Abstract: A hydrophobic admixture, for cementitious materials such as cement paste, mortar, and concrete, includes solid polymer particles with a coating of hydrophobic agent and surfactant. The solid polymer particles adhere to exterior surfaces of hydrated cement particles in the cement matrix. The solid polymer particles deliver the hydrophobic agent into the cement matrix which is hydrophilic. The hydrophobic agents are distributed uniformly throughout the cement matrix. The solid polymer particles can be crumb rubber particles derived from waste rubber tires, recycled plastics and similar solid materials. The hydrophobic liquid agent is derived from waste lubricant oil, spent motor oil, base oil, esters of fatty acids, vegetable oil and the like. Fine particles such as activated carbon, silica fume and spent catalyst can be employed to fill the large pores or cracks that develop in the cementitious matrix. The cured cementitious materials exhibit high contact angles and high compressive strengths.

Abstract: A hydrophobic admixture, for cementitious materials such as cement paste, mortar, and concrete, includes solid polymer particles with a coating of hydrophobic agent and surfactant. The solid polymer particles adhere to exterior surfaces of hydrated cement particles in the cement matrix. The solid polymer particles deliver the hydrophobic agent into the cement matrix which is hydrophilic. The hydrophobic agents are distributed uniformly throughout the cement matrix. The solid polymer particles can be crumb rubber particles derived from waste rubber tires, recycled plastics and similar solid materials. The hydrophobic liquid agent is derived from waste lubricant oil, spent motor oil, base oil, esters of fatty acids, vegetable oil and the like. Fine particles such as activated carbon, silica fume and spent catalyst can be employed to fill the large pores or cracks that develop in the cementitious matrix. The cured cementitious materials exhibit high contact angles and high compressive strengths.

Abstract: A high capacity magnetic filter for separating magnetic and non-magnetic contaminants from contaminated liquid streams includes a housing having (i) an interior region between the inlet and outlet for a process stream, (ii) a plurality of vertically oriented, elongated non-magnetic holder sleeves positioned within the interior region (iii) paramagnetic metal packing material that is randomly distributed in the interior region to form a packed compartment that has a void volume which is above 95 percent, and (iv) a device to generate a magnetic field within the interior region. Generation of a uniform magnetic field within the packed compartment magnetizes the holder sleeves and matrix of packing materials. The holder sleeves and matrix create a large surface area for collecting the contaminants.

Abstract: A high capacity magnetic filter for separating magnetic and non-magnetic contaminants from contaminated liquid streams includes a housing having (i) an interior region between the inlet and outlet for a process stream, (ii) a plurality of vertically oriented, elongated non-magnetic holder sleeves positioned within the interior region (iii) paramagnetic metal packing material that is randomly distributed in the interior region to form a packed compartment that has a void volume which is above 95 percent, and (iv) a device to generate a magnetic field within the interior region. Generation of a uniform magnetic field within the packed compartment magnetizes the holder sleeves and matrix of packing materials. The holder sleeves and matrix create a large surface area for collecting the contaminants.

Abstract: A high capacity magnetic filter for separating magnetic and non-magnetic contaminants from contaminated liquid streams includes a housing having (i) an interior region between the inlet and outlet for a process stream, (ii) a plurality of vertically oriented, elongated non-magnetic holder sleeves positioned within the interior region (iii) paramagnetic metal packing material that is randomly distributed in the interior region to form a packed compartment that has a void volume which is above 95 percent, and (iv) a device to generate a magnetic field within the interior region. Generation of a uniform magnetic field within the packed compartment magnetizes the holder sleeves and matrix of packing materials. The holder sleeves and matrix create a large surface area for collecting the contaminants.

Abstract: A high capacity magnetic filter for separating magnetic and non-magnetic contaminants from contaminated liquid streams includes a housing having (i) an interior region between the inlet and outlet for a process stream, (ii) a plurality of vertically oriented, elongated non-magnetic holder sleeves positioned within the interior region (iii) paramagnetic metal packing material that is randomly distributed in the interior region to form a packed compartment that has a void volume which is above 95 percent, and (iv) a device to generate a magnetic field within the interior region. Generation of a uniform magnetic field within the packed compartment magnetizes the holder sleeves and matrix of packing materials. The holder sleeves and matrix create a large surface area for collecting the contaminants.

Abstract: A high capacity magnetic filter separates diamagnetic and/or paramagnetic substances from fluid streams. Diamagnetic solid substances are magnetized under an external magnetic field through coordinated interaction of diamagnetic solid substances with an inducement paramagnetic material (IPM). The magnetic filter serves as a separation zone created by the presence of IPM and magnets that are shielded from the IPM by non-magnetic sleeves or partitions. The IPM in the void volume between the magnets affords large surface area onto which diamagnetic and paramagnetic materials can contact and be attracted to. The relative position and distance of the magnetic source, such a magnetic bar or electromagnet, to the solid mixture of diamagnetic and IPM are adjusted to induce sufficiently strong magnetism in the diamagnetic solids which causes the diamagnetic solids to be attracted by the magnetic field as well. Both diamagnetic and paramagnetic substances can be removed from a liquid or gas.

Abstract: Extractive distillation for recovering aromatic hydrocarbons employs an extractive distillation column with a novel overhead system including a partial condenser. The process enables (i) efficient removal of heavy non-aromatics, particularly C8 naphthenic compounds, from the EDC bottom stream to increase the purity of aromatic products, especially of the mixed xylenes and (ii) reduction (or better control) of benzene loss to the raffinate product stream to maintain its quality as a gasoline blend stock and, as a result, enhance benzene recovery in the aromatic products. Feedstock includes a full-range feedstock, such as pyrolysis gasoline, or a narrow-range feedstock, such as reformate.