Abstract: For the preparation of an ether, e.g., tertiary amyl methyl ether, an olefin-containing feed stream is catalytically etherified with an alcohol, e.g., methyl alcohol. The etherification product is fractionally distilled into an overhead fraction containing essentially unreacted, light hydrocarbons and unreacted alcohol and into a bottoms fraction containing essentially the desired ether. The overhead fraction is condensed and cooled to resultant immiscible phases, of which one contains essentially the alcohol and the other contains essentially the hydrocarbons, are removed separately from each other. Water may be added to the overhead stream to facilitate the formation of the two liquid phases.

Abstract: Ultrapure or anhydrous hydrazine is produced in a process which comprises distilling aqueous solutions of hydrazine having at least 70 percent by weight of N.sub.2 H.sub.4 at pressures below about 20 millimeters. Aqueous solutions of hydrazine are dehydrated with solid inorganic compounds such as alkali metal hydroxides which are essentially carbon-free. The concentrated hydrazine solution is then distilled at reduced pressures and temperatures which minimize the hazardous conditions present when using processes of the prior art. Monopropellant hydrazine suitable for use in spacecraft engines can be produced having a N.sub.2 H.sub.4 concentration of at least 99.5 percent and less than 5 parts per million of volatile carbonaceous materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, e.g. bisphenol A and particularly to a process for preparing high quality bisphenol A with good workability by distilling the intermediate adduct of bisphenol A and phenol.The adduct of bisphenol A and phenol is fed to a distillation column. Phenol is recovered from the top of the column and bisphenol A is obtained from its bottom. In this distillation process, the adduct of bisphenol A and phenol is added with a part of recycled bottom liquid. Consequently troubles such as plugging of the distillation column are prevented, continuous operation becomes possible for a long period of time and high quality bisphenol A can be steadily obtained.

Abstract: An atmospheric evaporator for reducing the water content of various chemical solutions, more particularly useful in the electroplating industry, wherein the evaporator includes a solution-secure molded tank in which a removable blower sleeve is mounted having a blower inlet duct and support strut members formed at the opposite end thereof to support a multiplicity of finned evaporator members over which the solution is sprayed. When a large-volume, low RPM blower is mounted to the inlet duct, a straight-line downdraft of both air and solution is created, allowing the air and evaporated water to exhaust through an up-facing outlet duct, thus defining a substantially "U" shaped duct arrangement from the inlet side to the exhaust side of the tank with the heavy chemical particles returning to the process tank from the bottom of the evaporator tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaporation of spent liquor by heat from a blow condenser where blow steam from a pulp cooker is condensed in a direct condenser connected with a hot water accumulator. Spent liquor heated indirectly by hot water from the accumulator is brought to expand and released expansion vapor is used as a heat medium in a following evaporation stage. The apparatus comprises a heat exchanger, at least one flash tank and at least one evaporation unit, the heat exchanger being disposed to receive hot water from the upper part of the accumulator and to return it to its lower part and thus heat the spent liquor, and the flash tank being disposed to receive spent liquor heated in the heat exchanger and to release liquor vapor and spent liquor to the evaporation unit.

Abstract: A method of producing a potable spirit comprises removing water from a fermented wash containing ethanol, water and congeners to produce a substantially water-free mixture of ethanol and congeners, and then fractionally distilling this water-free mixture of ethanol and congeners in the absence of water to produce a fraction containing substantially pure water-free potable ethanol. Preferably the fractional distillation is carried out in separate topping and tailing columns. This method provides an energy efficient separation of the ethanol and congeners.

Abstract: A distillation system and process for removing vaporizable components from an aqueous medium including a distillation column for receiving an aqueous medium containing vaporizable components and passing steam through the column such that the steam directly contacts the aqueous medium to vaporize at least a portion of the components, a condenser in a communication with the column to condense at least a portion of the vapor in the column, a separator in communication with the condenser to separate flash vapor from liquid condensate in the separator and a thermal compressor in communication with the separator and the column to remove vapor from the separator and to inject exhaust steam from the thermal compressor into the column.

Abstract: A process for keeping cooked poultry skin unwrinkled during low temperature storage wherein glazed cooked, skin-covered meat product is cooled to about 40.degree. F. followed by searing the skin at a high temperature then glazing once again and cooling to a refrigeration temperature for storage.

Abstract: Isomer mixtures of 1,3- and 1,4-bis-(2-hydroxyhexafluoroprop-2-yl)-benzene are separated by a steam distillation in the presence of CS.sub.2. On cooling of the steam distillate, a solid precipitates which is composed mainly of the 1,4-isomer. After the solid has been separated off, an aqueous-organic liquid-phase mixture remains, the organic phase of which mainly contains the 1,3-isomer. The pure isomers are obtained by recrystallization or distillation respectively. These are mainly intermediates in the polymer field.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for separating a liquid mixture or a solution by converting a portion of the liquid mixture or portion of a solvent of the solution into a vapor phase and subsequent condensation of the obtained vapor with a porous separating wall, the pores of the porous separating wall are acted upon by a gas or gas mixture supplied through the pores of the porous separating wall in a counterstream to the vapor.

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: The process for the acid-catalyzed reaction of acetone with methanol to form 2,2-dimethoxypropane may be significantly improved if a stoichiometric ratio of methanol/acetone is employed in the initial reaction.Of particular advantage is the use of stoichiometric amounts of reactants in order to (1) avoid the expense of using an excess of either reactant, and (2) facilitate the removal of the 2,2-dimethoxypropane as an azeotrope with the methanol, thereby avoiding costly and complex product recovery methods.

Abstract: Spinning band fractionating column apparatus is disclosed having a spinning band formed with a magnet embedded in its bottom end in the manner of a magnetic stirring vane for rotation by a rotating external magnetic field at the bottom of the apparatus. Reflux is controlled by an angled drip edge on a rotatable condenser column that passes a portion of dripped condensate to a collecting spout with the portion varying as rotation of the condenser column brings the drip from said edge closer or further from center opposition with the spout.

Abstract: A segmenting and dehydration process for fruits and vegetables with a primary application as a process for producing dehydrated filaments of sugar beets as a natural sweetener for use by confectioners, bakeries, breweries and other food processors. The beets are washed, shredded with a high-speed heated blade and immediately dried in a continuously sterile atmosphere that prevents bacteria contamination and growth and enzyme action which otherwise result in an unacceptably strong flavor in the finished product.

Abstract: This invention is a method of purifying crude caprolactam. The improved method comprises taking a portion of a process stream of crude caprolactam having low boiling impurities and distilling the stream in the presence of water by fractional distillation into an overhead containing water and low boiling impurities and bottoms of caprolactam having improved purity and low water content.The improvement also comprises taking a low water content stream of crude caprolactam having low boiling impurities and adding water to the stream and distilling the stream by fractional distillation as described above.

Abstract: Photographic waste solution is treated by a method which comprises contacting the waste solution with air, in an especially designed treatment vessel, at a solution temperature of from about 120.degree. F. to about 140.degree. F. The air thus becomes supersaturated with the liquid in the waste, and the waste solution is thus concentrated to form a waste slurry which is transferred out into a waste storage vessel. The supersaturated air which is virtually free from waste is discharged to the atmosphere. The method is carried out in an especially constructed apparatus comprising a uniquely designed treatment vessel.

Abstract: Food piece slices serially formed by the blade of a slicer are captured with a moving stream of liquid and carried in the moving stream of liquid during free-fall of the liquid under the influence of gravity to a moving conveyor belt where the slices are monolayered.

Abstract: A vacuum evaporator is provided which is connected to the casing of a driving motor for rotating the evaporator piston, wherein the driving motor is vertically adjustable mounted on a bolt fixedly mounted on a pedestal. A supporting sleeve which is freely displaceable on the bolt supports the driving motor thereon and a lever arm supports this sleeve and is articulated on the pedestal. A thread drive is coupled to the lever arm by means of a coupling sleeve arranged on the lever arm and wherein the lever arm is pivotable by the thread drive and the thread drive is adjustable by means of a geared motor.

Abstract: Distilling equipment comprising evaporation apparatus (2) including a boiling chamber (6) and equipment and conduits (46-59, 62, 63, 65-71) for supplying raw liquid to the boiling chamber at a predetermined level (43), a plurality of serial condensation stages (10, 20, 30), the first stage (10) connected to the top (7) of the boiling chamber (6) to receive gas therefrom and condense the gas by contact with cold recycled distillate from the final condensation stage (30), each stage having vertical vacuum producing bubble tubes (15, 25, 35) through which distillate and gas bubble (17) pass downward to a collection vessel (16, 26), gas carrier tubes (19, 29) which carry gas from each collection vessel (16, 26) to the condensation chamber (21, 31) of the following stage, and pump (41, 42) in cooperating conduits (18, 22, 28, 32) for pumping distillate free of gas from each collection chamber (16, 26) to the condensation chamber (21, 31) of the following stage.

Abstract: An improved process for purifying thionyl chloride by the double distillation of an impure mixture of thionyl chloride, sulfuryl chloride, sulfur monochloride, sulfur dichloride and sulfur dioxide is disclosed. The double distillation process is conducted in the presence of sulfur to convert sulfur dichloride into sulfur monochloride. The sulfuryl chloride content of the mixture is reduced by contacting the vapor from the reboiler in the first stage distillation with activated carbon prior to fractional distillation in the column. The product of the first stage distillation is then redistilled to produce a thionyl chloride product of high purity.