Abstract: A method is provided of selecting operating parameters for an aromatization process having at least penultimate and final stages, each containing a respective catalyst, for optimum aromatic barrel per calendar day (AB/CD) production of product having a selected RON and/or over a particular run length. The catalyst lives are determined at constant LHSV for the penultimate and final stage catalysts for a given feed RON to each stage as a function of the change in RON from that of the feed to that of the C.sub.5+ effluent from the respective stage. The penultimate stage C.sub.5+ effluent RON is selected to be such that the lives of the catalysts in each stage are substantially equal. Preferably the yield of C.sub.5+ effluent from each stage and the life of the catalyst used in each stage is determined as a function of the pressure of that stage. The operating pressures of the stages are then selected to be within about 30% of that which gives the highest AB/CD.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for separating milled sugarcane pith from flattened rind upon discharge from a depithing station. The method includes dividing the discharge by a fixed deflector, preferably with a blunt upstream edge, into a primary pith flow and a rind flow which includes a secondary pith flow, and thereafter removing pith from the rind flow and diverting it to join pith from the primary pith flow. Preferred embodiments capture the pith in interstices of a rotating brush which merges with the secondary pith flow, turning such pith away from the rind flow, and then releasing it.

Abstract: An integrated process is disclosed which produces both crystalline fructose and a liquid-phase sweetener such as High Fructose Corn Syrup from a feed stream comprising dextrose. A portion of the dextrose in the feed stream is isomerized to fructose and the resulting dextrose/fructose stream is fractionated to produce a high fructose stream. A portion of the fructose in the high fructose stream is crystallized out and the mother liquor remaining after crystallization is blended with dextrose-containing streams to produce the liquid-phase sweetener.

Abstract: A method for cleaning waste collection systems of solid materials using normal and injected water flow to suspend the solids in a slurry. A submersible pump moves the slurry from a collection point in the waste collection system up to a pressurized container where the water content of the slurry is decanted and reused as injection water while the particulate material settles to the bottom of the pressurized container. When the container is filled with solid material it may be removed for emptying at a waste dump.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for separating components of liquids in industrial processes for cleaning of articles. The process is directed toward a terpene-based cleaning system including washing and rinsing of contaminated articles and which further includes separating components of used wash and/or rinse solutions into component parts so that terpene components of the solutions can be recycled for further washing and the water component of the solutions can be purified and recycled for rinsing. The method can include filtering a stream directly from the wash solution to avoid fouling of the filter. The method also includes using a cross flow filter having a pore size of between about 50 .ANG. and about 7,500 .ANG. to effectively separate water from remaining components of the contaminated wash solution.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method for the preparation of crystal-water-free crystalline lactulose by subjecting an aqeous solution or suspension of lactulose to simultaneous reduction of the water content by evaporation and continuous stirring, optionally in the presence of seed crystals, until a free-flowing solid powder is obtained.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for cleaning liquid-carrying hoses, and the like. A suitable cleaning solvent is passed under pressure through the hose. The pressure of the solvent delivered to the hose is measured and used to control the pressure of compressed air mixed with the solvent to maintain a turbulent flow of a predetermined mix ratio for various solvent pressures. The turbulent solvent/compressed air mixture increases scrubbing of the hose to reduce the cleaning time and the quantity of solvent required to clean the hose.

Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning an article with a solvent having a boiling point such that the solvent is a gas at room temperature and one atmosphere pressure. Such a method includes the steps of disposing the article in a chamber, introducing the solvent into the chamber so that the solvent contacts the article, pressurizing the chamber so that the solvent is in a liquid state and removes contaminants from the article, purging the chamber to remove the solvent, and removing the treated article from the chamber. Such a system permits the use of liquids having boiling points lower than room temperature, such as certain C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 halocarbons, which liquids have not previously been used as cleaning solvents.

Abstract: A method for removing dirt from a web in which a blow-off nozzle is provided extending over the width of a web. An edge of the nozzle at an end thereof is positioned close to one surface of the web. Air is blown through the nozzle while said web is being run past said nozzle so that deposits are removed from a surface of the web with the edge while the web is maintained in a floating state separated from the nozzle.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the remediation of soil is provided with a plug flow of soil and counter-current wash of water. The contaminant-containing soil with water is first treated to disengage the contaminant from the soil and form a liquid phase containing water and contaminant. The treated soil and liquid phase is continuously introduced into a wash zone at a first end of the wash zone, and the soil and the liquid phase are conveyed in successive and discrete portions through the wash zone between the first end of the wash zone and a second end of the wash zone to provide an essentially plug-flow of the soil through the wash zone.

Abstract: Liquid sulphur-containing hydrocarbon feedstock is passed through two or more hydrodesulfurization zones and connected in a series each containing a packed bed of solid sulfurized catalyst. The liquid is passed from the first zone to the next until the final zone. Make up hydrogen is supplied to a hydrodesulfurization zone (i) other than the first hydrodesulfurization zone; hydrogen-containing gas is recovered from each hydrodesulfurization zone. The first hydrodesulfurization zone is supplied with hydrogen-containing gas recovered from a subsequent hydrodesulfurization zone. Hydrogen-containing gas recovered from the first hydrodesulfurization zone is purged. Liquid material recovered from the first hydrodesulfurization zone is recycled to the inlet of the hydrosulfurization zone so as to provide diluent for admixture with liquid feedstock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing contaminants, including hydrocarbon and metal, from contaminated particulate material, such as gravel, soil, and the like. Initially, contaminants are removed by contact with water at a temperature higher than a melting temperature of the contaminants to remove them by melting. The removed contaminants are then subjected to specific gravity separation in water and filtration, including ion exchange and activated carbon filtration.

Abstract: A chamber has upwardly diverging walls so that an upward airstream has different air speeds at different heights in the chamber. When particles such as seeds are put into the chamber, they reach equilibrium at different heights depending on their weights. A horizontal conveyor airstream, much less in magnitude than the upward airstream, directs the classified-by-height particles to a side wall of the chamber, where they are removed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning a storage or transport tank by spraying a cleaning agent against the interior wall using at least one spray nozzle, said nozzle making a rotating movement in a plane, while said plane is simultaneously revolved around an axis which makes an angle with the axis of rotation of the nozzle, the point of impingement of a jet cleaning agent delivered by the nozzle describing a track over the interior wall of the container, said track passing a plurality of times a closed circumferential line on the wall of the tank, which line is chosen as a reference, wherein the nozzle or each nozzle is so controlled that passages of the impingement track that is being described substantially occur in the greatest as yet unintersected portion of said circumferential line, which portion is located between earlier points of intersection of the impingement track and said circumferential line namely, at distances from said earlier points of intersection which substantially bear a ratio of 1:(1/2.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the interior of a boiler wherein a cleaning solution reservoir is mounted within an appliance in which the boiler is housed, and a flow conduit circuit interconnects the reservoir to the boiler and has an eductor operative to draw cleaning solution from the reservoir and pass it to the interior of the associated boiler when water under pressure is introduced into the eductor. The method finds particular application is de-scaling boilers employed in steam cooking ovens and the like wherein the boilers are relatively inaccessible.

Abstract: The solvent vapor concentration which is mixed with air and is obtained in the treatment of articles in an apparatus is controlled in the apparatus by a method comprising the following steps:a) passing gaseous solvent vapor/air mixture from the apparatus through at least one adsorber containing an adsorbent for the organic solvent and recycling the outlet gas stream from the adsorber to the apparatus;b) after completion of the adsorption, opening the apparatus to enable removal of treated articles from the apparatus and closing the apparatus;c) heating the adsorbent and passing a gas stream from the apparatus through the adsorber and recycling the outlet stream from the adsorber directly to the apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of high viscosity index lubricants from mineral oil feedstocks, e.g., petroleum waxes, by hydrocracking in a first stage, followed by a combined hydroisomerization-hydrotreating process in a second stage, wherein the temperature in the second stage is closely controlled by regulating the amount of nitrogen-containing compounds which are permitted into the second stage.

Abstract: A process for thermally and catalytically upgrading a heavy feed in a single riser reactor FCC unit is disclosed. A heavy feed is added to a blast zone in the base of the riser, and sufficient hot regenerated FCC catalyst is added to induce both thermal and catalytic cracking of the heavy feed. A reactive quench material, which cools the material discharged from the blast zone is added to a quench zone downstream of the blast zone, to reduce temperature at least in part by undergoing endothermic reactions in the riser. Quench liquids can be distillable FCC feeds such as gas oil, slack wax, or alcohols or ethers. The quench material is added in an amount equal to 100 to 1000 wt % of the non-distillable material in the heavy feed. A preferred catalyst, with a high zeolite content, is used which retains activity in the quench despite initial contact with the heavy feed, which tends to overwhelm conventional FCC catalysts.

Abstract: Sulfur containing Mannich reaction product compounds are used as effective antifoulants in liquid hydrocarbonaceous mediums, such as crude and gas oil distillates during processing of such liquids at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A process of treating metal chloride wastes produced by chlorination of titanium ore comprises the steps of:(a) leaching said metal chloride wastes in a hydrochloric acid (HCl)-containing solution to obtain a solution containing solids and dissolved metals,(b) separating said dissolved metals from said solids present in the solution obtained in step (a) to obtain a liquid and a residue,(c) selectively precipitating the metals as their hydroxides by adding a neutralizing agent to the liquid obtained in step (b),(d) separating the precipitate of metal hydroxides obtained in step (c) from the liquid to obtain a residue, and(e) dewatering the residue obtained in step (d).