n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein (i) residues (1) and (2) have the structures: ##STR1## (ii) the total value of n+m is 2 to 70 and m/(n+m) is 0.05 to 0.98; (ii) at least 98 percent of the terminal hydroxyl groups of the polyether have the structure: ##STR2## The polyethers are obtained by first polymerizing 3,4-epoxy-1-butene to produce unsaturated polyether precursors comprising residues (1A) and (2A) having the structures: ##STR3## and then hydrogenating the unsaturated polyether precursors. The hydrogenation advantageously is performed in the presence of a nickel hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polyether compounds obtained by the reaction or polymerization of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in the presence of an acidic catalyst and a nucleophilic initiator compound. The polyether compounds comprise n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein the total value of n+m is 2 to 70, n/(n+m) is a value in the range of 0.70 to 0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the conversion of conjugated epoxyalkenes to unsaturated alcohols wherein a conjugated epoxyalkene is catalytically hydrogenated in the presence of a sulfur-modified or sulfided nickel catalyst whereby the epoxide ring is hydrogenolyzed without concomitant hydrogenation of the olefinic unsaturation thereby producing allylic and/or homoallylic alcohols.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process for the manufacture of 2,5-dihydrofurans by the isomerization of .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes in the liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst system comprising an onium iodide compound and a Lewis acid and a process solvent comprising a mixture of the 2,5-dihydrofuran product of the process and an oligomer of the .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes reactant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 3,4-dichloro and 3,4-dibromo-1,2-epoxybutane by the reaction of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene with chlorine or bromine in the presence of a catalytic amount of a tertiary amine or a hydrohalide of a primary, secondary or tertiary amine. The reaction preferably is carried out by the addition of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene and chlorine or bromine to an organic, halogenation solvent containing chlorine or bromine and tertiary amine or amine hydrohalide catalyst.