Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing odourless dimethyl ether (DME) which is thus an excellent propellant. This dimethyl ether is produced from methanol, the methanol feed, prior to the reaction to form dimethyl ether, and/or the dimethyl ether product still containing odorants being treated with acidic materials, preferably acidic ion exchangers.

Abstract: A process for recovering a distillate of tolylene diisocyanate and an isocyanate-group-containing sump product containing less than 200 ppm (by weight) tolylene diisocyanate from A) distillation residues obtained in the production of tolylene diisocyanate by mixing of the distillation residues A) with B) optionally urethane- and/or allophanate-modified polyisocyanates or polyisocyanate mixtures of the diphenyl methane series, heating of the mixture to 190.degree. to 250.degree. C. and simultaneously or subsequently working up by distillation.

Abstract: 2-methylglutaronitrile and adiponitrile are purified by removal of boron residues by adding an alcohol or amino alcohol and then recovering the nitrile by distillation.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved process for the recovery of ethylene glycol from spent glycol generated in the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate. The spent glycol typically consists of metal oxide catalyst residues, low molecular weight terephthalate oligomers, diethylene glycol and other trace impurities. The improved process of the present invention is based on the principle that elevating the temperature of the spent glycol increases the solubility of the low molecular weight oligomers so that the low molecular weight oligomers can be dissolved in the ethylene glycol and further that the spent glycol at an elevated temperature may be passed through an ion exchange bed to remove metal oxide catalysts, color forming impurities and other trace impurities.

Abstract: Mixtures containing alkylaromatrics chlorinated in the side chain are worked up by blowing them out with an inert gas before distillation at elevated temperature and carrying out the distillation in the presence of amines and/or chlorinated amines.

Abstract: Concentrates of natural coloring agents such as carotene are prepared from organic media, particularly from palm oil, by a process in which the oil, together with a volatile solvent, is subjected to gel permeation chromatography. The concentrated coloring agent may then be used in food products such as margarine and ice cream.

Abstract: A process of treating a ketoxime or aldoxime-containing amide mixture resulting from a Beckmann rearrangement of the corresponding ketoxime or aldoxime. The process involves hydrolysis of the mixture to remove the remaining ketoxime or aldoxime which are converted to the corresponding ketone or aldehyde and then separated off from the mixture. Any amino acid resulting from the hydrolysis can be reconverted to the corresponding amide by raising the temperature of the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous method of purifying eicosapentaenoic acid and esters of eicosapentanoic acid, comprising (a) fractionally distilling a starting mixture containing eicosapentaenoic acid or esters of eicosapentaenoic acid using a system of at least three distillation columns connected in flow arrangement to separate a fraction containing eicosapentaenoic acid or esters of eicosapentaenoic acid and other C.sub.20 fatty acids from a fraction containing lower-number carbon fatty acids and from a fraction containing higher-number carbon fatty acids, and (b) continuously collecting the fraction containing eicosapentaenoic acid or esters of eicosapentaenoic acid, wherein the pressure in the distillation columns is maintained at 10 Torr or below and wherein the bottom temperature of the distillation columns is maintained at 210.degree. C. or below.

Abstract: A steam stripping fraction of sesame seed oil with increased concentration of sesamin and episesamin is used in a molecular distillation process to obtain a fraction containing more than 70 weight % of sesamin and episesamin. The steam stripping fraction is preferably obtained by a steam stripping process wherein the temperature (t.degree. C.) of the sesame seed oil and the pressure (P mmHg) for the process are such that {(4.24.times.10.sup.3)/(9.41-log P)}-273 .ltoreq.t.ltoreq.280 and 0.5.ltoreq.P.ltoreq.20.

Abstract: Described is A method of decreasing the formaldehyde content in an organic paint containing composition comprising the steps of adding to the organic paint containing composition an effective amount of an organic nitrogen containing formaldehyde fixating agent. Suitable nitrogen fixating compositions are nitro parafins, nitro alcohols, amino alcohols, and nitrogen heterocyclic compounds containing from 5 to 8 members in a ring and further containing from 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms per ring and optionally including oxygen atoms present in the ring.

Abstract: A process for the production of tocopherols (T) and tocotrienols (T3) from palm fatty acid distillates (PFAD). The process includes converting free fatty acids and glycerides in PFAD into alkyl esters, then separating T and T3 from the alkyl esters and other impurities. The T and T3 are concentrated by ion-exchange and further concentrated by distilling the resulting product. Specific catalysts and optimum temperatures for the process are included. The resulting purified tocopherols and tocotrienols are useful substances, exhibiting antioxidant and physiological activities.

Abstract: A method for recovering a liquid diluent having a low salt content from an organic/aqueous mixture which contains significant quantities of the diluent, an alkali metal salt, and water comprises an integrated process which joins extraction and ion exchange steps and a reaction for the conversion of an alkali metal hydroxide. In the initial step the diluent is extracted from the original mixture employing a suitable extractant material. The extract from the initial step containing diluent, extractant material, along with reduced quantities of water and salt, is passed to an ion exchange column for conversion of the alkali metal salt to its hydroxide. In a following fractional distillation dewatering column the diluent begins to react with the alkali metal hydroxide to form an alkali-metal salt of aminocarboxylic acid which can pass harmlessly through the dewatering column for removal in further following fractional distillation step.

Abstract: A method of purifying a crude glycidyl (meth)acrylate, by (1) subjecting a crude glycidyl (meth)acrylate containing epichlorohydrin and other chlorine compounds as impurities to a stripping treatment with a mixed gas containing oxygen gas in the presence of a quaternary ammonium salt, and then (2) distilling the treated product to obtain a purified glycidyl (meth)acrylate.

Abstract: Purification of 6-aminocapronitrile by heating a mixture containing same and THA and converting the THA to higher boiling compounds, and then distilling the 6-aminocapronitrile. The time required to convert the THA is reduced if an organic carbonyl compound is present in the mixture during heating.

Abstract: A process for removing inorganic compounds from glycol recovery still bottoms resulting from the manufacture of poly(ethylene terephthalate), the novel process using a small amount of phosphoric acid to precipitate the antimony and then removing the titanium dioxide and antimony compound by a centrifuge. The novel process for removing the inorganic compounds from the recovery polyester bottoms includes the steps of distilling ethylene glycol from the spent glycol until the remaining bottoms have a solids concentration from about 15% to about 45%; adding phosphoric acid to the bottoms to form an antimony compound and removing the antimony and titanium precipitates from the bottoms by a centrifuge.

Abstract: A mixture containing 6-aminocapronitrile is purified by reacting the tetrahydroazepine contained therein with a methylene compound, and then distilling the 6-aminocapronitrile from the resulting mixture.

Abstract: Purification of 6-aminocapronitrile by reduction of tetrahydroazepine with a hydride, and then distilling the 6-aminocapronitrile at a pot temperature of less than about 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a catalytic distillation process is provided which allows for maintaining a liquid level in selected portions of the catalyst bed. Three particular processes disclosed are the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether, tertiary butyl alcohol and cumene.

Abstract: Methyl formate is removed from impure propylene oxide by contacting the impure propylene oxide in a treating zone with a basic ion exchange resin for a period of time sufficient to convert the methyl formate to formic acid and methanol, and by withdrawing a substantially methyl formate-free treated propylene oxide product from the treating zone.

Abstract: The disposal of chlorinated pitches is carried out by a process which employs two treatments with an alcohol, which are carried out in cascade.Such treatments cause the precipitation of the suspended matter to take place. This is then caused to settle, and is separated and pyrolized, while the supernatant is distilled in order to separate the alcohol, which is recycled back to the process, from other organic components, which are sent to further uses.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of waste water containing boron compounds and radionuclides. The waste water is essentially vaporized until dry to yield a concentrate. Boric acid ester and an azeotropic mixture of water and alcohol are produced in a reaction by the addition of an excess of a long chain primary alcohol, e.g. butyl alcohol, to the concentrate. The azeotropic mixture, excess alcohol and boric acid ester are then separated from the concentrate by distilling. The non-radioactive components are then separated from the concentrate leaving behind a radioactive residue, which can be safely disposed of. The azeotropic mixture is then separated back into water and alcohol, and the boric acid ester is saponified back into boric acid and alcohol. The alcohol and boric acid are recycled back into the treatment process and to the nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the purification of citral by fractional distillation by inhibiting the formation of isocitrals from isomerization of citral during the distillation process. The method involves reducing the pH of a mixture containing citral to inhibit the formation of isocitrals from citral upon heating, such as in distillation. Lowering the pH below 7 reduces formation of isocitrals, but a pH of about 4 to 5 is especially preferred. Most preferably, this pH adjustment is accomplished by addition of an acid with a pKa between about 4 and 5.

Abstract: High purity phenol is obtained from cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide by treating the crude phenol product stream in a first treatment zone with an amine, a coarse distillation to obtain an overhead stream comprising phenol, alpha-methyl styrene, cumene, and impurities, and steam distillation of the overhead stream in combination with addition of an amine to the steam distillation column for a second amine treatment step.

Abstract: A process for the separation of 2-methylalkanals from a mixture thereof with at least one alpha unbranched aldehyde thereof comprising distillation of said mixture in the presence of formaldehyde and an aldolization catalyst whereby the alpha unbranched aldehydes are converted to alpha alkylacrolein and the 2-methylalkanals are recovered in a high purity.

Abstract: A process for the purification of crude benzoic acid obtained by the catalytic oxidation of toluene in the liquid phase, which is contaminated with impurities including phthalic acid and benzylbenzoate, the process involves distilling the crude benzoic acid in a first distillation in the presence of an aliphatic amine or a mixture of aliphatic amines of the formulaHNR.sup.1 R.sup.2whereinR.sup.1 represents hydrogen or a straight-chain or branched hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl radical with 1 to 6 carbon atoms andR.sup.2 represents a straight-chain or branched hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl radical with 1 to 6 carbon atoms,and/or the salts of these amines, recovering from this distillation (a) a purified benzoic acid and (b) a benzylbenzoate containing residue, working up the residue by a second distillation and chlorinating the distillate resulting from this second distillation to give a benzoylchloride virtually free of benzonitrile.

Abstract: A process for removing metal salts from an H.sub.4 EDTA precipitate by esterification with an esterification reagent to produce an esterification mixture comprising a solid metal salt an EDTA ester and thereafter separating the solid metal salt from the esterification mixture.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of carotenes and the production of carotene concentrates from palm oil. Esterified palm oil containing carotenes, or other solutions containing carotenes, is mixed with an edible oil, part by part. The resulting mixture is subjected to a pressure of less than 7.999 N/m.sup.2 and a temperature of less than 200.degree. C., without incurring substantial decomposition of the carotenes during the process.

Abstract: (CF.sub.3 SO.sub.2).sub.2 O is formed by reaction of CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H with P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and taken out of the reaction system by distillation, but the residue of the distillation contains a considerable amount of unreacted CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H. From the residue unreacted by adding water or a phosphoric acid solution, preferably the latter, to the residue to obtain a fluidic mixture containing an adequate amount of water and subjecting the mixture to distillation, preferably under reduced pressure at temperatures ranging from 180.degree. to 280.degree. C. It is possible to form additional CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H during the recovery process by adding a metal salt of CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H to the aformentioned mixture since the metal salt is decomposed by phosphoric acid contained in the mixture.

Abstract: A process for removing iodine or soluble iodide impurities from a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride, the carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride having been by a carbonylation process. The process includes: step (a) treating impure carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride containing iodine or soluble iodide impurities with an unsupported scavenger at a temperature of between 20.degree. and 250.degree. C. and step (b) thereafter separating the treated carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride from the scavenger. The scavenger is a silver salt in the absence of a trialkyl phosphine, a triaryl phosphine and a heterocyclic aromatic nitrogen compound. The preferred scavenger for acetic acid and acetic anhydride is silver acetate.

Abstract: A process for preventing the substantial decomposition of an alkyl sulfide compound at high temperatures comprising combining a non-reactive basic compound with the alkyl sulfide compound prior to subjecting the resultant mixture to the high temperatures.

Abstract: A feedstock containing alpha olefins and internal olefins is converted into a first product having an enhanced internal olefin content over that of the feedstock and into a second product having an enhanced alpha olefin content over that of the feedstock by:(a) contacting the feedstock with an anthracene at a temperature ranging from 150.degree. to 275.degree. C. to form an olefin adduct with anthracene,(b) separating the adduct from the product of step (a) to leave a first product enriched in internal olefin,(c) heating the separated adduct at a temperature of from 250.degree.-400.degree. C. to produce anthracene and an olefin product enriched in alpha olefin, and(d) separating anthracene from the product of step (c) to produce a second product enriched in alpha olefin. Linear olefins are preferred feedstocks.

Abstract: Carboxylic esters obtained by reacting olefinically unsaturated compounds with carbon monoxide and alcohols and containing aldehydes, acetals and/or unsaturated compounds are purified by(a) treating the carboxylic ester which contains an aldehyde, acetal or unsaturated compound in a first stage at from 20.degree. to 200.degree. C. with a strongly acidic agent and(b) hydrogenating the mixture thus treated in a second stage at from 50.degree. to 200.degree. C. under a pressure of from 1 to 50 bar in the presence of one or more metals of subgroup VIII of the periodic table and(c) removing low and high boilers from the hydrogenated mixture obtained in stage b by distillation and obtaining a pure carboxylic ester.

Abstract: In a process for the production of methyl acetate from methanol and glacial acetic acid involving countercurrently flowing acetic acid and methanol through a single reactive distillation column having an extractive distillation section and a methyl acetate/acetic acid rectification section to obtain methyl acetate in the presence of an acidic catalyst, the improvement which comprises producing ultra high purity methyl acetate by the additional step of introducing acetic anhydride and a salt-free acid catalyst into the reactive distillation column between the extractive distillation section and the methyl acetate/acetic acid rectification section.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing an olefin product having an enhanced alpha olefin content from an olefin feedstock containing internal olefins or a mixture of internal and alpha olefins which includes:(a) contacting the feedstock with an anthracene and a double-bond isomerization catalyst at a temperature ranging from about 150.degree. to about 275.degree. C. to form an olefin adduct with anthracene,(b) separating the adduct from the product of step (a),(c) heating the separated adduct at a temperature ranging from about 250.degree. to about 400.degree. C. to produce anthracene and an olefin product enhanced in alpha olefin content over the alpha olefin content of the feedstock, and(d) separating anthracene from the product of step (c) to produce the product enhanced in alpha olefin.Linear olefins are a preferred feedstock.

Abstract: Primary and secondary hydroperoxide contaminants in a tertiary hydroperoxide composition obtained by oxidation of a branched hydrocarbon are removed by contacting the tertiary hydroperoxide with a carboxylic acid derivative such as an anhydride and a basic compound such as sodium hydroxide. A tertiary hydroperoxide such as tertiary butyl hydroperoxide is purified with minimal loss of the desired tertiary hydroperoxide.

Abstract: When 4-methyl-2-pentanone and acetic acid mixtures are subjected to extractive distillation with a dimethyl sulfoxide - pelargonic acid mixture as the agent, the acetic acid is converted to gaseous ketene which is easily recovered from the 4-methyl-2-pentanone.

Abstract: A process for purifying exo-2-hydroxy-1,4-cineole contaminated with ketones is carried out by derivatizing the ketone to form a compound readily separable from the desired cineole, either by distillation, solvent extraction or like separation process. In one embodiment method of the invention, derivatization is carried out by reaction of the ketone with an amine. The amine reacts with the ketone impurities to form water and relatively stable enamine derivatives that have a much lower vapor pressure than the exo-2-hydroxy-1,4-cineole. The desired product may then be separated by distillation.

Abstract: Crude phenol, containing AMS by-product, and MBF impurity, is distilled in the presence of water to separate MBF impurity.

Abstract: A process which comprises treating butyrolactone in at least 95% purity with an acid to convert and remove color forming impurities for product stabilization.

Abstract: Aldehydes are removed from .alpha.,.beta.-olefinically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids of 3 or 4 carbon atoms by adding hydrazine derivatives and distilling the unsaturated monocarboxylic acids if the hydrazine derivatives used are aminoguanidine and/or aminoguanidine salts in amounts of from 1 to 3 moles per mole of aldehyde.

Abstract: A continuous process is described for the production of a substantially acid free dialkyl maleate, for example diethyl maleate, from a feed stream containing a major amount of dialkyl maleate and a minor amount of the corresponding monoalkyl maleate. This comprises continuously distilling the feed stream in a primary distillation zone, which can comprise a single distillation column or a series of distillation columns connected in series, so as to give (i) a bottom fraction containing monoalkyl maleate and dialkyl maleate in admixture, (ii) a vaporous fraction comprising alkanol, and (iii) an intermediate fraction that is substantially free from alkanol and comprises a major proportion of diethyl maleate and a minor proportion of maleic anhydride. The intermediate fraction (iii) is redistilled in a secondary distillation zone to yield (i) an overhead fraction containing maleic anhydride and (ii) a bottom fraction containing substantially acid free dialkyl maleate.

Abstract: A method of recovering useful components at least containing dimethyl terephthalate from high-boiling byproducts occurring in the production of dimethyl terephthalate, which comprises oxidizing p-xylene and/or methyl p-toluate with a molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a heavy metal oxidation catalyst, subjecting the resulting oxidation product to esterification with methanol, separating dimethyl terephthalate and esters having lower boiling points than dimethyl terephthalate from the esterification reaction product by distillation, and thereafter treating the distillation residue containing byproducts having higher boiling points than dimethyl terephthalate with methanol to recover at least dimethyl terephthalate from the treated product; wherein the treatment of the distillation residue with methanol is carried out at a temperature of 110.degree. to 240.degree. C. under a pressure sufficient to maintain methanol in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A process of decoloring crude triethylenetetramine (TETA) is disclosed. In the disclosed and preferred procedure, a sulfonic acid ion exchange resin acts on the crude TETA to enable subsequent distillation at elevated temperature to obtain decolored TETA.

Abstract: A process for purifying a solvent suitable for use in the polymerization of an olefin in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, which comprises feeding the polymerization solvent to a stage lower than a chimney tray of a multi-stage distillation column, said chimney tray being provided at a height between the top and bottom of the column, feeding an organoaluminum compound to a stage higher than the chimney tray, drawing out a condensate from the chimney tray, heating the condensate to produce heated vapor, introducing the heated vapor to the chimney tray or to a stage higher than the chimney tray but lower than the stage to which the organoaluminum compound has been fed, and drawing the solvent in a purified state from the top.

Abstract: High purity butene-1, in particular polymerization grade butene-1, is obtained by means of a two-stage fractionation of a C.sub.4 hydrocarbon stream comprising butene-1 which is substantially free from butadiene.The first stage of the fractionation process allows practically all the isobutane contained in the C.sub.4 batch to be separated as the top stream.The bottom phase of the first stage of fractionation is supplied to the second stage of fractionation thus obtaining high purity butene-1 as the top fraction, and the remaining components as the bottom phaseAccording to the process of the invention, vapors of butene-1 obtained as the top stream from the second stage of fractionation are compressed and the resultant heat of condensation is used for operating the reboilers of the two fractionation stages.

Abstract: If the transesterification of esters of formula II ##STR1## with alcohols of formula III A--OH).sub.m is catalysed by treatment with catalytic amounts of an organic or inorganic zinc salt and the resultant melt is subsequently distilled in a short-time distillation apparatus under specific conditions, then compounds of the formula ##STR2## are obtained in virtually quantitative yield, in which formulae I, II and III n is a number from 0 to 2, m is 1 or 2, A is a radical derived from an m-valent aliphatic alcohol, which radical contains 2 to 18 carbon atoms, B is methyl or tert-butyl and R is methyl or ethyl. The products thus obtained contain no troublesome by-products and do not have to be additionally purified.

Abstract: Olefin mixtures containing vinyl, vinylidene and internal olefins are upgraded in value by removing the vinylidene olefin content and lowering the internal olefin content by selective reaction with a sulfur halide such as S.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 followed by reaction with aqueous alkali metal hydrosulfide and optionally alkali metal sulfide. The reaction mixture is distilled to remove mainly vinyl and a reduced amount of internal olefins. The distillation residue is an effective extreme pressure additive for lubricating oil.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon solutions containing iodine or iodine-containing impurities are rendered essentially color-free by distillation in the presence of small amounts of a hydrocarbon soluble organometallic compound.

Abstract: Neopentyl glycol hydroxypivalate is isolated from a reaction mixture obtained from a Tishchenko reaction of hydroxypivalaldehyde in the presence of calcium hydroxide, barium hydroxide or strontium hydroxide, by adding acid, removing the salts formed by adjusting the water content in the reaction mixture to 20-60% and extracting the salts at above 50.degree. C. and working up the residual mixture by distillation.

Abstract: A process for removing iodine or soluble iodide impurities from a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride, the carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride having been by a carbonylation process. The process includes: step (a) treating impure carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride containing iodine or soluble iodide impurities with an unsupported scavenger at a temperature of between 20.degree. and 250.degree. C. and step (b) thereafter separating the treated carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride from the scavenger. The scavenger is a silver salt in the absence of a trialkyl phosphine, a triaryl phosphine and a heterocyclic aromatic nitrogen compound. The preferred scavenger for acetic acid and acetic anhydride is silver acetate.