Abstract: Oxidizable for organic and/or inorganic compounds in waters are subjected to catalytic degradation using a catalyst applied to an oxygen-storing inert carrier, for example of graphite, coke, a non-gassing coal or active carbon. The carrier used is coated with a cationic dye complexed with heteropolyacids and/or polyacids and/or salts or metal acids of subgroups V to VIII.The advantages of the process include the prevention of biological growth on the catalyst surface by the biocidal dye cation and the avoidance of calcium and magnesium deposits on the catalyst surface through the presence of the cationic solid.

Abstract: Wastewaters are subjected to an oxidative treatment with a carbon-containing catalyst and an oxidizing agent by a process in which the carbon carrier used, e.g. graphite, coke or active carbon, is subjected to anodic oxidation in an aqueous mineral acid and then doped with molybdenum(Vl) and/or tungsten(VI) and/or vanadium(V) compounds.

Abstract: In a fuel cell which has an activated carbon-containing anode and an activated carbon-containing cathode and is preferably used for the oxidative treatment of waste waters containing oxygen or oxygen-containing compounds, the cathode has been subjected to partial anodic oxidation in a mineral acid at a potential .epsilon..sub.h of from +1.3 to +10V and then doped with molybdenum(VI) and/or tungsten(VI) and/or vanadium(V) compounds, and the anode has been subjected to partial anodic oxidation in an aqueous mineral acid, cathodically reduced in an aqueous mineral acid and then impregnated with cobalt hydroxide and/or nickel hydroxide and/or copper hydroxide and/or zinc hydroxide, the anode and the cathode being separated by a porous polyelectrolyte through which the waste water flows.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of silver catalysts, in which the silver is applied to conventional dimensionally stable and chemically inert carriers, eg. alumina or quartz moldings, preferably by electroless deposition from silver salt solutions onto a great variety of surfaces acting as carriers, by the use of suitable reducing agents. In a particular embodiment, a uniform deposition of silver and a dense and well-adhering silver layer on the surface of the carrier are achieved by adding certain materials to the silver salt solutions.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of fibrids by dissolving, in a solvent, macromolecular waste materials from the bead polymerization of styrenes, and introducing the solution into a precipitation medium under the action of shearing forces to form fibrids.

Abstract: Treatment of waste water produced in the manufacture of expandable polystyrene, comprising passing a stream of fine gas bubbles through the waste water and removing the resulting foam containing a high concentration of impurities from the aqueous phase. In a special embodiment of the invention, the aqueous phase can then be subjected to further treatment.

Abstract: An electrode for electrolysis which contains tantalum, tantalum boride, tantalum carbide or an alloy of tantalum with a metal of the iron group in addition to an alloy of tungsten with a metal of the iron group.