Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the ecological usage of acid effluents. Also disclosed is a sorption agent which is characterized in that an acid effluent, created from the production of fullers earth which contains as main ingredients Fe.sup.2+/3+ -, Al.sup.3+ -, Ca.sup.2+ - and Mg.sup.2+ cations and inorganic anions, is reacted with an alkali silicate. The resultant precipitate is separated in an aqueous phase and, when necessary, purified and dried. The sorption agent can be used for the bleaching of oils or for the removal of soaps, phospholipids and heavy metals from oils, specifically edible oils.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for the production of xylose or xylitol wherein a vegetable material is contacted with a basic substance and the solid residue is thereafter treated with an acid, the improvement resides in the use of stone nut shells, in employing a two-stage digestion initially with a 1.5-6 molar alkali metal hydroxide solution at 10.degree.-50.degree. C. and thereafter diluting the digestion mass to 0.75 molar or less and digesting at a temperature of at least 60.degree. C.