Abstract: A process is provided for the recovery of alcohol from its aqueous solution by dissolving caustic in the solution to generate a phase separation. One layer contains the alcohol product and the other layer waste water. By recovering and recycling the caustic, a self-contained process is realized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying an aqueous solution of fermentation alcohol to give anhydrous alcohol, wherein a mash column is controlled such a manner that an alcohol concentration of an alcohol/water mixed vapor distilled from a mash column is less than 50% by weight and a reflux amount of a condensate to a distillation column is controlled such a manner that an alcohol concentration of an alcohol/water mixed vapor that is distilled from the distillation column is 65 to 85% by weight. According to the present method, the purification for obtaining an anhydrous alcohol from an aqueous solution of a fermentation alcohol with the use of a mash column, a distillation column, an evaporator and a membrane separator can be more conveniently carried out with an extremely high energy efficiency as the whole process.

Abstract: Alkali metal salt of formula (I): MOYXR1 (I), and its solution can be prepared in high yields, particularly high space-time yields, and with high purities by reacting an alcohol of the formula (Ia): HOYXR1 (Ia), in a solvent mixture with an alkali metal salt of formula (II): MOR2 (II), or by reacting the alcohol (Ia) in a solvent mixture with an alkali metal hydroxide. Part of the liberated alcohol of formula (IIa): HOR2 (IIa) or a part of the liberated water is distilled from the solvent mixture, initially, without addition of an entrainer. Subsequently, a remainder of the liberated alcohol of formula (IIa) or the liberated water is distilled from the solvent mixture with the aid of at least one organic solvent as entrainer. In formula (I) and in formula (II), M is Li, Na, K, Rb or Cs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification of C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 -alcohols by distillation, by distilling the alcohols at 150 to 200.degree. C. in the presence of 10 to 1000 ppm of alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the purification of polyether polyols. This process enables the removal of residual alkaline metal catalyst from produced polyether polyol. It comprises a) adding glycerine to a polyether polyol that contains Group IA alkaline metal catalyst to form a precipitate, and b) separating the precipitate formed in a) to provide a purified polyether polyol. The present invention also relates to the purified polyether polyol produced by this process, the precipitate produced by this process, and the use of the precipitate as an alkaline metal catalyst in a process for the production of polyether polyols.

Abstract: A mixture of higher primary aliphatic alcohols of 22 to 38 carbon atoms can be obtained by saponifying and extracting steps with organic solvents from sugar cane wax. The mixture which contains tetracosanol, hexacosanol, heptacosanol, octacosanol, nonacosanol, triacontanol, dotriacontanol and tetratriacontanol can be used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, and atherosclerotic complications as platelet hyperaggregabiulity, ischemia and thrombosis, and prevents drug induced gastric ulcer and improves male sexual activity.

Abstract: A method for removing a perfluoroalkyl alcohol from a waste gas and recovering the perfluoroalkyl alcohol comprising the steps of bringing the waste gas into contact with an aqueous alkaline solution thereby to absorb the perfluoroalkyl alcohol into said solution and consequently obtain an aqueous alkaline solution containing an alkoxide of the perfluoroalkyl alcohol. Adding an acid to the aqueous alkaline solution containing the alkoxide of the perfluoroalkyl alcohol until the alkaline solution turns into an acidic solution with a pH value smaller than 5, thereby to turn said alkoxide into said perfluoroalkyl alcohol and subjecting the acidic solution to distillation to recover the perfluoroalkyl alcohol.

Abstract: 1-Butene-3,4-diol is prepared by heat treatment of 2-butene-1,4-diol in the presence of catalytically active substances under acid conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for thermochemically converting a carbohydrate material into ethanol wherein the carbohydrate material and a metal salt are reacted at elevated temperature to form an intermediate carbohydrate complex salt and/or a lactate metal salt which then is pyrolyzed in the presence of water into ethanol. Preferred carbohydrate materials for the process are various sugars and the metal salt preferably is a metal oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate. The intermediate complex and/or lactate salt may be separated from its aqueous reaction mixture prior to its pyrolysis to reduce the ultimate separation of ethanol from water. Alternatively, the metal of the metal salt may be one whose carbonate decomposes to metal oxide and carbon dioxide during the pyrolysis step of the process to generate said metal salt in situ.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for purifying crude ethanol, whether produced by fermentation or by the synthetic route, to produce a pure ethanol-water azeotrope. The process uses only two distillation columns for fermentation ethanol or synthetic ethanol eventhough the latter has diethyl ether as impurity. The inventive concept lies in the design and specification of the columns and the specific high pressure and low reflux ratio distillation conditions which enable each of the impurities in ethanol to be reduced below ppm. Ethanol of such purity is most desirable when used for potable or pharmaceutical purposes.

Abstract: Process for purifying crude ethanol, whether produced by fermentation or by the synthetic route, to produce a pure ethanol-water azeotrope. The process uses only two distillation columns for fermentation ethanol and only three columns for synthetic ethanol because the latter has diethyl ether as impurity. The inventive concept lies in the design and specification of the columns and the specific distillation conditions which enable each of the impurities in ethanol to be reduced below 1 ppm. Ethanol of such purity is most desirable when used for potable or pharmaceutical purposes. The crude ethanol is fed into a first column and water is separately fed there as well, a side stream of purified aqueous ethanol is withdrawn from the first column and fed to a rectification column where a substantially pure ethanol-water azeotrope is withdrawn as a side stream. The points of introduction and removal of the respective streams to and from the columns are critical for a successful operation and product recovery.

Abstract: A process for removing at least a substantial portion of at least one contaminant from a fluid containing said at least one contaminant and at least one dehydration sensitive compound without causing substantial dehydration of said dehydration sensitive compound, said at least one contaminant being selected from the group consisting of water and nitrogen compounds having the formula XNH.sub.2 wherein X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and linear alkyl radicals having 1 to 22 carbon atoms; which comprises contacting said fluid with a suitable base treated molecular sieve having an effective pore diameter in the range of about 2 to about 6 Angstrom units.