Abstract: A membrane distillation module with a circulating line to circulate a portion of distilled water, which is formed and accumulated in a distillate zone, to enhance a permeate flux of water vapor through a hydrophobic membrane of the membrane distillation module. Various combinations of embodiments of the membrane distillation module are provided.

Abstract: A system for the crystallization of a substance to be crystallized which is dissolved in a solvent, comprising a crystallization apparatus which is flowed through by a solution to be concentrated which has the substance to be crystallized dissolved therein, and by a heating steam or a heating liquid, wherein the crystallization apparatus has at least one flow passage conducting the solution to be concentrated, at least one flow passage conducting the heating steam or the heating liquid, and at least one flow passage conducting vaporous solvent, wherein a respective flow passage conducting the solution to be concentrated is at least partly separated from a respective flow passage conducting the heating steam or the heating liquid by a steam-impermeable and liquid-impermeable wall and wherein a respective flow passage conducting the solution to be concentrated is at least partly separated from a respective flow passage conducting the vaporous solvent by a membrane wall permeable to the vaporous solvent, but not

Abstract: Methods or preparing para-xylene from biomass by carrying out a Diels-Alder cycloaddition at controlled temperatures and activity ratios. Methods of preparing bio-terephthalic acid and bio-poly(ethylene terephthalate (bio-PET) are also disclosed, as well as products formed from bio-PET.

Abstract: A process (10) to separate a multi-component hydrocarbon stream (26) comprising ethylene, at least one polymer and other components includes flashing the multi-component hydrocarbon stream in a first flash stage (12) from an elevated pressure of more than 30 bar(a) and an elevated temperature in the range of 150° C. to 185° C. to a flash pressure in the range of 10 bar(a) to 30 bar(a), producing a first ethylene-containing vapour overheads product (28) at a pressure in the range of 10 bar(a) to 30 bar(a) and a first flash stage bottoms product (30.1) which includes some ethylene, the at least one polymer and some of the other components. The flash pressure and the elevated temperature of the multi-component hydrocarbon stream (26) are selected such that the first flash stage bottoms product (30.1) has a concentration of the at least one polymer of less than 5% by mass to render the viscosity of the first flash stage bottoms product (30.1) at the temperature of the first flash stage bottoms product (30.

Abstract: A process to separate a multi-component hydrocarbon stream which includes ethylene and other components with at least some of the components being present in a number of phases, is provided. The process includes in a first flash stage, flashing the multi-component hydrocarbon stream, from an elevated pressure and temperature to a pressure in the range of 10-18 bar(a), producing a first ethylene-containing vapor stream at a pressure in the range of 10-18 bar(a) and a multi-phase stream which includes some ethylene. In a second flash stage, the multi-phase stream is flashed to a pressure of less than 6 bar(a), producing a second vapor stream at a pressure of less than 6 bar(a) and a bottoms stream. The first ethylene-containing vapor stream is removed from the first flash stage, the second vapor stream is removed from the second flash stage and the bottoms stream is removed from the second flash stage.

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.

Abstract: A trihalosilane refining device and a trihalosilane refining method are provided. The trihalosilane refining device can be useful in obtaining high-purity trihalosilane from a feed containing a trihalosilane while consuming a small amount of energy.

Abstract: A trihalosilane refining device and a trihalosilane refining method are provided. The trihalosilane refining device can be useful in obtaining high-purity trihalosilane from a feed containing a trihalosilane while consuming a small amount of energy.

Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture of a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a noncondensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof An overhead stream from a first distillation column is decanted into two liquid phases. The wet butanol phase is returned to the first distillation column as reflux. A bottom stream from the first distillation column is refined in a second distillation column to obtain a second overhead stream and a second bottoms stream. The extractant may be C7 to C22 fatty alcohols, C7 to C22 fatty acids, esters of C7 to C22 fatty acids, C7 to C22 fatty aldehydes, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A trihalosilane refining device and a trihalosilane refining method are provided. The trihalosilane refining device can be useful in obtaining high-purity trihalosilane from a feed containing a trihalosilane while consuming a small amount of energy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing levulinic acid from fungal biomass are disclosed. In one implementation, a method for distilling levulinic acid from a glucosamine-containing feedstock is disclosed that yields a relatively pure (e.g., 90% or greater) levulinic acid product from an otherwise problematic waste stream.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering components from a low boiler mixture which is obtained in the distillation of hydrogenation effluents from the preparation of polymethylols, by multistage distillation of the low boiler mixture having a tertiary amine, water, methanol, a polymethylol, a methylolalkanal, an alcohol and an alkanal with a methylene group in the alpha position to the carbonyl group. A first distillation stage involves separating the low boiler mixture into a higher-boiling, predominantly water-rich fraction and into a lower-boiling aqueous organic fraction having the tertiary amine. A second distillation stage involves separating the aqueous organic fraction from the first distillation stage into a predominantly amine-containing fraction and a further amine-depleted fraction. The tertiary amine is trimethylamine or triethylamine and the bottom temperature in the second distillation stage is at least 110° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for separating hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) from hexafluoropropylene (HFP), which is capable of reducing the burden on the environment. A mixture including HFPO and HFP is subjected to an extractive distillation operation using, as a solvent, at least one of a fluorine-containing saturated compound represented by the general formula CnHaFb (wherein n, a and b are integers which satisfy: n=3 to 8, 0?a?2n+1, and 1?b?2n+2) thereby separating into a first fraction including HFPO and a second fraction including HFP and the solvent. At least one of 1-bromopropane and 2-bromopropane may be u as the solvent in place of the fluorine-containing saturated compound.

Abstract: The present application concerns a process for the removal of hydrocarbons from an aqueous stream, which process may include conducting a phenol-containing water stream into a separation column, separating the phenol-containing water in the column using heat to form an overhead portion and a bottoms portion, and collecting the overhead portion as well as the bottoms portion. Further, the process may include adding an eluent to an aqueous stream, thereby forming an aqueous mixture, subsequently conducting the aqueous mixture into a separation vessel, wherein it is allowed to settle into two phases, which form a hydrocarbon stream and a phenol-containing water stream, subsequently collecting the hydrocarbon stream, and conducting the phenol-containing water stream to the separation column for further separation.

Abstract: A method for purifying a crude acetone raw material containing low molecular weight impurities using two columns is disclosed. Crude acetone raw material is fed into a first column; adding an alkaline reagent and an oxidative agent into the first column to form high molecular weight impurities; removing a top fraction from the first column by distillation to form bottom fraction containing an acetone mixture containing high molecular weight impurities; feeding the bottom fraction containing the acetone mixture obtained to a second rectification column at a charge point on the column; adding an alkaline reagent to the second column above the charge point of the bottom fraction fed; and separating a purified acetone from the high molecular weight impurities and removing the purified acetone as a top fraction by distillation in the second column, wherein the second rectification column is operated at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Crude tall oil is subjected to a distillation process that substantially removes impurities. The process produces a combined pitch and a distillate of free fatty acids and rosin acids from two vacuum columns. The distillate stream is amenable to further downstream hydroprocessing.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for separating a fluid mixture is provided which employ vacuum distillation apparatus, and optionally, gas-handling apparatus operable to introduce a gas into the liquid mixture prior to being dispersed within the vacuum distillation apparatus. The liquid mixture is dispersed within the vacuum distillation apparatus as micro-sized droplets. When used, the gas that has been introduced into the liquid mixture is rapidly liberated from the micro-sized droplets thereby causing the droplets to break into still smaller droplets thereby maximizing the vaporization of the more volatile components in the liquid mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an enhanced process for separating dissolved and suspended solids from valuable or harmful liquids and more particularly to improving the operational aspects and separation efficiency of treating certain water miscible fluids including those used for oil and gas processing such as glycols, as well as automobile and aircraft fluids, that have become contaminated with dissolved and/or suspended solid matter.

Abstract: Methods for continuously preparing cyclohexanone from phenol make use of a catalyst having at least one catalytically active metal selected from platinum and palladium. The process includes enriching phenol in a distillation fraction as compared to a subsequent fraction, wherein the subsequent fraction includes phenol and side-products having a higher boiling point than phenol. Distillation is carried out in a vacuum distillation column equipped with trays in the lower part of the column. In an upper part of the column, i.e., in the part above the feed inlet, packing material is present instead of trays in at least part thereof. The packing material has a comparable or improved separating efficiency, and provides a reduction of the pressure drop by at least 30%, preferably more than 50%, as compared to the case with trays in the upper part, under otherwise similar distillation conditions.

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.

Abstract: There is provided a method for a purification of trichlorosilane, the method including: performing a pretreatment for separating a chlorosilane mixture from reaction products of a trichlorosilane production reaction; performing a first purification for separating the chlorosilane mixture into a first top stream and a first bottom stream; performing a second purification for separating the first top stream into a second top stream and a second bottom stream; and performing a third purification for separating the second bottom stream into a third top stream and a third bottom stream, wherein the performing of the third purification is carried out under pressure conditions higher than those of the performing of the second purification, and a heat exchange is generated between the second bottom stream and the third top stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for handling ?9-THC, which comprises preparing a solution of ?9-THC in a solvent which exists as a gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The invention also provides solutions of ?9-THC in the solvent and solid preparations of ?9-THC.

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.

Abstract: Separation and purification of hydroquinone from crude mixtures thereof essentially containing hydroquinone in combination with very small amounts of impurities including resorcinol and pyrogallol, include a topping distillation allowing the resorcinol to be removed as the distillation top product, and allowing a crude mixture essentially containing hydroquinone and the heavy impurities to be recovered at the column bottom, such mixture then being subjected to a bottoming distillation which allows the pyrogallol to be removed at the column bottom and allows hydroquinone in a purified form to be recovered at the column top.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: An evaporator or distillation apparatus includes an inlet supply line for supplying an influent liquid, a heater configured to heat the influent liquid supplied by the inlet supply line, and a plurality of cells. Each cell includes an outer surface defining an interior chamber, an inlet, a vapor outlet, a concentrate outlet, and an inner conduit in fluid communication with the inlet. At least a portion of the inner conduit is positioned within the interior chamber. The vapor outlets of the plurality of cells are connected to each other in a parallel configuration and the inlet supply line is connected to the inlet of each cell.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing levulinic acid from fungal biomass are disclosed. In one implementation, a method for distilling levulinic acid from a glucosamine-containing feedstock is disclosed that yields a relatively pure (e.g., 90% or greater) levulinic acid product from an otherwise problematic waste stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one propylene glycol from a mixture (M) comprising water and said propylene glycol, said process comprising (I) evaporating the mixture in at least two evaporation and/or distillation stages at decreasing operating pressures of the evaporators and/or distillation columns obtaining mixture (M?) and mixture (M?); (II) separating the mixture (M?) obtained in (I) in at least one further distillation step, obtaining a mixture (M-I) comprising at least 70 wt.-% of water and a mixture (M-II) comprising less than 30 wt.-% of water.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method for separating and recovering an aromatic aldehyde from a mixture thereof that also contains tar and light and heavy impurities, includes feeding the liquid flow containing this mixture into an evaporator, vaporizing the mixture in order to separate, on the one hand, a gaseous flow containing the aromatic aldehyde, the light impurities, the heavy impurities that can be vaporized at the selected evaporation temperature and pressure and, on the other hand, a liquid flow essentially containing the tar, and recovering the aromatic aldehyde from the separated gaseous flow.

Abstract: A method for processing effluent from a chloromethylation of a vinyl aromatic polymer wherein the effluent includes catalyst and volatile organics, and wherein the method includes the steps of: 1) deactivating at least a portion of the catalyst; 2) distilling the effluent; 3) adding caustic to the effluent; and 4) distilling the effluent.

Abstract: In a membrane distillation process in which a liquid to be concentrated is separated from a vapor space (11) by a vapor-permeable liquid- or water-tight membrane or membrane wall (13), to set the absolute pressure of the liquid to be concentrated a reduced pressure is imparted to this which lowers the absolute pressure of the liquid to be concentrated. A corresponding membrane distillation device is also specified.

Abstract: A method for continuously recovering titanium tetrachloride TiCl4 from a waste liquid comprising TiCl4 and by-products, wherein said waste liquid is subjected, as a flowing liquid film, to an evaporation step for a residence time of less than 15 minutes at a temperature higher than 90° C.

Abstract: A method of recovering a liquid medium from a mixture containing the liquid medium, the method including: (a) blowing a first gas into the mixture containing the liquid medium to vaporize the liquid medium, in a first vaporizing means, thereby to form a second gas containing which is a mixture of the first gas and vaporized liquid medium; (b) continuously dropwise feeding the mixture containing the liquid medium into a second vaporizing means and counter-flowingly contacting the mixture containing the liquid medium, with the second gas to vaporize additional liquid medium to form a third gas which is a mixture of the second gas and additional vaporized liquid medium; and (c) feeding the third gas into a condensing means to condense the vaporized liquid medium into a liquid and separate the first gas, which is then blown into the first vaporizing means in step (a).

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for purifying 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole represented by the formula (I): characterized in that a crude 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole represented by the formula (I) is treated with a lower alcohol before the distillation, and then is distilled. The present purification process is a new one for purifying 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole, suitable for industrial practice.

Abstract: A method for concentrating effectively the heavy nitrogen isotope 15N to 50 atom % or more in which 14N15N and/or 15N2, which are molecules containing a heavy nitrogen isotope of 15N, are concentrated by distilling successively nitrogen N2 using plural distillation columns T1 to T4 each of which includes at least one condenser C1 to C4 and at least one reboiler R1 to R4 and is arranged in series, and a part of nitrogen in the distillation is drawn out to be subjected to isotope scrambling in an isotope scrambler S1, and nitrogen after the isotope scrambling is returned to the distillation to produce nitrogen N2 with a 15N concentration of 50 atom % or more.

Abstract: The invention relates to azeotropic and azeotrope-like mixtures of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane (HFC-365) and hydrogen fluoride and a process for separating the azeotrope-like mixtures. The compositions of the invention are useful as an intermediate in the production of HFC-365. The latter is useful as a nontoxic, zero ozone depleting fluorocarbon useful as a solvent, blowing agent, refrigerant, cleaning agent and aerosol to propellant.

Abstract: A process for obtaining oligomers of polytetrahydrofuran or of tetrahydrofuran copolymers from a methanolic crude product which contains polytetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrofuran copolymers and is obtained in the transesterification of the mono- and/or diesters of polytetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrofuran copolymers with methanol, which includes a) removing the majority of the methanol from the crude product in a first distillation stage, b) separating the resulting bottom product by distillation into a top fraction containing the oligomers of polytetrahydrofuran or of tetrahydrofuran copolymers, and polytetrahydrofuran or tetrahydrofuran copolymer, and c) condensing the oligomers of polytetrahydrofuran or of tetrahydrofuran copolymers out of the top fraction from stage b).

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

Abstract: Process for the production of a hydrofluoroalkane, according to which hydrofluoroalkane comprising organic impurities is subjected to at least two distillations.

Abstract: Separation and purification of hydroquinone from crude mixtures thereof essentially containing hydroquinone in combination with very small amounts of impurities including resorcinol and pyrogallol, include a topping distillation allowing the resorcinol to be removed as the distillation top product, and allowing a crude mixture essentially containing hydroquinone and the heavy impurities to be recovered at the column bottom, such mixture then being subjected to a bottoming distillation which allows the pyrogallol to be removed at the column bottom and allows hydroquinone in a purified form to be recovered at the column top.