Abstract: A process for deodorizing and subsequently cooling dispersions or liquids comprisinga) passing steam through the dispersion or liquid to be cooled and held in a vessel (1), said dispersion or liquid being caused to foam up as a result,b) discharging the foam from the top section of the vessel via a nozzle (5) into an evacuated separation vessel (4), the foam being broken in the process,c) condensing the water vapor formed from the foam in a heat exchanger (8) and removing volatile organic components at the same time, andd) returning the broken foam to the vessel (1),in which the steps a) to d) are performed until the dispersion or liquid has been deodorized to the desired extent, wherein, after completion of the deodorization (in accordance with steps a) to d)), the hot dispersion or liquid is discharged from the bottom section of the vessel (1) through the nozzle (5) into the evacuated separation vessel (4), so that the dispersion or the liquid is cooled, the nozzle (5) and the evacuated separation vessel (4

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of caprolactam by heating 6-aminocapronitrile in the presence of a heterogenous catalyst and water under superatmospheric pressure without rapid deactivation of the catalysts used. The process further includes the addition of a low or high boiling alcohol in the heating phase, after which the products are obtained by distillation. The process further includes a method of working up the top and bottom products of the reactors to achieve higher yields.

Abstract: A solution of an organic compound containing at least a polymer is treated by adding an amount of water to said solution, distilling the organic compound to recover the organic compound, and incinerating the remained aqueous solution containing the polymer.

Abstract: In the purification of an aqueous acetone-contaminated propylene oxide feedstock in an extractive distillation column in the presence of an oxyalkylene glycol extractive distillation agent under distillation conditions selected to promote the formation and maintenance of an acetone buffer in the distillation column, a higher boiling (heavier) distillation fraction containing substantially all of the oxyalkylene glycols, water, and acetone introduced into the extractive distillation column is continuously withdrawn and the higher boiling (heavier) distillation fraction is partially vaporized in a first reboiler; the remaining liquid being partially vaporized in a second reboiler and the vapors being recycled to the extractive distillation column.

Abstract: A process and a device are described for separating a solid residue, after separation, from a solution of the residue in evaporable materials and/or solvents with the addition of up to 20% by weight of high-boiling hydrocarbons that are inert under evaporation conditions of the evaporable materials, heating the mixture to evaporation temperature under vacuum, whereby the evaporable materials evaporate, are drawn off and condensed, and the residue is obtained as a free-flowing solid, the residue solution being introduced onto a stirred bed of granular solid material kept at the evaporation temperature.

Abstract: In an improved process for recovering ethylene oxide from an aqueous ethylene oxide solution further containing formaldehyde is provided wherein the impure aqueous ethylene oxide solution is introduced into a distillation zone as a feed stream and undergoes distillation therein to form an ethylene oxide product sidestream and an aqueous bottoms product, water is added to the distillation zone to absorb formaldehyde vapor into a liquid phase and combines with the formaldehyde vapor to form an apparent azeotrope, and removing the apparent azeotrope from the column, the improvement is that all or part of the water is a recycled aqueous stream originating from the aqueous bottoms product and introduced to the distillation zone above the feed stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for the defluorination of a liquid hydrocarbon mixture, containing organic fluorides, produced during the conversion of hydrocarbons using a fluorine-containing catalyst. In one embodiment, both a thermal means and a contacting material are used to effectuate a more complete defluorination. The liquid hydrocarbon mixture is extracted from a distillation column and heated sufficiently in the thermal means to decompose at least some of the organic fluorides. The effluent from the thermal means is separated into a vaporous and a liquid effluent. The liquid effluent is passed to the bottom of the distillation column where it undergoes further defluorination through contact with the contacting material.

Abstract: A method for the production of an industrial diluent which includes the steps of heating a liquid waste from a facility that manufactures coatings, inks, lacquers, adhesives, or dyes in a mixer-reactor to generate a vapor, flowing the vapor into a distillation column, distilling the vapor to form distillation components, and transferring each component to a tank designated for such component. The method may include the additional steps of mixing at least two of the components in a predetermined amount, and thoroughly mixing the liquid waste during the heating step. The heating step is preferably effected by applying heat substantially uniformly to the liquid waste.

Abstract: A process for the purification of caprolactam from crude caprolactam by distilling the crude caprolactam in the presence of an anorganic or organic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method and a novel apparatus for the concentration, separation, and purification of contaminated chemical compounds, wherein the chemical compound is less volatile than the contaminant. The distillation is performed using constant, predetermined distillation parameters.

Abstract: Process and apparatus 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for isolating pure diketene with recovery of materials of value by continuous, two-stage distillation of crude diketene at reduced pressure and with continuous reaction of the resulting distillation residue with acetic acid, pure diketene and acetic anhydride being separated off by means of the two-stage distillation. In the stabilization of the distillation residue with acetic acid, reutilizable acetic acid, which contains acetone with or without acetic anhydride, is recovered.

Abstract: A process for the production of pure distilled isocyanates in which the corresponding amine is reacted with phosgene in a suitable solvent and working up of the isocyanate containing solution obtained by multistage distillation into pure isocyanate, pure solvent and a residue. The residue is then charged to a vessel containing at least one hydrocarbon having a high boiling point. The contents of this vessel are then heated with stirring to distill off any free isocyanate present. The remaining residue is a solid which may be disposed of readily.

Abstract: Phenol plant waste water containing small amounts of phenol and sodium sulfate is successfully distilled through the addition of recovered sodium sulfate to enhance the volatility of the phenol relative to water; at least a portion of the sodium sulfate is recycled, while a significant portion of the phenol can be returned to the phenol plant for recovery.

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: Sludge is removed from a reboiler while the reboiler is supplying heat to a fractionator, by using sludge removal apparatus added to the reboiler. The reboiler to which the sludge removal apparatus is added comprises an evaporative type shell and tube heat exchanger in which sludge can accumulate as a residue from evaporated liquid, and further in which unevaporated liquid is withdrawn from the reboiler as a product. Sludge removal is accomplished by drawing a relatively small liquid flush stream from the reboiler liquid product stream, pressuring the flush stream through a pump, and then recycling the flush stream to a sparger appropriately disposed in the heat exchanger shell. Sludge dislodged by the sparger is removed along with the reboiler liquid product in a flow path along the bottom surface of the shell through cut-outs provided in the lower edge of the weir and baffle plates in the reboiler which without the cut-outs would block the flow path for the sludge.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved process for the recovery of ethylene glycol from spent glycol generated in the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate. The spent glycol typically consists of metal oxide catalyst residues, low molecular weight terephthalate oligomers, diethylene glycol and other trace impurities. The improved process of the present invention is based on the principle that elevating the temperature of the spent glycol increases the solubility of the low molecular weight oligomers so that the low molecular weight oligomers can be dissolved in the ethylene glycol and further that the spent glycol at an elevated temperature may be passed through an ion exchange bed to remove metal oxide catalysts, color forming impurities and other trace impurities.

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 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.

Abstract: Distillation chamber for extracting solvent from sludge, in particular for dry-cleaning machines, having a bottom shaped like a half-cylinder with a horizontal axis. The bottom is provided, in a downward position, at one end, with an outlet for extracting dried sludge. A shaft is axially and rotatably mounted in the chamber and spatula-like sectors, suitable for stirring the sludge and for pushing it toward the outlet upon the rotation of the shaft, are fixed to the shaft itself.

Abstract: Method for the recovery of solvent from a solvent-based wash liquid containing non-hazardous waste resulting from an equipment cleaning operation. The wash solution typically averaging approximately 90 percent solvent and 10 percent resin, pigments and other dissolved or suspended solids is continuously tumbled in a tumbler/evaporator vessel together with a highly porous, adsorbent extender in granulated form, while maintaining temperatures sufficient to evaporate the solvent and prevent the solid matter from sticking together after processing. The extender is a substantially inert, material and may be selected from diatomaceous earth, powdered calcium silicate, powdered glass (100 mesh), oak sawdust (100 mesh), cedar sawdust (100 mesh), bentonite, charcoal (100 mesh) and ground corn cobs. The amount of extender introduced into the vessel is of the order of 5 to 20 percent by weight of the wash solution. The system may employ jacketed ribbon, double cone or rotating helix blenders.

Abstract: In the diisopropyl ether production process, the distallation step for the separation of aqueous IPA recovered from the DIPE extraction operations is modified to avoid carrying out the distillation under conditions that yield IPA-water azeotrope providing lower overall process cost. The determination has been made that the overhead and bottom streams form an aqueous IPA fractionation process operated under off-azeotrope conditions in DIPE production can be recycled, respectively, to the DIPE reactor and extractor operations. Recycling the water and IPA overhead mixture eliminates the requirement for adding fresh water to the DIPE reactor. Returning the water and IPA bottom stream to the extractor reduces the requirement for distilled water addition to the extraction step. As a consequence, a less complex and costly aqueous IPA separation process is implemented.

Abstract: A method of distillation employing a heat pump (which may be driven by a compressor) using a vapor stream from within the distillation system as a heat source and a liquid stream from within the distillation system as a heat sink. The selection of heat-source vapors and heat-sink liquid is such that at least one is withdrawn from the phase-contracting region of the distillation system. The return of streams withdrawn from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system to the distillation system is such that at least one of the streams is returned at a temperature different from that of the point from which it was withdrawn, and all withdrawn streams are returned in manner such that a stream removed as vapor is returned at a point with a temperature at most that at the point it was withdrawn, and a stream removed as liquid is returned at a point with a temperature at least that at which it was withdrawn.

Abstract: A device for the production of fresh water from sea or brackish water is provided. The device contains one or more evaporation pans covered with a translucent material, one or more ascending chimney-gallaries the upper ends of which are open to the air and the lower ends of which are tightly connected to the evaporation pans and a fresh water collecting chamber. The communication between the evaporation pans and the chimney-gallaries is regulated such that it can be opened and closed so as to maximize efficiency. The communication between the bottom section of the chimney-gallery and the open air is likewise regulated. The device is especially suited for carrying out batchwise fresh water production by evaporation of sea or brackish water. The batchwise method can involve sequences according to circadian alternations, of an evaporation-condensation step followed by a step of cooling for the restoration of the initial conditions for a further step of evaporation-condensation.

Abstract: A system for on-site recovery of reusable industrial waste components, such as solvents, from a liquid waste stream includes a trailer that is internally partitioned to separate system components through which the waste stream passes in a first partitioned section of the trailer from support and control components in the second trailer section. Input waste is fed into a horizontal thin-film evaporator within the first trailer section, while steam is fed in a closed loop through the evaporator from the second section of the trailer for evaporating volatile solvents in the waste stream, and thereby separating the volatile solvents from non-volatile liquid and solid components of the waste stream. The evaporated volatile solvents are fed to a heat exchanger, again enclosed within the first partitioned section of the trailer, for recondensation through heat exchange with a coolant fed to the heat exchanger in a closed loop from the second trailer section.

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: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water and solids from aqueous solids are disclosed. Aqueous solids are mixed with a low viscosity, relatively volatile, water-immiscible light fluidizing oil to obtain a mixture which will remain fluid and pumpable after removal of essentially its entire water content. The mixture of solids, water and fluidizing oil is subjected to a dehydration step by means of a plurality of mechanical vapor recompression evaporators operating in staged array whereby substantially all of the water and at least part of the light oil are evaporated and subsequently recovered. The light fluidizing oil is then largely separated from the solids. Residual fluidizing oil may be removed from the solids by direct contact with a hot blowing gas such as blowing steam. The invention is characterized by the conservation of energy through the use of heat exchangers whereby condensate gives up its heat to the feed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a solar-operated apparatus to purify and/or desalinate water. Several embodiments are disclosed, each of which substantially derives its source of heat from solar energy. The apparatus includes a unique design of the evaporating collector dome which is provided with a smooth interior surface to permit collection of increased amounts of distillate. The apparatus exterior is provided with a black surface to serve as a black body and so absorb increased amounts of the sun's energy. Additionally, that same exterior is coated with a film of infra-red absorbing material (STET) to further increase solar-energy absorption. To further improve the system's efficiency, various external tubing designs are utilized to preheat the load prior to its entry into the evaporating chamber. The distillate-collecting vessel is a downwardly-extending dome. This increases the volume while at the same time reducing re-evaporation by minimizing the exposed surface area.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding gas into a heated saline solution for pressure measurement or to pump this solution. The gas is introduced into the solution through a gas bubbling-in pipe having a gas outlet opening. The gas is heated prior to being introduced into the solution and is charged with moisture until the saturation of the gas comes close to or corresponds to the saturation conditions in the solution at the gas outlet opening. This minimizes clogging by crystallization at the feeder pipes carrying the measuring or purge gas.

Abstract: High boiling point aromatic free hydrocarbon liquids partially substituted for isophthalonitrile during its distillation fluidize the bottoms and increase isophthalonitrile yield.

Abstract: In a vacuum distillation process a feed stream is supplied to a furnace and a heated feed stream containing vapor and liquid is passed from the furnace into a distillation column operating at a subatmospheric pressure. Vapor is allowed to rise inside the distillation column. The rising vapor is contacted with a de-entrainment means to remove entrained liquid from the rising vapor. Wash liquid is sprayed on the de-entrainment means and subsequently passed from the distillation column to a collection vessel. The wash liquid is cooled and then withdrawn from said collection vessel.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon material of the starting product is separated in an extractive distillation column in which an N-substituted morpholine whose substituents do not have more than seven carbon atoms is used as a selective solvent. The overhead product comes down as a top product of the extractive distillation and is fed through a coalescer in which the sump product comes down with a solvent content of 20 to 75% by weight at a temperature of 20.degree. to 70.degree. C. and subsequent to that is fed into a separating vessel. There it is separated into a heavier and lighter phase. After that the heavier phase is conducted into an extractive distillation column and the lighter phase into the overhead product distillation column.

Abstract: A feed which contains vapor and liquid is introduced into a distillation column operating at a subatmospheric pressure. Vapor is allowed to rise inside the distillation column and liquid is allowed to drop to the bottom part of the distillation column. From said bottom part a liquid is passed through a transfer conduit to an external collecting vessel from which a liquid stream is withdrawn. The liquid stream is cooled and part thereof is introduced into the transfer conduit.

Abstract: A method of treating photographic process waste liquor through concentration by evaporation, including heating an upper part of photographic process waste liquor to concentrate by evaporation the photographic process waste liquor in such a manner that the difference between the temperature of the photographic process waste liquor in the vicinity of the heated part and the temperature at a bottom part of the photographic process waste liquor may become 5.degree. C. or more, and causing a solute in the photographic process waste liquor to settle.

Abstract: (CF.sub.3 SO.sub.2).sub.2 O is formed by reaction of CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H with P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and taken out of the reaction system by distillation, but the residue of the distillation contains a considerable amount of unreacted CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H. From the residue unreacted by adding water or a phosphoric acid solution, preferably the latter, to the residue to obtain a fluidic mixture containing an adequate amount of water and subjecting the mixture to distillation, preferably under reduced pressure at temperatures ranging from 180.degree. to 280.degree. C. It is possible to form additional CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H during the recovery process by adding a metal salt of CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H to the aformentioned mixture since the metal salt is decomposed by phosphoric acid contained in the mixture.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating volatile contaminants from a liquid to be continuously distilled. A continuous still comprises evaporator (1) having a heating coil (2), and condensor coil (6), and distillate collector (5). An entrainment device (11) removes distillate (13) from collector (5) via line (10) and reduces pressure in evaporator (1). Feed liquid (21) containing volatile contaminants is charged batchwise to a pre-chamber (20) at sub-atmospheric pressure which is then sealed (valve 22) from feed supply (21). Volatile contaminants are extracted from the charge in prechamber (20) via line (26) and entrainment device (32). Pre-chamber (20) is subsequently placed in communication (via valve 25) with evaporator (1) whereby to equilibrate pressure between evaporator (1) and pre-chamber (20).

Abstract: 1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane, 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane and hydrogen fluoride are separated from their liquid mixtures, such as liquid mixtures resulting from the hydrofluorination, of 1,1,1-trichloroethane or vinylidene chloride. 1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane and 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane are first separated by distillation into their respective mixtures with hydrogen fluoride, which are thereafter subjected to parallel phase separations resulting in two hydrogen fluoride-enriched liquid phases, a 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane-enriched liquid phase and a 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane-enriched liquid phase. 1-Chloro-1,1-difluoroethane and 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane are purified from the respective halohydrocarbon-enriched liquid phases by distillation. The hydrogen fluoride-enriched stream generated from the phase separation of the hydrogen fluoride/1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane mixture is recycled to the hydrofluorination reaction mixture.

Abstract: The vacuum column system distills liquid under partial vacuum conditions. The system rigorously splashes and boils liquid in a boiler chamber so as to form vapor and a rising mist from the splashing liquid. The vapor and mist rise in a circularly converging path through a mist collector. The heavier mist strikes the surfaces of the mist collector and deposits on those surfaces, thereby separating itself from the vapor. The vapor is then drawn to a condensor chamber where droplets of treated liquid are sprayed through it and fall into a shallow pool of treated liquid. The droplets seed condensation of the vapor directly onto the droplets. Also, the droplets assist in encapsulating bubbles of vapor in the pool as the droplets fall into the pool. The bubbles are then entrained with other treated liquid of the pool as the treated liquid is drawn from the pool down an entrainment conduit.

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 solvent recovery system is provided which is characterized by improved efficiency and safety. The system includes an evaporator unit having a heat source for vaporizing contaminated solvent. The resulting vapors are subsequently liquified in a condensing unit. During evaporation and condensation of the solvent, a negative pressure is maintained within the system using a vacuum generator. After condensation, the liquid solvent passes into at least one accumulator which is periodically drained. The accumulator and vacuum generator operate in synchronization so that a vacuum is maintained in the system while drainage of the accumulator occurs. Since the evaporation and condensation systems of the invention are maintained at a negative pressure, any leaks therein do not result in the escape of flammable vapors.

Abstract: A vertically extending distillation cylinder has a closed top and an open bottom having an electric heating element disposed therein to form a closure. Adjacent to the top of the distillation cylinder is connected a condensing tube. The condensing tube extends down through a condenser having a cooling water inlet at the bottom and a water discharge at the top. A throttle valve regulates the flow of cooling water. From the water discharge, a trough carries the water to impinge on the distillation cylinder causing pollutants to vaporize. The water collects below in a basin surrounding the distillation cylinder. A feed tube carries water from the basin to the bottom of the distillation cylinder. A discharge tube also connected to the bottom of the distillation cylinder carries water up to where it makes a U-turn. This regulates water height in the distillation cylinder. The discharge tube and an over flow tube from the basin discharge into a funnel from which water is conveyed to a sewer.

Abstract: A distillation type of water purification system has a raw water inlet valve for admitting raw water continuously to a boiling tank at a rate greater than the rate at which raw water is converted to treated water. A drain valve located at the bottom of the boiling tank is energized by a raw water level sensing device whenever the raw water level reaches a predetermined level, to discharge water from the boiling tank. Treated water is stored in a storage tank having a pump for discharging treated water to the user upon demand. A single conductivity sensor in the storage tank controls the pump to allow it to operate only if the sensed conductivity is above a first predetermined value but not at or above a second predetermined value greater than the first value. An improved condenser has two sets of tubes, each set is arranged in a pair of planes oriented transverse the flow of cooling air with the tubes parallel. The internal cross-sectional area of one set is about twice that of the other.

Abstract: Improvements are described to a process in which the extractive distillation separation of zirconium or hafnium may be accomplished using mixtures of fused alkali metal or alkali metal and alkaline earth chlorides as the solvent. The solvent composition is adjusted to provide a low-melting eutectic, permitting recirculation of the stripped solvent in the liquid phase, as well as reducing the temperature required for thermal stripping (reducing the corrosivity of the fluid). Stripping of the bottoms is accomplished at least partially by direct electrolysis of the bottoms stream, producing the zirconium-free salt recycle stream to be transferred to the top of the column, and at least partially eliminating the need for chemical reduction of the tetrachlorides to metal (a costly process generating undersirable waste streams). Regeneration of the reflux is accomplished in a presurized condenser system, of one or more stages, with all material transport to be done in either the liquid or vapor states.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved process for the manufacture of glyoxylic acid obtained by oxidation of glycolic acid. For processing purposes alkyl esters of these acids are employed. Increased efficiency is obtained by recovering glycolate rich streams from one or more distillation operations and after treatment to remove acetic acid by-product the streams are recycled to the oxidation reaction.

Abstract: This is a process for removing phosphorus oxychloride from a complex of zirconium or hafnium chloride and phosphorus oxychloride utilizing a lithium-potassium chloride molten salt absorber vessel displacing phosphorous oxychloride from the complex, with a condenser which has the complex of zirconium or hafnium chloride and phosphorus oxychloride as the condensing fluid to scrub zirconium or hafnium chloride from the phosphorus oxychloride vapor released from the complex. The process uses at least one separate vessel to strip the zirconium or hafnium chloride from the lithium-potassium chloride molten salt.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of silicone oil and chlorobenzenes from a mixture containing silicone oil, chlorobenzenes, and polychlorinated biphenyls comprising:(a) introducing the mixture into a distillation zone at a temperature and a pressure which will cause the chlorobenzenes to flash overhead and the mixture of silicone oil and polychlorinated biphenyls to pass to the bottom of the zone; and(b) removing the bottoms from step (a), cooling same, and passing the bottoms through at least one bed of activated carbon, which is an adsorbent for polychlorinated biphenyls.

Abstract: Processes for managing toxic and hazardous waste materials containing distillable solvents or chemicals in which the waste materials are collected and introduced into solar dryers wherein the more volatile solvent or chemical components thereof are distilled and recaptured as pure byproducts which may be recycled for future use and wherein the residue is retained within the solar dryers until such time as the residue is substantially free of all of the contaminant solvents or chemicals and after which such residue may be removed as a non-toxic and non-hazardous byproduct which may be prepared for future use or disposed of in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for on-site clean-up of dirty solvents. An open top liner for receiving dirty solvent is provided in a still housing. A head sits down over the top of the liner to form an enclosed space. Hot heating oil is provided beneath the liner and in the annular space between the liner and the housing. Dirty solvent is placed in the liner and is heated. The solvent vapors are fed to condensation coils for recovery. The heating oil is next removed and then the cap or head is removed and the contaminants are removed from the liner.

Abstract: In the purification of ethylene oxide from an ethylene oxide-containing reaction formation gas produced by catalytic gas-phase oxidation of ethylene with a molecular oxygen containing gas, external thermal energy required for heating an ethylene oxide refiner is economized by a method which utilizes the diffusate obtained from the top of an ethylene oxide stripper as a heat source for the refiner. Further, the bottom liquid of the stripper can be used as a heat source for ethylene oxide refiner and/or a light ends stripper.

Abstract: Distillative separation of liquid mixtures of one or more water-insoluble substances which have boiling points higher than that of water and one or more substances which have boiling points lower than that of water or which form azeotropes having boiling points lower than that of water, wherein the mixture to be distilled is mixed with a quantity of water such that the boiling point of the water under the pressure applied limits the bottom temperature of the mixture of substances to be separated.