A process for the manufacturing of fire suppressing crystals having a high Q-factor particle size distribution, said fire suppression crystals being intended for use as a fire suppressing additive in polymer compositions, the process comprising the steps; a) Preparing a mother liquor comprising water and a salt composition obtained in step c) or d), the temperature of said mother liquor being adjusted to 10-50 C. and comprising said salt composition to a level of at least 90% of saturation. Calcium hydroxide is added to the mother liquor to a level of at least 90% of saturation. b) Preparing an acid solution comprising water and two or more acids selected from the group consisting of; C.sub.2-C.sub.6 mono-, di- and/or tri-carboxylic acids, and optionally a phosphorous compound. The temperature of said acid solution is adjusted to 20-90 C. 31 and comprising acids to a level of at least 50% of saturation. c) The mother liquor, comprising calcium hydroxide, obtained from step a) is subjected to intense agitation under which the acid solution obtained from step b) is slowly added to said mother liquor allowing reaction to form salt until supersaturation is achieved while maintaining PH at a level securing that no unreacted acids remains after reaction, d) Crystals formed in the reaction of step c) is continuously or discontinuously removed from the reaction product of step c).

The subject invention relates to a process of preparing (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid or a salt thereof by one-step fermentation with a nonpathogenic microorganism. The fermentation of (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid was performed by supplying with certain carbon and nitrogen sources. These microorganisms include a Glutamic acid Bacterium HR057 strain or one type of genetically engineered Corynebacterium Glutamicum.

The subject invention relates to a process of preparing (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid or a salt thereof by one-step fermentation with a nonpathogenic microorganism. The fermentation of (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid was performed by supplying with certain carbon and nitrogen sources. These microorganisms include a Glutamic acid Bacterium HR057 strain or one type of genetically engineered Corynebacterium Glutamicum.

The oxidation of isobutyraldehyde produces isobutyric acid and byproducts, such as isopropyl formate. A process of reducing the isopropyl formate byproduct and other byproducts in the oxidation of isobutyraldehyde is described. The process uses a carbonyl compound, such as acetone, to reduce byproduct levels in the resulting product. Process for use of static mixers in oxidation reactions of aldehydes are also provided.

The oxidation of isobutyraldehyde produces isobutyric acid and byproducts, such as isopropyl formate. A process of reducing the isopropyl formate byproduct and other byproducts in the oxidation of isobutyraldehyde is described. The process uses a carbonyl compound, such as acetone, to reduce byproduct levels in the resulting product. Process for use of static mixers in oxidation reactions of aldehydes are also provided.

The present invention relates to a method of concentrating an aqueous solution at low pressure under a zero osmotic pressure difference condition, and more particularly, to a method of concentrating an aqueous solution containing a solute to be concentrated, at low pressure under a zero osmotic pressure difference condition. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) discharging water of a solute-containing aqueous solution to be concentrated, from a reverse osmosis separator to the outside, and transferring the concentrated aqueous solution to a zero osmotic pressure difference concentrator; (b) further concentrating the concentrated aqueous solution using the zero osmotic pressure difference concentrator comprising a feed chamber and a draw chamber, which are separated from each other by a reverse osmosis membrane or a forward osmosis membrane; and (c) recovering the solute and water from the aqueous solution further concentrated in the zero osmotic pressure difference concentrator. When the method of concentrating the aqueous solution at low pressure under the zero osmotic pressure difference condition is used, the aqueous solution can be concentrated to the maximum saturation concentration of a solute or a solution concentration of 100% using a reduced amount of energy without having to use an extraction solvent. In addition, there is an advantage in that a separate osmosis draw solution does not need to be used.

The present invention relates to a method of concentrating an aqueous solution at low pressure under a zero osmotic pressure difference condition, and more particularly, to a method of concentrating an aqueous solution containing a solute to be concentrated, at low pressure under a zero osmotic pressure difference condition. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) discharging water of a solute-containing aqueous solution to be concentrated, from a reverse osmosis separator to the outside, and transferring the concentrated aqueous solution to a zero osmotic pressure difference concentrator; (b) further concentrating the concentrated aqueous solution using the zero osmotic pressure difference concentrator comprising a feed chamber and a draw chamber, which are separated from each other by a reverse osmosis membrane or a forward osmosis membrane; and (c) recovering the solute and water from the aqueous solution further concentrated in the zero osmotic pressure difference concentrator. When the method of concentrating the aqueous solution at low pressure under the zero osmotic pressure difference condition is used, the aqueous solution can be concentrated to the maximum saturation concentration of a solute or a solution concentration of 100% using a reduced amount of energy without having to use an extraction solvent. In addition, there is an advantage in that a separate osmosis draw solution does not need to be used.

Processes are disclosed for preparing carboxylic acids from organic esters, the processes comprising contacting an ester with water in the presence of an acid catalyst and a homogenizing solvent at conditions effective to form a carboxylic acid. The homogenizing solvent is present in an amount sufficient to form a single-phase reaction mixture comprising the ester, water, and homogenizing solvent. The homogenizing solvent may be selected from acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, and 1,4-dioxane.

Processes are disclosed for preparing carboxylic acids from organic esters, the processes comprising contacting an ester with water in the presence of an acid catalyst and a homogenizing solvent at conditions effective to form a carboxylic acid. The homogenizing solvent is present in an amount sufficient to form a single-phase reaction mixture comprising the ester, water, and homogenizing solvent. The homogenizing solvent may be selected from acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, and 1,4-dioxane.

The present application relates to a method for treating a human subject suffering from an enteric neuropathy such as Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) or intestinal hypoganglionosis through the administration of an effective dose of a combination comprising a Glial cell line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) polypeptide and a short chain fatty acid such as butyric acid.