And Return Of Distillation Product To A Previous Distillation Zone Patents (Class 203/75)
  • Patent number: 11111209
    Abstract: A process for producing a high-purity acetonitrile product from a low-purity acetonitrile feedstock streams. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a process for producing a sales-grade, high purity acetonitrile by (a) distilling the feedstock stream in a to yield a crude acetonitrile stream, (b) treating the crude acetonitrile stream to produce an intermediate acetonitrile stream, (c) purifying the intermediate acetonitrile stream in a pressure swing distillation system to produce a recycle stream and an acetonitrile product stream, (d) recycling the recycle stream to the first distillation column, and (e) distilling the acetonitrile product stream to yield a purified acetonitrile product stream of at least 98 wt. % acetonitrile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC
    Inventors: Basil Michael, Carl Alexander Diaz, Billy Nelson, Kyle Kissell
  • Patent number: 10689313
    Abstract: Systems for purifying 1,3-butadiene are provided. An exemplary system includes a first distillation column, a second distillation column, and interconnections between the first and second distillation columns. A first interconnection can feed a liquid stream from the second distillation column to the first, while a second interconnection can feed a gas stream from the second distillation column to the first. Processes for purifying 1,3-butadiene are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SABIC Global Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Radu Mihai Ignat, Michael Schleger
  • Patent number: 10654774
    Abstract: Systems for purifying 1,3-butadiene are provided. An exemplary system includes a first distillation column, a second distillation column, and interconnections between the first and second distillation columns. A first interconnection can feed a liquid stream from the second distillation column to the first, while a second interconnection can feed a gas stream from the second distillation column to the first. Processes for purifying 1,3-butadiene are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SABIC Global Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Radu Mihai Ignat, Michael Schleger
  • Patent number: 10179760
    Abstract: A method of obtaining purified DMF from a mixture comprising DMF and hydrogen chloride (HCl) involving distillation is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Tate & Lyle Technology Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Eilers, David A. Dentel, Halil Aktas
  • Patent number: 9403744
    Abstract: Process for the production of alkyl ethers by the etherification of isobutene, contained in C4-C5 hydrocarbon streams, with linear alcohol, in the presence of acid catalysts, comprising the following essential steps: a) feeding the isobutene contained in C4-C5 hydrocarbon cuts, together with one or more streams containing linear alcohol, to a first reaction step; b) sending the stream leaving the first reaction step to a first distillation area, separating a light stream from a heavy stream containing the desired ether; c) feeding the light stream separated in the first distillation area, together with one or more streams containing linear alcohol, to a second reaction step; d) sending the stream leaving the second reaction step to a second distillation area separating a light stream from a heavy stream containing ether, C4 hydrocarbons and alcohol which is recycled to the first distillation area; e) sending the light stream in the second distillation area to a recovery section of the linear alcohol contained
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Di Girolamo, Massimo Conte, Antonio Sgambati, Alberto Cipelli
  • Patent number: 9278945
    Abstract: A method of separating impurities from impure PO, the method comprising distilling impure PO in a distillation zone to provide distillate PO of enhanced purity, wherein heat is provided to the distillation zone by a bottoms reboiler and by an intermediate reboiler, the intermediate reboiler providing heat at a lower temperature than the bottoms reboiler. A suitable distillation system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Anke Derking, Jozef Jacobus Kaandorp, Arian Van Mourik, Manfred Heinz Voetter, Ying Zhao
  • Publication number: 20150144477
    Abstract: The invention concerns a flexible process for purifying a solvent which inhibits the formation of hydrates during gas processing, in particular monoethylene glycol (MEG), said solvent having a boiling point which is higher than that of water and, at least at one point in time, being mixed with water and salts, the process operating in a different manner with the same facility as a function of the quantity of salts in the MEG to be treated. The process operates in accordance with a phase known as reclaiming (separation of salts under vacuum followed by vacuum distillation) when the salts content exceeds the precipitation threshold and if not, the process operates in a regeneration phase (absence of separation of salts and no operation under vacuum). Advantageously, the change is made under the control of means for testing the salts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: PROSERNAT
    Inventors: Jeremie ESQUIER, Bernard CHAMBON, Christian STREICHER
  • Patent number: 8691055
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes and systems for purifying technical grade trichlorosilane and/or technical grade silicon tetrachloride into electronic grade trichlorosilane and/or electronic grade silicon tetrachloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials SpA
    Inventor: Gianfranco Ghetti
  • Patent number: 8658846
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for separation of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and hydrogen fluoride using azeotropic distillation. Additionally, disclosed are processes for separating mixtures of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, hydrogen fluoride and 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245eb) and/or 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245cb) by azeotropic distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Knapp
  • Patent number: 8609922
    Abstract: An aromatics complex producing one or more xylene isomers offers a large number of opportunities to conserve energy by heat exchange within the complex. One previously unrecognized opportunity is through providing two parallel distillation columns operating at different pressures to separate C8 aromatics from C9+ aromatics. The parallel columns offer additional opportunities to conserve energy within the complex through heat exchange in associated xylene recovery facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory R. Werba, Xin X. Zhu, Phillip F. Daly, Saadet Ulas Acikgoz, Jason T. Corradi, David W. Ablin
  • Patent number: 8524047
    Abstract: A method of dehydrating tolylenediamine which includes subjecting tolylenediamine having a water content of 5-40 wt. % to first-stage distillation at a vacuum of 13-101.3 kPa and subjecting the bottoms from the first-stage distillation to second-stage distillation at a vacuum lower than 13kPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ogawa, Mitsunaga Dohzaki, Masaaki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8404086
    Abstract: Effect separation of a composition of matter that includes at least two seed or plant oil derivatives into at least one desired product stream using at least two separation operations, which are independently selected from among several potential separation operations, in conjunction with at least one recycle stream from a separation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: George J. Frycek, Shawn D. Feist, Timothy C. Frank, Zenon Lysenko, Joe D. Phillips, Bruce W. Pynnonen
  • Patent number: 8372993
    Abstract: A process for removing trioxane from a use stream I of formaldehyde, trioxane and water, by a) providing a use stream I which comprises formaldehyde as the main component and trioxane and water as the secondary components, b) feeding the use stream I, a recycle stream V and a recycle stream VII which comprises formaldehyde as the main component and water and trioxane as the secondary components into a first distillation stage and distilling to obtain a stream II a steam III and formaldehyde as the and a steam X c) distilling the stream III, in a second distillation stage the pressure in the second distillation stage being from 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Neven Lang, Joachim Thiel, Eckhard Stroefer, Julia Kirschbaum, Markus Siegert
  • Patent number: 8350063
    Abstract: A process for separating trioxane from a feed stream I comprising formaldehyde, trioxane and water, in which a) a feed stream I comprising formaldehyde as main component and trioxane and water as secondary components is provided, b) the feed stream I, a recycle stream V and a recycle stream VII comprising formaldehyde as main component and water and trioxane as secondary components are fed into a first distillation stage and distilled at a pressure of from 0.1 to 2.5 bar to give a stream II comprising formaldehyde as main component and water as secondary component and a stream III comprising trioxane as main component and water and formaldehyde as secondary components and a stream X comprising water, trioxane and formaldehyde, c) the stream III is, if appropriate after removal of low boilers from the stream III in a low boiler removal stage, distilled in a second distillation stage at a pressure of from 0.2 to 17.5 bar, with the pressure in the second distillation stage being from 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Markus Siegert, Neven Lang, Laszlo Szarvas, Christoph Sigwart, Franz Niklaus Windlin, Eckhard Stroefer
  • Patent number: 8328995
    Abstract: A method and a system to produce a distillate stream from an aqueous stream containing at least one dissolved solid by a thermal distillation process using at least one of a heated aqueous stream from a turbine system intercooler and a stack heater as a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Holding Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Eddington
  • Patent number: 8293075
    Abstract: Processes for the continuous fractional distillation of a mixture containing morpholine (MO), monoaminodiglycol (ADG), ammonia and water from a reaction of diethylene glycol (DEG) with ammonia, the process including: (i) separating off ammonia from the mixture at a top of a first distillation column K10; (ii) feeding a bottom fraction from K10 to a second distillation column K20, in which water and an organic product are separated off at the top at a temperature at the top in the range from 45 to 198° C. and a pressure in the range from 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Helmut Schmidtke, Oliver Buβmann, Ralph Versch, Udo Rheude, Uwe Leyk, Manfred Julius, Martin Rudloff, Erhard Henkes
  • Patent number: 8287698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a system for producing alcohol by distillation with energy optimization using split-feed technology. The process of the present invention comprises the steps of: a) splitting a stream of wine to feed two depuration columns , the depuration column generating a stream of phlegma and the depuration column generating a stream of phlegma and a stream of vinasse; b) feeding the stream of phlegma into at least one rectification column generating a top flow and a stream of hydrated alcohol; c) effecting the heat exchange between the top flow from at least one rectification column and the stream of vinasse from the depuration column in at least one heat exchanger; and d) feeding the stream of phlegma into a rectification column generating a stream of hydrated alcohol. The present invention further relates to hydrated alcohol produced by the process described above and to a process for producing anhydrous alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignees: Siemens Ltda., Dedini S/A Industrias de Base
    Inventors: Flávio Martins De Queiroz Guimarães, Carlos Eduardo Fontes Da Costa E Silva, Adler Gomes Moura
  • Patent number: 8283509
    Abstract: The invention comprises an absorption heat pump to supply energy to a distillation process or an outside process. The streams used to effect the absorption heat pump are to be combined in any case as a feedstream to a conversion process, and energy thus is conserved by avoiding the necessity of reseparating the streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Sechrist, Stanley J. Frey
  • Patent number: 8282792
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes and systems for purifying technical grade trichlorosilane and/or technical grade silicon tetrachloride into electronic grade trichlorosilane and/or electronic grade silicon tetrachloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Ghetti
  • Patent number: 8246793
    Abstract: Processes for the continuous fractional distillation of a mixture comprising morpholine (MO), monoaminodiglycol (ADG), ammonia and water from a reaction of diethylene glycol (DEG) with ammonia, the process comprising: (i) separating off ammonia from the mixture at a top of a first distillation column K10; (ii) feeding a bottom fraction from the first distillation column to a second distillation column K20, wherein water and an organic product are separated off at a top of the second distillation column at a top temperature of 45 to 198° C. and a pressure in the range from 0.1 to 15 bar; (iii) feeding a bottom fraction from the second distillation column to a third distillation column K30, wherein morpholine and an organic product having a boiling point of <140° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at a point selected from a top and a side offtake of the third distillation column, and monoaminodiglycol and an organic product having a boiling point of >190° C. (1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Helmut Schmidtke, Oliver Buβmann, Ralph Versch, Udo Rheude, Uwe Leyk, Manfred Julius, Martin Rudloff, Erhard Henkes
  • Publication number: 20120157695
    Abstract: Crude fluoroethylene carbonate obtained by the fluorination of ethylene carbonate and elemental fluorine containing not more than 5% by weight of HF is purified by at least two subsequent distillation steps. The bulk of HF can be removed, if desired, in a preliminary HF removal step, e.g., by stripping, before performing the distillation. Further, if desired, a second HF removal step can be performed by contacting the crude mixture or the distillate obtained after the first distillation step with an adsorbent for HF, e.g., silica gel. The distillation can be performed batch wise. It is preferred to perform the distillation continuously. It yields purified fluoroethylene carbonate with an HF content of equal to or less than 30 ppm. The purified fluoroethylene carbonate can be applied as solvent additive for lithium ion batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SOLVAY FLUOR GMBH
    Inventors: Alain Lambert, Christoph Sommer, Harald Krueger, Jens Olschimke
  • Patent number: 8197646
    Abstract: Process for the continuous fractional distillation of mixtures including morpholine (MO), monoaminodiglycol (ADG), ammonia and water obtained by reaction of diethylene glycol (DEG) with ammonia, which includes separating off ammonia at the top of a first distillation column K10, feeding the bottoms from K10 to a second distillation column K20 in which water and organic products are separated off at the top at a temperature at the top in the range from 45 to 198° C. and a pressure in the range from 0.1 to 15 bar, feeding the bottoms from K20 to a third distillation column K30 in which MO and organic products having a boiling point of <140° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the top or at a side offtake and ADG and organic products having a boiling point of >190° C. (1.013 bar) are separated off at the bottom, feeding the MO including stream which is separated off at the top or at a side offtake of the column K30 to a fourth column K40 in which organic products having a boiling point of ?128° C. (1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Helmut Schmidtke, Oliver Buβmann, Ralph Versch, Udo Rheude, Uwe Leyk, Manfred Julius, Martin Rudloff, Erhard Henkes
  • Patent number: 8192589
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the purification of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C., which further has approximately 275 g carboxylate ions/l or less, preferably 250 g carboxylate ions/l or less, and preferably less than 1% by weight ionic impurities, calculated on the basis of the total solution. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous purification and concentration, on an industrial scale, of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C. According to the method, this solution is subjected to two or more distillation steps, the first distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 150° C. and a pressure of from 50 to 250 mbar, and the second distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 200° C. and a pressure of from 0.01 to 50 mbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Purac Biochem B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Martinus Winkelaar, Jan Van Breugel, Margarita Camprubi Vilá, José Maria Vidal Lancis
  • Patent number: 8172987
    Abstract: An energy-efficient extractive distillation process for producing anhydrous ethanol from aqueous/ethanol feeds containing any range of ethanol employs an extractive distillation column (EDC) that operates under no or greatly reduced liquid reflux conditions. The EDC can be incorporated into an integrated process for producing anhydrous ethanol used for gasoline blending from fermentation broth. By using a high-boiling extractive distillation solvent, no solvent, is entrained by the vapor phase to the EDC overhead stream, even under no liquid reflux conditions. The energy requirement and severity of the EDC can be further improved by limiting ethanol recovery in the EDC. In this partial ethanol recovery design, ethanol which remains in the aqueous stream from the EDC is recovered in a post-distillation column or the aqueous stream is recycled to a front-end pre-distillation column where the ethanol is readily recovered since the VLE curve for ethanol/water is extremely favorable for distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignees: AMT International Inc., CPC Corporation, Taiwan
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Lee, Tzong-Bin Lin, Jyh-Haur Hwang, Hung-Chung Shen, Kuang-Yeu Wu, Lindsey Vuong, Fong-Cheng Su, Po-Sung Cheng, Tai-Ping Chang
  • Patent number: 8128787
    Abstract: Processes for removing water from organic solvents, such as ethanol. The processes include distillation in two columns operated at sequentially higher pressure, followed by treatment of the overhead vapor by one or two membrane separation steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Wynn, Yu Huang, Masakatsu Urairi, Richard W Baker
  • Patent number: 8114255
    Abstract: Processes for removing water from organic solvents, such as ethanol. The processes include distillation in two columns operated at sequentially higher pressure, followed by treatment of the overhead vapor by one or two membrane separation steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Membrane Technology & Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland M Vane, Franklin R Alvarez, Yu Huang, Richard W Baker
  • Patent number: 8075742
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for the separation of refrigerant mixtures is provided. The apparatus includes a first distillation column, a first condenser, and a first collection vessel. The apparatus also includes a sorter vessel that includes a sorter agent, wherein the sorter vessel is fluidly connected to the first distillation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Midwest Refrigerants, LLC
    Inventor: Gregorio Tarancon, III
  • Patent number: 8002953
    Abstract: An energy-efficient extractive distillation process for producing anhydrous ethanol from aqueous/ethanol feeds containing any range of ethanol employs an extractive distillation column (EDC) that operates under no or greatly reduced liquid reflux conditions. The EDC can be incorporated into an integrated process for producing anhydrous ethanol used for gasoline blending from fermentation broth. By using a high-boiling extractive distillation solvent, no solvent is entrained by the vapor phase to the EDC overhead stream, even under no liquid reflux conditions. The energy requirement and severity of the EDC can be further improved by limiting ethanol recovery in the EDC. In this partial ethanol recovery design, ethanol which remains in the aqueous stream from the EDC is recovered in a post-distillation column or the aqueous stream is recycled to a front-end pre-distillation column where the ethanol is readily recovered since the VLE curve for ethanol/water is extremely favorable for distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignees: AMT International Inc., CPC Corporation, Taiwan
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Lee, Kuang-Yeu Wu, Lindsey Vuong, Fong-Cheng Su, Tzong-Bin Lin, Jyh-Haur Hwang, Hung-Chung Shen, Po-Sung Cheng, Tai-Ping Chang
  • Publication number: 20110031102
    Abstract: Effect separation of a composition of matter that includes at least two seed or plant oil derivatives into at least one desired product stream using at least two separation operations, which are independently selected from among several potential separation operations, in conjunction with at least one recycle stream from a separation operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: George J. Frycek, Shawn D. Feist, Timothy C. Frank, Zenon Lysenko, Joe D. Phillips, Bruce W. Pynnonen
  • Patent number: 7879198
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes and systems for purifying technical grade trichlorosilane and/or technical grade silicon tetrachloride into electronic grade trichlorosilane and/or electronic grade silicon tetrachloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Ghetti
  • Patent number: 7713387
    Abstract: A process for removing trioxane from a use stream I of formaldehyde, trioxane and water, by a) providing a use stream I of formaldehyde as the main component and trioxane and water as the secondary components, b) mixing the use stream I with a recycle stream VII to obtain a feed stream Ia, c) distilling the use stream Ia in a first distillation stage to obtain a stream II of formaldehyde as the main component and water as the secondary component, and a stream III of trioxane as the main component and water and formaldehyde as the secondary components, d) distilling the stream III in a second distillation stage having a pressure higher than in the first distillation stage, to obtain a stream IV of trioxane and a stream V of trioxane as the main component and water and formaldehyde as the secondary components, e) distilling the stream V in a third distillation stage to obtain a stream VI of water and the recycle stream VII of trioxane as the main component and water and formaldehyde as the secondary components
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Siegert, Neven Lang, Eckhard Ströfer, Achim Stammer, Thorsten Friese, Hans Hasse
  • Publication number: 20100084257
    Abstract: Processes for the continuous fractional distillation of a mixture comprising morpholine (MO), monoaminodiglycol (ADG), ammonia and water from a reaction of diethylene glycol (DEG) with ammonia, the process comprising: (i) separating off ammonia from the mixture at a top of a first distillation column K10; (ii) feeding a bottom fraction from K10 to a second distillation column K20 in which water and organic products are separated off at the top at a temperature at the top in the range from 45 to 198° C. and a pressure in the range from 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Helmut Schmidtke, Oliver Bussmann, Ralph Versch, Udo Rheude, Uwe Leyk, Manfred Julius, Martin Rudloff, Erhard Henkes
  • Patent number: 7670464
    Abstract: Process for distillatively separating a mixture containing a vinyl ether of the general formula (I) R1—O—CH?CH2??(I) and alcohol of the general formula (II) R2—OH??(II) in which R1 and R2 are each independently a saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic radical having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and in which the alcohol (II) has a boiling point which is at least 1° C. higher, measured at or extrapolated to 0.1 MPa abs, than the vinyl ether (I), by a) passing the mixture into a first distillation column and withdrawing, as a top product, an azeotrope containing vinyl ether (I) and alcohol (II) and, as a bottom product, a stream enriched with the alcohol (II); b) passing the azeotrope containing vinyl ether (I) and alcohol (II) from the first distillation column into a second distillation column which is operated at a pressure which is from 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Katrin Klass, Heike Becker, Regina Vogelsang, Alexander Hauk, Markus Siegert, Jochem Henkelmann
  • Publication number: 20090288940
    Abstract: The process employs at least two distillation zones located within a column shell to produce an overhead and bottoms product from the first distillation zone and an intermediate product from the second distillation zone. Fluid is withdrawn from a side draw stage in the first distillation zone and passed through a conduit to the second distillation zone. A partition envelopes the second distillation zone to prevent mass transfer with the first distillation zone proximate the partition. The second distillation zone may be located relative to the first distillation zone to benefit from heat transfer across the partition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Gavin P. Towler
  • Publication number: 20090205946
    Abstract: Contemplated solvent regenerators include a flash drum in which lean solvent from the regenerator is flashed, and from which supplemental steam is recovered that is then fed back to the regenerator using a compressor, and most preferably a thermocompressor. Such devices have a substantially reduced net steam and energy requirement despite an increase in electrical energy demand, and further maintain a neutral water balance in the regenerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satish Reddy, John Gillmartin, Valerie Francuz
  • Patent number: 7553397
    Abstract: A process is described for the recovery of substantially pure ethyl acetate from a feedstock including ethyl acetate, ethanol and water. The process includes supplying the feedstock to a first distillation zone maintained under first distillation conditions effective for distilling from the feedstock a first distillate including ethyl acetate, ethanol, and less than about 10 mol % water. The first distillate is recovered from the first distillation zone and is supplied to a second distillation zone maintained under second distillation conditions, which include use of a higher pressure than that of the first distillation zone. The second distillation conditions are effective for distilling from the first distillate a second distillate including ethanol, water, and a minor proportion of ethyl acetate and yielding a substantially pure ethyl acetate bottom product, which is recovered. The second distillate is returned to the first distillation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Davy Process Technology Limited
    Inventors: Stephen William Colley, Christopher Richard Fawcett, Mohammad Sharif, Michael William Marshall Tuck, David John Watson, Michael Anthony Wood
  • Patent number: 7501047
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for purifying crude caprolactam. The process involves converting a first mixture of 6-amino capronitrile and water to a second mixture of caprolactam ammonia, water, high boilers and low boilers using a catalyst. The ammonia is removed from the second mixture to obtain a third mixture. Water is removed from the third mixture to give crude caprolactam, high boiler and low boilers. Purified caprolactam is then obtained by a series of distillation steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Luyken, Andreas Ansmann, Christoph Benisch, Peter Baβler, Rolf-Hartmuth Fischer, Stefan Maixner, Johann-Peter Melder
  • Patent number: 7468119
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of separation by distillation of 6-aminocapronitrile (ACN) and hexamethylenediamine (HMD) from a mixture containing ACN, HMD, tetrahydrozaepine (THA), adiponitrile (ADN) and low boilers (LB). A method for producing a distillate stream comprising HMD is disclosed, which is suitable for the production of Nylon-6,6. The tails stream from the distillation of the mixture can be further distilled to produce a distillate containing ACN and THA, which is particularly suitable for use in the production of caprolactam and Nylon-6 from the caprolactam. Process conditions of the method of the invention disfavor the production of 2-cyanocyclopentylideneirnine (CPI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Invista North America S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: John Joseph Ostermaier
  • Publication number: 20080217158
    Abstract: Process for recovering cyclododecatriene (CDT) from a solution comprising CDT and high boilers such as deactivated catalyst and polymers, which comprises feeding the solution into a preheater and heating it, subsequently depressurizing it through a downstream pressure maintenance device and feeding the resulting two-phase mixture into a helical tube evaporator and there reducing the CDT content of the liquid phase by partial evaporation and discharging a gaseous product stream having an increased concentration of CDT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: BASF Aktiengesellschaf
    Inventors: Bernd Rumpf, Ortmund Lang, Andrea Haunert, Thomas Genger, Anton Meier
  • Patent number: 7351311
    Abstract: Crude water-containing tetrahydrofuran is purified by passing the crude tetrahydrofuran through three distillation columns, withdrawing water from the bottom of the first column, recycling water-containing tetrahydrofuran from the top of the second column into the first column, passing a sidestream of the first column into the second column, recycling the bottom product of the third column into the first column, and withdrawing a distillate at the top of the first column. Additionally, a sidestream of the second column is passed into the third column and the purified tetrahydrofuran is recovered as the top product of the third column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunther Windecker, Alexander Weck, Rolf-Hartmuth Fischer, Markus Rösch, Nils Bottke, Michael Hesse, Stephan Schlitter, Holger Borchert
  • Patent number: 7339088
    Abstract: Improved processes and apparatus use a finishing column with a mid-cut that provides alkylbenzene products of high purity containing less than about 1 ppmw benzene and less than about 50 ppmw heavies while accommodating enhancements in the efficiencies and the capacities of the distillation train to recover alkylbenzene from alkylation reaction product and while enabling the use of catalytic treatments to reduce olefinic-component content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Dennis E. O'Brien, Douglas G. Stewart, Bipin V. Vora
  • Patent number: 7311813
    Abstract: This invention is an improved distillation sequence for the separation and purification of ethylene from a cracked gas. A hydrocarbon feed enters a C2 distributor column. The top of the C2 distributor column is thermally coupled to an ethylene distributor column, and the bottoms liquid of a C2 distributor column feeds a deethanizer column. The C2 distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The top of the ethylene distributor is thermally coupled with a demethanizer column, and the bottoms liquid of the ethylene distributor feeds a C2 splitter column. The ethylene distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The deethanizer and C2 splitter columns are also thermally coupled and operated at a substantially lower pressure than the C2 distributor column, the ethylene distributor column, and the demethanizer column. Alternatively, a hydrocarbon feed enters a deethanizer column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ineos USA LLC
    Inventors: Rian Reyneke, Michael Foral, Christos G. Papadopoulos, Jeffrey S. Logsdon, Wayne W. Y. Eng, Guang-Chung Lee, Ian Sinclair
  • Patent number: 7147757
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating by distillation a portion or the entirety of an azeptine derivative (III), which is selected from the group consisting of aminohexylidene imine, tetrahydroazepine, hexylhexahydroazepine and of aminohexylhexahydroazepine, out of a mixture (II) containing an azepine derivative (III) and an amine (I). The inventive method is characterized in that the distillation is carried out with a maximum bottom temperature of 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Basf Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Luyken, Frank Ohlbach
  • Patent number: 7128813
    Abstract: A process for the high yield production of high purity glacial methacrylic acid (“HPMAA”) with minimization of decomposition of hydroxy isobutyric acid (HIBA). The HPMAA is substantially pure, specifically 99% pure or greater with a water content of 0.05% or less. This improved process involves the steps of providing a crude MAA stream which was formed by hydrolyzing acetone cyanohydrin and, therefore, includes HIBA which is an intermediate product of the hydrolysis reaction, and purifying that crude methacrylic acid stream in a series of successive distillation steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Keith Frederick Briegel, James Clarence Day, Michael Stanley DeCourcy, Donald Alan Ebert, Jamie Jerrick John Juliette
  • Patent number: 7074971
    Abstract: The present invention provides new highly-efficient separation processes and systems for separating polymerization-grade ethylene and propylene from an initial effluent stream comprising ethane, ethylene, propylene, dimethyl ether, and one or more of propane, acetylene, methyl acetylene, propadiene, methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and C4+ components. In one embodiment, the initial effluent stream is provided from a methanol-to-olefin reaction system. It has been discovered that the best separation of these components is realized when DME is selectively removed in a first separation step, followed by separation of the remaining components in additional separation steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Cor F. Van Egmond, Jeffrey L. Brinen
  • Patent number: 6998026
    Abstract: A tert-C4–C8-alkyl (meth)acrylate is prepared by reacting (meth)acrylic acid with an olefin of the formula where R1 and R2, which may be identical or different, are methyl or ethyl and R3 is H, methyl or ethyl, in homogeneous phase in the presence of an acidic catalyst and isolating the tert-C4–C8-alkyl (meth)acrylate from the reaction mixture, by a process in which the catalyst is separated off as residue by a two-stage distillation of the reaction mixture and the tert-C4–C8-alkyl (meth)acrylate is isolated from the distillates. The novel process makes it possible to use acetic acid-containing (meth)acrylic acid. The danger of cleavage of the ester and of polymerization of (meth)acrylic compounds is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ruprecht Kroker, Gerhard Nestler, Werner Schmitt, Winfried Schumm
  • Patent number: 6972075
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing, by distillation, 6-aminocapronitrile from mixtures that contain 6-aminocapronitrile, adipodinitrile and hexamethylenediamine, by a) removing the hexamethylenediamine from the mixture while obtaining a mixture (I) that has a hexamethylenediamine content of less than 1 wt. -%, b) removing completely or partially the 6-aminocapronitrile from mixture (I) while obtaining a mixture (II) whose content in substances that have a higher boiling point as 6-aminocapronitrile under distillation conditions and that cannot be formed by dimerization reactions when 6-aminocapronitrile is thermally treated is less than 1 wt. -%, and c) completely or partially removing from mixture (II) the hexamethylenediamine that might be present while obtaining a mixture (IV) whose hexamethylenediamine content is higher than that of mixture (II), and a mixture (V) whose hexamethylenediamine content is lower than that of mixture (II).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Luyken, Frank Ohlbach, Rolf-Hartmuth Fischer, Johann-Peter Melder, Peter Bassler, Andreas Ansmann, Günther Achhammer
  • Patent number: 6896772
    Abstract: A process for distillative removal of ammonia from solutions (I) which include a lactam and ammonia comprises effecting said removal in a distillation apparatus (a) at an absolute pressure of less than 10 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Luyken, Frank Ohlbach, Stefan Maixner, Rolf-Hartmuth Fischer, Johann-Peter Melder, Peter Bassler, Andreas Ansmann
  • Patent number: 6846389
    Abstract: In a process for the continuous fractional distillation of mixtures comprising tetrahydrofuran, ?-butyrolactone and/or 1,4-butanediol to give at least three fractions, the fractionation is carried out in an assembly of distillation columns comprising at least one dividing wall column or at least one assembly of thermally coupled conventional distillation columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerd Kaibel, Alexander Weck, Ralf-Thomas Rahn
  • Publication number: 20040211657
    Abstract: A method of purifying 2,6-dimethylphenol to remove the odorous impurities includes distilling a crude mixture to yield a first light fraction enriched in 2,6-dimethylphenol, and a first heavy fraction enriched in 2,4,6-trimethylanisole, and distilling the first light fraction to yield a second light fraction, and a second heavy fraction enriched in 2,6-dimethylphenol. The concentration of 2,4,6-trimethylanisole in the second heavy fraction is less than 50% of the concentration of 2,4,6-trimethylanisole in the mixture. The purified 2,6-dimethylphenol is useful for preparing low-odor poly(arylene ether) resins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Hugo Gerard Eduard Ingelbrecht