Abstract: Condensate released from traps on a chemical distillation reboiler is piped to a flash tank where steam is flashed off as condensate pressure is reduced. The steam is recondensed by contact with water obtained from heat exchangers and the condensate-water mixture collects in the flash tank where it may be pumped to a mixing tank remotely located at a steam boiler water purification plant. At the mix tank, excess condensate water mixture is released into a sewer or fresh make-up river water is added as required to satisfy boiler water needs. Mix ratio is controlled by mix tank pressure and in normal operation this stream provides 100% of the boiler feed water requirements.

Abstract: Crude gaseous C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl chlorides, prepared by reacting the corresponding alcohol with hydrogen chloride, are freed from by-product water, unreacted hydrogen chloride and unreacted alcohol by feeding the super-heated gaseous stream to an acid removal distillation unit with steam wherein the hydrogen chloride is removed as an acid by-product stream; thereafter passing the alkyl chloride vapors into a refrigerated recovery distillation unit wherein the alcohol is liquified; and finally withdrawing and recovering the C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl chloride from the refrigerated recovery distillation unit. In an embodiment, the process includes passing the alkyl chloride vapors from the acid removal distillation unit into an aqueous caustic scrubbing unit and withdrawing the spent caustic and recycling it to the acid removal distillation unit, prior to passing the alkyl chloride vapors to the refrigerated recovery distillation unit.