Abstract: The latex is treated by passage through a heat exchanger consisting of a closed chamber 1 divided into two distinct superposed parts, the unobstructed upper part 3 being placed under reduced pressure and communicating with a plant for recovery of the residual monomer or monomers, and the lower part 4 being equipped with a partitioning 9 bounding two separate extended and adjoining circuits 10 and 11, one of the circuits 10 being traversed by the latex to be treated and being maintained in communication, via its top and over its entire path, with the upper part 3 of the chamber, and the other circuit 11, isolated from the upper part 3 of the chamber, being traversed by a heat-transfer fluid maintained at a temperature of 40 to 100.degree. C.Preferably, the two circuits 10 and 11 are bounded by a partitioning 9 arranged in the form of a double spiral.

Abstract: A solution of an organic compound containing at least a polymer is treated by adding an amount of water to said solution, distilling the organic compound to recover the organic compound, and incinerating the remained aqueous solution containing the polymer.

Abstract: Organic contaminants are removed from RPET flakes by a process that includes steam-stripping the contaminants out from the matrix of the RPET flakes. In an alternative embodiment, the RPET flakes are first comminuted to prepare RPET particles, and the RPET particles are thereafter steam-stripped.

Abstract: A method for removing residual vinyl chloride monomers from an aqueous slurry is disclosed. The method preferably utilizes a tower having a plurality of vertically spaced plates, which define a plurality of chambers, each chamber defined between adjacent plates. The tower features a plate in one of the chambers having a diameter of 1.05 to 5 times larger than the diameter of the plates in chambers above and below the chamber having the large plate. The method is based upon introducing the slurry to a particular location in the tower depending upon the porosity of the polyvinyl chloride in the slurry.

Abstract: Volatile components are eliminated from polyacrylate melts by distilling off the volatile components by a process in which the volatile components are distilled off under reduced pressure, entraining agents are added to the melts at above 100.degree. C. and the melts are simultaneously circulated.

Abstract: Aliphatic alcohols with up to 30 and especially with 6 to 18 carbon atoms are separated from a mixture of alkyl glycosides and alcohols which are unreacted during the production of these glycosides, by single or multi-stage distillation. The alcohols are distilled off by a drop film evaporator to impoverish the reaction mixture to residual alcohol contents of 5 wt % and under. The strip load of the drop film evaporator is set to at least 1.0 m.sup.3 /h m, especially at least 1.8 m.sup.3 /h m and preferably at least 3.0 m.sup.3 /h m. It is possible to reduce the alcohol content of the product to any value between 0.1 and 5 wt % at acceptable overall cost.

Abstract: Acidic and salt impurities are removed from a condensed phase obtained from dimethyl carbonate synthesis by obtaining the condensed phase from the effluent of a reactor in which carbon monoxide, oxygen and methanol are reacted to form dimethyl carbonate, the condensed phase containing acid and salt impurities, and partially evaporating the condensed phase in an evaporator thereby preparing an evaporated stream substantially free of impurities and a residual bottom stream.

Abstract: System and method for treating toxic washwater from ink, paint, pesticides and the like. The wash water is heated to a temperature on the order of 100.degree. F. in a sump positioned beneath a bed of horse manure media containing aerobic fungi and bacteria. Washwater is foam lifted from the sump to a level above the media and allowed to filter down through the media. Hot dry air is blown into the media from the side to maintain the media at a temperature on the order of 100.degree. F. and thereby promote microbiological activity and evaporation of the water in the media. Warm moist air from the media is cooled to condense the moisture, and the condensed moisture is collected as distilled water. A prefilter removes excessive amounts of solids from the washwater before it is introduced into the sump, and a Carnot cycle system provides the necessary heating and cooling for the water, media and air.

Abstract: A method for producing an aromatic polycarbonate comprises introducing to an introduction zone (having a perforated plate) a) a molten monomer mixture of an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a diaryl carbonate, or b) a molten prepolymer obtained by a process comprising reacting an aromatic dihydroxy compound with a diaryl carbonate, and allowing the monomer mixture or prepolymer in the molten state to pass downwardly through the perforated plate and fall freely through a free-fall polymerization reaction zone, thereby effecting polymerization of the monomer mixture or prepolymer during the free-fall thereof. Colorless and high quality aromatic polycarbonates are thus stably produced at a high polymerization rate for a prolonged period of time, using an apparatus which has excellent sealing properties under high vacuum and maintenance of which is easy.

Abstract: A solution of cellulose is formed by moving a premix of a tertiary amine N-oxide, water and cellulose through a thin-film evaporator using a bladed rotor under treatment conditions which specify, inter alia, an area of heated surface (1 m.sup.2 to 125 m.sup.2), a blade speed (2.5 to 8 m/sec), a pressure (25 to 100 mb) and a temperature (90.degree. to 135.degree. C.).

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting, concentrating, and separating biochemical compounds from plant or animal biological substances. It has a heating vessel for the substance to be treated, and is connected at its lower part to an evaporation circuit. The evaporation circuit is connected to the upper part of the heating vessel and, by a valve, to the bottom of a distillation column. A condenser is connected to a vacuum source and, by a valve to the top of the distillation column. A decanter is connected by a valve to the condenser and then successively to a first tank for recovering essential oil, a second tank for recovering aromatic water, and to the vacuum source. A dual discharge circuit has its first circuit connected by two valves to a third tank for receiving light aromatic compounds and to a fourth tank for receiving regenerated solvents.

Abstract: A method which includes a flashing process and a process for extruding thermoplastic plastics is provided for achieving more thorough devolatilizing of the solutions of thermoplastic plastics, to ensure that the solutions of thermoplastic plastics are able to be worked continually, wherein the accoustic treatments are introduced into both processes to increase the efficiency of removing volatile components and thus leads to the decrease of the processing time for extruding thermoplastic plastics. In the flashing process, the ultrasonic horns are arranged to scatter the feed stream of the solution which increases the devolatilizing surface of the polymer fluid and, simultaneously, to enhance bubble formation and produce strong agitation in the polymer fluid, thereby increasing the devolatilizing efficiency. In the process of extruding thermoplastic plastics, the ultrasonic horns are arranged in the extruder to enhance both formation and rupture of bubbles, thereby increasing the devolatilizing efficiency.

Abstract: Reprocessing mixtures which contain organic solvents and constituents of low volatility and may contain water: includes introducing the mixture into a concentration apparatus of a solvent recovery system, concentrating the mixture in the concentration apparatus by evaporating off a portion of a readily volatile fraction and feeding this readily volatile fraction to a separation column. A portion of the concentrated mixture from the concentration apparatus is conducted away into a separation apparatus where the constituents of low volatility are separated off from the concentrated mixture and ejected from the solvent recovery system. The concentrated mixture is conducted away, freed from the constituents of low volatility, from the separation apparatus.

Abstract: An improved polymer devolatilization apparatus including a flat plate heater having a multiplicity of flat plates defining a plurality of channels, each channel having a substantially uniform height but varying width over its length, each channel including three zones:a first zone in operative communication with the polymer solution supply device, characterized by decreasing width as a function of distance from its beginning,a second zone beginning at the terminus of the first zone, characterized by at least one occurrence of a restrictive cross-sectional area, anda third zone beginning at the end of the second zone and terminating at a liquid/vapor collection and separation region operating at reduced pressure, said third zone characterized by increasing width as a function of distance from its beginning, and provided further that the ratio of maximum width of the third zone to the maximum width of the second zone is from 2:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: A process and apparatus provide for the evaporation of spent liquors in several stages, and recovery of volatile substances from spent liquors of organic solvent pulping processes. The recovery system for volatiles is integrated with the evaporation of spent liquors. Heating condensation is carried out in each evaporator effect on several heat surfaces separated from each other. Pure water, vapor condensate, or steam may be injected to the warmer side of an evaporator effect in order to increase the condensing temperature of the vapor. The volatiles are typically alcohols (methanol and/or ethanol) used as the cooking liquor in organic solvent pulping.

Abstract: Method for providing a proportioned gas flow of triisobutylaluminum from liquid triisobutylaluminum having isobutene admixed therein. The liquid is preheated sufficiently to evaporate the isobutene therefrom but leaving the triisobutylaluminum substantially in liquid phase. The vaporized isobutene is separated from the liquid triisobutylaluminum, and subsequently the triisobutylaluminum from which isobutene has been removed is evaporated. Preheating is conducted at a temperature of 30.degree.-40.degree. C. The evaporation of liquid triisobutylaluminum is conducted at a temperature of 40.degree.-60.degree. C.

Abstract: A process and plant are disclosed for the manufacture of particulate or liquid elastomeric polymers suitable for the manufacture of a wide variety of commercial elastomers, substantially in the absence of water for purifying and particulating the elastomer.

Abstract: A highly energy efficient process for removing hydrocarbons from polymer slurries is disclosed. The process includes feeding a hydrocarbon-containing polymer slurry to a flash tank to flash a portion of the hydrocarbon from the slurry. Thereafter, the resulting slurry is fed to a fluid bed dryer wherein additional hydrocarbon is stripped from the polymer. Subsequently, the resulting polymer powder is transferred to a powder silo wherein further hydrocarbon is removed from the polymer utilizing a heated purge gas flowing countercurrent to the polymer powder. The polymer output preferably has a low hydrocarbon content, on the order of 100 ppm or less.

Abstract: The process is used to remove the solvent from an elastomeric polymer solution containing at least 8% by weight of elastomeric polymer. The elastomeric polymer solution undergoes a preprocessing step in order to remove a large part of the solvent. Thereafter, the elastomeric polymer solution is fed into a main extruder in order to remove the remaining solvent. The preprocessing step includes: (a) introducing a heating fluid and the elastomeric polymer solution into a static mixer in order to mix the heating fluid and the elastomeric polymer solution and heat rapidly the elastomeric polymer solution to a temperature of 60.degree.-250.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of recovering a solvent from a mother liquor in a system in which the mother liquor also contains non-volatile matter, volatile solute and volatile solvent, and the solute concentration is low, in which a heat pump distilling column (first column) is so operated as to work only as a concentrating section of a distilling column by feeding a mother liquor to the column bottom of the heat pump distilling column, contact of non-volatile matter with the concentrating section is prevented and the column bottom liquor is sent to an evaporator so as to separate the non-volatile matter by the evaporator, thereafter, a vapor from the evaporator is fed to a distilling column (second column), and distillates of first and second columns and bottoms of the second column are withdrawn as the products. The procedures described above are carried out under specific operation conditions.

Abstract: Fatty alcohols are separated from a solution containing alkyl polyglycosides (APGs) and alcohols, wherein the alcohols and the alkyl groups of the APGs contain 10-18 C atoms and wherein the mean degree of polymerization of the (APGs) is 1.05-1.4 by distilling said solution at 160.degree.-200.degree. C. under a pressure of 0.1-20 hPa in a thin layer evaporator having a Reynolds number of 30-18,000.

Abstract: A system for continuously recovering renewable volatile compounds by boiling points from waste organic solvent with minimum energy loss, and an improved thin membrane distillation apparatus for efficient distillation of renewable volatile compounds from waste organic solvent and enforced discharge of the residue or sludge. The waste treatment system includes a thin membrane distillation apparatus, a cooling unit, a first distillation unit, and a second distillation unit connected in this sequence. Alternatively, the system includes two thin membrane distillation apparatus, a reduced pressure distillation unit, and a normal pressure distillation unit connected in this sequence. The thin membrane distillation apparatus includes a decompression chamber, a waste inlet, an outlet for volatile compound, an air-tight chamber, and a breaking mechanism with a screw head movable into the air-tight chamber.

Abstract: A method of separating and recovering components of a mixture having a gap in the range of miscibility and having organic compounds and water in a pervaporization process with the aid of membranes. The mixture is first separated into an organically loaded water phase and a water-saturated organic phase. Subsequently, the organically loaded water phase and the water-saturated organic phase are separately subjected to parallel, different pervaporization processes, resulting in retentates as water on the one hand and organic liquid on the other hand. The permeates that result during the pervaporization processes are subsequently returned to the mixture that is to be separated.

Abstract: A wiped film evaporation process for reducing the amount of residual organic polyisocyanate, especially toluene diisocyanate, in a polyurethane prepolymer reaction product mixture. An inert sweeping gas is added to the evaporation process, preferably after first passing through a holdup volume of the prepolymer which has passed through the evaporation zone.

Abstract: A horizontal polymer melt distributor is formed from a prism shaped distributor which cooperates with a horizontal tray positioned below the prism shaped distributor. Polymer melt flows into and expands in the distributor then overflows onto the tray. This design holds the polymer melt in the devolatilizer to reduce the content of monomer, dimers and solvent/diluent in the polymer.

Abstract: A method of separating and recovering components of a mixture having a gap in the range of miscibility and including organic compounds and water in a pervaporization process with the aid of membranes. The mixture is first separated into an organically loaded water phase and a water-saturated organic phase. Subsequently, the organically loaded water phase and the water-saturated organic phase are separately subjected to parallel, different pervaporization processes, resulting in retentates as water on the one hand and organic liquid on the other hand. The permeates that result during the pervaporization processes are subsequently returned to the mixture that is to be separated.

Abstract: A vacuum drying method wherein a solution of a material to be dried which has been adjusted to 1-50 centipoise, is supplied to a steam-heated long tube, solid-vapor mixture of powdery dry material and vapor produced in the tube is blown out under reduced pressure, and the powdery dry material and vapor are separated so as to obtain powdery dry material.

Abstract: The present invention provides(1) a method for preparing lipid powder for use in the preparing liposome, which comprises supplying at a constant speed an organic solvent solution of lipids having liposome membrane forming ability to a tubular heater heated externally, evaporating the organic solvent in the heater to prepare a mixture substantially of solids and organic solvent vapor and introducing this mixture at a high speed into a vacuum chamber of not more than 300 mm Hg, to volatilize the organic solvent instantaneously and dry the solids, and(2) a method for preparing liposomes comprising dispersing the lipid powder obtained by the above method (1) into an aqueous solvent.

Abstract: Low odor polyphenylene ether resin is produced by mixing a polyphenylene ether resin having an odoriferous content in water and bringing the mixture to a boil to distill a portion or all of the water.

Abstract: A process for the devolatilization of polymer solutions including:(a) feeding the solution to a zone of indirect thermal exchange in which the ratio between the surface of thermal exchange and the flow per hour of the solution is over 80 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3 /h;(b) moving the solution forward into each channel at a speed below 0.5 mm/second;(c) keeping the solution of the polymer in each channel for about 120-200 seconds; and(d) separating the volatile components from the devolatilized polymer solution.

Abstract: A distributor for a falling strand devolatilizer which is a closed top upwardly facing projection having one or more inclined faces and being centered on a tray having strand forming holes there through. The distributor holds polymer melt in a devolatilizer for a longer period of time resulting in lower levels of monomer, oligomer, and diluent in the treated polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus for devolatilizing liquid composition containing polymer and volatile constituents including a heat exchanger, a volatilizer coupled to the underside of the heat exchanger and a vacuum connected to the volatilizer, the apparatus further comprising a distributor provided between the heat exchanger and the volatilizer; and a method of devolatilizing liquid composition containing polymer and volatile constitutents using a devolatilization apparatus, the devolatilization apparatus comprising a heat exchanger, a volatilizer coupled to the underside of said heat exchanger, a vacuum connected to the volatilizer and a distributor provided between the heat exchanger and volatilizer.

Abstract: A thin-layer evaporator particularly suited for treating high-viscosity fluids, including a treating chamber surrounded by a heating or cooling shell, and a rotor equipped with feed and thrust elements. The feed and thrust elements include at least two axial, equidistant and staggered rows of blade members having the same pitch and sloping with respect both to the rotor axis and to the axial plane passing through their connection line; each member being offset, with respect to the members of the adjacent rows, by a space equal to the half pitch of the member.

Abstract: The efficiency of falling strand devolatilizers is related to a number of factors incluidng the foaming of the polymer melt and the time the melt in both foam and strand form is held in the devolatilizer. The level of residual material including monomers, dimers, trimers, and diluents, in a polymer melt may be reduced by passing the melt sequentially through a preheater operated at relatively low pressure then through a horizontal melt distributor at the top of a devolatilizer chamber.

Abstract: A process for removing substantial quantities of volatile liquid e.g. hydrocarbon from a mixture of polymer and such liquid is provided. This process includes the initial step of introducing the mixture, and a liquid which is immiscible with the polymer, into a mixing/kneading zone provided with heated heat transfer surfaces having a temperature higher than the boiling point of the lowest boiling liquid component in the mixing/kneading zone. The mixture and the immiscible liquid are subjected to a period of continuous mixing and kneading within the mixing/kneading zone, to bring the mixture into continuously moving contact with the heat transfer surfaces. During this period of continuous mixing/kneading, the heated heat transfer surfaces are repeatedly mechanically cleaned to prevent buildup of solid polymer thereon.

Abstract: Used drilling muds containing substantial quantities of organic liquids and water-soluble salts are treated to render them environmentally acceptable for disposal purposes, by drying the muds to evaporate all liquids, aqueous and non-aqueous, preferably in a shell-and-tube type heat exchanger through which they are conveyed and held in suspension by screw conveyors, and preferably with the vapors thus generated flowing in a direction counter-current to the mud. Water-soluble salts are removed from the dried mud components by dissolving with water, and the vapors are condensed and phase separated for further purification and re-use if desired.

Abstract: A device for removing the volatile components of a polymer in a polymer train includes a hollow pipe which defines an interior chamber, a pair of flanges mounted on opposite axial ends of the pipe, a heat jacket mounted on the pipe and disposed to surround the pipe, a plurality of band heating elements mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the heat jacket, and an arrangement of fin elements disposed in the interior chamber of the pipe to contact the polymer flowing through the pipe. Heat from the heating elements is distributed by the heat jacket over the axial length of the pipe and is transferred to the fin elements to heat the polymer flowing through the pipe. The fin elements may be in a cruciform arrangement within the interior chamber of the pipe. A method of removing the volatile components includes forming a thin film of polymer and heating and distributing the heat evenly on the thin film of polymer so that the volatile components may be vaporized.

Abstract: A falling-film process and apparatus for the cocurrent evaporation of a solution is disclosed. The process utilizes a tube-bundle heat exchanger in which the upper ends of the individual tubes of the tube-bundle are closed. Apertures, preferably in the form of slots, are formed adjacent the closed-end of the individual tubes. A liquid heel is maintained above the highest of said apertures and flows into the interior of the tubes through said apertures. Upon entering the tubes the liquid and any vapor released therefrom flows cocurrently in a downward direction. The vapors released from the liquid are recycled to a point above the liquid heel through conduit means separate from the individual tubes.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for treating polymers containing volatile matters and removing the volatile matters from the polymers, which comprises a polymer discharge device provided with heating means and adapted to discharge a polymer charged therein in the form of a strand or film and so forth, which device is mounted inside a decompression vessel or on a wall of the vessel.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for stripping of a residual component from a liquid having a viscosity of from 300 to 10,000 poises in which the liquid flows in the form of a ring flow supported by a gas stream flowing in the core, through a tube into a separator vessel, the tube having a continuous coil shape and a conduit diameter to helix diameter of from 0.1:1 to 0.04:1, the improvement comprising adding to the gas stream from 10 to 90%, by weight, of externally generated steam and/or an inert gas at an adjusted pressure of from 50 m bars to 1 bar in the separator vessel for a gas and/or steam velocity in the tube of from 100 m/sec to the speed of sound. The added gas and/or steam generates thorough transverse mixing in the liquid ring flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating aqueous solutions of hygroscopic organic liquid having boiling points higher than the normal boiling point of water is disclosed. The apparatus includes an airtight evacuated chamber, means for injecting a preheated temperature adjusted solution into the chamber to vaporize water from the solution and produce a concentrated aerosol of organic liquid, and means for coalescing the concentrated aerosol. Also included is a system for recovery of organic vapor leaving the chamber along with the vaporized water.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer solutions in organic solvents are converted to granules of relatively uniform sizes and a narrow distribution range by passing the polymer solution through a jet nozzle to form a high velocity stream, injecting super heated steam into the high velocity stream to form a suspension of fine polymer particulates in a gas stream, passing the particulates into a heated agglomeration tube having a series of adjoining circular turns of at least 180.degree. wherein the particulates are substantially completely agglomerated into granules and the granules are recovered from the gas stream.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing detergent powder containing heat-sensitive components is disclosed. The process involves preparation of two separate crutcher slurries, one containing the relatively heat-stable components which is sprayed in a conventional manner and a second containing heat-sensitive components which is sprayed into the spray-drying tower at a level lower than the level at which the drying air is injected. Desirably the second slurry is sprayed in a direction which includes an upward component, so as to lengthen the pathway of the sprayed droplets.

Abstract: A polymer is dried by introducing a mixture of polymer and liquid into an agitated bed of hot polymer particles.

Abstract: Extrusion drying of wet rubber crumb particles in the last phase of the overall elastomer drying process is improved through use of gas injected into the compression zone of an extruder thereby providing an improved efficiency in the explosion drying process. Rubber particles having a very low moisture content, such as less than 0.2% by weight, frequently less than 0.1%, are produced.

Abstract: Removal of acrylonitrile from latex by azeotropic distillation with methanol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering vapors from a polymer solution comprising liquid solvent and polymer. The solution is passed from first and second strippers to a crumb slurry tank. Vapors from the slurry tank and second stripper are combined and used as the stripping medium for the first stripper.

Abstract: An improved process for the removal of volatile components from polymer compositions containing volatile components such as unreacted monomers, solvents, by-products or impurities by a rotating disc evapo-extrusion, and an apparatus therefor. The present invention is particularly useful for the removal of the volatile components from polymer compositions having a high content of volatile components such as 25 to 99.9% by weight, particularly methyl methacrylate polymer compositions useful for the production of molding materials or extrusion plates which contain 60% by weight or more of methyl methacrylate monomer.

Abstract: Long chain fatty alcohols can be removed from alkylpolysaccharide products in thin film evaporators to achieve fatty alcohol levels of less than about 2% without excessive discoloration of the alkylpolysaccharide.

Abstract: When vinyl chloride resin slurry containing vinyl chloride monomer is contacted with steam in counterflow manner in a column provided with at least one perforated plate having a downcomer to remove the monomer, the lower surface of the plate is washed by hot water injection, whereby clogging of the small holes of the perforated plate is prevented.