Abstract: In the production of anhydrous sodium dithionite by reacting sodium formate, an alkaline sodium compound and sulfurous acid anhydride in hydrous methanol, a process for treating the mother liquor, which comprises adding an alkali to the mother liquor left after the separation of the resulting anhydrous sodium dithionite to adjust its pH to at least 8, separating the solids precipitated, and oxidizing the filtrate with an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: In the production of anhydrous sodium dithionite by reacting sodium formate, an alkaline sodium compound and sulfurous acid anhydride in hydrous methanol, a process for treating the mother liquor, which comprises cooling the mother liquor left after the separation of the resulting anhydrous sodium dithionite to a temperature in the range of +5.degree. to -30.degree. C, and separating the precipitated sodium thiosulfate by filtration.

Abstract: Crude ethylene oxide present in the dilute aqueous solution resulting from the extraction with an aqueous solvent of ethylene oxide from the gaseous stream obtained by catalytic oxidation of ethylene is purified by desorption, liquefaction, distillation in a fractionating column and final desorption treatment to remove absorbed non-condensable gases. The fractionating column is heated by condensation of the water vapor evolved during desorption and a liquid stream of ethylene oxide rich in acetaldehyde is discharged from the bottom, treated to convert a fraction of said acetaldehyde into high-boiling products, distilled to remove the latter as bottoms and returned to the fractionating column.

Abstract: Ethylene glycol or 1,2-propylene glycol contained in mixtures with lower carboxylate esters of the glycol is recovered by azeotropic distillation of the mixtures with 1,2,3-trimethyl benzene.

Abstract: A low boiling water immiscible fluid containing two or more molecular species and having a variable boiling point is contacted in the liquid state with relatively hot or warm water such as surface sea water or geothermal water, thereby generating vapor of immiscible fluid (together with a certain amount of water vapor) which is used to drive a prime mover such as a gas turbine and thereby produce mechanical energy; the exhaust vapor from the prime mover is condensed by direct contact with a relatively cool or cold liquid aqueous phase such as deep sea water or water from a lake or stream or cooling tower to condense the vapor; and the condensate is recycled. Provision is made for ridding water discharged from the system of entrained and dissolved immiscible fluid. By countercurrent flow of the liquid phases and by suitable matching techniques greater efficiency is obtained. The invention is also applicable to heat pumps.

Abstract: A sterically hindered enamine (vinyl amine) is reacted with an alkylene oxide followed by hydrolysis of the reaction product to produce a monohydroxyl alkyl aldehyde wherein the hydroxyl group is on the third carbon atom from the carbonyl group, such as 4-hydroxybutanal. The monohydroxyl alkyl aldehyde may be further hydrogenated to produce the corresponding alkanediol, such as 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: Ultra high purity hexachlorocyclopentadiene is obtained by a two-stage distillation procedure, in the first stage of which crude hexachlorocyclopentadiene is distilled to separate hexachlorobutadiene as a distillate and in the second stage, ultra high purity hexachlorocyclopentadiene is obtained as a distillate fraction and octachlorocyclopentene is obtained as a distillation residue.