Abstract: This invention relates to solvents for extracting C1 to C4 carboxylic acids from aqueous streams. More specifically, the extraction solvents include one or more salts composed of a tetraalkylphosphonium cation and a phosphinate anion. The extraction solvents may further include one or more co-solvents as an enhancer. The co-solvents may be selected from higher carboxylic acids, ethers, esters, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and nitriles. The extraction solvents are useful for extracting aqueous mixtures containing one or more lower carboxylic acids, such as monocarboxylic acids and organofluorine carboxylic acids.

Abstract: This invention relates to solvents for extracting C1 to C4 carboxylic acids from aqueous streams. More specifically, the extraction solvents include one or more salts composed of a phosphonium cation and an arylcarboxylate anion. The extraction solvents may further include one or more non-ionic liquid organic solvents as an enhancer. The extraction solvents are useful for extracting aqueous mixtures containing one or more lower carboxylic acids, such as monocarboxylic acids, alkoxycarboxylic acids, and halogen-containing carboxylic acids.

Abstract: This invention relates to solvents for extracting C1 to C4 carboxylic acids from aqueous streams. More specifically, the extraction solvents include one or more salts composed of a tetraalkylphosphonium cation and a carboxylate anion. The extraction solvents may further include one or more non-ionic liquid organic solvents as an enhancer. The extraction solvents are useful for extracting aqueous mixtures containing one or more lower carboxylic acids, such as monocarboxylic acids, alkoxycarboxylic acids, and halogen-containing carboxylic acids.

Abstract: This invention relates to solvents for extracting C1 to C4 carboxylic acids from aqueous streams. More specifically, the extraction solvents include one or more salts composed of a tetraalkylphosphonium cation and a carboxylate anion. The extraction solvents may further include one or more non-ionic liquid organic solvents as an enhancer. The extraction solvents are useful for extracting aqueous mixtures containing one or more lower carboxylic acids, such as monocarboxylic acids, alkoxycarboxylic acids, and halogen-containing carboxylic acids.

Abstract: This invention relates to solvents for extracting C1 to C4 carboxylic acids from aqueous streams. More specifically, the extraction solvents include one or more salts composed of a tetraalkylphosphonium cation and a phosphinate anion. The extraction solvents may further include one or more co-solvents as an enhancer. The co-solvents may be selected from higher carboxylic acids, ethers, esters, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and nitriles. The extraction solvents are useful for extracting aqueous mixtures containing one or more lower carboxylic acids, such as monocarboxylic acids and organofluorine carboxylic acids.

Abstract: A process for making an infusible polyolefin includes the steps of: a) contacting the polyolefin in a sulfonation reactor with a sulfonation mixture comprising sulfur trioxide to produce the infusible polyolefin; b) recovering from the sulfonation reactor a recovery stream having sulfur dioxide; c) oxidizing at least a portion of the recovered sulfur dioxide to produce a recycle stream; and d) combining at least a portion of the recycle stream with the sulfonation mixture of step (a). Another aspect of the invention is for making a carbonized fiber from an infusible polyolefin of the present invention and further includes the step of carbonizing the infusible polyolefin to produce a carbon fiber. Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus for preparing an infusible polyolefin. The apparatus includes a plurality of compartments in fluid communication wherein at least one compartment is adapted for contacting a polyolefin with sulfur trioxide.

Abstract: Resol beads are disclosed that are prepared in high yield by reaction of a phenol with an aldehyde, with a base as catalyst, a colloidal stabilizer, and optionally a surfactant. The resol beads have a variety of uses, and may be thermally treated and carbonized to obtain activated carbon beads.

Abstract: Resol beads are disclosed that are prepared in high yield by reaction of a phenol with an aldehyde, with a base as catalyst, a colloidal stabilizer, and optionally a surfactant. The resol beads have a variety of uses, and may be thermally treated and carbonized to obtain activated carbon beads.

Abstract: Resol beads are disclosed that are prepared in high yield by reaction of a phenol with an aldehyde, with a base as catalyst, a colloidal stabilizer, and optionally a surfactant. The resol beads have a variety of uses, and may be thermally treated and carbonized to obtain activated carbon beads.

Abstract: Resol beads are disclosed prepared by reaction of a phenol with an aldehyde, with a base as catalyst, in the presence of a colloidal stabilizer, and optionally a surfactant. The resol beads have a variety of uses, and may be thermally treated and carbonized to obtain activated carbon beads.

Abstract: Resol beads are disclosed that are prepared in high yield by reaction of a phenol with an aldehyde, with a base as catalyst, in the presence of a colloidal stabilizer, and optionally a surfactant. The resol beads have a variety of uses and may be carbonized and activated to form activated carbon monoliths.

Abstract: Resol beads are disclosed prepared by reaction of a phenol with an aldehyde, with a base as catalyst, in the presence of a colloidal stabilizer, and optionally a surfactant. The resol beads have a variety of uses, and may be thermally treated and carbonized to obtain activated carbon beads.

Abstract: A process for recovering a desired organic acid from a solution includes the steps of: providing an aqueous solution including at least one desired organic acid or its acid anion; adjusting the proton concentration in the aqueous solution to a desired level, with the desired proton concentration being selected, at least in part, by the amount of available protons needed to associate with the acid anions of the desired organic acid(s) to be recovered and/or acid anions that are weaker than the desired organic acids; and recovering at least a portion of the at least one desired organic acid from the aqueous phase. The desired proton concentration can be based on the amount of available protons being greater than, less than or substantially equal, to the amount of protons needed to associate with the anion of the desired organic acid(s) and acid anions that are weaker than the desired organic acid(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and an apparatus for the manufacture of an L-ascorbic acid product in high yield by direct conversion of an aqueous solution containing 2-keto-L-gulonic acid by contact with an acid catalyst or under thermal self-catalyzed conditions at a conversion level that maximizes the formation of L-ascorbic acid and minimizes decomposition of the L-ascorbic acid thus formed. The separation process for L-ascorbic acid and KLG is operated in such a way that an efficient separation process allows the majority of the KLG to be recycled for further conversion. The product stream from the separation process is then subjected to a recovery step to obtain crystalline L-ascorbic acid product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process wherein a solution of a carboxylic acid in a first solvent and an alcohol are fed to a simulated moving bed reactor (SMBR) containing a solid(s) to produce a first stream comprising a solution of an ester of the carboxylic acid and the alcohol and a second stream comprising the first solvent. The solid(s) present in the SMBR facilitates the esterification reaction and the separation of the first solvent from the carboxylic acid. The process is particularly valuable for the preparation of an alkanol solution of an alkyl 2-keto-L-gulonate ester (AKLG) from an aqueous fermentation broth containing dissolved 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (KLG) by feeding the fermentation broth and an alkanol to a simulated moving bed reactor which contains a solid acidic esterification catalyst to produce a stream comprising an alkanol solution of an ALKG. The alkanol solution of an ALKG may be used directly to convert the ALKG to ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and an apparatus for the manufacture of an L-ascorbic acid product in high yield by direct conversion of an aqueous solution containing 2-keto-L-gulonic acid by contact with an acid catalyst or under thermal self-catalyzed conditions at a conversion level that maximizes the formation of L-ascorbic acid and minimizes decomposition of the L-ascorbic acid thus formed. The separation process for L-ascorbic acid and KLG is operated in such a way that an efficient separation process allows the majority of the KLG to be recycled for further conversion. The product stream from the separation process is then subjected to a recovery step to obtain crystalline L-ascorbic acid product.

Abstract: A process for recovering a desired organic acid from a solution includes the steps of: providing an aqueous solution including at least one desired organic acid or its acid anion; adjusting the proton concentration in the aqueous solution to a desired level, with the desired proton concentration being selected, at least in part, by the amount of available protons needed to associate with the acid anions of the desired organic acid(s) to be recovered and/or acid anions that are weaker than the desired organic acids; and recovering at least a portion of the at least one desired organic acid from the aqueous phase. The desired proton concentration can be based on the amount of available protons being greater than, less than or substantially equal, to the amount of protons needed to associate with the anion of the desired organic acid(s) and acid anions that are weaker than the desired organic acid(s).