Abstract: A malodorous component is eliminated using a catalytic composition comprising a phosphate of a tetravalent metal (titanium or other Group 4 elements of the Periodic Table of Elements), a hydroxide of a divalent metal (copper, zinc or other transition metal), and a photocatalyst. The photocatalyst includes sulfide-semiconductors, oxide-semiconductors and other photo-semiconductors, e.g. titanium oxide. The composition may further contain silicon dioxide and/or a silver component. The catalytic composition insures efficient elimination of not only acidic components and basic components but also neutral components over a long period, irrespective of with or without a light irradiation.

Abstract: A fiber is incorporated with a titanium oxide or other photocatalyst and an adsorbent comprising a phosphate of a tetravalent metal and a hydroxide of a divalent metal. The amounts of the photocatalyst and the adsorbent based on the total amount of the fiber are, about 0.1 to 25% by weight and about 0.1 to 25% by weight, respectively. The fiber may have a composite structure such as sheath-core structure in which the concentration of the photocatalyst in the sheath is higher than that of the core, and may be a fiber having a modified cross section.

Abstract: A plastic or moldable composition of zeolite is obtained by adding 0.1-20 parts by weight of a .beta.-1.3-glucan, 1:1 layer-type clay mineral and 2:1 layer-type clay mineral together with an adequate amount of water to 100 parts by weight of zeolite powder, and then kneading the resultant mixture. The composition may be, for example, extrusion-molded to a honeycomb structure, and calcined, to provide a calcined article of honeycomb structure of zeolite which has a high dimensional accuracy and strength, and hence is useful as a drying agent, a catalyst or a carrier material therefor. The calcined article of zeolite has an excellent mechanical strength.

Abstract: A binder for preparing an aqueous ceramics slurry, which contains a hydrophilic polymer such as a water-soluble (meth)acrylic polymer, a polysaccharide of natural origin such as pectin, pectinic acid, glucan, etc., and a polyvinyl compound such as poly(vinyl butyral). The aqueous ceramics slurry contains less than 25 parts by weight of the binder to 100 parts by weight of ceramics powder. The slurry is applied on a carrier film by a doctor blade method and dried to give a ceramics green sheet. A ceramics sheet can be produced by sintering the green sheet.

Abstract: A precipitate composition comprising a water-insoluble phosphate of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and Sn, and a hydroxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co., Ni, Zn and Cu.The precipitate composition of the invention can be used as an adsorbent composition, which shows high adsorption capacity for acidic malodorous gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, as well as alkaline malodorous gases, such as ammonia.

Abstract: An aqueous plastic composition of an inorganic powder which per se has substantially no plasticity which comprises: the inorganic powder and a polysaccharide of natural origin.The molding and sintering of the plastic composition provide a sintered body of high mechanical strength and dimensional accuracy.

Abstract: A moldable composition is disclosed which comprises activated carbon and a polysaccharide of natural origin in an amount of 0.1-10 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of the activated carbon.There is further disclosed a process of producing molded articles of activated carbon using the composition.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contacting apparatus is constituted by an upright vessel, at least one perforated gas distributor for supplying a gaseous medium into a liquid medium within the vessel, a plate-like rotary disintegrator positioned within the vessel and above the gas distributor for disintegrating bubbles of the gaseous medium into fine bubbles, and a drive shaft concentrically extending through the vessel for the support of the rotary disintegrator.

Abstract: An adsorbent, which has been prepared by mixing (a) one part by weight of (i) at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydrated ferrites of titanium, zirconium and tin or (ii) a mixture of the said hydrated ferrites(s) and at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydrated oxides of titanium, zirconium, tin and iron with (b) about 1/10 to 3 parts by weight of a thermosetting resin showing resistance to acids and alkalis such as an unsaturated polyester or polyurethane resin, followed by curing.The adsorbent can be used to adsorb a great variety of anions and cations and especially as an adsorbent for phosphate ions.The adsorbent shows excellent resistance to acids and alkalis, and can be subjected to repeated desorption and regeneration procedures without causing any deterioration of its adsorptive capacity, thus permitting its repeated usage over a long period of time.The adsorbent can be magnetically separated, and facilitates solid-liquid separation.

Abstract: An adsorbent, which is prepared by subjecting to curing a mixture consisting of (a) one part by weight of at least one member selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide hydrate, zirconium oxide hydrate and tin oxide hydrate and of (b) about 1/10 to 3 parts by weight of an epoxy, unsaturated polyester or polyurethane resin.The adsorbent can be used as an adsorbent for a great variety of anions and cations and especially as the adsorbent for phosphate ion.The adsorbent displays also improved chemical resistance, resistant to acids and alkalis, and can be subjected to repeated desorption and regeneration procedures without causing any deterioration of its adsorptive capacity, thus permitting the repeated usage over a long period of time.