Process for the treatment of a phosphite-containing waste stream, said process comprising the following steps: (a) optionally neutralizing the waste stream to a pH in the range 6.0-8.0, (b) adding the following compounds to the waste stream in any order of addition: (i) an oxidizing compound in order to oxidize said phosphite towards phosphate, (ii) an NH.sub.4.sup.+ source, (iii) a Mg.sup.2+ source, thereby forming a precipitate, (c) followed by isolating the precipitate from the waste stream, wherein the process is conducted under atmospheric pressure and at a temperature not exceeding 90 C.

Process for the treatment of a phosphite-containing waste stream, said process comprising the following steps: (a) optionally neutralizing the waste stream to a pH in the range 6.0-8.0, (b) adding the following compounds to the waste stream in any order of addition: (i) an oxidizing compound in order to oxidize said phosphite towards phosphate, (ii) an NH.sub.4.sup.+ source, (iii) a Mg.sup.2+ source, thereby forming a precipitate, (c) followed by isolating the precipitate from the waste stream, wherein the process is conducted under atmospheric pressure and at a temperature not exceeding 90 C.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ester-based lubricating base oil for a fluid bearing that has excellent hydrolysis resistance and low-temperature fluidity, a high viscosity index, and good evaporation resistance. The present invention relates to a lubricating base oil for a fluid bearing comprising a compound represented by general formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 represents a linear C.sub.7-C.sub.13 alkyl group, and a compound represented by general formula (2):

##STR00002##

wherein R.sup.2 represents a linear C.sub.7-C.sub.13 alkyl group; and relates to a base oil composition comprising the base oil.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ester-based lubricating base oil for a fluid bearing that has excellent hydrolysis resistance and low-temperature fluidity, a high viscosity index, and good evaporation resistance. The present invention relates to a lubricating base oil for a fluid bearing comprising a compound represented by general formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 represents a linear C.sub.7-C.sub.13 alkyl group, and a compound represented by general formula (2):

##STR00002##

wherein R.sup.2 represents a linear C.sub.7-C.sub.13 alkyl group; and relates to a base oil composition comprising the base oil.

Process for purification of unreacted vinyl acetate monomers comprising the steps of preliminarily loading an adsorbent agent bed with a mixture comprising an inert gas and fresh vinyl acetate; and feeding said adsorbent agent bed with unreacted vinyl acetate monomers to remove acetic acid.

Process for purification of unreacted vinyl acetate monomers comprising the steps of preliminarily loading an adsorbent agent bed with a mixture comprising an inert gas and fresh vinyl acetate; and feeding said adsorbent agent bed with unreacted vinyl acetate monomers to remove acetic acid.

Particles of a transition metal are used as a catalyst for depolymerisation of condensation polymers in alcohol. In the method of catalysed depolymerisation of a condensation polymer in a solid form into monomers and/or oligomers, transition metal particles; are mixed with the condensation polymer in alcohol to obtain a reaction mixture. This reaction mixture is processed to disperse the condensation polymer into the alcohol and decompose it, wherein the transition metal particles act as a catalyst and the alcohol is a reagent. The catalyst is particularly supplied as a catalyst composition of transition metal particles in an alcoholic liquid. The transition metal particles are typically non-porous and may have an oxide surface.

Particles of a transition metal are used as a catalyst for depolymerisation of condensation polymers in alcohol. In the method of catalysed depolymerisation of a condensation polymer in a solid form into monomers and/or oligomers, transition metal particles; are mixed with the condensation polymer in alcohol to obtain a reaction mixture. This reaction mixture is processed to disperse the condensation polymer into the alcohol and decompose it, wherein the transition metal particles act as a catalyst and the alcohol is a reagent. The catalyst is particularly supplied as a catalyst composition of transition metal particles in an alcoholic liquid. The transition metal particles are typically non-porous and may have an oxide surface.

The invention relates to the manufacture of alkyl acrylates by direct esterification of acrylic acid with the corresponding alcohol. In particular, the invention relates to the use of a cracker in combination with a topping column equipped with a side draw-off allowing a stream rich in acidic impurities such as ?-hydroxypropionic acid and ?-acryloxypropionic acid to be drawn off during distillation of the crude reaction mixture, so as to produce an acrylic ester meeting purity standards compatible with its use for preparing acrylic polymers.

The invention relates to the manufacture of alkyl acrylates by direct esterification of acrylic acid with the corresponding alcohol. In particular, the invention relates to the use of a cracker in combination with a topping column equipped with a side draw-off allowing a stream rich in acidic impurities such as ?-hydroxypropionic acid and ?-acryloxypropionic acid to be drawn off during distillation of the crude reaction mixture, so as to produce an acrylic ester meeting purity standards compatible with its use for preparing acrylic polymers.