Abstract: The invention pertains to the redistribution of cyclic and linear polysiloxanes by a method comprising contacting and heating a surfactant, wherein the surfactant is the salt of a protonated amine or a quaternary amine compound, an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and a silicone, wherein the silicone is a silicon hydrolysate, D5, or DO. When the method of the invention is conducted with silicone hydrolysate, it eliminates the need to separate the silicone hydrolysate into its linear and cyclic constituents prior to redistribution.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the redistribution of cyclic and linear polysiloxanes by a method comprising contacting and heating a surfactant, wherein the surfactant is the salt of a protonated amine or a quaternary amine compound, an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and a silicone, wherein the silicone is a silicon hydrolysate, D5, or DO. When the method of the invention is conducted with silicone hydrolysate, it eliminates the need to separate the silicone hydrolysate into its linear and cyclic constituents prior to redistribution.

Abstract: Chlorosilanes such as dimethyldichlorosilane are hydrolyzed in a first super-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column A to produce cyclosiloxanes, chlorosiloxanes, and hydrogen chloride gas. The cyclosiloxanes and the chlorosiloxanes are washed and separated according to their volatility in a second sub-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column B, to produce a substantially chloride free volatile cyclosiloxane stream and a substantially chloride free non-volatile siloxane stream. The process is substantially chloride efficient.

Abstract: Chlorosilanes such as dimethyldichlorosilane are hydrolyzed in a first super-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column A to produce cyclosiloxanes, chlorosiloxanes, and hydrogen chloride gas. The cyclosiloxanes and the chlorosiloxanes are washed and separated according to their volatility in a second sub-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column B, to produce a substantially chloride free volatile cyclosiloxane stream and a substantially chloride free non-volatile siloxane stream. The process is substantially chloride efficient.

Abstract: A process for separating an emulsion into separate and easily recoverable phases. The process comprises exposing an emulsion comprising a discontinuous phase and a non-conducting continuous phase to an electric field thereby effecting coalescence of the discontinuous phase into droplets of a size for effective gravitation from the continuous phase, where the discontinuous phase and the continuous phase have different dielectric constants and densities and at least one of the phases comprise a silicon containing compound or a silicon containing polymer. The present process is especially useful for separating emulsions where the discontinuous phase is an aqueous acid solution and the continuous phase is diorganopolysiloxane.