Abstract: The present invention provides a new type of filtration system. Traditional designs required that personnel open the system to clean/change strainers while a process was in operation. This invention provides a straining system that allows process stream to be filtered in a manner completely internal to the process. The system includes dual strainers with a nitrogen purging system and solvent flush system. A creatively designed “catch” area is installed internal to the process to collect all solids that are flushed from the strainer system. The system remains completely closed for the duration of each production campaign, thus eliminating the safety hazard and labor requirement associated with opening a process system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new type of filtration system. Traditional designs required that personnel open the system to clean/change strainers while a process was in operation. This invention provides a straining system that allows process stream to be filtered in a manner completely internal to the process. The system includes dual strainers with a nitrogen purging system and solvent flush system. A creatively designed “catch” area is installed internal to the process to collect all solids that are flushed from the strainer system. The system remains completely closed for the duration of each production campaign, thus eliminating the safety hazard and labor requirement associated with opening a process system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved mass-transfer column, the column comprising a plurality of trays and associated downcomers, wherein at least one of the downcomers comprises an upstream and downstream end, as defined by the direction of flow of liquid through the column, the upstream and downstream end each having an opening defined by a plurality of walls, wherein each of the walls extend substantially entirely between the upstream opening and the downstream opening, and wherein at least one of the walls has at least two sections, a first section of the wall forming an angle ? with a plane parallel to the associated tray, and a second section of the wall, which forms an angle ? with a plane parallel to the associated tray, wherein said second section is downstream from the first section, and ?<?.

Abstract: A process for continuous dewatering/drying of EP(D)M rubber is disclosed. The process comprises continuously charging wet EP(D)M crumb into a single screw extruder having particular structural features and conveying the wet crumb through the length of the extruder under conditions sufficient to expel water, increase the pressure across the die plate of the extruder and heat the crumb. The dried crumb thus extruded is characterized in that it contains less than 1% water. The single screw extruder suitable for the process comprises an inlet or feeding end, an expeller section which contains cage bars, an expander section having a solid shell cover positioned immediately downstream from the expeller section, a die plate and a screw having a constant pitch and a, preferably gradually, decreasing channel depth.