Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing filtering aids, coagulants or clarifying agents, and odor suppressants and a using a protein-polysaccharide complex composition as a filtering aid, coagulant or clarifying agent, and odor suppressant for in the processing of fluids including gases and liquids to absorb a variety of separable components.

Abstract: Process for regeneration of ion-exchange resins, used in sugar decolorization, using a sucrose solution with sodium or calcium chloride, or another chloride, namely potassium or a mixture of those chlorides, alkalinised with calcium hydroxide. The regeneration of the resin is made with a flow between 1 to 3 cubic meters of a regenerating solution by a cubic meter of resin/hour and a temperature between 40.degree. to 70.degree. centigrade. The sucrose solution used in this resin regeneration process contains between 30 to 600 g of sucrose per liter of solution; calcium hydroxide between 1 to 40 g of CaO per liter of solution; and calcium or sodium chloride, or another chloride, namely the one of potassium, or a mixture of these compounds, in such a quantity that chloride ion concentration is between 3 to 30 g per liter of solution. This regenerating solution is passed through the resin in a quantity between 2 to 4 cubic meters per cubic meter of resin.

Abstract: A solid phase ligand removes metal cations from solution. The ligand is a branched polyalkyleneimine having a molecular weight of at least about 400, covalently bound to an inorganic support.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the adsorptive separation by utilizing an improved simulated moving bed. This invention provides an improved formula for the calculation of primary flush flowrate by correspondingly associating the primary flush flowrate with each connection line by introducting a volume factor and carring out sequential control so as to reduce the amount of the flush stream and increase product purity and yield.

Abstract: Processes for deionization and demineralization of a fluid containing ions comprising:(a) Loading an amine or ammonia buffer onto a first weakly acidic cation exchange resin to occupy cation exchange sites and to form a first bed comprising a first amine-buffered resin;(b) Passing said fluid containing ions through said first bed comprising said first amine-buffered resin and exchanging cations of said fluid for amine cations of said first amine-buffered resin to form a first effluent comprising an anion-buffer salt complex;(c) Passing said anion-buffer salt complex through a first weakly basic anion exchange resin where an anion portion of said anion-buffer salt complex is split from said anion-buffer salt complex by adsorption of said anion portion onto said weakly basic anion exchange resin to form a second effluent comprising buffer in free hydrated base form;(d) Passing said buffer in free hydrated base form to a second weakly acidic cation exchange resin where said buffer loads onto said second weakly a

Abstract: A cation exchanger is loaded only with radioactive cations by repeatedly converting the non-bivalent, inactive cations into anionic complexes and flushing the complexes out of the cation exchanger. The cation exchanger, which may be integrated in a primary system of a nuclear power plant, is connected to a feed line for a complexing agent and to a discharge line through which the anionic complexes are flushed from the exchanger.

Abstract: An improved ion exchange process for purifying and/or concentrating hydroxylamine from an aqueous solution comprising hydroxylammonium ion and counter anions wherein ion exchange process conditions including effluent pH, effluent conductivity, and ion exchange bed height can be monitored and used to identify when to switch from an ion exchange step feed to a water wash feed, and to switch from a desorbent step to a water rinse step.

Abstract: A composition for regenerating spent weak cation exchange resin and a method of utilization including salts of .alpha.-hydroxy carboxylic acids or o-hydroxy benzoic acids. The following steps are employed in cyclically regenerating polycarboxylic acid cation exchange resins: (a) utilizing a charged or alkali metal salt of polycarboxylate acid cation resin to soften water; (b) regenerating the spent resin in one step with an active regenerant of the .alpha.-hydroxy carboxylic acids or o-hydroxy benzoic acids to produce spent regenerant; (c) precipitating the polyvalent hard ions in the spent regenerant with sodium or potassium carbonate to reform the active regenerant; (d) separating the precipitate; and (e) concentrating the dilute active regenerate solution to its approximate initial concentration and recovering of water for process rinses.

Abstract: Processes for deionization and demineralization of a fluid containing ions comprising:(a) Loading an amine or ammonia buffer onto a first weakly acidic cation exchange resin to occupy cation exchange sites and to form a first bed comprising a first amine-buffered resin;(b) Passing said fluid containing ions through said first bed comprising said first amine-buffered resin and exchanging cations of said fluid for amine cations of said first amine-buffered resin to form a first effluent comprising an anion-buffer salt complex;(c) Passing said anion-buffer salt complex through a first weakly basic anion exchange resin where an anion portion of said anion-buffer salt complex is split from said anion-buffer salt complex by adsorption of said anion portion onto said weakly basic anion exchange resin to form a second effluent comprising buffer in free hydrated base form;(d) Passing said buffer in free hydrated base form to a second weakly acidic cation exchange resin where said buffer loads onto said second weakly a

Abstract: Large volumes of waste water stream containing oil, greases, sometimes ferric ions, and dissolved contaminant hydrocarbons such as BTEX are rapidly treated in two stages. Initially, the oils and greases are separated, then the dissolved contaminant hydrocarbons are removed by countercurrent adsorption on powdered resinous polymeric adsorbents in an exchange zone, preferably in the absence of ferric ions. The contaminant laden adsorbents are regenerated and continuously recycled to the exchange zone.

Abstract: A process for separating components of a liquid mixture comprising a more adsorbable component (A), for example C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: A process for the removal of species containing metallic ions from effluents by yeast cell walls. The yeasts used are selected from Saccharomyces cerevisae, Saccharomyces uvarum and Saccharomyces lipolytica. According to the process, the washed yeast cell walls are first treated by a water soluble aldehyde and after sorbing the metallic ions, the yeast cell walls may regenerated by a mineral acid or a chelate solution such as ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid, releasing the sorbed metal ions. According to a preferred embodiment, water containing acetone or alcohol is used for washing the yeast cell walls. The sorption by the yeast cell walls is carried out at a pH in the range of 1 to 13 and preferably in the range of 4 to 7. The most preferred aldehyde is selected from formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde or any mixture thereof. The metal sorption process may be carried out batchwise or continuously. In the continuous process, the yeast cell walls are immobilized on porous glass, purified sand or polymers.

Abstract: BTEX and other hydracarbons are removed from oil field and refinery waste streams by countercurrent extraction techniques. The contaminated waste water is contacted with adsorbent particles, selected to adsorb BTEX and other hydrocarbons, circulating in counter current fashion to the waste water stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inhibiting the formation of scales such as barium and strontium sulfate in low pH aqueous system. The method involves treating the aqueous system with a scale control treatment including polyepoxysuccinic acid. Typical low pH aqueous systems where the present invention is particularly useful are oilfield produced water, resin bed water softeners during acid regeneration operations.

Abstract: Improved compositions for the treatment and regeneration of ion exchange resin beds typically used in water softening systems are provided, which possess enhanced iron sequestering capabilities. The compositions include citric acid and a salt of citric acid, together with an iron sequestration-enhancing amount of an agent including a quantity of a source of gluconic acid or salt of gluconic acid. Preferred agents include gluconic acid, the alkali metal gluconates, glucono lactone and mixtures thereof. The compositions are advantageously formulated as dry products, which can be mixed with a preponderant amount of sodium chloride to yield regenerating media.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants, particularly organic and metal contaminants, from aqueous and gaseous streams by contacting a contaminated stream with graphitic carbon filaments (nanofibers) characterized as having; (i) a surface area from about 50 to 800 m.sup.2 /g, (ii) an electrical resistivity from about 0.3 .mu.ohm.multidot.m to 0.8 .mu.ohm.multidot.m, (iii) a crystallinity from about 5% to about 100%, (iv) a length from about 1 .mu.m to about 100 .mu.m; and (v) a distance from about 0.335 nm to about 0.700 nm between graphite platelets.

Abstract: For the conditioning of ion exchange resins, pure water is recirculated over a bed of the resin to be purified or of the resins to be purified. The pure water has a residual salt content of less than 50 ppb and a content of free acids or free bases of less than 5,000 ppb. The organic and inorganic substances washed out of the resin or the resins are removed continuously from the circulating water by methods for the purification of water. The process can be used for conditioning the ion exchange resins used in an ultra pure water production system.

Abstract: A method is provided for regenerating deactivated sulfonated aromatic organic ion-exchange resin beds, such as a polystyrene ion-exchange resin bed, having chemically combined amino organo mercaptan groups with anhydrous phenol at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: Purification of water with clay modified by cationic surfactant permits treatment of water with multiple impurities.

Abstract: Provided is a method of removing particles having a size of less than 10 .mu.m from an aqueous solution. The pH of the aqueous solution is first adjusted to be less than 9 and then the aqueous solution is passed through an absorbent of mineral fiber, containing 35 to 65 wt % of SiO.sub.2 and 65 to 35 wt % of at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of MgO, CaO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and FeO. The particles in the aqueous solution adhere to the absorbent and are separated from the aqueous solution. The absorbent is regenerated by passing a descaling solution having a pH greater than 10 through the absorbent. The particles are recovered as a concentrated solution.

Abstract: A method of performing a solid phase extraction on an aqueous fluid using a hydrophobic, solid-phase extraction medium (40), which method comprises:(a) placing (10) a hydrophobic, solid-phase extraction medium (40) inside of a pressurizable housing (18) having an inlet (25) and an outlet (32), the hydrophobic, solid-phase extraction medium (40) being positioned in the pressurizable housing (18) such that a liquid moving from the inlet (25) to the outlet (32) passes through the solid-phase extraction medium (40);(b) priming (12) the hydrophobic, solid-phase extraction medium (40) with a water-miscible organic liquid by passing the water-miscible organic liquid from the inlet (25) to the outlet (32) under positive pressure; and(c) passing (14) an aqueous liquid from the inlet (25) to the outlet (32) under positive pressure;wherein the water-miscible organic liquid and aqueous liquid are passed from the inlet (25) to the outlet (32) such that the solid-phase extraction medium (40) is completely and continuously

Abstract: High pressure boiler condensate returns are polished and softened with a macroreticular cation exchange resin, and the resin is regenerated with a readily ionizable organic acid salt of a relatively low volatility amine corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: A method for the removal and concentration of desired ions from a source solution which may contain larger concentrations of other ions including H.sup.+ comprises bringing the source solution into contact with a compound comprising a polytetraalkylammonium and/or polytrialkylamine-containing ligand covalently bonded through an organic spacer silicon grouping to a solid inorganic support. The polytetraalkylammonium and/or polytrialkylamine portion(s) of the compound has an affinity for the desired ions to form a complex thereby removing the desired ions from the source solution. The desired ions are removed from the compound by contacting the compound with a much smaller volume of a receiving solution having a greater affinity for the desired ions than does the polytetraalkylammonium and/or polytrialkylamine ligand portion of the compound. The concentrated ions thus removed may be recovered by known methods.

Abstract: A process is described by which numerous waste or by-product aqueous hydrochloric acid streams can be purified by contacting the aqueous hydrochloric acid with a polystyrenic based resin to remove silicon containing impurities and thereby allowing the hydrochloric acid to be re-used for various applications.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus and method for softening "problem water". The apparatus includes a pair of treatment tank assemblies, each tank including serially connected filter and ion exchange beds. When a tank assembly requires regeneration, the tank assembly is taken off line and is regenerated using a regenerating apparatus that communicates a mixture of citric acid and brine solution to the ion exchange bed, followed by brine solution alone to form a barrier. A mixture of sodium carbonate and brine solution is then communicated to the ion exchange bed followed by a backwashing step which conveys treated water through both the ion exchange bed and the filter media in a counter flow direction. The regeneration apparatus includes a brine venturi and a chemical draw venturi connected in a parallel flow relationship and solenoid control valves for selectively communicating either a citric acid reservoir or a sodium carbonate reservoir to the chemical draw venturi.

Abstract: Hydrogen chloride is stripped from spent basic ion exchange resin by treatment with a solution of a tertiary amine in an amide solvent. The eluent solution is treated with anhydrous ammonia to precipitate ammonium chloride. The solution of tertiary amine in amide solvent is separated from the precipitate and may be used to regenerate spent resin.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for improving catalyst performance and yields in the manufacture of motor gasoline components. More particularly the process is directed to the removal of H.sub.2 S, sulfur compounds, trace amounts of acetonitrile or acetone or propionitrile from a hydrocarbon feedstock, comprising a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 product fraction from a fluid catalytic cracking unit which may be used subsequently in an etherification process for the production of ethers such as MTBE and TAME and/or an alkylation process for the production of alkylate. The hydrocarbon feedstock is passed to an amine treating zone, a mercaptan sulfur removal zone and an adsorption zone for the removal of sulfur compounds, water and trace amounts of acetonitrile or acetone or propionitrile. The regeneration of the adsorption zone includes the contacting of the sorbent with a heated regenerant vapor stream. The spent regenerant vapor stream is condensed to provide a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous phase.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of removal and recovery of oil and grease from wastewater wherein ferrite powders are used to adsorb the oil and grease contained in the wastewater, and then the oil and grease are separated from the wastewater by an external magnetic field. The ferrite powders are individually recovered for re-use.

Abstract: Specific toxicants are selectively removed from aqueous waste streams associated with the production of petroleum and petroleum products by contacting such aqueous waste streams with a non-ionic macroreticular polymeric resin having a low to intermediate surface polarity. The toxicants are a group of structurally-related organic molecules containing at least one carboxylic acid group and having a molecular weight in the range of about 200 to about 400. These molecules are toxic to certain indicator species of fish at concentrations of less than 10 parts per billion.

Abstract: A process to reduce the concentration of dissolved polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in an aqueous composition, particularly a refinery waste water stream, by contacting the aqueous composition with a water insoluble inclusion agent comprising an anchored cyclodextrin, said cyclodextrin having an inclusion cavity diameter of at least about 10 angstroms, under conditions which facilitate the selective formation of an inclusion complex between a cyclodextrin and a polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A process for the removal of water soluble organic compounds from produced water is provided. The process allows for the removal of water soluble organic compounds by passing the produced water through a column of adsorbing resin which is capable of removing the soluble organic compounds from the water and providing an environmentally acceptable effluent. The removal of polllutants from the produced water is monitored continuously by a fluorescence detector. The process further allows for the generation of the adsorbing resin by regenerating the resin with a solvent capable of eluting accumulated soluble organic compounds from the column followed by treatment of the resin with steam to remove residual eluting solvent. The process further allows for the treatment of the eluting solvent and soluble organic compound admixture in a manner to allow reuse of the solvent and to allow recovery of the soluble organic compound or to allow direct injection of the soluble organic compound admixture into the oil stream.

Abstract: A method for the detection of trace transition elements and rare earth elements in a sample also containing alkali metals or alkaline earth elements. The sample is flowed through a chelator column which retains the transition elements and rare earth elements. Then a first eluent (e.g. ammonium acetate) is passed through the column to strip the alkali and alkaline earth metals retained on the column. Then a second eluent (e.g. a strong acid) is passed through the chelator column to remove the transition elements in a chelator effluent which flows through an ion exchange resin concentrator to retain only the transition elements and rare earth elements. Then, a chelator complexing agent (e.g. pyridine-2,6 dicarboxylic acid or an oxalate) flows through the concentrator column to remove the transition elements and rare earth elements.

Abstract: A new thermal swing adsorption process for the separation of a bulk liquid mixture into its respective components wherein a novel rinse step is employed to achieve high product recovery with a low energy of separation. The invention is particularly useful for separating liquid mixtures containing azeotropes or close-boiling components which are difficult to separate using conventional techniques such as distillation or routine termal swing adsorption. A given example is the separation and recovery of methyl acetate from a bulk liquid mixture containing methyl acetate and water.

Abstract: A metallic ion sorber capable of absorbing ions of a metal excluding iron and cobalt and a method of sorbing ions of a metal excluding iron and cobalt are disclosed. The sorber comprises an ethylene copolymer containing from 40 to 95% by weight of ethylene and from 5 to 60% by weight of at least one of aminoalkyl acrylate compounds represented by formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and n represents an integer of from 1 to 4, and having a number average molecular weight of from 5,000 to 50,000.

Abstract: A process for the removal of water soluble organic compounds from produced water is provided. The process allows for the removal of water soluble organic compounds by passing the produced water through a column of adsorbing resin which is capable of removing the soluble organic compounds from the water and providing an environmentally acceptable effluent. The process further allows for the regeneration of the adsorbing resin by backwashing the resin with a solvent capable of eluting accumulated soluble organic compounds from the column. The process further allows for the treatment of the eluting solvent and soluble organic compound admixture in a manner to allow reuse of the solvent and to allow recovery of the soluble organic compounds or to allow direct injection of the soluble organic compound admixture into the oil stream. Thus, the invention provides a process for removal and recovery of water soluble organic compounds from produced water which creates no environmentally hazardous waste streams.

Abstract: A method of separating charged molecules having different numbers of charges thereon includes the step of passing the molecules to be separated through ion-exchange material such as an ion-exchange chromatograpy column in normal manner so that molecules to be separated bind to the ion-exchange material. Displacer molecules are then passed through the ion-exchange column to selectively release certain of the molecules to be separated from the ion-exchange material, while others of the molecules to be separated remain bound to the material.

Abstract: The present invention is a concentration swing adsorption process for separating a liquid phase feedstock comprising a more adsorbable component (A) and a less adsorbable component (B) with respect to an adsorbent. The process is operated in a system comprising a single or a plurality of adsorption columns containing the adsorbent which are operated in cycle in a predetermined sequence. The following operational steps are performed in the order recited in each of the adsorption columns in its turn. Feedstock is passed through the adsorbent and the more adsorbable component (A) is selectively adsorbed while a stream enriched in component (B) is discharged from the adsorption column. The adsorbent is rinsed in a direction co-current to the feedstock with the more adsorbable component (A) whereby the less adsorbable component (B) is displaced from the adsorbent and a stream comprising a mixture of the more adsorbable component (A) and the less adsorbable component (B) is withdrawn from the adsorption column.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating 3,5-diethyltoluene from a feed mixture comprising 3,5-diethyltoluene and at least one isomer thereof, which process comprises contacting the mixture at adsorption conditions with an adsorbent comprising an X zeolite cation exchange with a K cation, thereby selectively adsorbing the 3,5-diethyltoluene. The remainder of the feed mixture is removed by desorption at desorption conditions with a desorbent material comprising a monocyclic alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocation, e.g., p- or m-diethylbenzene or p-cymene and optionally, a diluent, e.g., isooctane.

Abstract: Furfural is separated from a dilute aqueous solution by contacting the solution with a polymer adsorbent which comprises porous crosslinked copolymers of styrene and derivatives thereof, having an internal surface area greater than 30 m.sup.2 /g and subsequently desorbing furfural from the adsorbent through contact with an alcohol containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An adsorptive separation process for separating sterols from a feed mixture, especially one that is acid-free, containing sterols, e.g., tan oil, wool fat, etc., which process comprises contacting the feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising magnesium silicate (Florisil), selectively adsorbing substantially all of the sterols to be separated to the substantial exclusion of the other components and thereafter recovering high purity sterols. The adsorbed sterols are desorbed with methyl-t-butyl ether (MtBE), which is superior, as a desorbent, to previously used aromatic liquids, e.g., toluene and chlorobenzene. An especially suitable acid-free feed is produced from crude tall oil, without the need for pitching, by a liquid-liquid extraction with DMSO and hexane solvents added to the top and bottom of the extraction column, respectively, and feed introduced at an intermediate zone.

Abstract: A method of regenerating spent hydrophobic materials, and recovering material sorbed thereon whereby sorbed materials are removed by contacting same with a surfactant solution. The surfactant solution, is of sufficient concentration to form micelles which are aggregates of surfactant molecules with a hydrocarbon-like interior which solubilize a portion of the sorbed material. The resulting solution is removed from the hydrophobic material and the material contained therein separated from the solution. Any residual surfactant on the hydrophobic material may be flushed from the hydrophobic material, if necessary.

Abstract: The invention has composition of matter and process aspects. The composition of matter aspect relates to the compounds selected from the class consisting of: ##STR1## in which Silica is sand or silica gel. The process aspect involves the use of any of these compounds packed in a column through which a solution of the multiple ions is flowed to complex with the compound and separate a desired selected ion from a multiple ion solution, breaking the complex by flowing a receiving liquid through the column to free the desired ion and recovering the freed desired ion from the receiving liquid.

Abstract: A process for separating 3,5-diethyltoluene (3,5-DET) and/or 2,6-diethyltoluene (2,6-DET) from a feed mixture comprising at least one isomer from the group 3,5- and 2,6-diethyltoluene and at least one other isomer thereof, which process comprises contacting the mixture at adsorption conditions with an adsorbent comprising an X zeolite, cation exchanged with a mixture of barium and potassium or sodium, lithium, barium or copper cations or mixtures thereof or a Y zeolite cation exchanged with barium, calcium, sodium, potassium or copper cations or mixtures thereof, thereby selectively adsorbing one or more of said isomers and removing one or more relatively non-adsorbed isomer(s) from contact with the adsorbent. 2,6-diethyltoluene is the most strongly adsorbed isomer with certain adsorbents and is recovered by desorption at desorption conditions with a desorbent material comprising a monocyclic alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon, e.g.

Abstract: Highly concentrated and toxic petroleum-based and synthetic fuels wastewaters such as oil shale retort water are treated in a unit treatment process by electrolysis in a reactor containing oleophilic, ionized, open-celled polyurethane foams and subjected to mixing and laminar flow conditions at an average detention time of six hours. Both the polyurethane foams and the foam regenerate solution are re-used. The treatment is a cost-effective process for waste-waters which are not treatable, or are not cost-effectively treatable, by conventional process series.

Abstract: A method of removing heavy metals from aqueous solution, a composition of matter used in effecting said removal, and apparatus used in effecting said removal. One or more of the polypeptides, poly (.gamma.-glutamylcysteinyl)glycines, is immobilized on an inert material in particulate form. Upon contact with an aqueous solution containing heavy metals, the polypeptides sequester the metals, removing them from the solution. There is selectivity of poly (.gamma.-glutamylcysteinyl)glycines having a particular number of monomer repeat units for particular metals. The polypeptides are easily regenerated by contact with a small amount of an organic acid, so that they can be used again to remove heavy metals from solution. This also results in the removal of the metals from the column in a concentrated form.

Abstract: A process and apparatus employing nylon 4 for the purification of water comprising the steps of contacting the water with iodine in a first treatment zone; nylon 4 complexed with iodine rather than elemental iodine is preferably used and is contacted by the water in the first treatment zone where it releases iodine at levels sufficient to purify the water. The treated and purified water is then contacted with nylon 4 in a second treatment zone where the iodine is removed from the water. The apparatus comprises a conduit having an inlet and an outlet, with a first treatment zone containing nylon 4 material complexed with iodine and a second downstream treatment zone containing nylon 4. The nylon 4 material used in both treatment zones can be in any form, preferably a form having a high surface area. A suitably restrained moistened fine powder may be used as may be textured or untextured, drawn or undrawn, staple fiber, knitted or non-woven fabrics or pulp (fibrils).

Abstract: A method for removing suspended impurities and colored substances from water which is hard and/or has a pH in excess of 5 which comprises contacting the water at its natural pH with a coagulant/adsorbent which comprises a finely divided particulate mineral material, the individual particles of which have a thin hydroxylated surface layer having a positive zeta potential at the adsorption pH, and separating the thus treated water from the coagulant/adsorbent.

Abstract: An adsorptive separation process for separating sterols from a tall oil feed mixture, which process comprises contacting the feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising an activated-type carbon sieve having a pore diameter of 15-20 .ANG. and a surface area of 300-1500 m.sup.2 /g, selectively adsorbing substantially all of the sterols to be separated on the adsorbent and thereafter recovering high purity sterols. A desorption step is used to desorb the adsorbed sterols with an aromatic liquid, e.g., chlorobenzene.

Abstract: A process for the liquid phase adsorptive separation of 4,4'-dichlorodiphenylsulfone (4,4'-DCDPS) from crystallization residue feed mixture also containing other DCDPS isomers. The feed is contacted with an X or Y type zeolite, substituted with a cation of a Group IA or IIA metal or ammonium. The other isomers are selectively adsorbed to the substantial exclusion of 4,4'-DCDPS. The 4,4'-DCDPS is recovered in high purity by fractionating the raffinate to recover the desorbent, aliphatic alcohols having 4-8 carbon atoms either used alone or diluted with an aromatic compound.

Abstract: A novel catalytic process is provided for the controlled degradation of organic materials into environmentally compatible products comprising at least carbon dioxide. The process employs a solid catalyst comprising at least one transition element and a peroxide to form a reaction mixture with the organic material which is degraded in the presence of photoenergy absorbable by the catalyst. The catalytic process has multiple applications including the purification of organic solvents; the regeneration of granular activated carbon; the purification of potable water and industrial waste water; and the elimination of organic hazardous and/or toxic substances from collected wastes.