Abstract: A rotating cylindrical treatment apparatus includes a cylindrical body rotatably supported in the treatment apparatus; a feeding section for supplying a treated material onto an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body; a pressure roller for pressing the supplied treated material and for rolling the pressed treated material; a first medium introducing device for introducing a heating or cooling medium into the cylindrical body and for discharging the introduced medium; a second medium introducing device for introducing the medium into the pressure roller and for discharging the introduced medium; and an endless belt for conveying the rolled treated material while causing the rolled treated material to be closely contacted with the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: A apparatus for separating water by pervaporation from a liquid mixture comprising isopropanol and water, which comprises (a) heating the liquid mixture, then supplying the heated mixture to a pervaporation membrane module unit using a polyimide-type separating membrane to conduct separation of the liquid mixture, recycling a part or whole of the liquid not permeated through the membrane to a feed liquid mixture, supplying a fresh feed liquid mixture to an optional place in the circulation route, and withdrawing the liquid mixture from an optional place in the circulation route, (b) controlling the amount of the liquid to be recycled among the liquid not permeated through the membrane to a level of at least 10 times by volume the amount of the fresh feed liquid mixture, and (c) controlling the difference between the liquid temperature at the inlet of the membrane module unit and the liquid temperature at the outlet of the membrane module unit to a level of at most 20.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for separating water by pervaporation from a liquid mixture comprising isopropanol and water, which comprises (a) heating the liquid mixture, then supplying the heated mixture to a pervaporation membrane module unit using a polyimide-type separating membrane to conduct separation of the liquid mixture, recycling a part or whole of the liquid not permeated through the membrane to a feed liquid mixture, supplying a fresh feed liquid mixture to an optional place in the circulation route, and withdrawing the liquid mixture from an optional place in the circulation route, (b) controlling the amount of the liquid to be recycled among the liquid not permeated through the membrane to a level of at least 10 times by volume the amount of the fresh feed liquid mixture, and (c) controlling the difference between the liquid temperature at the inlet of the membrane module unit and the liquid temperature at the outlet of the membrane module unit to a level of at most 20.degree. C.

Abstract: In a method using a chromatographic separation apparatus consisting of plurality of unit packed beds each having a supply inlet/extraction outlet, wherein the apparatus is effectively divided into four zones; an adsorption zone, a refining zone, a desorption zone, and a concentration zone. A supply and extraction step is performed in which all of the fluid flowing out of the adsorption zone is extracted through the nonadsorbate fluid extraction outlet, and then a recycle step, in which no fluid is supplied to or extracted from the bed, is performed to move the concentration distributions in the bed to a desired position. As a result, the method requires fewer unit beds, and enables extraction of components of higher purity.