Abstract: Methods of drying streams that include propylene oxide. The methods may include contacting a stream that includes propylene oxide with molecular sieves. The molecular sieves may be in a drying unit, and may be regenerated. The streams that include propylene oxide may include one or more other organic compounds.

Abstract: A process for recovering butadiene from a C4 fraction is disclosed. The process may include: contacting a mixed C4 stream comprising butane, butene, and butadiene, with a solvent comprising an organic solvent and water in a butadiene pre-absorber column to recover an overheads fraction comprising at least a portion of the butane, butene, and water, and a first bottoms fraction comprising the organic solvent, butadiene, and at least a portion of the butene; and feeding the first bottoms fraction to a butadiene extraction unit to recover a butene fraction, a crude butadiene fraction, and a solvent fraction.

Abstract: A bottom fraction of a product of a hydrocatalytic reaction is gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions. In one embodiment, one or more volatile organic compounds is also vaporized using heat generated in the gasification process. In one embodiment, an overhead fraction of the hydrocatalytic reaction is further processed to generate higher molecular weight compounds. In another embodiment, a product of the further processing is separated into a bottom fraction and an overhead fraction, where the bottom fraction is also gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a hexafluoroisopropanol, including the steps of (a) purifying a mixture containing hexafluoroacetone and at least 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,2-dichloroethane as an impurity, thereby obtaining a purified hexafluoroacetone containing 120 ppm or lower of the 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,2-dichloroethane; and (b) bringing hydrogen (H2) into contact with the purified hexafluoroacetone in the presence of a catalyst, thereby hydrogenating the hexafluoroacetone into the hexafluoroisopropanol. It is possible by this method to produce the hexafluoroisopropanol with a short reaction time and a high conversion. Therefore, it is possible to particularly advantageously produce fluoromethyl hexafluoroisopropyl ether (sevoflurane) by using the hexafluoroisopropanol produced by the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating close-boiling and azeotropic components of mixtures, wherein said mixtures contain at least one hydrofluorocarbon compound, using at least one ionic liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device with the aid of which hydrogen halide and water are removed from biomass hydrolyzates containing halogen acid. The core of the invention is an evacuated container (B1), which is continuously supplied with a heat-transfer medium and which is completely filled with the heat-transfer medium in a part. In said evaporation chamber, the biomass hydrolyzate is likewise continuously introduced. In the container (B1), heat is transferred from the heat-transfer medium to the hydrolyzate, wherein hydrogen halide and water are continuously evaporated. The remaining hydrolyzate particles are continuously discharged with the cooled heat-transfer medium and continuously removed by means of the heat-transfer medium and continuously separated from said heat-transfer medium. The invention described can also be used to treat other mixtures or solutions for the purpose of evaporation.

Abstract: A process for fractionating a starting mixture of two or more components by extractive distillation using a selective solvent in a dividing wall column aligned in the longitudinal direction of the column and extending to the upper end of the column and dividing the column interior into a first region, a second region, and a lower combined column region. The starting mixture is fed into the first region, a first top stream is taken off from the first region, and a second top stream is taken off from the second region, each stream having a prescribed specification. The selective solvent is introduced in the upper part of the first region and/or in the upper part of the second region, and solvent flow into the first region and/or solvent flow into the second region are set so that each of the prescribed specifications for the top streams are met.

Abstract: A method for recovering a solvent from its mixture containing oligomers extracted from grafted polyolefins is disclosed. The method includes distilling the solvent from the mixture in the presence of a naphthalene compound. The method of the invention significantly increases the solvent recovering yield without causing the vessel fouling.

Abstract: A novel method for connecting multiple existing columns which are retrofitted into vapor-liquid contacting devices with trays or packings suitable for the operation of a three-phase (vapor-liquid-liquid) extractive distillation column for aromatics recovery. The retrofitted columns are connected by a vapor transfer line to transfer the vapor phase from the top of the lower column to the bottom of the upper column, and by a liquid transfer line to transfer the liquid phase from the bottom of the upper column to the top of the lower column of the three-phase extractive distillation column.

Abstract: There is described a process for the extraction of at least one relatively polar component from a material which may be naturally occuring or a synthetic mixture, the process comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the material with a solvent mixture comprising a C1 to C4 fluorinated hydrocarbon, especially 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and a co-solvent having a dielectric constant (at 20° C.) of at least 5; and (b) separating the charged solvent from said material, thereby to isolate said material.

Abstract: This invention provides azeotrope-like compositions of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane-245fa and water that are environmentally desirable for use as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, metered dose inhalers, blowing agents for polymer foam, heat transfer media, and gaseous dielectrics.

Abstract: This invention provides azeotrope-like compositions of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane-245fa and 2-methylbutane that are environmentally desirable for use as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, metered dose inhalers, blowing agents for polymer foam, heat transfer media, and gaseous dielectrics.

Abstract: An improved process is provided herein for the purification of polymerizable organic material, e.g., acrylic acid, by azeotropic distillation.

Abstract: There is described a process for the extraction of a least one relatively polar component form a material which may be naturally occurring or a synthetic mixture, the process comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the material with a solvent mixture comprising C1 to C4 fluorinated hydrocarbon, especially 1,1,1,2-tetrafluorethan and a co-solvent having a dielectric constant (at 20° C.) of at least 6 so as to charge the solvent mixture wherein the co-solvent is selected from the group consisting of amides, sulfoxides, alcohols, ketones, organic acid, carboxylic acid derivatives, cyanide derivatives, ammonia sulfur containing molecules, inorganic acids and nitro derivatives and separating the charged solve mixture from the material to isolate the polar component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying a crude 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa) containing HFC-245fa and 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-trans-1-propene (HCFC-1233zd(t)), by distillation. This method is characterized in that the distillation is conducted in the presence of a solvent having a boiling point which is higher than that of HCFC-1233zd(t), thereby to substantially remove HCFC-1233zd(t) from the crude HFC-245fa. This solvent may be selected from carbon chlorides, chlorohydrocarbons, fluorochlorohydrocarbons, saturated hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof. With the use of this solvent, it becomes possible to substantially easily separate HFC-245fa from HCFC-1233zd(t).

Abstract: Natural cresylic acid is processed to remove neutral oil impurities by countercurrent liquid/liquid extraction using a heavy phase solvent of a mixture of glycerol and another polyhydric alcohol, preferably triethylene glycol. The light phase solvent is a light paraffinic or cycloparaffinic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: This invention provides a process to tremendously reduce the bulk volume of contaminants obtained from an effluent stream produced subsurface remediation. The chemicals used for the subsurface remediation are reclaimed for recycling to the remediation process. Additional reductions in contaminant bulk volume are achieved by the ultra-violet light destruction of halogenated hydrocarbons, and the complete oxidation of hydrophobic fuel hydrocarbons and hydrophilic hydrocarbons. The contaminated bulk volume will arise primarily from the disposal of the toxic metal ions. The entire process is modular, so if there are any technological breakthroughs in one or more of the component process modules, such modules can be readily replaced.

Abstract: Acetaldehyde may be effectively removed from a contaminated methanol stream using a distillation method wherein a solvent stream containing a relatively heavy polar compound such as water or propylene glycol is utilized as an extractive distillation solvent. Following the separation of the polar compound from the bottoms stream obtained by extractive distillation, the purified methanol may be recycled for use as a reaction solvent in an olefin epoxidation process.

Abstract: Close boiling hydrocarbon impurities are separated from acetone by extractive distillation using a C.sub.9 -C.sub.14 alkane and/or a C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 aromatic hydrocarbon extractive distillation solvent.

Abstract: A method of in-service cleaning an operating column by inserting into the column a lance through which a compatible liquid is dispensed at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig. Also disclosed is apparatus which comprises a column through which a fluid can pass, nozzles mounted on the outside of the column, where each nozzle comprises a flange welded to the column and a valve bolted to the flange, a lance which can be inserted through the nozzles into the column and means for dispensing a liquid through the lance at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig.

Abstract: A process and a device are described for separating a solid residue, after separation, from a solution of the residue in evaporable materials and/or solvents with the addition of up to 20% by weight of high-boiling hydrocarbons that are inert under evaporation conditions of the evaporable materials, heating the mixture to evaporation temperature under vacuum, whereby the evaporable materials evaporate, are drawn off and condensed, and the residue is obtained as a free-flowing solid, the residue solution being introduced onto a stirred bed of granular solid material kept at the evaporation temperature.

Abstract: A distillation method for the purification of crude propylene oxide containing contaminating quantities of water and methanol by partially purifying the crude propylene oxide in a plural stage distillation zone to provide a vaporized overhead distillate propylene oxide fraction containing a minor contaminating amount of vaporized water, andpassing the propylene oxide vapor fraction through a drying chamber containing a porous hygroscopic solid absorbent to selectively absorb water vapor onto the absorbent,and liquefying and recovering the thus-dehydrated purified propylene oxide.

Abstract: A distillation process for separating spent organic solvents such as trichloroethane or d-limonene from their contaminants such as oil is improved by the addition of a perfluorinated alkane or mixture of such alkanes to permit more efficient separation of the solvents from the oil.

Abstract: For the separation of butenes and butanes by extractive distillation, a charge mainly containing butenes and butanes is contacted in an extractive distillation column under pressure with a first selective polar solvent, S1 (e.g., dimethyl formamide), the butanes being collected at the top. The solvent S1 containing the butenes and passing out at the bottom is mixed with a second solvent, S2, having a boiling point intermediate between that of butenes and that of the solvent S1, the mixture passing into a desorption column under pressure, where the butenes are collected at the top. The mixture of solvent S1 and S2 is separated in a purification column under atmospheric pressure, the solvent S2 passing out at the top is recycled to the desorption column, and the solvent S1 passing out at the bottom is recycled to the extractive distillation column.

Abstract: High boiling point aromatic free hydrocarbon liquids partially substituted for isophthalonitrile during its distillation fluidize the bottoms and increase isophthalonitrile yield.

Abstract: A mixture of (a) at least one N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (preferably N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) and (b) at least one sulfolane (preferably unsubstituted sulfolane) is used as solvent in the extractive distillation of feed mixture of cycloalkane(s) (in particular cyclohexane) and close-boiling alkane(s).

Abstract: Distillation residues from the purification of caprolactam are worked up by heating in the presence of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide and in the presence of a high-boiling hydrocarbon at from 250.degree. to 500.degree. C. and continuously removing the caprolactam.

Abstract: Concentrated, stable water-in-oil emulsions of water-soluble or water-swellable polymers are prepared by polymerization of one or more water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers in a water-in-oil emulsion and removal of water from the water-in-oil polymer emulsion by azeotropic distillation, by a method in which superheated vapor of an inert organic solvent which is immiscible with water is passed into the water-in-oil polymer emulsion. Using the process, it is also possible to concentrate emulsions which tend to coagulate or water-in-oil emulsions which are sensitive to shearing, without the polymers losing their effectiveness.

Abstract: A process for the distillation of readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compounds which comprises subjecting said compounds to distillation conditions in the presence of an effective amount of a pretreated polymerization inhibitor selected from the group consisting of asphalts, asphaltenes and any combination thereof. The inhibitor is pretreated by subjecting the inhibitor to a process for substantially increasing the free radical content therein.

Abstract: Process is disclosed for treating the reaction product of propionic acid and formaldehyde to recover methacrylic acid from an aqueous effluent wherein said effluent contains methacrylic acid, unreacted formaldehyde, unreacted propionic acid, water and by-products.

Abstract: Phenol containing MBF impurity is distilled in the presence of water and an extraction solvent for MBF (preferably AMS and/or cumene) to recover a phenol bottoms having reduced impurities. The use of solvent permits a reduction in the amount of water used, which reduces the amount of phenol in the overhead, thereby lowering costs.

Abstract: A process for completely separating tri(phosphonitrile chloride) from tetra(phosphonitrile chloride) and/or phosphonitrile chloride oligomer which includes vacuum distillation of the phosphonitrile chloride mixture together with an inert mixture of hydrocarbons as solvent.

Abstract: In purifying methyl methacrylate by feeding a feed mixture containing methanol, methyl methacrylate and 0.

Abstract: Low energy process for the production of gasoline-ethanol blends, comprising dehydrating the aqueous ethanolic product from a conventional fermentation process, preferably containing about 6 wt. % ethanol, so as to generate an aqueous ethanolic effluent containing about 90 wt. % ethanol; mixing the effluent with gasoline feedstock; chilling the resultant gasoline-aqueous ethanol mixture to a temperature of about -10.degree. F., without forming ice, thereby to form (1) a gasohol blend containing about 10 wt. % ethanol and (2) an aqueous stream comprising some ethanol and traces of gasoline; extracting the gasoline-containing aqueous stream with a minor stream of the fermentation ethanol product in order to recover the gasoline it contains; and recovering said blend to produce a gasohol product under-saturated with water at all operating temperatures above -10.degree. F.

Abstract: This is a partial oxidation process in which heavy hydrocarbonaceous fractions from a petroleum refinery and light liquid paraffinic hydrocarbon extractants are used in the production of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas i.e. gaseous mixtures comprising H.sub.2 and CO. In the process, substantially all of the particulate carbon and soot that are simultaneously produced are recovered and recycled to the reaction zone.

Abstract: An improved distillation method and apparatus are provided for recovering anhydrous ethanol from fermentation or synthetic feedstocks. The system includes at least one stripper-rectifier tower, a dehydrating tower, and an azeotropic agent stripping tower. Substantial energy savings are realized by operating the dehydrating tower, and preferably also the azeotropic agent stripping tower, at a higher pressure than the stripper-rectifier tower and by condensing the overhead vapors from the dehydrating tower (or dehydrating tower and azeotropic agent stripping tower) to provide the heat required in the stripper-rectifier tower. In a preferred embodiment, two stripper-rectifier towers are used, one operating at a higher pressure than the other, in which case the higher pressure tower is heated as just described and the overhead vapors from the higher pressure tower are condensed to supply the heat required in the lower pressure tower.

Abstract: An improved method for the separation of close-boiling chlorosilanes is described. The method consists of the extractive distillation of the close-boiling chlorosilanes using sulfolane as the extractive solvent and thereafter separating the higher-boiling chlorosilane and sulfolane by distilling the higher-boiling chlorosilane from the higher-boiling chlorosilane and sulfolane mixture to which is added a hydrocarbon solvent. Preferred hydrocarbon solvents include normal-heptane, normal-nonane, and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane. The sulfolane obtained from the higher-boiling chlorosilane and sulfolane mixture is suitable for recycling to the extractive distillation process as the sulfolane contains only limited amounts of dissolved chlorosilane.

Abstract: A process for isolating butadiene, with the aid of a selective solvent, from a C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon mixture which contains butadiene and small amounts of styrene and may contain oxygen, hydrocarbons more soluble than butadiene in the selective solvent and hydrocarbons less soluble than butadiene in the selective solvent, in which process the C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon mixture is separated by extractive distillation into a distillate which contains the less soluble hydrocarbons, a stream of butadiene and a stream containing the more soluble hydrocarbons, and in which a mixture of styrene and C.sub.4 -hydrocarbons is removed from the C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon mixture in a distillation zone upstream of the extractive distillation, the top product of the said distillation zone being fed to the extractive distillation.

Abstract: A process for the production of aromatic carbonic acid esters by transesterifying a mixture of dimethylcarbonamate/methanol and a methanol-immiscible azeotrope former for methanol with phenols in the presence of transesterification catalysts.

Abstract: A process for recovering an acid chloride from a mixture containing the same, consisting of distilling the acid chloride from the mixture in the presence of an effective quantity of a distillation improvement additive, such as an organo polysiloxane or a mineral oil, which remains substantially liquid under the conditions of distillation.

Abstract: A water-miscible organic solvent is recovered from a mixture containing the solvent and water by adding an inert compound which is immiscible with the water and has a vapor pressure of no more than 5 mm Hg (abs.) at 100.degree. C. to the mixture and thereafter distilling off the organic solvent.

Abstract: In a process of extractive distillation, the combination of operating with two liquid phases in at least the uppermost trays of the column, preferably while maintaining the column operation at substantially an optimum reflux ratio, results in increased efficiencies and minimum requirements for selective solvent.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of phthalic anhydride in which gases as obtained in the catalytic atmospheric oxidation of o-xylene or naphthalene are treated with a hydrocarbon containing C.sub.26.sub.- paraffins, cooling, if necessary, the hydrocarbon laden with phthalic anhydride, separating the solid phthalic anhydride followed by melting and distillation thereof.