Abstract: Disclosed is a collagen powder having a good dispersion stability, in which the content of particles having a particle size smaller than 40 .mu.m is at least 85% by weight, the water absorption is 120 to 300%, and the apparent bulk density is 0.10 to 0.30 g/cc. This collagen powder is advantageously used for a leather-like surface layer-forming agent and a leather-like molded article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of producing 2,2-bis(3-nitro-4-hydroxphenyl)hexafluoropropane, which comprises (a) preparing 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane and a lower fatty acid; and (b) allowing the 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane to react with nitric acid in the lower fatty acid.

Abstract: A slice amplifier using field effect transistors (FET's) is provided which is suitable for achieving a correct discrimination of logics "0" and "1" of an input signal (S.sub.in) at very high speed by reshaping the input signal (S.sub.in) into rectangular shaped pulses (S.sub.out). The top and bottom of each pulse are determined to predetermined constant levels by using a first FET (T.sub.1) and a second FET (T.sub.2) with the aid of a first monitor and control unit (41) and second monitor and control unit (42). The first and second monitor and control units (41, 42) monitor the drain voltages of the first and second FET's (T.sub.1, T.sub.2) and control the gate-source voltages thereof, respectively, so as to realize the predetermined constant levels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved method for continuous thermal cracking of heavy petroleum oil, which can achieve a high degree of cracking in a column-like reactor of relatively small size and provides residual pitch rich in .beta.-resin components and lean in gas mixed therein. The above method comprises charging preheated heavy oil into an upper reaction zone of an upright cylindrical continuous reactor, which is divided into upper and lower reaction zones by means of a partition plate, drawing the resultant cracked gas and oil vapor from the upper reaction zone, and discharging residual pitch through the bottom of the lower reaction zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the treatment of water-containing coal which comprises mixing the water-containing coal with a hydrocarbon oil having a specific gravity higher than that of water at temperatures in the range of 100.degree. to 350.degree. C.; heating the resulting mixture at a temperature in the range of 100.degree. to 350.degree. C. and a pressure not lower than the saturated vapor pressure of water at that temperature; and then allowing the heated mixture to settle at a temperature in the range of 100.degree. to 350.degree. C. and a pressure not lower than the saturated vapor pressure of water at that temperature, whereby an upper layer consisting of the water separated from the water-containing coal is formed on a lower layer consisting of the mixture of the dehydrated coal and the hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: The invention provides: a fuel composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a coal-liquid fuel mixture and 0.02 to 1.0 part by weight of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of dibenzylidene sorbitol, ditoluylidene sorbitol, tribenzylidene sorbitol, tritoluylidene sorbitol and hydrogenated castor oil; and a fuel composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a coal-liquid fuel mixture, 0.02 to 1.0 part by weight of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of dibenzylidene sorbitol, ditoluylidene sorbitol, tribenzylidene sorbitol, tritoluylidene sorbitol and hydrogenated castor oil, and 1 to 10 parts by weight of water. The composition shows high stability over a prolonged period of time, preventing the separation into layers of the components.