And Returning Product Of Distillation Step To Distillation Zone Patents (Class 203/94)
  • Patent number: 6306263
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Vijai P. Gupta
  • Patent number: 6251228
    Abstract: A waste photopolymer plate washout fluid solvent distillation apparatus includes a single enclosure enclosing a waste washout fluid container, a recovered solvent container, and a distillation unit in which waste washout is distilled by application of heat and vacuum pressure to the waste washout, and by supplying a metered supply of a surrogate solvent to the distilled waste washout as a desired solvent is distilled from the waste washout. The apparatus, by supplying the surrogate solvent to the waste washout as the desired solvent is distilled from the waste washout, enables a greater percentage of the desired solvent to be recovered from the waste washout than has been heretofore possible with prior art apparatus, and also enables the waste washout to be disposed of as a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventors: Daniel B. Marks, Donald G. Fluchel
  • Patent number: 6234760
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of jet technology, primarily to apparatus for evacuation and gaseous mediums' compression. Apparatus is furnished by liquid-gas ejector, pump, separator and condenser. Ejector contains receiving chamber, which has a space in the zone of inlet part of mixing chamber for collecting of outlying part of liquid working medium's flow and its discharge through the drain pipe, which can be connected to separator or to the suction side of pump. The introduced design of installation allows to increase its efficiency factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Serguei A. Popov, Anatoli M. Doubinski
  • Patent number: 6214172
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Carsten Gröning, Klaus Ebel, Gerd Kaibel, Jörg Therre, Jürgen Koopmann, Helmuth Menig, Gerhard Fritz, Rainer Dietz
  • Patent number: 6120651
    Abstract: A method permits concentration of a water-miscible organic liquid in a mixture of such liquid and water, with recovery of a desired concentrate of the water-miscible organic liquid and water, and a relatively clean water containing only a very low contest of the water-miscible organic liquid which enables disposal of the water in sewage systems, the method thus enhancing the ability to satisfy environmental concerns; the method has particular application to the recovery of a reusable glycol/water mixture from diluted spent aircraft deicer fluid (ADF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Inland Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Henry Firth Gammon, Gary James Dinn, John Joseph Whitten
  • Patent number: 6042618
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a dry cleaning system and method, in which dry cleaning machinery is used in conjunction with a specific solvent which is derived from an organic/inorganic hybrid (organo silicone). In this class of organo silicones is a group known as cyclic siloxanes. The cyclic siloxanes present the basis for material composition of the solvent chemistry which allows this dry cleaning system to be highly effective. The cyclic-siloxane-based solvent allows the system to result in an environmentally friendly process which is, also, more effective in cleaning fabrics and the like than any known prior system. The siloxane composition is employed in a dry cleaning machine to carry out the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: GreenEarth Cleaning LLC
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter R. Berndt, John McLeod Griffiss, James E. Douglas
  • Patent number: 6033530
    Abstract: A process for the continuous distillation of thermolabile monomers under reduced pressure in a column includesfeeding the thermolabile monomers in vapor or liquid form to the column,introducing an inert distillation aid which forms a heteroazeotrope with the thermolabile monomers into the vaporizer at the bottom of the column, but separately from the monomer feed, and vaporizing into there or feeding an emulsion of thermolabile monomers and an inert distillation aid into the vaporizer or into the column,condensing the azeotrope at the top of the column and separating it in a phase separator, taking off the thermolabile monomers and returning the distillation aid to the column or, if desired, working it up by distillation andtaking off components having a higher boiling point than the thermolabile monomers from the bottom of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Winter, Jacques Dupuis
  • Patent number: 6004434
    Abstract: A method of treating cleaning solvent used to clean mechanical parts. The method includes adding to the cleaning solvent a treating composition selected from the group of C.sub.5 -C.sub.14 alcohols, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dials, C.sub.10 -C.sub.14 polyols, and C.sub.4 -C.sub.14 glycol ethers, and mixtures thereof. A further embodiment includes the foregoing plus adding a clarifying agent from the group of aromatic, aliphatic and alkaryl sulfonic acids and sulfonic acid salts, esterified polyols, and alkyl phenol formaldehyde resins capped with alkoxy groups. The solvent is vaporized and condensed to effect recycling thereof without adding substituted quantities of treating composition to the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Corp.
    Inventor: Esfandiar Kiany
  • Patent number: 5980698
    Abstract: A method for vacuum distillation includes separation of a liquid product delivered to a reservoir under vacuum into a vapour-gaseous phase and at least one liquid fraction, withdrawal of the vapour-gaseous phase from the reservoir using a vacuum-creating device, and subsequent separation of the vapour-gaseous phase into gas and a liquid phase by condensing performed directly in the vacumm-creating device. A portion of the liquid phase is used as a fluid working medium in the vacuum-creating device.An equipment for vacuum distillation includes a reservoir under vacuum conditions equipped with mains and a vacuum-creating device, which has an ejector, a separator and a pump, interconnected by mains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Valery Grigorievich Tsegelsky
    Inventors: Alexandr Alexeevich Abrosimov, Alexandr Mikhailovich Kochemasov, Ivan Alexandrovich Kochergin, Valery Grigorievich Tsegelsky
  • Patent number: 5972174
    Abstract: Processes for the purification and color stabilization of crude maleic anhydride by distillation in a batch or continuous distillation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventors: Henry C. Brown, William H. Alumbaugh, Joseph C. Burnett
  • Patent number: 5964987
    Abstract: Natural cresylic acid is processed to remove neutral oil impurities by countercurrent liquid/liquid extraction using a heavy phase solvent of a mixture of glycerol and another polyhydric alcohol, preferably triethylene glycol. The light phase solvent is a light paraffinic or cycloparaffinic hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Dakota Gasification Company
    Inventors: David H. Duncan, Gene G. Baker, Dana J. Maas, Kevin M. Mohl, Alfred K. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 5928477
    Abstract: A method and apparatus permits concentration of a water-miscible organic liquid in a mixture of such liquid and water, with recovery of a desired concentrate of the water-miscible organic liquid and water, and a relatively clean water containing only a very low content of the water-miscible organic liquid which enables disposal of the water in sewage systems, the method and apparatus thus enhancing the ability to satisfy environmental concerns; the method has particular application to the recovery of a reusable glycol/water mixture from diluted spent aircraft deicer fluid (ADF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Inland Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Henry Firth Gammon, Gary James Dinn, John Joseph Whitten
  • Patent number: 5902458
    Abstract: A steam stripping substance, which is obtained by steam distillation of sesame oil under reduced pressure and contains sesamin analogues substantially, is mixed with water, a water-soluble solvent or their mixture serving as solvent. Sesamin analogues are caused to precipitate in this mixed system in the presence of more than one equivalent of an alkali with respect to the acid value of the steam stripping substance. The precipitated sesamin analogues are then separated from the mixed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Takemoto Yushi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Sugiura, Masanori Inayoshi, Shigeo Sakurai
  • Patent number: 5853550
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the separation of tar and non-volatile reagents from a reaction mixture formed when chlorinated carbon compounds are allowed to react with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in a liquid phase to form fluorinated carbon compounds. The disclosed process leaves tar essentially free of HF and in a form allowing for safe, easy, and economical transfer and disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert Brent Landers, Vijay Kumar Gupta, Vinci Martinez Felix
  • Patent number: 5837107
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Otto Watzenberger, Hans-Michael Schneider, Bernd Leutner, Albrecht Wilhelm Friederang
  • Patent number: 5779861
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Farmland Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Holiday, Ralph A. Scott
  • Patent number: 5776319
    Abstract: A method for continuously extracting a solute from a carrier medium. A volatile solvent is placed in a lower distillation chamber of a vessel, the vessel including a convergent baffle disposed to separate the vessel into a lower distillation chamber and an upper extraction chamber. The convergent baffle is contoured to converge to define a conduit riser projecting upwardly into the extraction chamber and terminating in a vaporized solvent port placing the distillation chamber in fluid flow communication with the extraction chamber. A carrier medium containing a solute to be extracted is placed in the extraction chamber. The volatile solvent in the distillation chamber is then vaporized. The vaporized solvent flows upwardly and is converged through the convergent baffle and conduit riser. The converged vapor stream passes through the vaporized solvent port into the carrier medium, flowing through the carrier medium and inducing a linear-torroidal flow in the carrier medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: H-O-H Research Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Mar
  • Patent number: 5772851
    Abstract: Volatile components are eliminated from polyacrylate melts by distilling off the volatile components by a process in which the volatile components are distilled off under reduced pressure, entraining agents are added to the melts at above 100.degree. C. and the melts are simultaneously circulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jurgen Barwich, Oral Aydin, Ulrich Erhardt, Walter Holtrup
  • Patent number: 5738762
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Ernest O. Ohsol
  • Patent number: 5643420
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, 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 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Farmland Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan D. Holiday
  • Patent number: 5637777
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process and an apparatus for preparing tertiary ethers. According to the process, C.sub.4 to C.sub.6 isoolefins and possibly heavier olefins contained in the feedstock are reacted with lower aliphatic alcohols, in particular methanol or ethanol, in a catalytic distillation reactor system in order to produce the corresponding ethers. According to the invention, the reaction between the isoolefins and the alcohols is essentially carried out in at least one reactor (5-7) of the kind, which is combined with a distillation column (3) intended for product separation, by conducting at least a part of the liquid flow of the column through the reactor and returning it to a lower tray than the one from which it was taken. At least half of cation exchange resin is placed in the side reactor (5-7). In the process according to the invention, the catalyst can be rapidly changed without stopping the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Neste OY
    Inventors: Juhani Aittamaa, Isto Eilos, Juha Jakkula, Petri Lindqvist
  • Patent number: 5607557
    Abstract: A process for separating a mixture containing mainly ethyl tertio-butyl ether (ETBE), ethanol and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons includes introducing the mixture to be separated into a debutanizer from which the C.sub.4 hydrocarbons are recovered overhead with a fraction of the ethanol, and purified ETBE is recovered as a bottom product; a side stream of an ethanol-rich phase is extracted and sent to a permeation zone in which the dense film of the membrane is constituted by a N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate polymer (DMAEMA) or a copolymer of DMAEMA with N-vinylcaprolactam (NVCL) and/or with N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP); the ethanol-depleted retentate from this permeation zone is returned to the debutanizer and the permeate contains mainly separated ethanol.The process can be integrated into an ETBE production process, in which the ethanol separated during the permeation step is recycled to the etherification reactor. The debutanizer may be replaced by a catalytic distillation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Christian Streicher
  • Patent number: 5578173
    Abstract: A method of removing dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) from a vapor stream. The vapor stream includes dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), methylhydroxyethyl terephthalate (MHET), glycols and methanol. A distillation column is held under an elevated pressure of 100 to 500 kPag and at a temperature of at least 85.degree. C. It has (i) a plurality of distillation trays; (ii) methanol liquid sprays between the trays; (iii) a main spray zone below the trays and (iv) a liquid pool of methanol in the bottom of the column. The vapor stream is directed into the distillation column, above the liquid pool and below the main spray zone, thereby forming a stream of liquid and vapor. The stream of liquid is directed away from the distillation column walls and into the liquid pool at the bottom of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Walter E. Toot, Jr., Brian L. Simpson, Bruce R. Debruin, Andrius A. Naujokas, William J. Gamble
  • Patent number: 5536375
    Abstract: A distiller for producing potable water employs a metal boiler tray having a cover member in which there is an inlet for raw water and which together form a steam chamber having an outlet for steam. The boiler tray bottom has a plurality of steps including a highest, an intermediate and a lowest level step which are all covered with water at the beginning of a distillation cycle. The temperature of the highest level step is monitored with a sensor. A rise in the temperature of the highest level step by a predetermined amount above the boiling temperature of water indicates that the highest and intermediate level steps have become dry. This results in a signal to a controller to open a valve and admit replenishment raw water whose amount is dependent on valve open time. Steam evolved from the boiler tray is conducted through a first check valve in the cover member to demister chamber when the mist or carryover water in the steam impinges on a baffle and is separated from the steam as condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Vogelman
  • Patent number: 5535877
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing water from a solution of water and glycol solution. The apparatus finds application in recycling of glycol wherein a water and glycol solution having as much as a 95% water content when introduced to the apparatus leaves the apparatus with a water content in the order of 40% to 60%. The glycol concentrator has a packing medium made from glass shards that provide a labyrinth through which air is circulated in one direction and thin streams of glycol are circulated in generally the opposite direction. It is believed that mixing of the thin streams of solution and air flow steams in the labyrinth results in a thin film evaporation process. The glycol concentrator apparatus has reduced energy requirements when compared with a distilling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventors: Peter d. Eastcott, Nicole A. Truman, Peter Truman
  • Patent number: 5507921
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching a gas stream in the production of vinyl chloride monomer includes the use of a knock back condenser and a plurality of column fractional distillation trays disposed within the quench column, and a liquid stream of 1,2-dichloroethane, vinyl chloride, and hydrogen chloride may be removed from the bottom column fractional distillation tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Westlake Monomers Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Best
  • Patent number: 5500098
    Abstract: Volatile acids containing metal salt impurities, such as metal pickling solutions-are regenerated by a process in which the acid is subjected to sulfuric acid distillation. Resulting volatile acid vapor is condensed and recycled to the pickle tank, while the residual acid mixture is treated in an acid sorption unit, preferably of the acid retardation type. Acid sorbed in the acid sorption unit is periodically eluted with water and recycled, while metal impurities are rejected in a deacidified by-product solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Eco-Tec Limited
    Inventors: Craig J. Brown, Michael A. Sheedy
  • Patent number: 5498319
    Abstract: Illustrated by the purification of diphenyl carbonate (DPC), diaryl carbonates are purified and freed of contaminants such as inorganic and organic chlorides, metal ions, iron components and color bodies. The process is a two-stage procedure starting with a water wash of the molten carbonate followed by distillation. Crude DPC is charged to the wash tank and is washed in the molten state three times. Fresh steam condensate is used for each wash which consists of a period of agitation followed by decantation then water removal. After the third wash, the molten DPC is transferred to a still for distillation. The rag layer which is formed at the water/DPC interface during washing is purged and not allowed to pass through to the still. A flash distillation is carried out under constant vacuum. Three overhead cuts are taken--lights, intermediate and product DPC depending on the temperature of the overhead vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert B. Ehlinger
  • Patent number: 5498317
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, 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 with a portion of the condensed overhead being 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. In a second embodiment, separate stripping and rectification towers operate in series whereby the overhead of the stripping tower is delivered to the lower section of the rectification tower and the rectification bottoms are returned to the top of the stripping tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Farmland Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan D. Holiday
  • Patent number: 5389208
    Abstract: Process for reclaiming or concentrating waste aqueous solutions of gas treating chemicals, such as alkanolamines, used for removing acid components or water vapor from natural gas. The process involves heating the waste solution under a high vacuum to form a vapor and a liquid residue. The temperature and vacuum can be varied to form a vapor consisting mainly of water vapor or a vapor containing both water vapor and vaporized gas treating chemical. The vapor is subsequently condensed or passed through a wash column to produce a concentrated solution. The liquid residue is heated by passing it through a single-pass, generally co-current heater at a rate which avoids localized overheating of a liquid to a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the gas treating chemical. The heated liquid residue is then used to heat the feed waste solution by being thoroughly mixed with it, thus avoiding overheating of the feed solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Canadian Chemical Reclaiming Ltd.
    Inventors: Todd Beasley, Dwight A. Merritt
  • Patent number: 5385646
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, 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 with a portion of the condensed overhead being 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. In a second embodiment, separate stripping and rectification towers operate in series whereby the overhead of the stripping tower is delivered to the lower section of the rectification tower and the rectification bottoms are returned to the top of the stripping tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Farmland Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan D. Holiday
  • Patent number: 5312524
    Abstract: A distillation system for recovery of volatile components of contaminated liquids used in an industrial process includes a tube assembly including outer tubes to which hot bottoms liquids are supplied and inner tubes to which process liquids are supplied for transfer of heat from the bottoms to the process liquids. From the tube assembly the two liquids are discharged into the still through separate, elongated, parallel discharge pipes. The process liquids discharge pipe is positioned above the bottoms liquids discharge pipe and an elongated, metal, angle plate is positioned as an inverted V between the two discharge pipes. Efficiency is improved over prior systems wherein process liquids are added to the still without being preheated by the bottoms fluids, and without the unique still intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Filter Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Lyle B. Barcomb
  • Patent number: 5294303
    Abstract: A process is provided for separating trace amounts of water-immiscible, volatile organic liquids dissolved in aqueous media whereby the aqueous media are subjected to vapor stripping under vacuum at about ambient temperature in conjunction with a heat pump which indirectly recovers the energy of vaporization in its cold loop and returns such energy to the vaporization of the aqueous media in its hot loop. Inasmuch as the entire process is conducted at ambient temperature, there is little loss of energy to the environment and processing energy is recovered and reused to the application of a heat pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Lanny A. Robbins
  • Patent number: 5264085
    Abstract: A method of continuously distilling off the components of a mixture containing phenols, water and methanol using a single distillation column, wherein methanol is recovered from the top of the column, water containing phenols is dragged as a side stream from a recovery section of the column, and phenols are recovered as a bottom product. The method permits efficient separation by the single distillation column of the three components with high purity and low utility energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Petrochemical Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Inaba, Yoshikazu Higaki, Kimikatsu Jinno, Mitsugi Kataoka, Norio Sato, Masayuki Honda
  • Patent number: 5262013
    Abstract: A coolant recycling apparatus has a boiler and condenser for distilling a glycol and water from a used coolant. The glycol and water are recombined in a mixing tank to form a mixture having a desired ratio of water to glycol, and an inhibitor is added to the mixture to obtain a fresh coolant mixture ready for use in an engine cooling system. Contaminants in the used coolant are concentrated to form a sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Amalgamated Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Beal, Scott A. McCracken
  • Patent number: 5262014
    Abstract: A process for removing acetone from an acetone/methyl acetate/methyl iodide mixture utilizing extractive distillation with water being introduced to the distillation zone above the point of introduction of the mixture and acetic acid being introduced at or above the point of introduction of the mixture. In a preferred embodiment the mixture is subjected to an initial extraction with an aqueous extractant to remove most of the methyl iodide.The process is particularly applicable to removing acetone by-product in carbonylation processes for the production of acetic anhydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Cooper, John Dixon-Hall, Stephen J. Smith
  • Patent number: 5242548
    Abstract: An improved distillation device (1) which uses a combination of centrifugal and positive displacement pumps to purify raw liquid in an area of limited space. The device (1) includes evaporation assembly (2) having a boiling chamber (5), a valve and float switches (15, 16, 17) for maintaining the liquid level (20) in the boiling chamber (5) at a predetermined level, and connecting conduit (21) for directing vapor to a condensation apparatus (3). The condensation assembly (3) includes a condensation chamber (6), a collection chamber (7), and at least one bubble tube (22) connecting the two chambers (6, 7). Leading from the collection chamber (7) is first transfer conduit (50), a tube (51) for permitting vapor to bleed from the collection chamber (7) back to condensation chamber (6), and second transfer conduit (52) for returning only distillate from collection chamber (7) to condensation chamber (6) to cool condensation chamber (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Inventor: Philip G. Youngner
  • Patent number: 5236558
    Abstract: A method to recycle spent ethylene glycol in a continuous process for the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate in at least one reactor vessel which includes:a. condensing the overhead vapor of spent ethylene glycol, water and other byproducts from the reactor vessel,b. feeding the condensed vapor to a single distillation column,c. removing only part of the water and other byproducts from ethylene glycol by distillation overhead in the column andd. feeding the resultant bottoms of the column back to the reactor vessel as recycle ethylene glycol along with virgin ethylene glycol, so that polyethylene terephthalate polymer being manufactured by the continuous process is essentially unaffected regarding polymer color and ability to be spun into high quality yarn, but with lower diethylene glycol content that polymer made from all virgin ethylene glycol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Buyalos, David Pendlebury, Lon K. Bouknight, Neil F. Blake, Clarence McKeithan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5221440
    Abstract: A process for removing organic compounds, including nitro-hydroxy-aromatic compounds and amines, from alkaline wastewater, and in particular from wastewater generated in the production of nitrobenzene, dinitrobenzene, nitrotoluene and dinitrotoluene. The process involves distilling the alkaline wastewater steam at or near atmospheric pressure until it is concentrated five to twenty-five fold. The distillate includes water, which may be discharged to the environment, subjected to biological treatment, or recycled for use in the production process; and volatile organics, which are phase separated from the aqueous portion of the distillate and which may be recycled to the crude product stream. The concentrated residue from the distillation may be incinerated or subjected to biological treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Rubicon Inc.
    Inventors: Aki Miyagi, Walter Kraushaar, John B. Wilcoxon, Toby Gerhold
  • Patent number: 5211816
    Abstract: A low temperature vacuum distillation apparatus. The distillation apparatus includes an evaporation section and a condensation section. Fluid flow throughout the system is assisted by an appropriate pump, and heat exchangers, one in each of the evaporation and condensation sections, are interconnected by employment of a heat pump.The condensation section includes a condensation chamber downward from which bubble tubes extend into a collection chamber. Collection chamber is provided with a pump to effect transfer of distillate having volatile impurities entrained therein to a final collection vessel. A pump communicates with vessel to create a partial vacuum therein to ensure venting of the impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Eco Pure, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel W. Youngner
  • Patent number: 5209827
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the recovery of purified hydroxypivalyl hydroxypivalate (HPHP) from a crude, HPHP containing material containing inorganic catalyst residues and low-boiling and high-boiling (with respect to the boiling point of HPHP) impurities. The purification process employs two distillation zones, a first distillation zone wherein inorganic and high-boiling impurities are removed and a second distillation zone wherein low- and high-boiling impurities are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerald E. Butler, Garrett C. Luce, Don L. Morris
  • Patent number: 5209828
    Abstract: A system and method of concentrating spent caustic at a refinery has a multi-stage flash drum for separating a spent caustic stream into an overhead output stream including vaporized water and volatile organic compounds, and a concentrated spent caustic output stream. The system also has a condenser for condensing the overhead output stream, and a separator for separating the condensed overhead output stream into a volatile organic compound stream, a liquid hydrocarbon stream and a water stream. The system further has an ejector for applying a vacuum to the flash drum to vaporize the spent caustic stream at a reduced temperature, and to the separator to remove the volatile organic compound stream. The volatile organic compounds are removed from the overhead of the separator through the ejector to a burner of a fired heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Tai-Sheng Chou, Manuel Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 5205906
    Abstract: A process is presented for the treatment of wastewater containing non-volatile pollutants and volatile chemically oxidizable organic and inorganic pollutants. The process combines efficient evaporation to concentrate the non-volatile compounds and a catalytic oxidation reaction to convert the volatilized organic and inorganic pollutants. A condensate product may be obtained by treating wastewater according to the inventive process that is of distilled water quality and substantially free of minerals and organics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Chemical Waste Management, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Grutsch, George A. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 5203969
    Abstract: A method of separating and recovering components of a mixture having a gap in the range of miscibility and having organic compounds and water in a pervaporization process with the aid of membranes. The mixture is first separated into an organically loaded water phase and a water-saturated organic phase. Subsequently, the organically loaded water phase and the water-saturated organic phase are separately subjected to parallel, different pervaporization processes, resulting in retentates as water on the one hand and organic liquid on the other hand. The permeates that result during the pervaporization processes are subsequently returned to the mixture that is to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Wenzlaff, Dieter Behling, Karl W. Boddeker
  • Patent number: 5173155
    Abstract: A vacuum boiler evaporator includes a sealed vacuum boiler vessel, a sealed vacuum condenser vessel which contains a partition that divides it into a first chamber and a second chamber that functions as a noncondensible gas collector, a conduit which connects the vacuum boiler vessel with the first chamber of the vacuum condenser vessel, a plurality of heat transfer tubes which extend through the first chamber and into the second chamber, and a return pipe which extends from the second chamber to the vacuum boiler vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignees: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd, Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Miyata, Akio Seta, Nobuhiko Tsui, Hiroshi Kujirai, Youji Satoh, Hitonobu Shotani, Kazuya Sahara, Yoshimichi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5152887
    Abstract: When regenerating gas treating chemicals such as diethanolamine solution, the usual practice is to subject the chemicals to steam stripping. Ultimately such action is ineffective, and it is necessary to discard the chemicals. The waste chemical can be reclaimed by preheating the chemical in a countercurrent heat exchanger, in which heat is recovered from an already processed product; using a still to separate the preheated, partially vaporized chemical from the remainder of the chemicals; i.e. impurities or still bottoms; heating the still bottoms and recycling such bottoms for mixing with the partially vaporized chemical immediately upstream of the still; returning the separated vapor product from the still to the heat exchanger for heating feed chemical; and separating the thus partially condensed product in a separator to yield reclaimed gas treating chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventors: Todd Beasley, Dwight A. Merritt
  • Patent number: 5139620
    Abstract: Evaporation of saline water in a desalinization process, or evaporation of other types of liquid such as black liquor from paper pulp processing, is accomplished utilizing a multiple effect evaporator. Each effect includes one or more (e.g. first and second) sets of horizontally elongated dimpled plate evaporator elements. Horizontally flowing heating fluid, such as steam, is introduced to the internal passage of at least the second set in all the effects, and a head of circulation liquid is provided to cause liquid being evaporated to flow downwardly from the head over the external surfaces of the sets of dimpled plates in a thin film. The vapor evaporated is drawn through a demistor and is used as the heating fluid for the next effect. Recirculating liquid that has not evaporated and liquid separated by the demisting process are recirculated to the head associated with each effect. Clean condensate--such as distilled water--is withdrawn from the last effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl E. Elmore, Kyle Infante
  • Patent number: 5108549
    Abstract: A method of separating and recovering components of a mixture having a gap in the range of miscibility and including organic compounds and water in a pervaporization process with the aid of membranes. The mixture is first separated into an organically loaded water phase and a water-saturated organic phase. Subsequently, the organically loaded water phase and the water-saturated organic phase are separately subjected to parallel, different pervaporization processes, resulting in retentates as water on the one hand and organic liquid on the other hand. The permeates that result during the pervaporization processes are subsequently returned to the mixture that is to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Wenzlaff, Dieter Behling, Karl W. Boddeker
  • Patent number: 5102504
    Abstract: A device for solvent recovery in an ultrasonic cleaning machine is based on utilization of the negative pressure originating from the liquification of the solvent vapor itself in a heat exchanger and the negative pressure from an ejector. Thus, the solvent vapor in a vapor zone is led out of a distillation vessel, cooled outside of the vessel, liquidfied, once again returned to a solvent vessel and, at the same time, the liquification of the solvent vapor which is incompletely liquified from this cooling and liquification process is accelerated even more in the negative pressure section of the ejector. Accordingly, the amount of water mixed into the recovered solvent is extremely reduced so that satisfactory cleaning in the ultrasonic cleaner can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: Tetsuya Saito
  • Patent number: 5102505
    Abstract: A method for distilling a crude aldehyde product mixture of branched chain and straight chain aldehyde in a single distillation column to concurrently obtain three separate product streams, i.e. a purified branched chain aldehyde stream and two different purified straight chain aldehyde streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kirk D. Sorensen