Abstract: A hydrogen suppressing, flameless, heat generating chemical composition including magnesium, a hydrogen suppressor or eliminator, particulate carbon, an alloying metal selected from the group consisting of: iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc, aluminum and mixtures thereof, a metallic salt including a cation and an anion, wherein the anion is selected from the group consisting of silicate, carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate, borate, perborate, percarbonate, perphosphate, persulfate, nitrate, nitrite, ferrate, permanganate, and stannate and combinations thereof, and water. The magnesium or magnesium-containing alloy, hydrogen suppressor or eliminator, particulate carbon, alloying metal, metallic salt and water are each present in a proportional amount to generate sufficient heat to heat water, medical supplies and/or consumable rations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reactivating a deactivated anode that has a coating of a noble metal or noble metal oxide on a substrate. A coating of a noble metal is deposited on the anode electrolessly. The noble metal in the deposited coating can be platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reactivating a deactivated anode that has a coating of a noble metal or noble metal oxide on a substrate. A coating of a noble metal is deposited on the anode either electrolessly or electrolytically. The noble metal in the deposited coating can be platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing the corrosion of a carbon steel reboiler in which a reboiler fluid containing nitrogen trichloride is heated to decompose the nitrogen trichloride. About 1 to about 100 ppm, based on the reboiler fluid weight, of a source of iodine, is added to the reboiler.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to be practiced in a gas purification apparatus that is suitable for contacting a chlorine-containing mixture of gases with carbon tetrachloride in order to remove one of the gases from the mixture. The gas removed can be either chlorine or another gas such as nitrogen trichloride. In the method of the invention, one of the gases is removed from the mixture in that apparatus without using carbon tetrachloride by contacting the chlorine-containing gas mixture in the apparatus with a chlorinated organic liquid which can either be chloroform or ethylene dichloride.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making an alkali metal alcoholate by performing the reaction ##STR1## where M is sodium or potassium, ROH is methanol, ethanol, propanol, or butanol, and D.C. is direct current. The process can be used to make sodium methylate in a modified Hybinette cell having a separator in between a cathode compartment and an anode compartment. The cell is filled with methanol and a solution of sodium chloride in methanol is added to the cathode compartment. When direct current is passed between the cathode and the anode, a solution of sodium methylate in methanol collects in the anode compartment. The solution of sodium methylate can be continuously removed and cooled to separate any sodium chloride in it which can be recycled back to the cathode compartment. Alternatively, the sodium chloride can be added to the anode compartment while an inert salt is added to the cathode compartment. The process can also be performed in a three-compartment cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of denuding a sodium-mercury amalgam to recover mercury therefrom and produce a sodium alcoholate. The amalgam is reacted with a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alcohol in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of tungsten carbide, iron treated high density carbon, iridium, ruthenium, and mixtures thereof. The resulting sodium alcoholate is separated from the mercury.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing fluoride and sulfate ions from an aqueous stream by adding calcium chloride and a source of phosphate ion to the stream to form a first precipitate of calcium sulfate and a compound of calcium, fluoride, and phosphate. The precipitate is separated from the aqueous stream and a source of carbonate ion is added to the stream to form a second precipitate which contains fluoride and calcium. The second precipitate is then separated from the aqueous stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inhibiting the electrochemical corrosion of stainless steel immersed in an aqueous solution of about 20 to about 40 wt % alkali metal hydroxide at a temperature of less than 100.degree. C. About 2 to about 500 ppm of sodium borohydride, hydrazine, or a mixture thereof is added to the aqueous solution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing sulfate ion from an aqueous sodium chlorate liquor. A crystallization temperature is selected between about -15.degree. and about 0.degree. C. and the maximum concentration of sodium chlorate that is soluble in the liquor at that temperature is determined. The liquor is diluted so that the concentration of sodium chlorate in the liquor is less than that miximum concentration and the liquor is cooled to that temperature so that the sulfate ion in the liquor crystallizes as sodium sulfate decahydrate but the sodium chlorate does not crystallize.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of regenerating a cationic exchange resin that has been exposed to chlorate ion. The resin is treated with an acidic regenerating solution that contains sulfite ion in an amount at least stoichiometric with the amount of chlorate remaining on the resin. The resin can either be rinsed with water first and then contacted with an acidic regenerating solution containing sulfite, or the resin can be washed with acidic water containing sulfite ion and then treated with an acidic regenerating solution.

Abstract: An improved diaphragm for an electrolytic cell is prepared by mixing a slurry of an additive, such as poly(ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene), and asbestos fibers with a dispersion of titanium dioxide in isopropyl alcohol, depositing the treated asbestos fibers onto a cathode, heating the diaphragm to an elevated temperature of from about 100.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C., and allowing the diaphragm to cool.The diaphragm prepared according to this process exhibits improved mechanical strength and integrity as well as a decrease in electrical energy consumption in comparison to diaphragms prepared using conventional techniques.

Abstract: A novel process for preparing a diaphragm-deposited activated cathode for use in a chlor-alkali cell is disclosed. The process involves heat-treating the activated cathode in an inert atmosphere, such as a nitrogen atmosphere, or a reducing atmosphere, such as a hydrogen atmosphere, during the baking or sintering of the diaphragm.Diaphragm-deposited activated cathodes prepared according to this invention exhibit better adhesive and stability than those which are prepared using conventional techniques. This, in turn, permits sustained operation in a chlor-alkali cell at a lower voltage for substantial energy savings.

Abstract: The addition of a small amount of hydrogen or a hydrogen-liberating compound such as a metal hydride to a caustic solution serves to suppress the corrosive effect of the solution on nickel-based surfaces. Typical nickel-based surfaces include caustic evaporator surfaces which contain a caustic solution maintained at a temperature of from about 130.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C. A preferred metal hydride is sodium borohydride which is preferably present in an amount of from about 5 ppm to about 100 ppm. Concentrated caustic solutions containing less than 0.5 ppm of nickel can be prepared by this process.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing the dissolution of transition metal-based cathodes used in chlor-alkali diaphragm cells by adding a small amount of a corrosion inhibitor, such as sodium silicate or trisodium phosphate, to the electrolytic solution during periods of interrupted current flow to the cell. The corrosion inhibitor is adsorbed on the surface of the cathode and forms an adherent protective film on the cathode. This film protects the cathode by preventing dissolution of the transition metal in the cathode coating due to oxidation by sodium hypochlorite.

Abstract: Cathodes comprising a conductive metal substrate, such as ferrous metal or titanium, having thereon an intermediate protective layer and an overcoating of a mixture of platinum and another noble metal are prepared. These cathodes function in aqueous alkali metal salt solution electrolytic cells or alkali metal halate electrolytic cells to reduce the cathode overvoltage in comparison with conventional ferrous metal electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for reducing the amount of alkali metal chlorate present in the cell liquor from a chlor-alkali cell, said apparatus comprising an electrochemical cell having at least one cathode element and one anode element, a cationic exchange membrane disposed between the anode and cathode elements, and an inlet for introducing chlorate-containing cell liquor and an outlet for removing purified cell liquor, inlet and outlet means for anolyte solution, and means for removing gaseous reaction products. The cathode element of said electrochemical cell is of a high surface area construction, preferably formed from compressed filaments of a ferrous material, such as iron or steel, and having sufficient porosity to permit the flow of cell liquor through the cathode. Preferably, when a plurality of anode and cathode elements are used, these elements are arranged in a staggered configuration in the apparatus to maximize the flow path of alkali metal chloride cell liquor through the apparatus.

Abstract: Cathodes comprising a conductive metal substrate, such as a ferrous metal or titanium, having thereon an intermediate protective layer and an overcoating of a mixture of platinum and another noble metal are prepared. These cathodes function in aqueous alkali metal salt solution electrolytic cells or alkali metal halate electrolytic cells to reduce the cathode overvoltage in comparison with conventional ferrous metal electrodes.

Abstract: A method is provided for extending the life of transition metal-based cathodes used in chlor-alkali diaphragm cells by adding a small amount of a reducing agent, such as Na.sub.2 SO.sub.3 or urea, to the electrolytic solution during periods of interrupted current flow to the cell. The reducing agent reacts with the sodium hypochlorite which is dissolved in the electrolytic solution to prevent the oxidation, and hence dissolution, of the transition metal in the cathode coating.

Abstract: A film-coated cathode is provided for the electrolysis of alkali metal halide solutions in the substantial absence of chromium ions. The cathode comprises a conductive substrate, such as titanium, steel, iron, or alloys thereof, coated with an adherent, porous film of a substantially nonconductive material having an average coating thickness of less than about 10.sup.3 microns. The nonconductive, film-forming material is further characterized as being chemically inert in the halate solution.