Abstract: A method is provided for the continuous production of saturated aliphatic alcohols having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms by hydrating the corresponding aliphatic olefin in the presence of a sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer catalyst having a specific surface area measured in the dry state employing the BET method of:(a) less than 1 m.sup.2 /g if the water-wet resin is dried, and(b) greater than 1 m.sup.2 /g if the water is displaced from the water-wet resin by a slightly polar or a nonpolar organic solvent and the so dewatered resin is dried.

Abstract: Trickle-type fixed-bed catalytic reactions are improved, prior to starting or resuming an on-stream period, by purging air from the catalyst bed and reaction zone by downward flow of an inert gas therethrough, flooding the purged reaction zone by flowing a liquid upwardly through the catalyst bed to cover same, then removing the liquid and instituting the on-stream period by introducing gaseous and liquid reactants at the upper end of the catalyst bed to flow downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: Trickle-type fixed-bed catalytic reactions are improved, prior to starting or resuming an on-stream period, by purging air from the catalyst bed and reaction zone by downward flow of an inert gas therethrough, flooding the purged reaction zone by flowing a liquid upwardly through the catalyst bed to cover same, then removing the liquid and instituting the on-stream period by introducing gaseous and liquid reactants at the upper end of the catalyst bed to flow downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for pyrolysis cleaning of residues from equipment used in the treatment and processing of synthetic materials, particularly synthetic plastics. The process comprises a first stage in which the equipment to be cleaned is heated in a closed chamber in the absence of air at a temperature above the melting point of the synthetic material from which the residue is left, and a second stage in which the equipment is heated at a higher temperature in the presence of air. The apparatus preferably comprises a slightly inclined, substantially horizontal heating chamber including a drain at the lower end for collecting melted residue, a vent for gases distilled from the residue with means for burning such gases, and an air inlet for introducing air to the chamber during the second stage.

Abstract: Trickle-type fixed-bed catalytic reactions are improved, prior to starting or resuming an on-stream period, by purging air from the catalyst bed and reaction zone by downward flow of an inert gas therethrough, flooding the purged reaction zone by flowing a liquid upwardly through the catalyst bed to cover same, then removing the liquid and instituting the on-stream period by introducing gaseous and liquid reactants at the upper end of the catalyst bed to flow downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: A multi-channel radio relay system in which a plurality of high-frequency channels are provided in a link between a transmitting station and a receiving station, said channels being combined to form a high-frequency group, and separated at the receiving end, utilizing therefor, at each station, a cascade circuit of channel branch elements, which comprise circulators and band-pass filters, in which one of the two edge channels located at the respective upper and lower edges of the frequency band to be transmitted, at the transmitting end, is assigned to the channel branch element furthest from the antenna terminal thereat, and the other of such two edge channels, at the receiving end, is assigned to the channel branch element furthest from the antenna terminal thereat, with the band-pass filters of the respective channel elements for the two edge channels being detuned, with respect to their middle frequencies, relative to the middle frequency of their assigned edge channels, by an amount .DELTA.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing gamma-butyrolactone by hydrogenating maleic anhydride in two stages in the presence of a catalyst composed of cobalt oxide and palladium on a support of silica. The hydrogenation is performed at a hydrogen pressure of 100 to 125 atmospheres and at a temperature of 50.degree. to 100.degree. C. in the first stage and at 190.degree. to 220.degree. C. in the second stage.

Abstract: An antilocking control system for vehicles in which control signals for controlling a pressure regulating unit associated with two wheels or two groups of wheels are produced in an evaluating circuit from the signals of at least one sensor associated with these wheels or groups of wheels and in which the pressure is at times controlled based on the rotational behavior of the wheel first tending to lock (select-low) and at times based on the rotational behavior of the wheel being the last to show a tendency to lock (select-high). During the select-low mode of operation the duration T.sub.1 of the pressure buildup phase following a pressure reduction phase is measured until there again occurs a tendency to lock at at least one wheel and then the mode of operation is switched to the select-high mode. During the select-high mode of operation the duration T.sub.2 of the pressure increase period is measured and the result is continuously compared with the measured duration (T.sub.

Abstract: A process for the production of C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alcohols via the direct hydration of olefins in the presence of water, and acid or a strongly acidic solid with the separation of aqueous crude alcohols from the reaction product.