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: 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.

Abstract: A process for the removal of aldehydes and acetals from industrially prepared acetic acid, wherein the contaminated acetic acid is reacted in the presence of a Bronstedt acid and 0.05 to 1% by weight of water and, if required, of 3 to 10 equivalents, calculated on aldehyde and acetal, of a high boiling polyhydric alcohol, and isolating the purified acetic acid by fractional distillation.

Abstract: A urea production process combining lower pressure urea concentration and carbamate recovery steps into a single non-vacuum operation. Following high pressure stripping wherein a bulk of unreacted carbamate is recovered from the reaction effluent, remaining carbamate is stripped by heated air at atmospheric pressure wherein urea is concurrently concentrated without the use of vacuum evaporators. Weak carbamate solution subsequently formed is stripped of water (and residual urea is hydrolyzed) using air and steam at a medium pressure single tower hydrolyzer/stripper to obtain a concentrated carbamate stream suitable for recycle to the reactor. The process employs heat integration for enhanced energy efficiency and produces a good quality aqueous condensate suitable for direct use as boiler feed water. Thus the aqueous condensate produced requires no additional cooling and ammonia treatment. The process employs simplified and reduced process unit operation to eliminate equipment for cost reduction.

Abstract: A process for purifying impure 2,6-diisopropylphenol (DIP) mixtures having lower and higher boiling phenolic impurities is described. The process involves washing the mixture with aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution in an inert atmosphere and separating the aqueous and organic phases, washing the resulting organic phase with water, and then subjecting the water-washed organic phase to distillation in an inert environment to recover purified DIP. Since only one distillation is required rather than two, the development of impurities in the DIP caused by in situ oxidation reactions at elevated temperatures due to the inevitable presence of traces of air in commercial distillation facilities is reduced to acceptable levels.

Abstract: A process for producing methanesulfonyl fluoride involves reacting methanesulfonyl chloride, a metal fluoride and water to obtain a reaction product, subjecting the reaction product to distillation in the presence of water in an amount of 0.7 times or more the amount of the methanesulfonyl chloride to obtain a distillate. The distillate has a water layer and a methanesulfonyl fluoride layer. The distillate is subjected to phase separation to separate the methanesulfonyl fluoride layer from the water layer, and the methanesulfonyl fluoride is recovered.

Abstract: A method for producing 2-chloropyridine and 2,6-dichloropyridine by the steps of mixing vaporized chlorine and vaporized water to obtain dilute chlorine; introducing the dilute chlorine and vaporized pyridine into a reactor; and reacting the vaporized pyridine with the dilute chlorine in a gas phase under ultraviolet rays irradiation. By the method, 2-chloropyridine and 2,6-dichloropyridine can be produced in high yields. The present invention is also directed to a method for separating 2,6-dichloropyridine from a mixture containing 2,6-dichloropyridine, 2-chloropyridine and pyridine by the step of carrying out distillation of the mixture containing 2,6-dichloropyridine, 2-chloropyridine and pyridine in the presence of water while adding sulfuric acid to a distillation column. Highly purified 2,6-dichloropyridine can be separated by the method.

Abstract: Pure, substantially neutral, low-volatile organic compounds including reactive double bonds are advantageously isolated from a liquid feedstock which contains said compounds in combination with acidic reaction components or auxiliary materials by (i) adding to the feedstock, as neutralizing agents, finely powdered oxides, carbonates and/or hydroxides of the alkali metals and/or alkaline earth metals; (ii) adding, at the same time as the addition of the neutralizing agents or thereafter, a limited amount of water to the mixture of feedstock and neutralizing agents; (iii) mechanically mixing the liquid and solid mixture thus formed for at least a few minutes; (iv) distilling off water from the hot reaction mixture under reduced pressure; and (v) removal from the liquid product of the solid phase now present. Pure products which even without distillation exhibit low residual acid values in combination with low color values result.

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.

Abstract: Recovery of caprolactam and of an alkali metal carbonate from distillation residues which are obtained in the purification of caprolactam and contain caprolactam and/or oligomers and/or polymers of caprolactam and also alkali metal hydroxides by(a) melting the distillation residues, the caprolactam and/or oligomers and/or polymers of caprolactam and alkali metal hydroxides,(b) continuously removing caprolactam from the melt,(c) after removing caprolactam, cooling the melt and obtaining a residue,(d) dissolving the residue thus obtained in water and(e) subjecting the aqueous solution thus obtained to combustion with the formation of an alkali metal carbonateis described.

Abstract: A distillation process is used to separate methanol from a mixture of methanol with methyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate, as well as from a mixture of methanol and water with methyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate with the use of an azeotropic solvent, which forms an azeotropic mixture with methanol. In distilling such a mixture by the use of a distillation column:(1) part of the condensate of vapors distilled over from the top of the distillation column top is returned to the top of the column;(2) the remaining condensate is separated into two layers;(3) the upper layer essentially composed of an azeotropic solvent from the two separated layers is fed to an intermediate portion of the distillation column;(4) the lower layer essentially composed of methanol from the above two separated layers is withdrawn from the distillation system; and(5) methyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate, or else, methyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate and water, are recovered from the bottom of the column.

Abstract: Water and organic low-boiling constituents in organic heat transfer fluids used to heat commercial processes are removed by introducing a gas such as nitrogen into a turbulent flow of the heat transfer fluid and separating gas which then contains low-boiling constituents from the heat transfer fluid of the heat transfer system. The gas containing low-boiling constituents may be sent to a condenser to return heat transfer fluid which also vaporizes into the gas, but to a lesser extent than the low-boilers, to the heat transfer system. The gas containing low-boiling constituents is then combusted.

Abstract: A process for the production of low cholesterol butter fat or butter by steam treatment, wherein the fat is treated with steam in one or more horizontal or slightly inclined reaction pipes at a temperature of from 195.degree. to 250.degree. C. and at a pressure of from 0.5 to 5 mbar, the steam is injected from one or more steam pipes arranged parallel with each other which extend through the layer which conducts the liquid fat (oil) along the entire length of the reaction pipe and having boreholes in the pipe wall as outlet apertures for the steam, into the oil stream flowing in the reaction pipe axial direction, the vapors are separated and the fat is cooled, to which optionally fat recombination substances may be added.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a partially miscible solvent from a contaminated water stream. The apparatus includes a fully enclosed containment vessel having an internal volume bounded by a plurality of walls which define the width, length and height of the internal volume. Devices for feeding the contaminated water, for discharging a solvent rich vapor stream, and for discharging a purified water stream are provided. A dam separates the internal volume into a phase separation zone and a falling film stripping zone with the dam located proximate one end of the internal volume. The dam includes a wall sealably disposed across the entire width of the internal volume and extended upward to a terminal location a distance from the bottom of the internal volume over a portion of the height of the internal volume. In use, the dam determines and maintains a maximum liquid level in the phase separation zone.

Abstract: Polyurethane can be reclaimed from solvent-containing or solvent-free polyurethane wastage by adjusting the amount of solvent, preferably with methyl ethyl ketone; adding an emulsifier, preferably, acylpolyethyleneglycolester; then adding about twelve times the wastage weight of water; mixing, preferably for about one hour at room temperature to form an emulsion; and then expelling the solvent as a two-phase distillate using steam; separating solvent from the resulting two-phase distillate; filtering off polyurethane granular material left floating in the water residue, and drying the separated granular material.

Abstract: A process for the purification and concentration of sulfuric acid contained with nitric acid by-products and organic components pursuant to the mixed acid nitration of aromatics.

Abstract: Water and organic low-boiling constituents in a organic heat transfer fluids used to heat commercial processes are removed by counter current stripping the fluid with a gas such as nitrogen. The gas containing low-boiling constituents is sent to a rectification column and condenser to return heat transfer fluid which also vaporizes into the gas, but to a lesser extent than the low-boilers, to the heat transfer system.

Abstract: A compact solvent reprocessing system for use in a limited physical area. Solvents to be reprocessed is contacted by deionized water in a water wash column and delivered to a distillation column where waste solvent is separated from materials that boil at a higher temperature than the waste solvent. Distilled solvent is delivered to a drying column and final filters for removal of any other foreign materials. The modular solvent reprocessing system to reclaim/recycle high purity solvents on-site at a manufacturing facility. A system includes a pumpless pressurized tank solvent transfer units, storage tanks, liquid-liquid extraction column, distillation columns, submicron filtration units, and water and acid adsorption columns arranged as necessary to produce ultra-high purity solvents from waste solvent streams. The systems are packaged in modular assemblies with secondary containment to meet U.S. EPA requirements.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for the removal of acetone from a production system wherein acetic anhydride is produced by contacting a mixture comprising methyl iodide and methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst or catalyst system. The process comprises two distillation steps wherein acetone is separated from a mixture of methyl acetate, methyl iodide and acetone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distillation method and an apparatus for the concentration and purification of water-containing liquid chemicals. The distillation is performed using constant, predetermined distillation parameters.

Abstract: A method and device for removing organic compounds from soil, solids, sludges and other types of contaminated materials utilizing a non-rotating contactor which can be tightly sealed from air infiltration. Binders such as cement, lime, flyash or kiln dust may be added to the soil prior to treatment so as to aid in the volatilization of the volatile organics and to immobilize the non-volatile constituents in the treated solids. The contaminated materials are fed to a chamber with a movable rake therein and are subjected to temperatures sufficiently high to violatize the organic constituents. The volatilized contaminants are purged with small amounts of air or other non-condensible gas and with superheated steam. The organic constituents can be captured in a vapor phase or they can be condensed and captured in the condensed liquid.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for recovering and disposing of volatile organic contaminants, from water contaminated with organics, which system includes a pump to feed water from the body of contaminated water to the system, with indirect heat exchange and direct steam addition to raise the temperature of the water, a stripping vessel to strip the heated water with gas to strip the volatile contaminants from the water, gas supply to provide stripping gas to the vessel conduits to pass the removed volatile contaminants to a vessel containing a bed of adsorbent selective for the removal organics and regenerating the near-saturated bed by stripping with ambient air heated by heat exchange with the exhaust gas from a fuel-fired heater, passing the contaminant-containing regenerating gas from the regenerating bed to said fuel-fired heater, and combusting the contaminants in said fuel-fired heater.

Abstract: Micro-distillation apparatus is provided for analyzing acidic anions in which the acidic anion sample is placed in a lower elongated member in water containing an acidifying material, upon heating the acidic anion leaves the lower member as a gas, passing through a permeable membrane into an upper elongated member containing a material which converts the acidic anion to a salt and the salt is recovered for analysis. The micro-distillation apparatus is sized so that a number of samples can be heated in a small heating member, such as a hot block heater.

Abstract: A vertical tube evaporation process for the concentration of saline water and other liquids, including the addition of an anionic mono-molecular dispersant thereto which interacts with materials precipitated during concentration and inhibits the formation of scale or fouling depositions on evaporator surfaces, and wherein the additive is incorporated into the precipitated materials and improves their removal during the descaling or defouling of evaporator surfaces by rendering such precipitates redispersable in fresh water or in a non-saturated liquid used for descaling or defouling of evaporator surfaces.

Abstract: Black acid or the sulfuric acid residue obtained in the manufacture of ethyl acrylate by reaction of ethylene and acrylic acid in the presence of sulfuric acid is heated and distilled in the presence of a solvent for recovery of acrylic acid and ethyl acrylate.

Abstract: An azeotropic distillation method for separating diamondoids from a near-boiling solvent. The method is particularly useful for recovering diamondoids extracted from a produced natural gas stream via hydrocarbon solvent injection.

Abstract: Low odor polyphenylene ether resin is produced by mixing a polyphenylene ether resin having an odoriferous content in water and bringing the mixture to a boil to distill a portion or all of the water.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process for separating at least one C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkene (preferably propylene) from at least one close-boiling alkane (preferably propane) employs propylene carbonate as solvent, optionally in admixture with a minor amount of water.

Abstract: A dry cleaning solvent recovery and filtering system includes a dry cleaning solvent tank containing solvent for use in a dry cleaning machine. A filtration path from the tank includes a centrifugal separator for removing coarse debris and a filter element for removing fine debris from the solvent fluid. The filter element includes a perforated metal cylinder, having an open mouth, with a Teflon.RTM. coated screen forming the interior debris collection surface. A rinsing spray nozzle situated at the mouth of the filter element directs a fluid spray under pressure against the collection surface in the same direction that debris contaminated solvent fluid flows therethrough. The pressure of the fluid spray is sufficient to dislodge fine debris adhered to the collection surface without forcing the debris into the perforations of the filter element.

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrobromic acid and methanol from a filtrate obtained by brominating bisphenol A in a methanol solvent and filtering off the resulting brominated bisphenol A, which comprises adding water to the filtrate, followed by distillation for purification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the treatment of paint sludge and for reducing volatile organic compound emissions from a paint spraybooth operation, thereby obtaining a recyclable material for use in new coating products. In such an operation, uncured paint resins mixed with volatile organic compounds are sprayed onto an article to be painted and at least a portion of the overspray is mixed with water to form a waste stream containing water, uncured paint resin, volatile organic compounds and inorganic substances. The method includes the steps of: removing a portion of the water and liquid volatile organic compounds from the waste stream; heating the resultant sludge to volatilize the residual water and liquid volatile organic compounds and to cure the uncured paint resin; collecting the residual solids stream, and removing all of the volatilized organic compounds from the resultant stream, thereby generating a volatile organic compound-free gas effluent.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing essential oils by plant hydro-distillation including the following steps:(a) loading the plants continuously into a still where they are processed counterflow wise with steam,(b) continuous unloading of the exhausted plants,(c) recovery of the latent heat of distillation and condensation of the steam by means of a gas in a condenser,(d) drying of the exhausted plants by contacting with the gas, in a drying installation,(e) combustion of at least a part of the dried exhausted plants in a boiler and use of the combustion heat for producing steam.

Abstract: A process for removing substantial quantities of volatile liquid e.g. hydrocarbon from a mixture of polymer and such liquid is provided. This process includes the initial step of introducing the mixture, and a liquid which is immiscible with the polymer, into a mixing/kneading zone provided with heated heat transfer surfaces having a temperature higher than the boiling point of the lowest boiling liquid component in the mixing/kneading zone. The mixture and the immiscible liquid are subjected to a period of continuous mixing and kneading within the mixing/kneading zone, to bring the mixture into continuously moving contact with the heat transfer surfaces. During this period of continuous mixing/kneading, the heated heat transfer surfaces are repeatedly mechanically cleaned to prevent buildup of solid polymer thereon.

Abstract: In a flash-drying process which comprises flashing a solvent solution of a polymer or copolymer maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure into a flashing zone maintained at a lower pressure than the pressure of the solvent solution through a means for releasing said elevated pressure, thereby evaporating and separating the solvent from the solvent solution, the improvement wherein an inert stripping agent is fed into a flow of the solvent solution at any point between said pressure-releasing means and said flashing zone.

Abstract: A closed circuit solvent stripping and reclaiming apparatus for recovering solvent from filters used in dry cleaning machines comprising a steam cabinet (2), and condenser (3), a water solvent separator (4), a recirculating tank (5), a blower (6) and a carbon bed adsorber (7). Dry cleaning filters are disassembled and their constituents separated and placed in foraminous trays (9) inside the steam cabinet (2). The filter material is agitated with a shaker and alternately subjected to dry heat, vaporized recycled solvent saturated water, and live steam. Steam and solvent vapors derived from the filters are conducted to a condenser (3) for liquification followed by separation in the water solvent separator (4). Solvent is thereby reclaimed and solvent saturated water is collected and stored in the recycling tank for reintroduction into the steam cabinet for subsequent stripping cycle.

Abstract: Lignin is removed from a crude tall oil in the production of tall oil fractions suitable for use as chemical ingredients and additives in other products by sparging the crude tall oil at a temperature of between about 350.degree. F. to 400.degree. F. with a carrier gas to depolymerize and remove from the tall oil lower molecular weight lignin materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for using water to remove amine from an oil-amine component. The oil-amine component is typically produced in prior art processes using an amine having an inverse critical solution temperature with water to break emulsions and sludges. The steps of the present invention include adding water to the oil-amine component in an amount sufficient to form a water-amine azeotrope with substantially all the amine in the oil-amine component followed by heating to remove the azeotrope. The method of the present invention may be used to remove amine from an oil-amine component even where the amine is present in an amount as low as 10% or less by weight.

Abstract: Process for deodorizing triglyceride oil comprises passing dry steam through the oil, the oil being at a temperature between 160.degree. and 280.degree. C. and under a pressure of between 0.1 to 8.0 mbar and condensing by indirect condenser means a vapor phase having a Reynolds number less than 2300 and comprising steam, volatile materials from the oil and less than 100 mg neutral oil per m.sup.3 of steam when measured under the conditions prevailing in the headspace above the oil. The condensate can be solid or liquid form. In either case the condensate can be readily removed from the condenser.

Abstract: A process for improving the quality of phenol which comprises(a) introducing a liquid phenol composition comprising above about 95 weight percent phenol on a dry basis, organic acid contaminants, and organic ketone contaminants;(b) introducing water into the distillation tower, together with the phenol stream or in a separate stream;(c) heating the phenol composition and water to a temperature sufficiently high to vaporize the water;(d) allowing the organic acid contaminant to build to a concentration whereby sufficient acid is present to catalyze a reaction between an organic ketone contaminant and phenol, thereby forming a new compound(s) and;(e) removing the said formed compound(s) from the distillation tower by hydroextractive steam distillation.

Abstract: To remove solvents such as alcohol from bulk material the solvent-laden bulk material is intensively loosened mechanically into a virtual fluidized bed through which a liquid in gaseous phase such as steam is passed so that the solvent having a lower boiling point than water is expelled from the bulk material and is evacuated with excess steam while at least part of the steam condenses on the particles of the bulk material which thereby is humidified. The solvent expelled from the bulk material is separated from the steam and can be used again. The treatment is carried out in a closed vessel in which the bulk material and the steam are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: A method for removing a 1-chloro-3-dimethylaminopropane impurity from a benzydamine crude product which comprises steam distillation.

Abstract: A process for purifying diethoxymethane from a mixture containing ethanol and, optionally, water. The process involves the addition of an amount of water, DEM, or an appropriate mixture of any two or three of water, DEM and ethanol that is effective in moving the mixture into the two liquid phase region on an equilibrium tie-line which crosses the critical distillation boundary without the need for additional azeotrope-forming agents such as cyclohexane.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the discovery that the distillative separation of 2-methylbutanal (2MBA) from a mixture containing methylisopropylketone (MIPK) and 2MBA can be greatly enhanced by the addition of water to the mixture.

Abstract: A method of recovering light organic solvent from a liquid mixture containing the solvent and a product material, such as asphaltenes or coal liquefaction products. The solvent-product material mixture is treated to separate a first vapor phase rich in solvent and a first liquid phase rich in product material. The first liquid phase is then intimately contacted with steam, under shearing conditions, in a static or dynamic mixer. The steam-liquid phase mixture is then treated to separate a second vapor phase, rich in steam and solvent, and a second liquid phase, rich in product material and substantially depleted of solvent. Solvent is recovered from the first and second vapor phases.

Abstract: A recycle water treatment system for separating oil vapor from steam recovering the oil and heat from the steam and destroys microorganisms and exotoxins which incorporates an inclined duct connected to a barometric condenser with a container for oil at the lower end of the condenser. Oil entrained in the steam is carried up the duct and over the barometric condenser. The steam heats the condenser water that is recovered while the entrained oil flows back down the duct into a recovery container. The condenser water-steam condensate mixture is maintained at about 180.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to destroy microorganisms and exotoxins.

Abstract: Drycleaning fluid is recovered from spent drycleaning fluid filter elements by passing steam through the elements to form a steam/drycleaning-fluid vapor mixture. The mixture is condensed into liquid state and the two constitutents are separated. The apparatus includes a condensing chamber and a separating chamber with a novel valve for ensuring that drycleaning-fluid vapors do not escape into the work area.

Abstract: A process of recovering organic solvent from a liquid waste product which waste product is heat convertible by the steps of:(a) dispersing the liquid waste product in particulate form in water, in the presence of a bentonite or hectorite clay;(b) heating the dispersion to boiling point to strip off steam and organic solvent vapor;(c) condensing the evolved steam and orgnic vapor and separating the water therefrom; and(d) recovering the residue as an aqueous free-flowing slurry of solid granule particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for the distillation of vaporizable liquids, for example alcohol, solvents used for the degreasing of metal and the like, comprises a distillation chamber, a heating unit in the region of the bottom of the distillation chamber, a cooling and condensation unit at an upper portion of the distillation chamber and a cold-generating unit. According to the invention, the cold-generating unit is formed as a heat pump with a circulating refrigerant and has a compressor, a cold branch and a hot branch. The cold branch is connected to the cooling and condensation unit of the distillation chamber while the hot branch transfers heat via a heat exchanger to a heat storage device, e.g. a utility water reservoir from which hot water is drawn to heat the heating unit of the distillation chamber.

Abstract: A process for the distillative separation of tertiary alkyl hydroperoxides of the formulaR--OOHwhereinR is a tertiary alkyl group with 4 to 6 carbon atoms from the corresponding di-tertiary alkyl peroxides resulting during their preparation, which process comprises neutralizing the reaction mixture resulting during the preparation of the tertiary alkyl hydroperoxide, subjecting same to vacuum distillation in the presence of water at a temperature of less than about 45.degree. C. and recovering the purified tertiary alkyl hydroperoxide as a bottoms product.