By Crystallizing Patents (Class 203/48)
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Patent number: 9169184Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing ditrimethylolpropane which is characterized by the following (1) and (2): (1) a distillation still residue separated from purified trimethylolpropane is subjected to re-distillation under specific conditions to obtain a ditrimethylolpropane-containing solution having given contents of bis-TMP and tri-TMP; and (2) when subjecting the ditrimethylolpropane-containing solution to crystallization with an organic solvent, the crystallization is initiated under pressure at a temperature exceeding a boiling point of the organic solvent as measured under normal pressures, and the resulting crystallization product solution is cooled at a temperature drop rate of 2° C./min or less. According to the above method, it is possible to produce a high-purity ditrimethylolpropane from a distillation still residue obtained upon production of trimethylolpropane in a simple, industrially useful manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2011Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Masami Matsumoto, Hiroaki Shigeta, Nozomi Nakagawa, Ikutaro Kuzuhara
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Patent number: 8986509Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Purestream Services, LLCInventors: J. Clair Batty, Neil W. Richardson, David A. Bell, Christopher M. Miller
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Patent number: 8916031Abstract: Described is a process to obtain tetracosanol from a complex mixture derived from tall oil pitch that comprises terpenoids, rosin alcohols, rosin aldehydes, aliphatic alcohols, hydrocarbons and stilbene derivatives. The process comprises a mixture crystallization step from hexane and a fractional distillation of the crystallized solids, which yields tetracosanol with more than 90% purity.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignees: Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, Harting S.A.Inventors: Miguel Angel Fuenzalida Diaz, Alejandro Markovits Rojas, Miriam Berrios Cornejo, Mabel Keller Mena, Jose Rodrigo Vergara Salinas, Glenda Cea Barcia, Andres Illanes Frontaura, Rolando Arturo Chamy Maggi, Andres Markovits Schersl, Araceli Olivares Miralles
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Patent number: 8894810Abstract: A floating salt farm in which its purpose is to produce crystallized salt and bittern at offshore locations through the evaporation process using extracted seawater. The floating salt farm components can be consisted of a seawater tank, an evaporator tank, a heating tank, a deposit tank, a storage tank, and photovoltaic panels, which these components are installed onto the buoyant foundation. The evaporator tank component can consist of an evaporator plate and an evaporator bin. The evaporator plate, which captures the produced crystallized salt during the evaporation process, has a sieve surface. The contents inside the evaporator bin can affect the properties of the produced crystallized salt and bittern, such as their mineral compositions, during the evaporation process. The seawater can be extracted from desired water depths and/or in the proximity of volcanic sites, in which the seawater can have affected mineral compositions due to volcanic activity.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Pioli Systems Inc.Inventor: Jae Hyun Lim
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Patent number: 8895779Abstract: A process for making MAA from a clarified DAA-containing fermentation broth includes (a) distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes MAA, at least some DAA, and at least about 20 wt. % water; (b) cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a DAA-containing liquid portion in contact with a MAA-containing solid portion that is substantially free of DAA; (c) separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and (d) recovering the solid portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: BioAmber Inc.Inventors: Olan S. Fruchey, Leo E. Manzer, Dilum Dunuwila, Brian T. Keen, Brooke A. Albin, Nye A. Clinton, Bernard D. Dombek
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Patent number: 8877016Abstract: Systems and methods for solar steam generation are described. The systems and methods include moving at least one frame mounted optical focusing lens to track the sun in two axes and disposing a water boiler at a focus of each optical focusing lens. Raw water is pumped through an inlet at a bottom of each boiler and solar energy is concentrated, using each optical focusing lens, on each boiler, heating the raw water in each boiler and evaporating steam from the raw water. The steam exits each boiler, via a steam outlet pipe. Remaining salts and solids in each boiler are ground by rotation of salt grinding-cleaning gears. These ground salts and solids are drained and/or pumped out of each boiler from an exit in the bottom of each boiler.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: King Saud UniversityInventors: Mazen A. Ba-abbad, Hany A. Al-Ansary, Essam A. Al-Ammar
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Patent number: 8696870Abstract: Device for desalinating sea water comprising a unit (10) for spraying sea water in the form of droplets, a unit (20) for vaporizing the droplets into steam, a unit (30) for separating steam from salt particles, and a unit (40) for condensing steam into fresh water. The spraying unit comprises a sea water entry (12), an ambient-temperature dry air entry (14), and a device for generating acoustic waves at a frequency greater than 1 MHz focused by means of nozzles (17) receiving the sea water coming from the sea water entry so as to obtain microdroplets having a diameter comprised between about 2.5 microns and about 5 microns.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Inventors: Charles Pallanca, Henri Renggli, Gil Ching
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Patent number: 8591704Abstract: A fractionation process for producing at least two concentration fractions of a fluid including a solute, suspended or dissolved content using at least two fluidly connected evaporator units is provided. The process includes the steps of: feeding a feed fluid including a solute, suspended or dissolved content into at least a first evaporator unit; evaporating a first amount of fluid from the feed fluid in at least the first evaporator unit to produce a first concentrated fluid; feeding at least a portion of the first concentrated fluid into at least a second evaporator unit; and evaporating a second amount of fluid from the first concentrated fluid in at least the second evaporator unit to produce a second concentrated fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Creative Water Technology Ltd.Inventor: Stephen Shelley
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Patent number: 8470139Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method for treating fractionated water produced by a hydraulic fracturing process is provided. The method includes decanting a fractionated water stream in at least one decanter. The decanter is maintained at a temperature ranging from about 90° F. to about 120° F. The method also includes flashing the decanted water in at least one first flash tank and at least one second flash tank in fluid communication with one another to provide a residual concentrate stream. The first flash tank is operated at a temperature ranging from about 180° F. to about 200° F. and the second flash tank is operated at a temperature ranging from about 140° F. to about 160° F. Both the first flash tank and the second flash tank are maintained at a vacuum pressure. The method also includes evaporating the residual concentrate stream in at least one evaporator kettle to produce a concentrated brine.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: NGInnovations, Inc.Inventor: Donald W. Booth
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Publication number: 20130153401Abstract: A process for purifying a brine of organic compounds comprising: (a) supplying a brine that comprises at least one organic compound; (b) feeding at least one stripping zone with the brine from (a) and at least one stripping agent; (c) withdrawing from the stripping zone at least one fraction (I) consisting essentially of brine, the content of the organic compound being lower in fraction (I) than in the brine from step (a), and at least one fraction (II) consisting essentially of the stripping agent; wherein the temperature (T1) of the hotter fraction of the two fractions (I) and (II) and the temperature (T2) of the colder fraction of the two fractions (I) and (II), such temperatures expressed in degrees Celsius being the temperatures measured before any possible thermal conditioning which might be carried out before and/or during their withdrawal from the stripping zone, correspond to the following formula: 6×10?7(T1)3.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: SOLVAY SAInventors: Patrick Gilbeau, Philippe Krafft, Jerome Ligot, Valentine Smets, Giancarlo Iavarone
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Patent number: 8419904Abstract: Systems and methods for solar water purification are described. In one exemplary aspect, the system includes a sun-tracking reflecting mirror unit, and a two-axis Fresnel concentrator mirror unit to collect sunlight reflected from the sun-tracking reflecting mirror unit and focus the sunlight. A central water purification boiler module includes a heating zone upon which the sunlight is focused by the two-axis Fresnel concentrator mirror unit. The focused sunlight heats the water contained therein to create steam which is redirected to heat water coming into the boiler and to condense as purified water.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: King Saud UniversityInventors: Mazen Ba-abbad, Hany Al-Ansary, Essam Al-Bahkali, Essam Al-Ammar, Ibrahime Al-Olayan, Davinder Surah
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Patent number: 8231765Abstract: A method and a plant are disclosed for purifying lactams, particularly lactams obtained by cyclizing hydrolysis of aminonitrile. The purification of ?-caprolactam obtained by cyclizing hydrolysis of aminocapronitrile is described which includes eliminating the ammonia from the reaction medium of the hydrolysis, then recovering the lactam from the medium in purified form. The recovery is carried out by performing at least a distillation of the lactam in the presence of a base producing optionally a fronts fraction having compounds more volatile than the lactam, a fraction having the lactam to be recovered to the degree of desired purity and a distillation tails having the lactam and compounds less volatile than the lactam. The distillation tails are treated by various processes such as evaporation in thin layers to recover the major part of the caprolactam and recycling the latter in the purification process.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Rhodia Polyamide IntermediatesInventors: Daniel Amoros, Philippe Leconte, Pierre Coqueret
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Patent number: 8012313Abstract: This technology relates to a process and associated apparatus for use in spray freeze drying a fluid substance such as fruit juice, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, tea and coffee. The method includes the steps of: holding a chamber at a temperature and pressure below the triple-point of the liquid substance; injecting and/or atomizing the liquid substance into the chamber through at least one injection port to generate a frozen liquid substance portion having a predetermined particle size and a first evaporated liquid substance portion; collecting the FLS portion as a layer on a conveying surface; and exposing the collected layer of FLS portion to a heating means thereby inducing sublimation and generation of a second evaporated liquid substance portion and a product, wherein the conveying surface conveys the collected FLS portion at a rate which achieves substantially a monolayer thickness of the FLS portion to accumulate on the conveying surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2005Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Agresearch LimitedInventors: James Kenneth Carson, Harold Keith Hill, Donald Michael Graham, Grant Brian Schou
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Patent number: 7967955Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by de-oiling the produced water to provide a de-oiled evaporator feedwater that is fed to an evaporator. The pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the de-oiled produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the residual solutes therein, before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a once-through steam generator, or in a packaged boiler such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces high pressure steam for down-hole use.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: GE Ionics, Inc.Inventor: William F. Heins
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Patent number: 7681643Abstract: A process for conditioning of wastewater treatment brines for deep well injection during recovery of heavy hydrocarbon oils in situ. High pressure steam is used to mobilize oil, which is recovered in a mixture of oil and produced water. The produced water is pre-treated by removing residual oil. The remaining water is acidified and steam stripped to remove non-hydroxide alkalinity and non-condensable gases, and is then fed to a crystallizing evaporator, where it is evaporated from a circulating brine slurry to produce (1) a distillate stream having a trace amount of residual solutes, and (2) evaporator blowdown stream containing, as dissolved or suspended solids, substantially all of the solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate stream is used as boiler feedwater, either directly or after polishing. The evaporator blowdown is conditioned to remove substantially all suspended solids and to produce a clear brine solution for deep well injection.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: GE Ionics, Inc.Inventor: William F. Heins
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Publication number: 20090306436Abstract: Purified hydroquinone is prepared and formed from raw compounds essentially containing hydroquinone associated with very small quantities of impurities including resorcinol and pyrogallol, and includes a distillation purification step in which the resorcinol and pyrogallol are eliminated, directly followed by a step in which the purified hydroquinone is formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2007Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: Hubert Gayet, Bruno Heinisch, Jean-Claude Le Thiesse
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Publication number: 20090259068Abstract: This invention generally relates to liquid phase oxidation processes for making N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (also known in the agricultural chemical industry as glyphosate) and related compounds. This invention, for example, particularly relates to processes wherein an N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (NPMIDA) substrate (i.e., N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid, a salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid, or an ester of N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid) is continuously oxidized to form an N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product (i.e., N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, a salt of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, or an ester of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine). This invention also, for example, particularly relates to processes wherein an N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid substrate is oxidized to form an N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine product, which, in turn, is crystallized (at least in part) in an adiabatic crystallizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Eric Haupfear, Jerald D. Heise, Amy L. Jorgenson, Michael Rogers, Henry Chien, Eduardo Casanova, William Hooper, William Scholle, Juan Arhancet, Mark A. Leiber, Kent Wittler, Karen A. Wittler
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Patent number: 7438129Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Feedwater is then acidified and steam stripped to remove alkalinity and dissolved non-condensable gases. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: GE Ionics, Inc.Inventor: William F. Heins
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Patent number: 7428926Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: GE Ionics, Inc.Inventor: William F. Heins
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Patent number: 7311807Abstract: A process for the separation of dichlorobenzene mixtures containing m- and p-dichlorobenzene in which: (i) the mixture is as an extracting agent contacted with a phosphoric ester of the general formula (I) as an extracting agent in which R1, R2 and R3 are identical or different and represent an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alkyl or alkenyl radical and R1, R2, and R3 together contain at least 3C-atom and not more than 12 C-atoms, or a mixture of different phosphoric esters (I) of formula or is contacted with a phosphine oxide of the general formula (II) as an extracting agent in which R1, R2 and R3 are identical or different and represent an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alkyl or alkenyl radical or hydrogen, and R1, R2 and R3 together contain at least 3 C-atoms and not more than 12 C-atoms, or a mixture of different phosphine oxides of formula (II) or a mixture of said phosphoric esters of formula (I) and phosphine oxides of formula (II), and subsequently (ii) the components of the mixture areType: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Lanxess Deutschland GmbHInventors: Gültekin Erdem, Morris Leckebusch, Günter Olf, Kay-Jochen Rinck, Günter Zühlke
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Patent number: 7150320Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. If necessary, the pH is then adjusted, normally downward, releasing at least some carbonate alkalinity as free carbon dioxide. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Inventor: William F. Heins
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Patent number: 7097671Abstract: A methanol/water scrubbing solution containing colloidal metal sulfides formed from metal carbonyls and resulting from the scrubbing of industrial gases, such as synthesis gas, is subjected to agglomeration of the metal sulfides before the scrubbing solution to be separated enters the separating column which separates the methanol from the water containing precipitated metal sulfides. The agglomeration is carried out in a precipitation vessel and the scrubbing liquid is diluted before it enters the precipitation vessel. The result is minimal encrustation of the trays or other parts of the cleaning plant for the scrubbing solution.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Lurgi AGInventors: Manfred Meyer, Ulrich Wagner, Hans Kammerer
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Patent number: 7077201Abstract: An evaporation based method of treating produced water from heavy oil production. A produced water from heavy oil recovery operations treated by first removing oil and grease to a desired level, preferably to about twenty parts per million, or less. If necessary, the pH is then adjusted, normally downward and by acid addition, to release at least some carbonate alkalinity as free carbon dioxide. Preferably, all non-hydroxide alkalinity is removed, or substantially so, by introducing the feedwater into a decarbonator. Feedwater is introduced into an evaporator, and the feedwater is evaporated to a selected concentration factor to produce (1) a distillate having a small amount of residual solutes, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing residual solids. Distillate may be directly used for steam generation in a once-through steam generator, or polished by ion exchange or electrodeionization prior to feed to a packaged boiler.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2002Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: GE Ionics, Inc.Inventor: William F. Heins
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Patent number: 7008516Abstract: According to a method of desalinating sea water, sea water sampled from deep sea is injected into a decompression chamber of a reduced pressure tank having a steam chamber, steam at an atmospheric pressure superheated to a boiling temperature or higher by high-frequency heating is supplied to the steam chamber at a surrounding of the decompression chamber at an interval of a heat conducting wall therebetween, water in the sea water is evaporated by heating sea water in the decompression chamber and the evaporated water is condensed to thereby provide fresh water. Concentrated sea water remains in the decompression chamber and therefore, the method can be utilized also as a method of concentrating sea water. Salt can be obtained by further evaporating the water of the concentrated sea water as necessary.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2002Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Inventors: Yoshinobu Kozuka, Yoshimasa Shimbo
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Patent number: 6984292Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for treating produced water from a heavy oil thermal recovery unit to achieve water recovery and recycle levels of greater than 80% and as high as 100% to achieve zero discharge criteria. The method includes the initial steps of capturing the waste heat energy from the high pressure steam separator located downstream of the steam generators. Further, transferring the heat energy into a heated separator and reboiler exchanger to distill oil reservoir produced water and recover distilled water and a concentrated brine or solid product. The heated separator concentrated stream is circulated through the reboiler exchanger to maintain from 1% to about 50% mass vapour in the stream returning to the heated separator and prevent fouling and scaling. The apparatus includes a low pressure waste energy separator, heated separator and vapour compressor in combination with a forced circulation circuit to generate the distilled water.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: EnCana CorporationInventors: Steve Kresnyak, Alex Braun
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Patent number: 6896807Abstract: A method for recovering and recycling expensive and hazardous components from capacitors containing an electrolyte salt dissolved in an aprotic organic solvent. The method includes disintegrating a plurality of capacitor casings and their contents into fragments and forming an aqueous slurry of water insoluble fragments, filtering fractionally distilling the filtrate to remove the solvent as a distillate and recovering the electrolyte salt.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Toxco IncInventors: W. Novis Smith, Terry Adams
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Patent number: 6866750Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for desalinating saltwater which utilizes a heatable vessel wherein is placed a sufficient quantity of a salt which will absorb water of crystallisation and which has a dissolution index of not higher than 10?24. Saltwater is then added to the vessel and brought into contact with the salt, so that the salt will bind water from the saltwater and form a crystal hydrate. The excess saltwater with salt concentrate is drained from the vessel. The salt which has absorbed water tom the saltwater and formed a crystal hydrate is then heated in the vessel, and the pure water from the crystal hydrate is released as water vapour, which is collected and cooled to obtain desalinated water.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2000Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Gougel Industri ABInventors: Michail Gougel, Mark Novikov
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Publication number: 20040144637Abstract: A process for the separation of dichlorobenzene mixtures containing m- and p-dichlorobenzene by means of extractive rectification using an extracting agent is described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Gultekin Erdem, Morris Leckebusch, Gunter Olf, Kay-Jochen Rinck, Gunter Zuhlke
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Patent number: 6733636Abstract: A method of treating produced water from heavy oil production to provide feedwater for the production of high quality steam. A produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is initially treated by first removing oil and grease to a desired level, preferably to about twenty parts per million, or less. The pH is then adjusted, normally downward and by acid addition, to release at least some carbonate alkalinity as free carbon dioxide. Preferably, all non-hydroxide alkalinity is removed, or substantially so, by introducing the feedwater into a decarbonator. In some cases, the pH may be raised (without, or subsequent to decarbonation, depending upon water chemistry) preferably by caustic addition, to maintain silica solubility in the feedwater.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Ionics, Inc.Inventor: William F. Heins
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Patent number: 6699369Abstract: A method for removing dissolved solids, particularly salts, from water. An apparatus for performing the inventive method is disclosed. The aqueous solution to be treated, for example sea water, is atomized using special non-pneumatic nozzles, and sprayed into an evaporation chamber through which air, heated by waste heat, is blown. The micro-droplets undergo rapid evaporation in the chamber, resulting in the separation of the salt solids from the vapor phase of the water. The mixture of suspended solids and water vapor is filtered to remove and collect the salts, and the water vapor is condensed to collect the salt-free water.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Aquasonics InternationalInventors: William Francis Hartman, Larry Joe Kepley, Jerry Van Fox
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Patent number: 6649027Abstract: A water reclamation system for a closed environment includes a mixer that receives brine. A processor is downstream of the mixer, with the processor distilling substantially salt-free water from the brine in the substantial absence of salt crystallization. A crystallizer subsystem is downstream of the processor, with the crystallizer subsystem crystallizing salt from the brine and recycling the brine to the mixer.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Allen Kent MacKnight, Alex M. Lubman
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Publication number: 20030183501Abstract: A distillation apparatus includes a column body; a partition for dividing the interior of the column body; a first distillation section composed of an enriching section and an exhaust section; a second distillation section composed of an enriching section formed above an upper end of the first distillation section, and an exhaust section located adjacent to the enriching section of the first distillation section; a third distillation section composed of an enriching section located adjacent to the exhaust section of the first distillation section, and an exhaust section formed below a lower end of the first distillation section; a condenser; a negative pressure generation system for generating a negative pressure to thereby withdraw vent gas; a gas cooler for cooling the vent gas; a first discharge system disposed at the side of the column body and adapted to discharge liquid rich in a medium-boiling-point component formed from a high-melting-point material; and a second discharge system disposed at the bottoType: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Katsunori Tamura, Yoichi Harada
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Patent number: 6613919Abstract: This invention affords a solution to the technical problem of obtaining one or both enantiomers of 5-substituted 4-hydroxyfuran-2-ones in pure form by resolution with enantiomerically pure bases. Racemic mixtures of 5-substituted 4-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanones, including 5-substituted and 5,5-disubstituted, 4-hydroxy and 3,4-dihydroxy furanones are separated into pure enantiomers by crystallization with an enantiomerically pure base, such as cinchonidine. In specific solvent mixtures, for example, 95% ethanol, the diastereomerically pure salt of one enantiomer crystallizes. The enantiomerically pure furanone can then be obtained simply by filtration and treatment of the salt with an acid, for example, trifluoracetic acid, followed by precipitation with water, filtration and drying. Moreover, the other enantiomer may be equally obtained in pure form by evaporation of the mother liquor, followed by the same treatment of the salt as described before.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Oxis Isle of ManInventor: Georges Appéré
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Publication number: 20030150705Abstract: A method of recovering acrylic acid from a mixture comprising acrylic acid, water and acetic acid is disclosed, which includes:Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventors: Sanjeev D. Deshpande, Tao Wang, Olan Stanley Fruchey, Roger L. Roundy, Nathan K. Powell, Rafael G. Morales, Joseph E. Goins
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Patent number: 6565715Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Salt water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas to form positive buoyant hydrate. The hydrate rises and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths. In preferred embodiments, the input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1999Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems LLCInventor: Michael David Max
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Patent number: 6551466Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a contaminant from a fluid feed stream containing the contaminant. The method includes the steps of providing a feed stream and heating it in a first step to at least partially remove some of the contaminants and recover energy from a concentrate and distillate generated. Further heating the feed stream in a second heating step in a heated separator generates a saturated vapor fraction and a concentrated liquid contaminant fraction. The vapor fraction may be compressed to generate a temperature differential in the reboiler exchanger with the vapor fraction being passed into contact with a reboiler exchanger to provide a stream of condensed vapor from the reboiler. The stream may be circulated through the reboiler exchanger and the heated separator to maintain from about 1% to about 50% by mass vapor in the stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Aqua Pure Ventures Inc.Inventors: Steve Kresnyak, Edward Warchol, Robert Becker
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Patent number: 6500216Abstract: A method and an apparatus of producing natural salt or fresh water by treating sea water in an extremely short period of time and with high efficiently. The distilled water and salt components are treated for expediting crystallization of the salt components by evaporating water components by atomizing sea water and blowing warm wind thereto. During this treatment, there are provided a method and an apparatus of arranging net or cloth at one stage or a plurality of stages in a midway of a flow of the evaporated water components and adhering the salt components on the net or the cloth when the evaporated water components pass through the net or the cloth.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Inventor: Masakatsu Takayasu
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Patent number: 6491795Abstract: High-purity benzyl benzoate is recovered by distilling the residue remaining after removal of unreacted toluene and benzoic acid from a reaction mixture produced by the oxidation of toluene by molecular oxygen in the presence of a metal catalyst thereby separating a fraction of benzyl benzoate containing 80 wt % or more benzyl benzoate, 10 wt % or less benzoic acid and 10 wt % or less fluorenone, and purifying the fraction of benzyl benzoate by crystallization such as recrystallization. According to this process, it is possible to recover high-purity benzyl benzoate by a simple operation at low cost from the by-product formed in the manufacture of benzoic acid.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Nippon Steel Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noboru Daitou, Shingo Ueda, Ryouji Akamine, Kazuyoshi Horibe, Katsuhiko Sakura
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Publication number: 20020117268Abstract: A continuous vacuum pan includes a cylindrical housing having a vertical axis, at least one liquid heating pan within the housing, and a vertical tube, floating calandria within the liquid heating pan. The vertical tube floating calandria has a downcomer between its periphery and the periphery of the liquid heating pan, and a gap is provided between the bottom of the calandria and the bottom of the liquid heating pan. Radially extending baffles in the liquid heating pan define a plurality of compartments located in series with one another, the compartments ranging from a first upstream compartment to a downstream output compartment. Ports are provided in all of the baffles except in the baffle between the output compartment and the first compartment. The ports are spaced from the bottom of the liquid heating pan, permitting communication between the compartments.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Paul Martin Schorn, Leon Smith
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Publication number: 20020033325Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering ditrimethylolpropane from a still residue obtained by extracting and then distilling off trimethylolpropane from a reaction solution obtained by reacting n-butyraldelhyde with formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst, wherein the still residue is distilled to remove high-boiling components therefrom, and the resultant distillate is subjected to crystallization. When the above process is combined with the acid decomposition, it becomes possible to decompose a linear formal compound obtained from 2 molecules of TMP contained in the still residue as crude TMP and one molecule of formaldehyde, so that di-TMP having a higher purity is obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Inventors: Teruyuki Ninomiya, Toshio Watanabe, Atsushi Iwamoto, Soemu Miyashita, Masafumi Watanabe
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Publication number: 20010020579Abstract: High-purity benzyl benzoate is recovered by distilling the residue remaining after removal of unreacted toluene and benzoic acid from a reaction mixture produced by the oxidation of toluene by molecular oxygen in the presence of a metal catalyst thereby separating a fraction of benzyl benzoate containing 80 wt % or more benzyl benzoate, 10 wt % or less benzoic acid and 10 wt % or less fluorenone, and purifying the fraction of benzyl benzoate by crystallization such as recrystallization. According to this process, it is possible to recover high-purity benzyl benzoate by a simple operation at low cost from the by-product formed in the manufacture of benzoic acid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Inventors: Noboru Daitou, Shingo Ueda, Ryouji Akamine, Kazuyoshi Horibe, Katsuhiko Sakura
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Patent number: 6086722Abstract: A process for minimizing evaporator scaling during the recovery of liquids and solids from the aqueous effluent discharged during a partial oxidation gasification, wherein the aqueous effluent contains ammonium chloride (NH.sub.4 Cl). The aqueous effluent is evaporated to produce a distillate water and a brine having an NH.sub.4 Cl concentration of about 10 to 60 weight percent. The brine can be further concentrated and ammonium chloride crystals are recovered. The distillate water is recycled to the gasification reaction. No effluent discharges to the environment.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1997Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: George Henry Webster, Jr., Byron Von Klock, Dinh-Cuong Vuong, John Saunders Stevenson, Steven Robert Johnson
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Patent number: 6027607Abstract: A process for extracting salt from brine contained in at least one open evaporation basin. At least part of the brine is heated in a heating unit located outside the evaporation basis and returned to the evaporation basin. The heating unit is driven by waste heat from a recooling industrial plant. According to this process, climatic values and the degree of recooling are measured and evaluated in a control unit. At least part of the heated brine and some non-heated brine are sprayed by a spraying device of the evaporation basin. The amount of sprayed brine is regulated by the control unit depending on the measured data.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1998Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Krebs & Co. AGInventor: Vicente Gracia Corniel
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Patent number: 5861085Abstract: A method of purifying 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetraorganodisiloxane represented by the formula (I) as described hereinbefore, which comprises recrystallizing a crude product of the compound as its acid addition salt, and then neutralizing the acid addition salt to obtain a purified product of the compound. According to the method of the present invention, the compound of the formula (I) can be purified at high purity in high yield, and the purification treatment can be industrially conducted.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1996Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Yuki Gosei Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Ohtaki, Hitoshi Koike
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Patent number: 5783084Abstract: A process wastewater treatment plant, and a process relating thereto, which converts process wastewater generated in battery manufacturing and the like into clean process water and sodium sulfate salt by treating the process wastewater to remove impurities and contaminants, including debris, oil/grease, heavy metal oxides, lead and other heavy metals, suspended solids, bacteria, organic compounds, and/or gases, from the wastewater to produce a clean neutral sodium sulfate brine, subjecting the brine to heat to obtain distilled water and sodium sulfate salt, and purifying the distilled water by reverse osmosis for reuse as clear process water.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1997Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Inventor: Charles M. Suenkonis
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Patent number: 5772909Abstract: Vanillin is difficult to separate from second organic chemicals produced therewith such as parahydroxybenzaldehyde by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. Vanillin can now be readily separated from such second organic chemicals by azeotropic distillation using as an effective azeotropic distillation agent, dibenzyl ether.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1995Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.Inventors: Thomas Jones, Jeffrey L. Finnan, Joseph Arvizzigno
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Patent number: 5624566Abstract: A method for recovering carboxylic acids from a dilute aqueous solution thereof having a concentration below about ten percent (10%) by weight, which includes passing the dilute acid solution through a reverse osmosis separator, thereby producing a permeate substantially free of acid and a retentate having an acid concentration above about ten percent (10%) by weight. The retentate is contacted with a liquid extractant for acids to produce an acid-rich extractate and an acid-free raffinate. The acid is then recovered from the acid-rich extractate.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Glitsch, Inc.Inventors: Randa W. Wytcherley, Joseph C. Gentry, Ronald G. Gualy
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Patent number: 5587056Abstract: At least a fraction of at least one branched, saturated aliphatic diacid having 6 carbon atoms, for example 2-methylglutaric acid and/or 2-ethylsuccinic acid and/or dimethylsuccinic acid, is separated from admixtures thereof with adipic acid, by at least partially converting such at least one aliphatic diacid into the corresponding anhydride thereof, and removing the corresponding anhydride or the adipic acid from the medium of conversion/anhydridization, for example by contemporaneous or subsequent distillation, or by crystallization.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1995Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc ChimieInventors: Philippe Denis, Carl Patois, Robert Perron
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Patent number: 5523515Abstract: A method of separating and purifying a spent solvent generated in a nuclear fuel cycle and containing a higher hydrocarbon and a phosphate. This method comprises applying to the spent solvent a pressure high enough for allowing the crystallization of the higher hydrocarbon to thereby crystallize the higher hydrocarbon, and separating under pressure a resulting solid mainly composed of the higher hydrocarbon from a remaining solution containing the phosphate in a higher concentration. The remaining solution may further be subjected to low-temperature vacuum distillation to separate the solution into the phosphate and a deterioration product thereof contained in the solution.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1994Date of Patent: June 4, 1996Assignee: Doryokuro Kakunenryo Kaihatsu JigyodanInventors: Takeshi Nemoto, Shingo Yoshida
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Patent number: 5510006Abstract: Vanillin is difficult to separate from second organic chemicals produced therewith such as parahydroxybenzaldehyde by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. Vanillin can now be readily separated from such second organic chemicals by azeotropic distillation using as an effective azeotropic distillation agent, dibenzyl ether.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1995Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.Inventors: Thomas Jones, Jeffrey L. Finnan, Joseph Arvizzigno