Abstract: A device for distilling a liquid feed which includes a core pipe and a first fluid in a series of helically wound tubes or vanes employing the core pipe as a mandrel. The liquid to be distilled passes over a series of interstices which are created by the helically wound tubes or vanes and a distillate recovered as a consequence.

Abstract: In a process for the purification by distillation of chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons originating from the chlorination of aromatic hydrocarbons in the presence of FeCl.sub.3, the crude reaction product is first partially degassed and then directly subjected to distillation in the presence of said FeCl.sub.3.

Abstract: Butanol and dibutyl ether are separated from a mixture containing water, dibutyl ether and n-butanol, 2-butanol and/or isobutanol by a process in whicha) the mixture is introduced into a first distillation column, essentially butanol is separated off at the bottom of this distillation column and the mixture taken off at the top of the distillation columnb) is introduced into a second distillation column and essentially dibutyl ether is separated off at the bottom of this second distillation column and the mixture formed at the top of the second distillation column is removed,c) the second distillation column being operated at a higher pressure than the first distillation column and at least one of the two mixtures taken off via the top of the distillation columns being subjected to phase separation, only the organic phase separated off being fed to the second distillation column in the case of phase separation downstream of the first distillation column, and separation into an aqueous and an organic phase als

Abstract: An improved process for preparing an aromatic dicarboxylic acid wherein the improvement resides in dehydrating and recovering solvent from a feed stream having from 20% to 40% by weight water via azeotropic distillation with organic phase reflux using an entrainer selected from isobutyl acetate, n-propyl acetate or an entrainer with a boiling point between isobutyl acetate and n-propyl acetate.

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.

Abstract: A column to regenerate methanol from a methanol-water mixture includes a circular column having two contact beds with a plurality of gas inlets connected thereto to split the entering feed gas so that approximately equal portions are fed through each bed. An inlet near the top of the column allows a methanol-water mixture to be introduced to flow down through the two contact beds, countercurrent to the feed gas.

Abstract: In a process for the continuous distillation of thermolabile monomers under reduced pressure in the presence of formamide in a column,the thermolabile monomers are continuously fed in liquid form, separately from formamide, into the lower part of the column up to the middle of the column,Formamide is vaporized with a vaporizer at the bottom of the column and, together with constituents having higher boiling points than the thermolabile monomers, is discharged from the bottom of the column and replaced by addition of fresh formamide,the thermolabile monomers are taken off at a side offtake in the upper third of the column, with the distillation being controlled such that the monomers contain less than 5% by weight of formamide, anda product stream containing constituents which have a lower boiling point than the thermolabile monomers is taken off at the top of the column.

Abstract: A downcomer having a screened or otherwise liquid permeable wall is provided for use in a mass transfer or distillation column. The liquid permeable wall provides another avenue for liquid to be removed from the downcomer to increase the liquid handling capacity of the downcomer. When wetted, the liquid permeable wall provides a barrier against vapor entry into the downcomer through the wall.

Abstract: A process for the purification of pentafluoroethane by removing chloropentafluoroethane therefrom which comprises adding to the impure pentafluoroethane a component which undergoes a non-ideal interaction with chloropentafluoroethane and/or with the azeotrope of chloropentafluoroethane and pentafluoroethane such that the volatility of chloropentafluoroethane and/or the azeotrope of chloropentafluoroethane and pentafluoroethane relative to bulk pentafluoroethane is increased and distilling the mixture.

Abstract: A distillation column suitable for the separation of a three component feed mixture is provided wherein the fractional distillation column utilizes a vertical partition and a baffle to prevent feed mixture from taking a direct flow path from the feed inlet to the sidedraw exit. The use of the vertical partition increases the separation purity of the middle boiling fraction and lower boiling fraction.

Abstract: To compensate the bypassing, at the edges, of the liquid flowing downward in a distillation column, in order to achieve optimum mass transfer with the ascending vapor, a specific nonuniform distribution of the liquid trickling density over the column cross-section is established including the steps of establishing a nonuniform distribution of the liquid trickling density over the column cross-section in the distillation column and adjusting the liquid trickling density in the wall regions, said nonuniform distribution being achieved bya) arranging a number of outlet orifices or the diameter of the outlet orifices of a liquid distributor orb) arranging baffles in the stripping sections at height intervals from 0.1 to 2 m, in the case of dumped packings with baffles which project into the column space from the wall by about from 0.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the acid-catalyzed cracking of tertiary butyl alcohol in a reaction distillation column. The advantage of the process of the present invention compared with conventional processes is that the two-phase, liquid-liquid region of the tertiary system TBA/water/isobutene is avoided and a high space-time yield is achieved. This is achieved by the arrangement of the catalyst pack above the liquid phase zone (bottom) and by the use of a dephlegmator thus achieving the isolation of isobutene of high purity.

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: A tray design for use in a separation column for distilling or fractionating a feed stream is provided that incorporates co-current contact of the liquid and vapor streams and their subsequent separation on each tray. Located on the trays are a plurality of co-current vapor and liquid contacting sections including a volume of the tray in which vapors and liquid can be in co-current contact. Also located on the trays are a plurality of de-entrainment devices for separating entrained liquids from a vapor stream, the de-entrainment devices having an inner and an outer side, the inner side being adjacent to the co-current contacting sections. The tray design further incorporates a plurality of liquid downcomers, having an upper portion and a lower portion, where the upper portion.

Abstract: A solvent recovery method and apparatus recover waste wash liquid generated in automatic washing of a printing machine so as to enable a printing machine washing of high productivity, excellent safety and health effect, and low cost. The solvent recovery apparatus has a gravity separation tank (1) for receiving waste wash liquid used for washing of the printing machine and separating it by a specific gravity difference. A vaporizer (2) receives, heats and vaporizes the separated liquid from the tank (1) in order from a lower layer liquid (H) to an upper layer liquid (L). A condenser (3) receives, cools and condenses, by water (W), the vapor from the vaporizer (2). A distillate gravity separation tank (4) receives liquid from the distillate gravity separation tank (4) receives liquid from the condenser (3) and holds it statically to separate the liquid into organic solvent (S) and water (W).

Abstract: A liquid and vapor phase processes for the production of difluoromethane in which the risk of exposure to, and equipment fouling from, chlorofluoromethane is reduced. This reduction is accomplished from removing a sidestream containing monochloromonofluoromethane from a fluorination process distillation column.

Abstract: In a distillation column for separating a liquid mixture into a plurality of pure fractions, the distillation column being divided into 2 parts, a feed part and a take-off part, in its middle region by a separation effective in the longitudinal direction, the separation consists of two walls with a gas space in between, the distance between the two walls being from 1 to 50 mm, preferably from 3 to 10 mm.

Abstract: A gas drying method is disclosed in which gas streams are dehydrated to low dew points by contacting the wet gas with a dry liquid desiccant, with the liquid desiccant regenerated by heating it in a reboiler containing an internal reboiler vapor condenser and stripping it with a stripping agent that is dried with solid desiccant.

Abstract: The production of high purity benzene and high purity toluene is obtained by utilizing the initial gas separating column for the treatment of the aromatic containing starting material as a separating column for separating a benzene rich from a toluene rich component. The benzene rich component is subject directly to distillation while the toluene is subject to predistillation to separate high boiling components and only then to extractive distillation is distilled to separate the high purity benzene from the high purity toluene.

Abstract: Separation of 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (141b) from lower boiling components contained in a crude 141b feed stream mixture by adding the feed stream mixture, and, based upon the weight of 141b in the feed stream mixture, between 100 and 300 ppm of a component that will inhibit formation of 1,1-difluoro-1-chloroethane into a feed line of a distillation column operated at between 3 and 165 psig pressure with a temperature between 100.degree. F. and 250.degree. F. in the bottom reboiler section of the column.

Abstract: A process for preparing a high purity H.sub.2 O.sub.2 aqueous solution, which comprises the steps of: (a) feeding a crude H.sub.2 O.sub.2 aqueous solution containing H.sub.2 O.sub.2, organic carbon impurities and inorganic impurities into a distillation column having an inner wall at least the surface of which is made of a fluorine resin and internals and packings at least the surface of which are made of a fluorine resin being provided internally of the distillation column, from a bottom portion of the distillation column; (b) subjecting the crude hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution to distillation under reduced pressure and under heating the bottom portion; (c) taking out a distillate containing an extremely low concentration of H.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: A process for the separation of a mixture which contains benzyl chloride, benzyl alcohol, dibenzyl ether and aqueous hydrochloric acid, wherein said mixture is continuously introduced via a side-feed into a distillation column from which aqueous hydrochloric acid and benzyl chloride are continuously taken off as overhead product, benzyl alcohol and dibenzyl ether are continuously taken off as bottom product, thereby the formation of dibenzyl ether is reduced or virtually prevented.

Abstract: A process for reducing the COD of an aqueous stream containing methylhydroperoxide, cumylhydroperoxide and other organic impurities characterized in that the reduction of COD is obtained by eliminating the peroxides from the aqueous stream by column distillation.

Abstract: A process by which iodine compounds contained in crude acetic anhydride or a mixture of crude acetic anhydride and crude acetic acid can be converted into methyl iodide having a low boiling point and which can be separated by distillation and efficiently removed by the combination of the conversion step with the heat treatment step and distillation step. The process includes the steps of heat-treating the crude acetic anhydride or the mixture of crude acetic anhydride and crude acetic acid in the presence of methanol and/or methyl acetate in a treatment tank and distilling the heat-treated crude acetic anhydride or the heat-treated mixture of crude acetic anhydride and crude acetic acid, in the presence of an alkali metal salt and/or an alkaline earth metal salt if necessary.

Abstract: A gas drying method is disclosed in which gas streams are dehydrated to low dew points by contacting the wet gas with a dry liquid desiccant, with the liquid desiccant regenerated by heating it and stripping it with a stripping agent that is dried with solid desiccant.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: 1-aminopropanediol-2,3 containing 2-aminopropanediol-1,3 of less than 0.30% by weight can be prepared by the present purification process, which involves distilling a 1-aminopropanediol-2,3 containing at least 0.3% of 2-aminopropanediol-1,3 based on the weight of 1-aminopropanediol-2,3 using a distillation column, said distillation column having low pressure loss.

Abstract: A reaction-distillation method is provided in which a chemical reaction and fractionation are conducted in an apparatus having at least one reaction-distillation zone (A,B) including at least one bed of solid elements disposed on a fluid-permeable support (5) having perforations small enough to retain the elements. The bed of solid elements includes loose solid catalytic particles (2) and at least one receptacle (3), containing at least one distillation packing body (4). The external jacket of the at least one receptacle (3) is permeable to fluids and impermeable to the solid catalytic particles (2) and the packing body (4). The apparatus can be used for carrying out chemical reactions and concomitant fractionation of the reaction mixture, for example, to synthesize ethers from olefins and alcohols.

Abstract: A distilling apparatus for distillation of water, including a condensing chamber divided into an upper holding space for receiving water from a water source and a lower holding chamber for condensing steam into water, a heating chamber controlled to heat water from the upper holding space into steam and having a steam outlet connected to the lower holding space for guiding steam into the lower holding space for condensing, a hot water chamber, which receives condensed water from the lower holding space of the condensing chamber, and a cold water chamber, which receives distilled water from the hot water chamber and cools it down by an electronic cooler.

Abstract: A reaction with distillation structure utilizes a plurality of distillation trays and catalyst containers which provide a catalytic reaction zone and a primary flow path for descending liquid streams. Catalytic reaction of the liquid streams within the catalyst reaction zone formed in the containers occurs concurrently with fractionation of the reaction products on the distillation trays. The containers may extend continuously through the reaction zone of the distillation reactor to allow for dump loading and removal of the solid particulate catalyst. Alternatively, the catalyst containers may extend from one tray toward a lower tray without passing through the latter. Structure may also be provided within the containers to influence system hydraulics through the accumulation of liquid within the catalyst bed. This is done by providing an open area interiorly of the catalyst bed into which liquid on the distillation tray is driven.

Abstract: A crude vinylically unsaturated product formed from a palladium-complex-catalyzed reaction of a reactant halide selected from the group consisting of aryl, allyl, vinyl, and benzyl halides, and a reactant olefin having a vinylic hydrogen, wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a hydrogen halide acceptor, is purified by first contacting the crude product with a base that is stronger than the hydrogen halide acceptor, then heating the stronger base-contacted product. The purified product shows a marked reduction in concentration bromine and palladium impurities. The product can then be further purified by such methods as chromatography, crystallization, or distillation to achieve a product that is more suitable for applications where very low levels of inorganic impurities are required.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing volatile liquids comprises a packed column, a gas inlet port (for introducing a hot entrainer gas), a feed tube (for introducing a volatile liquid), a feed distributor comprising a base plate equipped with orifices (through which the liquid flows downward into the packed column) and risers (through which the formed gaseous mixture of entrainer gas and vaporized liquid flows upward), and a gas outlet port. This apparatus can be used to vaporize volatile liquids, preferably volatile tin compounds, optionally in admixture with volatile silicon compounds, wherein steam is used as the entrainer gas.

Abstract: From a mixture containing methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isobutanol water and other high-boiling and low-boiling compounds, the claimed process enables three separate streams to be obtained, one an anhydrous stream of methanol or methanol and ethanol (I), one containing most of the n-propanol present in the feed mixture (II), and one containing most of the isobutanol present in the feed mixture (III), by using three fractionating columns.

Abstract: A reaction with distillation column is provided with a plurality of discrete catalytic reaction containers. The containers contain a plurality of solid catalyst particles which form a catalytic reaction zone. The containers also comprise a liquid collection tray cover which defines a liquid accumulation zone immediately overlying the catalytic reaction zone. Overflow weirs are provided on the tray cover to allow for overflow of liquid on the tray cover. A member may be provided within the containers to create an open area within the catalytic reaction zone to facilitate entry of the liquid into the catalytic reaction zone. The containers can be individually positioned within the reactor to suit particular process requirements.

Abstract: A thermomechanically integrated distillation column and method for the separation of ethylene from ethane and other close-boiling light hydrocarbons. The column has a plurality of sections operated at successively lower pressures from a high pressure subcritical section to a superatmosphere bottoms product zone. Bottoms liquid from the high pressure and intermediate sections are flashed in respective cooling loops to about the pressure of the section of next lower pressure, vaporized in heat exchange with an overhead condensing zone and introduced to the top stage of next lower pressure section. Vapor from the intermediate sections and the bottoms product zone are compressed in respective compression loops and fed to the bottom stage of the section of the next higher pressure. External refrigerant can be supplied to the overhead condensing zone for trim as needed for control purposes.

Abstract: A method for recovering 1,4-butanediol from a hydrolysate obtained by hydrolyzing diacetoxybutane, by (1) supplying the hydrolysate to a first distillation column, distilling off substantially all the amounts of water and acetic acid as the top stream from the first distillation column, and supplying a bottom liquid to a second distillation column, (2) distilling off diacetoxybutane and hydroxyacetoxybutane as the top or upper side stream from of the second distillation column, and circulating the distillates to a hydrolysis zone, while withdrawing crude 1,4-butanediol as a lower side stream in vapor phase from the second distillation column, (3) supplying the crude 1,4-butanediol and hydrogen gas to a hydrogenation reaction zone packed with a hydrogenation catalyst, and (4) supplying the hydrogenation reaction product to a third distillation column, distilling off low boiling point components and withdrawing 1,4-butanediol as the bottom or side stream from the third distillation column.

Abstract: A reactive distillation process which makes it possible, in the same enclosure, to carry out a catalytic reaction and isolate by distillation the sought product, in which the liquid phase containing the reagents passes from bottom to top through at least one catalyst bed, without the vapor phase of the distillation traversing said catalyst beds. These operating characteristics occur in a reactive distillation zone (C) including an alternation of distillation cells (D) having one or more trays (5) and reaction cells (R) containing the catalyst beds and designed in such a way that the liquid phase flowing from a distillation tray (5) flows above an overflow ( 7) through a downpipe (6) and approaches the base of the catalyst bed (8), traverses the latter in a downward flow and is then allowed to flow over a distillation tray (5) of the following distillation cell (D), so that the distillation vapor circulating from bottom to top through the distillation trays (5) does not traverse said reaction cells (R).

Abstract: Method for providing a proportioned gas flow of triisobutylaluminum from liquid triisobutylaluminum having isobutene admixed therein. The liquid is preheated sufficiently to evaporate the isobutene therefrom but leaving the triisobutylaluminum substantially in liquid phase. The vaporized isobutene is separated from the liquid triisobutylaluminum, and subsequently the triisobutylaluminum from which isobutene has been removed is evaporated. Preheating is conducted at a temperature of 30.degree.-40.degree. C. The evaporation of liquid triisobutylaluminum is conducted at a temperature of 40.degree.-60.degree. C.

Abstract: For separating ETBE and ethanol the following principal stages are employed:(1) Extraction of ethanol by water, the raffinate being ETBE saturated in water and the extract an ethanol/water mixture containing a small proportion of ETBE;(2) Concentration of the above mixture, the distillate being a mixture close to the ethanol/water azeotrope in composition and containing a very small proportion of ETBE;(3) Heteroazeotropic distillation of this distillate in two coupled columns with an overhead decanter, this distillation using ETBE as azeotroping agent; the residue of the first column being ethanol which is ca. 99% by mole and the residue of the second column being practically pure water, this water and the water recovered during the concentration stage being used as extraction solvent in stage (1).Stage (3) may be an ethanol dehydration unit using ETBE as dehydrating agent.

Abstract: A methanol refining column and method using an intermediate reboiler. Use of the intermediate reboiler reduces methanol production energy requirements. A side stream at or near a fusel oil takeoff point is heated in an intermediate reboiler by a low temperature heating medium (relative to a bottoms reboiler) and returned to the column at or near the fusel oil take-off tray. The take-off tray is operated at 85.degree.-110.degree. C., and 70-90 percent of the reboiler duty is supplied through the intermediate reboiler. The remaining heat load is supplied by a bottoms steam reboiler.

Abstract: In a distillation column with vaporous sidestream removal, the vaporous product removed is condensed in a condenser. The vapor pipe provided for the removal of product opens into a dip tank of which the upper end is connected to the condenser while its lower end is connected to a discharge pump. Inert gas present in the condensate is returned to the column above the sidestream removal through an inert gas pipe arranged at the upper end of the condenser.

Abstract: A microdistillation method for the quantitative steam distillation of cyanide, phenolic compounds, hydrogen fluoride, ammonia, sulfites and other volatile analyte compounds from samples of environmental waters and sludge for their subsequent analysis involves volatilizing the water in the sample tube of a microdistillation column. The pressure which develops due to the water vapor forces all volatile compounds from the water sample, including the water itself, through a hydrophobic membrane and into the collector tube of the microdistillation column. The volatile compounds and the water vapor condense in the cooler collector tube and are quantitatively trapped and retained over the membrane. Relatively small samples may be distilled.

Abstract: A reaction with distillation structure utilizes a plurality of distillation trays and interconnecting catalyst containers which provide a catalytic reaction zone and a primary flow path for descending liquid streams. Catalytic reaction of the liquid streams within the catalyst reaction zone formed in the containers occurs concurrently with fractionation of the reaction products on the distillation trays. The containers preferably extend continuously through the reaction zone of the distillation reactor to allow for dump loading and removal of the solid particulate catalyst. Structure may also be provided within the containers to influence system hydraulics through the accumulation of liquid within the catalyst bed. This is done by providing an open area interiorly of the catalyst bed into which liquid on the distillation and fractionation tray is radially driven.

Abstract: Where side stream distillate strippers are used in the distillation of hydrocarbons, the required size of the distillation column and the amount of stripping gas or vapor required are reduced by passing components stripped from the distillates through a plurality of strippers in series, rather than directly back to the distillation zone.

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.

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.

Abstract: A process for the separation of multicomponent systems containing intermediate boiling substances in separating separating columns with side discharge, the temperatures T.sub.u and T.sub.o above and below the side discharge are measured on the column or inside the column and the temperature difference T.sub.u -T.sub.o is used for controlling the side discharge. The control is carried out by constantly controlling one of the two temperatures T.sub.u or T.sub.o by the output of the evaporator or the discharge from the sump or the reflux or the removal of distillate or the reflux ratio.

Abstract: A dimeric cyclic ester of an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid (lactide) is separated and recovered from a vapor product stream containing the cyclic ester, the corresponding lower-boiling hydroxycarboxylic acid (lactic), higher-boiling oligomeric hydroxycarboxylic acid and water without the use of solvents. More specifically, the vapor stream is condensed to obtain a condensate containing substantially all the cyclic ester, and the condensate is refined by distillation means alone to recover the cyclic ester substantially free of water, the alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid and the higher-boiling oligomers.