Abstract: Water-containing glycol is heated first at atmospheric or superatmospheric pressure to partially remove water and concentrate the glycol and is then heated at subatmospheric pressure to further concentrate the glycol.

Abstract: Byproducts obtained in the preparation of phthalic anhydride are treated by heating the byproducts to a temperature sufficient to maintain the byproducts in a molten state and thereafter atomizing the molten byproducts with atomizing air having a temperature of at least 60.degree. C. for combustion. The byproducts may be low boiling point and/or high boiling point fractions obtained in the purification step by distillation of crude phthalic anhydride produced by the partial oxidation of ortho-xylene or naphthalene.

Abstract: A thin layer evaporator which has a vapor lock above the solvent inlet is used for the preparation of distillate-free sump product which is obtained as solid from the concentration of solutions of water, organic substances and non-volatile constituents and dissolved in solvents.

Abstract: The recovery of dimethylacylamides from solutions which are formed during the production of fibres is particularly economical if the solution is concentrated in a separating column to produce a sump product having a DMA content of 30 to 90% at pressures of more than 300 Torr, using the evaporation heat of the head product for heating the column, with the aid of a compressor and then separating the sump product which is concentrated in DMA by distillation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the distillation of readily polymerizable vinyl aromatic compounds with polymerization inhibitors of low volatility, particularly a phenothiazine (PZ)-tertiarybutylcatechol (TBC) polymerization inhibitor combination. The method comprises introducing a feed of impure vinyl aromatic compound into a typical distillation train comprising a first fractionation column, a recycle column, and a finishing column; introducing as a separate stream into the upper portion of said recycle column and into said first fractionation column an effective amount of the PZ-TBC inhibitor in a volatile aromatic hydrocarbon diluent; and then distilling the vinyl aromatic compound in the presence of oxygen to recover an overhead product of high purity vinyl aromatic compound and a bottoms fraction.

Abstract: An impure liquid is continuously distilled in a deaerated conduit arranged in a coil to present adjacent loops in heat exchange relationship. The conduit is divided by a partial partition into a distilland trough and a distillate trough, the latter being on the outside of each loop. The impure liquid is introduced into the distilland trough for flow therealong and vaporization, and the resultant vapor crosses over to the distillate trough due to centrifugal force and condensation within the distillate trough. As the vapor condenses in the distillate trough, the heat of condensation is transferred to the distilland trough of the adjacent downstream loop and to the incoming liquid flowing in a feed tube lying in the distillate trough. Spaced obstructions to vapor flow in the distillate trough and flow guide fins are employed to increase efficiency. A number of coils may be stacked to provide a multi-unit distillation system.

Abstract: A process for separating one or more aliphatic alcohols selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and tertiary butanol from a tetrahydrofuran stream comprising tetrahydrofuran, one or more of said alcohols and optionally water by extractive distillation with water.

Abstract: A solar energy collector floating on water is supported by fluid cushion and comprises elements each of them consist of a solar energy absorbing layer arranged between two heat insulating layers.

Abstract: An integral water purification system including a tank for containing unclean water located at the source with continual replenishment of said water in the tank, a cover for the tank to accumulate natural heat by the elimination of any disturbances by the elements and to aid such accumulation by the rays of the sun in order to vaporize the unclean water, a blower for moving the vapor to a pipe leading from an area of one temperature to an area of another and lower temperature such as from the crest to the depth of the sea, whereby the vapor is condensed into droplets and accumulated in a condensing unit as pure water and a pump to force the water from the final condenser to a fresh water storage tank for later use whereby potable water is obtained from unclean water with the use of natural forces and with a minimum of expenditure of artificial energy sources.

Abstract: A method for purifying benzotriazole, tolyl-triazole or mixtures of the two is disclosed. The method includes the steps of vacuum distillation of crude triazole and collection of the condensate. The crude triazole contains color bodies, diazotizable impurities which are color body precursors, or both. The color of the distilled triazole is improved by adding to the crude triazole, prior to vacuum distillation, an amount of formaldehyde sufficient for reaction with an appreciable proportion of the color bodies, the color body precursors, or both.

Abstract: A vapor compression type distillation unit is provided for distilling brackish water or seawater wherein high heat transfer rates are achieved in a vertical shell and tube type vaporizer while avoiding carry-over normally resulting from excessive foaming and its entrainment of liquid droplets in the vapor. A pool of liquid is maintained at the lower end of the vaporizer to be fed into the tubes with the level of the liquid being relatively low so that most of the length of the tube is filled with a frothy mixture conducive to high heat transfer rates. The mixture of vapor and liquid discharged from the upper ends of the tubes is caused to flow laterally and then downwardly through a downtake passage communicating with the lower end of the vaporizer. A vapor outlet is provided intermediate the ends of the downtake passage in such a manner that the vapor must change its direction of flow, preferably substantially 180.degree.

Abstract: Process for separating benzene and/or toluene from mixtures thereof with saturated hydrocarbons, by extractive distillation using an aliphatic N-alkylamide as extraction solvent, comprising introducing in the distillation column, above the level of introduction of the extraction solvent, liquid water in an amount and under such conditions that said water is completely vaporized without substantially diluting the solvent, condensing the vapors discharged from the top of the column and dividing the resulting condensate into a phase of liquid saturated hydrocarbons, and a phase of water.

Abstract: A method for reducing losses due to reactions between hydrogen halides and olefinically unsaturated organic compounds in the presence of transition metals which act as catalysts for hydrohalogenation in mixtures containing same by adding to said mixtures a compound selected from the class consisting of alkyl diketones. The present invention is of particular value in the separation of components of said mixtures by distillation, but may also be usefully employed in any operation in which these mixtures are maintained in the presence of said catalytic materials. The present method offers advantages over the prior art because of the relative low toxicity and flammability of diketones and the fact that no undesirable solids are formed to foul process equipment as with some known methods.

Abstract: Diaryl ether is used as an extractive distillation solvent to separate mixtures containing cyclohexylbenzene, phenol and cyclohexanone. A mixture of cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexanone and phenol resulting from the acid catalyzed cleavage of cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is subjected to an extractive distillation with a diaryl ether solvent to obtain removed cyclohexylbenzene as a bottoms fraction.

Abstract: An aromatic acyl chloride is obtained with industrial advantages by reacting an aromatic carboxylic acid, phosphorus trichloride and chlorine, treating the reaction mixture comprising by-produced phosphorus pentachloride with at least one treating agent selected from water and phosphorus compounds to convert the phosphorus pentachloride into phosphorus oxychloride, and then subjecting the resulting reaction mixture to distillation to obtain the desired aromatic acyl chloride.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for the automatic adjustment of the fractionation column pressure in a fractionator system which employs total condensation of overhead vapor and a liquid full reflux accumulator to thus float the column pressure above minimum column pressure. The set point of a condensder fan pitch controller, which manipulates the blade pitch of the condenser fan, is automatically adjusted in response to a desired offset of condensate subcooling from the overhead bubble point temperature which is repeatedly automatically calculated in response to analysis of the overhead product composition and pressure. The set point of a pressure controller, which manipulates the overhead product control valve to adjust column pressure, is automatically adjusted in response to a fan pitch signal from the condenser fan pitch controller and a desired fan pitch set point. Appropriate limits and overrides are also disclosed to prevent sudden changes in column pressure which might upset system operation.

Abstract: A trisubstituted phosphate is employed as extractive distillation solvent in the separation of cumene and phenol.

Abstract: A foam eliminating device which can mechanically pulverize and eliminate foam produced in sewage liquid is disclosed. The device comprises a casing partitioned into a foam collection chamber and a purified air chamber, a movable grid rotatably journalled in an opening for communicating the foam collection chamber with the purified air chamber, and means for rotating the movable grid and pulverizing foam passing from the foam collection chamber into the purified air chamber by means of the movable grid.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a continuous process for separating higher boiling, heat sensitive components from a liquid product stream. It involves a rapid evaporation of the desired product of the stream in an evaporator which minimizes residence time, such as a falling film evaporator, and feeding the vapors and the remainder of the stream to a separation column where the vaporized products rise in the column. Part of the vaporized products are removed after condensation and then recycled back to the column as a reflux. This reflux after contacting one or more trays is collected and recycled to the evaporator and mixed with the product feed being treated. The liquid remainder of the feed stream is collected at the bottom of the column. The bottom of the column can be kept at a temperature which minimizes any breakdown of the heat sensitive components present therein and, if desired, the bottoms in the column can be quickly withdrawn for treatment elsewhere or for recycling back to the process.

Abstract: A solar energy device comprising a body having a plurality of spaced focusing lenses to concentrate direct and reflected rays from the sun. A heat receiving member is inside of said body. One of the body and the member is expansible and contractible so as to direct the member into exact convergence with the focal points of said lenses. The member is supported within said body and fed fluid to be heated. The heated fluid is then removed from the member. The heat receiving member that is expansible and contractible may be employed separately and used as a prime mover.