Abstract: A method of separating impurities from impure PO, the method comprising distilling impure PO in a distillation zone to provide distillate PO of enhanced purity, wherein heat is provided to the distillation zone by a bottoms reboiler and by an intermediate reboiler, the intermediate reboiler providing heat at a lower temperature than the bottoms reboiler. A suitable distillation system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of separating impurities from impure PO, the method comprising distilling impure PO in a distillation zone to provide distillate PO of enhanced purity, wherein heat is provided to the distillation zone by a bottoms reboiler and by an intermediate reboiler, the intermediate reboiler providing heat at a lower temperature than the bottoms reboiler. A suitable distillation system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing an organic hydroperoxide, which process comprises: (a) oxidizing an organic compound to obtain an organic reaction product containing organic hydroperoxide; (b) mixing at least part of the organic reaction product of step (a) with a basic aqueous solution to obtain a mixture of basic aqueous solution and the organic reaction product; (c) separating the mixture of step (b) to obtain a separated organic phase containing organic hydroperoxide, and a separated aqueous phase; (d) mixing at least part of the separated organic phase of step (c) with water to obtain a mixture of an aqueous phase and the organic phase; and (e) separating the mixture of step (d) to obtain a separated organic phase containing organic hydroperoxide, and a separated aqueous phase; in which process the separation to a separated organic phase and a separated aqueous phase in step (e) is carried out with the help of a coalescer containing glass fibers.

Abstract: A process for preparing an organic hydroperoxide, which process comprises: (a) oxidizing an organic compound to obtain an organic reaction product containing organic hydroperoxide; (b) mixing at least part of the organic reaction product of step (a) with a basic aqueous solution to obtain a mixture of basic aqueous solution and the organic reaction product; (c) separating the mixture of step (b) to obtain a separated organic phase containing organic hydroperoxide, and a separated aqueous phase; (d) mixing at least part of the separated organic phase of step (c) with water to obtain a mixture of an aqueous phase and the organic phase; and (e) separating the mixture of step (d) to obtain a separated organic phase containing organic hydroperoxide, and a separated aqueous phase; in which process the separation to a separated organic phase and a separated aqueous phase in step (e) is carried out with the help of a coalescer containing glass fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating organic acid from an organic hydroperoxide stream by bringing the hydroperoxide stream into contact with an extraction fluid, in which process the extraction fluid and the hydroperoxide stream are separated from each other by a membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high surface area zirconia, having a surface area of above 125 m.sup.2 /g and preferably of above 200 m.sup.2 /g after calcination. The high surface area zirconia product of the invention can be prepared by mixing a zirconium salt solution with an alkali or ammonium compound, the zirconium hydroxide precipitate being aged in the presence of an oxygen acid of an element of group 5 or 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements and subsequently being calcined, optionally after a washing step. The preferred acid is phosphoric acid.