Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for adjusting S/Na-balance of a sulphate pulp mill, wherein a pulp mill CNCG stream containing sulphur compounds is first scrubbed with an aqueous scrubbing solution containing an alkaline agent, thereby producing an aqueous spent scrubbing solution containing sulphides, which is then oxidized in a bioreactor by means of sulphur-oxidizing microbes, thereby obtaining an aqueous suspension containing elemental sulphur from which the elemental sulphur can be separated as a precipitate and the residual solution may be used for replenishing the aqueous scrubbing solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for adjusting S/Na-balance of a pulp mill, wherein an aqueous pulp mill liquor containing sulphides is diverted into a bioreactor and oxidized by means of sulphur-oxidizing microbes, thereby producing an aqueous suspension from which elemental sulphur can be separated as a precipitate and the residual solution may be directed to causticizing. Optionally, prior to oxidation in the bioreactor, the aqueous pulp mill liquor may be first stripped to obtain a gas stream containing H2S which is then scrubbed with a scrubbing solution to obtain an aqueous spent scrubbing solution containing sulphides, in which case the residual solution can be used to replenish the scrubbing solution.

Abstract: Process for inhibiting the undesired free-radical polymerization of acrylic acid present in a liquid phase P, wherein the acrylic acid content of P is at least 10% by weight, the liquid phase P comprises in the range from 25 to 1000 ppmw of glyoxal based on the weight of the acrylic acid present in P and the liquid phase P is admixed with furfural in an amount that results in a furfural content in the range from 25 to 1000 ppmw based on the weight of the acrylic acid present in P. Liquid phase P, wherein the acrylic acid content of P is at least 10% by weight and the liquid phase P comprises in the range from 25 to 1000 ppmw of glyoxal and in the range from 25 to 1000 ppmw of furfural in each case based on the weight of the acrylic acid present in P.

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbon diluent from tailings comprising bitumen, particulate solids, hydrocarbon diluent and water, is provided comprising introducing the tailings into a high pressure stripping vessel operating at a pressure greater than 100 kPa; and introducing a stripping gas into the high pressure stripping vessel to strip the hydrocarbon diluent and water from the tailings and form a stripped tailings pool at the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of circular use of waste brine produced in the manufacture process of MDI, comprising the following steps: (1) the waste brine produced in the manufacture process of MDI is subjected to a high-gravity extraction and then to a column extraction, wherein said waste brine contains aniline, diaminodiphenylmethane and polyamine; (2) the waste brine from step (1) is transmitted to a stripping tower for steam stripping; (3) the waste brine from the stripping tower of step (2) and a chemical oxidant are transmitted to an oxidation reactor to which air is blown for aeration; (4) the waste brine after the treatment of step (3) is transmitted to an absorption tower for absorption. The invention makes the salt water have TOC of less than 8 ppm and TN of less than 2.5 ppm and achieves regeneration of resources in the waste brine such as sodium chloride and water and the like for circular use.

Abstract: A water recovery process for a steam assisted gravity drainage system for a heavy oil recovery facility, the process comprising a flash drum and a flash drum heat exchanger/condenser, wherein the water recovery process receives hot water produced by a facility at a temperature above the water atmospheric boiling point and cools it to a temperature below the water atmospheric boiling point before transferring it to the remaining section of the water recovery process.

Abstract: An improved water desalination system is disclosed, in which contaminated water such as seawater or brackish water is preheated and fed into a primary pressure vessel through a distribution head. The seawater is distributed from the distribution head over a non-adherent surface such as a plurality of silicone chords hanging below a distribution tank or a cone- and cylindrical-shaped surface. The water is exposed to a high temperature steam environment in the chamber to cause at least a portion of the water in the contaminated water to evaporate, while the remaining concentrated salts from the contaminated water fall to the bottom of the chamber. A portion of the steam in the primary pressure vessel is withdrawn to be condensed into fresh water. The energy withdrawn with the steam extracted from the primary pressure vessel is made up by a supplemental energy apparatus, such as a steam generator.

Abstract: Water can be separated from a liquid composition (e.g., salt water) by directing a carrier gas flow through an evaporator and directly contacting the carrier gas flow with the liquid composition in the evaporator to humidify the carrier gas with water evaporated from the liquid composition, producing a humidified gas flow, which is then compressed by injecting a fluid that includes steam and/or an organic compound at an elevated pressure at least five times greater than the pressure in the evaporator and at a temperature at least as high as a saturation temperature of the steam/organic compound at the elevated pressure of the fluid. After being compressed, the humidified gas flow is directed through at least one condenser where water is condensed from the compressed humidified gas flow and collected; and the dehumidified gas flow is re-circulated back through the evaporator for reuse as the carrier gas.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of stream directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.

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: Methods and apparatuses for extractive distillation using internal addition of steam to an extractive distillation column from a reboiler are described herein. The apparatuses include an extractive distillation column, a reboiler (for example, a kettle reboiler) coupled to the extractive distillation column, and a steam input line. The steam input line is coupled to an internal steam sparger device of the reboiler. Methods utilizing the apparatuses to perform extractive distillation of a hydrocarbon feed stream are also described herein.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering boric acid from a solution containing boric acid and at least one lithium compound. The method comprises (a) passing the solution through an ion exchange resin such that boric acid accumulates on the resin; (b) removing the boric acid from the resin with an aqueous alcohol solution, thus obtaining a first solution comprising an alcohol, boric acid, and water; (c) converting at least a portion of the boric acid to trimethyl borate, thereby obtaining a second solution; (d) distilling an azeotrope from the second solution, wherein the azeotrope contains trimethyl borate; and (e) recovering boric acid from the azeotrope.

Abstract: The invention relates to the oil processing industry and can be used for producing vacuum in a vacuum petroleum distillation column. The inventive method involves pumping out a vapor-gas medium from the column by of a gas-gas ejector in such a way that a vapor-gas mixture is formed at the entry thereof and supplying said mixture to a condenser for producing a gas mixture and a vapor phase condensate. The gas mixture is supplied from the condenser to a liquid-gas jet apparatus and the condensate is delivered to an additional separator. A hydrocarbon-containing condensate is removed from the additional separator for the intended use thereof and a water-containing condensate is fed to a steam generator for producing steam by supplying heat of a hot distillate evacuated from the vacuum column. The thus obtained steam is used in the gas-gas ejector as a high-pressure gas.

Abstract: A grid of pipes for conducting steam at a pressure greater than a vessels' operating pressure and delivering the steam throughout the grid forms the internals for a tailings solvent recovery unit. The delivery of steam throughout the grid aids in maintaining a relatively low partial pressure throughout the vessel to act as a driver for mass transfer. Conducting the steam at the higher pressure through the pipes in the grid permits a surface of the pipes to be heated to a temperature higher than possible in a conventional vessel, increasing the heat transfer to the feed stream which flows through the grid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reprocessing waste acid from methods for producing nitro-aromatics, in particular for producing dinitrotoluene (DNT) or trinitrotoluene (TNT), to recover concentrated and purified sulfuric acid and nitric acid, wherein in a first stage, the waste acid is separated in a stripping column countercurrently with water vapor from the bottom of the stripping column into at least one vapor phase, which contains nitric acid and possibly nitro-organics, and a pre-concentrated sulfuric acid, and the vapor phase and the pre-concentrated sulfuric acid are condensed and/or reprocessed in downstream method stages, wherein in the first stage of the method, in addition to the stripping, according to the invention the nitric acid contained in the stripping vapor is concentrated in the presence of additional concentrated sulfuric acid so that nitric acid in a highly concentrated form suitable for feeding back into the nitriding process is obtained directly in the first stage.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of stream directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.

Abstract: A method for purifying used antifreeze is disclosed. An antifreeze recycling systems uses a simple-distillation apparatus adapted to distill clean antifreeze from used antifreeze. A novel scraper blade is used in the simple-distillation apparatus. Also, antifreeze recycling methods that minimize waste and generate nontoxic, landfillable waste are provided. An antifreeze product produced by the present method, and a nontoxic, landfillable sludge product produced by the present method, are disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur including: passing a liquid sulfur feed comprising liquid sulfur and hydrogen sulfide to a vaporizer; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid sulfur feed in the vaporizer to thereby form a first vapor stream comprising gaseous sulfur and gaseous hydrogen sulfide; partially condensing the first vapor stream in a condenser to form a liquid product stream comprising liquid sulfur and a second vapor stream comprising hydrogen sulfide; wherein the liquid product stream has a lower concentration of hydrogen sulfide than the liquid sulfur feed.

Abstract: A method of separating propylene oxide from a mixture (M) comprising propylene oxide and methanol, said method comprising: (i) introducing said mixture (M) into an extractive distillation column; (ii) additionally introducing an extracting solvent into said extractive distillation column; (iii) distilling propylene oxide overhead from said extractive distillation column as top stream; (iv) withdrawing a bottoms stream from said extractive distillation column; (v) compressing the top stream obtained overhead in (iii) by means of at least one compressor to give a compressed vapor.

Abstract: An improved distillation of water. involves distilling significant quantities of water at temperatures well below the boiling point. During distillation, a compound is taken from a liquid-phase to a gas-phase and then condensed to the liquid-phase again to get a pure liquid. The present invention uses water sprayed (105) and absorbed onto a solid surface such as micro-powder (104) made from wood as a starting material. Absorbing water onto such a surface results in rapid evaporation with a relatively low temperature gradient when the water and particles are agitated. The present invention could be characterized as solid-phase distillation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for processing an exhaust stream containing a recyclable component mixed with other components and impurities to produce a high purity product that contains all of the recyclable component. One or more waste streams containing none of the recyclable component are also produced. The present invention particularly relates to the recovery of valuable recyclable components used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A process for releasing a volatile honey components form a liquid honey is described wherein water is added to honey, extracting the volatile component and optionally adding the honey component to dried honey. The volatile honey product obtained by the process can be used in food and pharmaceutical products. The invention relates to a process for treating honey comprising the steps of adding water to the liquid honey; releasing a volatile honey component from the liquid honey by evaporation to product a residual partially dried honey; and collecting the volatile honey component, the volatile honey component may be then added to dried honey solids to improve the flavor and aroma or the volatile honey component can be added to food or medicaments.

Abstract: A process for purifying grafted polyolefins by extraction is disclosed. The purified grafted polyolefins have improved color and adhesion properties. The extraction is performed with an azeotropic solvent that is strong enough to extract impurities but does not cause sticking of the grafted polyolefin. The azeotropic solvent can be easily recycled.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of at least one of an organic acid or an organic acid amide, such as a heat stable lactic acid or lactamide, from a feed stream which contains the organic acid and/or organic acid amide. The feed stream is mixed with at least one azeotroping agent. The azeotroping agent is a hydrocarbon capable of forming at least one heteroazeotrope with the organic acid or the organic acid amide in the feed stream. The mixture of the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream. The heteroazeotrope is a component of that vapor stream. The vapor stream can be heated further to separate components or it can be condensed into a liquid stream. The liquid stream is capable of being separated into a first phase and a second phase. The first phase contains the highest concentration of the organic acid and/or the organic acid amide and the azeotroping agent is part of the second phase.

Abstract: Process and installation for extracting a monomer from an aqueous broth of a polymer, in which, after the broth has been heated, the broth is subjected to a depressurization in a depressurization chamber and is then introduced into a vertical column, divided into several chambers, on which are superimposed perforated plates, where the broth is flushed with an ascending stream of inert gas.

Abstract: A process is provided for the distillative separation of pentene nitrile isomers which have a relative volatility alpha ranging from 1.0 to 1.3 in the pressure range from 1 to 500 kPa, wherein the distillation is carried out in the presence of a liquid diluent which forms with the pentene nitrile isomers, under the same pressure conditions, azeotropes whose relative volatility alpha is higher than that of the pentene nitrile isomers to be separated.

Abstract: A process of treating waste solvent acetonitrile streams which contain at least one water extractable impurity such as isopropyl acetate to remove substantially all of the impurity by distilling the waste solvent acetonitrile in the presence of water for a time sufficient to allow the water extractable impurity to be extractively distilled from the acetonitrile. In preferred embodiments of the present invention the feed may contain either a mixture of waste solvent acetonitrile and crude acetonitrile or crude acetonitrile free of hydrogen cyanide by itself.

Abstract: In a process for purification of ethylene oxide by distillation an aqueous mixture comprising ethylene oxide, formaldehyde and at least 5% by weight of water is introduced via a feed into a distillation apparatus comprising at least one distillation column, the mixture being introduced at a height above the bottom of at least 8 theoretical stages, the ethylene oxide is taken off at the top and in the bottom phase a mixture is obtained which contains less than 5% by weight of ethylene oxide.

Abstract: Methods of recovering free fatty acids having a low ester content from alkanol-containing solutions and oil mixtures containing tocopherols are disclosed which involve atmospheric or vacuum stripping at low temperatures. The recovered fatty acids have a high acid value, and have high commercial value in the production of high quality (high acid value) products, e.g., dimerized fatty acids, useful in polyamide resins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for isolation of a barely volatile organic compound in a sample suspected to contain the same, e.g. a dioxin, which includes continuously adding superheated steam and a volatile and hardly water-soluble/water-insoluble solvent to a liquid or solid sample suspected to contain said organic compound to be isolated, a solid sample being dissolved in said solvent which can dissolve said organic compound to be isolated, distilling off an azeotropic mixture of said organic compound and said solvent by steam distillation, separating a solvent phase of said solvent dissolving said organic compound and said water phase, and recovering quantitatively said organic compound from said solvent. The dioxins are then further subjected to analysis, for example, GC, HRGC-MS and the like.

Abstract: A refined dihydroxyaryl compound, for example, catechol, having a high degree of purity and a very low metal content is produced by evaporating a starting dihydroxyaryl compound in a distillation column, condensing the vapor fraction in a condenser connected to a top outlet of the distillation column, and collecting the condensed fraction from the condenser into a storage tank through a conduit, wherein the condenser and optionally the conduit and/or the storage tank have inside surfaces thereof formed from a metal material containing at least 25% by weight of nickel, and the condensed dihydroxyaryl compound fraction is brought into contact with the specific nickel (25% or more)-containing metal inside surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of an organic acid, such as a heat stable lactic acid, from a feed stream comprising at least one of an organic acid amide, an organic acid ammonium salt, or an alkylamine-organic acid complex. The feed stream that comprises the organic acid amide, organic acid ammonium salt, or alkylamine-organic acid complex is mixed with at least one azeotroping agent. The azeotroping agent is a hydrocarbon capable of forming at least one azeotrope with the organic acid that is produced by the thermal decomposition of the amide, ammonium salt, or complex in the feed stream. Preferably the azeotrope is a heteroazeotrope. The mixture comprising the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream that comprises the azeotrope. The vapor stream can be condensed to a liquid stream, and the organic acid is recovered in the liquid stream that is produced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of at least one of an organic acid or an organic acid amide, such as a heat stable lactic acid or lactamide, from a feed stream comprising the organic acid and/or organic acid amide. The feed stream that comprises the organic acid and/or organic acid amide is mixed with at least one azeotroping agent. The azeotroping agent is a hydrocarbon capable of forming at least one heteroazeotrope with the organic acid or the organic acid amide. The mixture comprising the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream that comprises the heteroazeotrope. The vapor stream can be heated further to separate components or it can be condensed into a liquid stream. The liquid stream is capable of being separated into a first phase and a second phase. The first phase contains the highest concentration of the organic acid and/or the organic acid amide and the second phase comprises the azeotroping agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distillation separation method whereby tertiary butyl acetate is separated by distillation as an overhead stream from a bottoms acetic acid stream with the proviso that water is incorporated in the system such that the bottoms acetic acid stream contains water in amount of 0.1 to 5 wt %.

Abstract: The preparation of polyamides, their oligomers or mixtures thereof, where appropriate with other reaction products, takes place by reacting amino nitrites (A) and, where appropriate, other polyamide-forming monomers and/or oligomers with water (D) in a reactive distillation, wherein the reaction product (P) is discharged from the bottom of the reactive distillation apparatus, and ammonia (N) which is produced and, where appropriate, other low molecular weight compounds which are produced, and water, are taken off overhead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating hydrogen chloride from a mixture comprising an N-(C1-C18)-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone and hydrogen chloride by distilling the mixture comprising an N-(C1-C18)-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone and hydrogen chloride at from 100 to 220° C. and from 50 to 850 hPa in the presence of water by means of a distillation column, condensing the water as water-hydrogen chloride azeotrope at the top by cooling, returning the water-hydrogen chloride azeotrope to the distillation column, separating off gaseous hydrogen chloride at the top and taking off the N-(C1-C18)-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone from the bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing residual monomers from a slurry containing a polyvinyl chloride. The apparatus has a cylindrical tower with plural perforated plates provided in a vertical direction in the tower, plural chambers formed on the perforated plates serving as their bottom surface, slurry introducing portions provided at two or more of the chambers, flow-down sections provided between the perforated plates to allow the slurry to sequentially flow down from the perforated plate of an upper chamber to the perforated plate of a lower chamber, a steam introducing port at a bottom portion of the tower, a deaerating port at a top portion of the tower, a slurry discharging port at a chamber below a chamber having the slurry introducing port, and hot water ejectors directly under the perforated plates directed at least toward the lower surface of the perforated plates.

Abstract: A process for concentrating spent sulphuric acids particularly sulphuric acids which arise during the nitration of hydrocarbons with nitric acid in the presence of sulphuric acid, wherein single- or multi-stage concentration is effected under vacuum.

Abstract: A distillation procedure is provided for the separation of impurities from organic materials such as glycols and glycol ethers whereby a liquid stripping component is interfaced into a distillation column with or below the organic material introduction, heat being provided by a reboiler, the stripping component and impurities being removed overhead.

Abstract: A process for working up hydroxylamine-containing solutions as obtained in particular in the electronics industry during the cleaning of electronic components is described. According to the invention, the hydroxylamine is stripped from the wastewater with steam. The products obtained are aqueous hydroxylamine and an aqueous solution of the amines. Both product streams can be purified in further process steps to give a saleable product.

Abstract: The EPA Cluster Rules for cellulose pulp mills are complied with by first collecting foul condensate including hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), such as methanol, at a temperature of between about 140-180° F., and passing the foul condensate into direct contact with heated vapor at a plurality of series connected stations to gradually heat the foul condensate to a temperature desirable for steam stripping. Then the heated foul condensate is steam stripped to produce a high temperature (e.g. about 250-350° F., preferably about 300°) clean condensate. Then the high temperature clean condensate is flashed in a plurality of flash stations to produce a heated vapor in a lower temperature clean condensate, and the heated vapor is used to heat the foul condensate in each of the direct contact heat exchangers.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of methylglyoxal dimethyl acetal from methylglyoxal and methanol in the presence of an acidic ion exchanger, water is introduced in an amount sufficient to form an acidic reaction mixture in which the acetal product and water form an azeotropic mixture, with or without the retention of some methanol reactant. After subjecting a single phase acidic reaction mixture to an azeotropic distillation, it will separate into two distinct liquid phases with a simple recovery of the acetal product from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: In an atmospheric pipestill stripping process where steam is utilized as the stripping gas to strip bottoms and side stream products, the improvement comprising utilizing methanol or a methanol and steam mixture as said stripping gas. In a refinery atmospheric pipestill stripping process utilizing a stripping gas, said process comprising utilizing a gas selected from the group consisting of methanol and a mixture of methanol and steam as said stripping gas.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process for separating at least one substituted unsaturated aromatic from a pyrolysis gasoline mixture, containing said aromatic and at least one close-boiling aromatic or non-aromatic hydrocarbon, employing a two part extractive solvent, the first part selected from propylene carbonate, sulfolane (tetramethylene sulfone), methyl carbitol, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, 2-pyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof, and the second portion consisting of water.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of free hydroxylamine is prepared by a process in which the solution obtained by treating a hydroxylammonium salt with a base is separated into an aqueous hydroxylamine solution and a salt fraction by treatment with water or steam at .ltoreq.80.degree.0 C. The novel process can be carried out in a simple and gentle manner and on a large industrial scale. Owing to the low thermal load, the low concentration of hydroxylamine and the short residence time in the process, the risk of decomposition is minimized.

Abstract: Organic contaminants are removed from RPET flakes by a process that includes steam-stripping the contaminants out from the matrix of the RPET flakes. In an alternative embodiment, the RPET flakes are first comminuted to prepare RPET particles, and the RPET particles are thereafter steam-stripped.

Abstract: A method for removing residual vinyl chloride monomers from an aqueous slurry is disclosed. The method preferably utilizes a tower having a plurality of vertically spaced plates, which define a plurality of chambers, each chamber defined between adjacent plates. The tower features a plate in one of the chambers having a diameter of 1.05 to 5 times larger than the diameter of the plates in chambers above and below the chamber having the large plate. The method is based upon introducing the slurry to a particular location in the tower depending upon the porosity of the polyvinyl chloride in the slurry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate and low pressure purge gas such that a contaminant-rich stream is recoverable from the condensate and purge gas, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed, and any non-condensed gases are subjected to water scrubbing, along with the low pressure purge gas to further recover contaminates from the non-condensed gas. A portion of the condensed overhead and scrubbing water containing contaminates is returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with existing low pressure equipment, avoiding costly major modifications, and is particularly adapted to use in conjunction with ammonia and methanol plants.

Abstract: An improved process for separating oil and water from an emulsion containing toxic light ends by flashing the heated and pressurized emulsion, condensing and separating the vaporized water and light ends, recovering the light ends, and recycling the condensed water. The resulting liquid water product has a reduced content of toxic light ends, such as benzene.

Abstract: A method of removing solvents from a paste includes introducing a heated paste into a channel of a dryer under pressure selected so as to avoid flashing of any of the components of the paste. At the inlet of the channel, the pressure is dropped, resulting in the flashing of selected components of the paste. As the paste advances through the channel heat is applied to the paste. Vapor liberated during the flashing acts as a motive force to convey the paste along the channel. The resulting concentrate is collected at an outlet of the channel.