Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the production of dialkyl ether wherein a C1-C3 alcohol is fed into a distillation column (2) comprising a reboiler (5) at its bottom, a condenser (4) at its top, a feed inlet (11) at a level between the reboiler and the condenser, and a stack of stages (6) in the column's interior, including stages (8) carrying a bed of catalytic material, the stages comprising sluices (19) which are simultaneously moved between a vapour flow position, allowing vapour to flow upwards through the catalytic beds during a vapour flow period, and a liquid flow position, allowing fluid to flow from an upper stage to a lower stage during a liquid flow period.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process wherein a stream comprising dichlorohydrin, water, and HCI is separated into a stream which is rich in dichlorohydrin and low in HCI and an aqueous HCI stream which is low in dichlorohydrin. The process involves the distillation of the mixture comprising dichlorohydrin, water, and HCI with an amount of water being added before and/or during the distillation such that the water concentration during the distillation is on the line D-E, or to the right thereof, in the phase diagram of FIG. 1.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for separating monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid from one another via extractive distillation using (a) an extractive agent that is chemically stable and has a BF3 affinity of between 65 kJ/mole and 110 kJ/mole and (b) an organic solvent that is either an acid with a lowest pKa of between 3.0 and 6.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for separating monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid from one another via extractive distillation, comprising the steps of (i) contacting a mixture comprising monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid with an extractive agent which is chemically stable and which has a BF3 affinity of between 65 kJ/mole and 110 kJ/mole, (ii) distilling the mixture to obtain a monochloroacetic acid stream and a stream comprising dichloroacetic acid and the extractive agent, and (iii) regenerating the extractive agent.

Abstract: A process and a column configuration for dehydration of an aqueous dilution of a compound forming an azeotrope with water, such as raw grade bioethanol, formic acid or chloroform, to form a concentrate with a concentration above azeotropic level. A preconcentration section (26, 40, 55) with a reboiler (29, 42, 57) and an extractive distillation section (22, 41, 52) are thermally coupled. The aqueous dilution is fed to the preconcentration section, where it is separated into water and a preconcentrate. The water is discharged via the reboiler, and the preconcentrate is fed to the extractive distillation section. A solvent is fed to the extractive distillation section at a higher level than the preconcentrate. In the extractive distillation section the final concentrate is separated from a mixture of the solvent and water.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for separating monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid from one another via extractive distillation using (a) an extractive agent that is chemically stable and has a BF3 affinity of between 65 kJ/mole and 110 kJ/mole and (b) an organic solvent that is either an acid with a lowest pKa of between 3.0 and 6.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process of manufacturing polyester comprising introducing a polyol (7) and a polycarboxylic acid (9) into a pre-reactor (1) and allowing the polyol and the polycarboxylic acid to react to obtain a pre-polymer mixture including a polyfunctional ester; introducing the pre-polymer mixture (10) into the inlet section (13) of a distillation column (5) having a stripping section (15) and a rectifying section (16); supplying stripping gas (20) into the bottom of the distillation column (5); allowing the polyfunctional ester to polymerize in the stripping section (15) so as to form polyester and a gaseous mixture including water and unreacted reactants; removing polyester (30) from the distillation column (15); and allowing the gaseous mixture to pass through the rectifying section (16), removing from the top of the distillation column (5) a gaseous phase (35), at least partially condensing the gaseous phase and returning (46) part of the condensed gaseous phase as reflux i

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for separating monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid from one another via extractive distillation, comprising the steps of (i) contacting a mixture comprising monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid with an extractive agent which is chemically stable and which has a BF3 affinity of between 65 kJ/mole and 110 kJ/mole, (ii) distilling the mixture to obtain a monochloroacetic acid stream and a stream comprising dichloroacetic acid and the extractive agent, and (iii) regenerating the extractive agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process wherein a stream comprising dichlorohydrin, water, and HCI is separated into a stream which is rich in dichlorohydrin and low in HCI and an aqueous HCI stream which is low in dichlorohydrin. The process involves the distillation of the mixture comprising dichlorohydrin, water, and HCI with an amount of water being added before and/or during the distillation such that the water concentration during the distillation is on the line D-E, or to the right thereof, in the phase diagram of FIG. 1.