Abstract: An aqueous solution comprising one or more sulfur-containing anions is introduced into a diaphragmless, mercury, electrolytic cell wherein, in the presence of an impressed direct electric current, the sulfur-containing anions are electro-chemically converted to elemental sulfur. The invention will be found most advantageous in treating spent aqueous absorbents recovered from processes for removing SO.sub.2 and SO.sub.3 from stack gases.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating an essentially one-phase wet solvent stream obtained in a solvent dewaxing-solvent deoiling process, which solvent stream contains at least 60% toluene with the balance being water and methyl ethyl ketone (hereinafter MEK), is dehydrated by (a) fractionally distilling to produce a bottom fraction of anhydrous MEK-toluene solvent and an overhead fraction containing all the water originally present in the wet solvent stream; (b) condensing and separating said overhead fraction into a toluene-containing, water-lean phase, which is used as reflux in step (a), and a toluene-free, MEK-containing, water-rich phase; (c) extracting into a hydrocarbon stream some MEK from said water-rich phase and from the condensed azeotropic mixture recycled from step (g) hereinafter; (d) recovering from step (c) a second water-rich stream, which water-rich stream contains the MEK not extracted into said hydrocarbon stream; (e) azeotropically distilling said second water-rich stream so as to obtain water as

Abstract: A method for producing mechanical energy from geothermal fluids in which a heat transfer fluid (HTF) is heated by direct contact with the hot geothermal fluids, thereby partially cooling the geothermal fluids. A working fluid is heated by direct contact with the partially cooled geothermal fluid and is heated further by indirect heat exchange with the hot HTF. The heated working fluid is utilized in a heat engine for the production of mechanical energy.

Abstract: A method for producing mechanical energy from geothermal brine in which a heat transfer fluid (HTF) is heated by direct contact with the hot geothermal brine in cocurrent flow through a series of flash stages which are maintained at successively lower pressures so that the HTF is vaporized in each stage. A working fluid is countercurrently flowed through the series of flash stages in indirect heat exchange with the vapor produced in each stage so that the vapor is condensed in each stage and the working fluid is progressively heated as it passes through the series of flash stages. The heated working fluid is utilized in a heat engine for the production of mechanical energy.

Abstract: The process for absorbing hydrogen sulfide from hydrogenated or hydrolyzed Claus process gas by contacting said gas and an alkaline aqueous solution containing dissolved oxidation-reduction components in at least a primary and a final gas-liquid scrubber stage to effect the absorption of the hydrogen sulfide from the gas. The hydrogen sulfide is subsequently oxidized to elemental sulfur in the washing solution. The fresh washing solution is first introduced to the final stage for contact with gas of reduced hydrogen sulfide content from the prior stages to effect the transfer of dissolved and entrained oxygen from the washing solution to the gas. The thus treated washing solution is then passed to at least the primary scrubber stage for contact with incoming hydrogen sulfide rich gas under conditions which avoid a high rate of thiosulfate and sulfate formation due to the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: Polymer formation and aldol condensation by a hydrocarbyl aldehyde is prevented by adding to the aldehyde a trace to minor amount of readily oxidizable metals or cations having oxidation potentials greater than about -0.2 volts. In a typical embodiment, a liquid containing a hydrocarbyl aldehyde is inhibited against aldol condensation by incorporating in the liquid from about 0.005 to about 1.0 weight percent thereof of the aforementioned metals or cations.