Abstract: Halogenated hydrocarbon and uncontaminated water is recovered from a stream of process water contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbon and hydrogen halide. The process water is neutralized and then distilled to obtain a first fraction containing halogenated hydrocarbon and water and a second fraction containing uncontaminated water. The first fraction is allowed to settle into layers of halogenated hydrocarbon and water which are then removed.The contaminated stream may be obtained from a process for the solvent dewaxing of a petroleum fraction.

Abstract: A flow of fermenting liquor from a fermentor is separated into a yeast concentrate flow, which is recirculated to the fermentor, and a yeast-free flow which is separated in a simple evaporator unit into a first ethanol-enriched vapor flow and a first liquid bottom flow. The first vapor flow is treated to produce the desired ethanol while a major part of the first liquid bottom flow is recirculated to the fermentor. A minor, residual part of the latter flow is fed to a stripping unit where it is separated into a second ethanol-enriched vapor flow and a second liquid bottom flow exhausted of ethanol.

Abstract: Carbonyl impurities in acrylic acid are removed by reacting them with a 1,2-glycol prior to distillation. The acetal-type products remain as heavies in the distillation bottoms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering acetic acid by extracting from an acetic acid-containing aqueous solution with an organic extracting agent and subjecting the extract to distillation, said method comprising the first step of performing extraction by using a tertiary amine having a boiling point higher than that of acetic acid and being capable of forming a non-aqueus phase as the organic extracting agent in combination with an oxygen-containing, high-boiling-point organic solvent selected from the group consisting of di-isobutylcarbinol, isophorene, methyl benzoate, tributyl phosphate, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanone and 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, the second step of performing dehydration by subjecting the extract to distillation, and the third step of subjecting the dehydrated mixture to distillation in a reduced pressure distillation column at a column bottom temperature of 120.degree. to 170.degree. C. to distill acetic acid and separate it from the organic extracting agent.

Abstract: In the hydrolysis of methyl acetate to acetic acid, the improvement comprising a flasher or stripper to separate methyl acetate and water from the hydrolyzer product stream and the recycle of these directly to the hydrolyzer.

Abstract: A method of desalinating water resides in evaporating water from an aqueous salt solution upon contact of the latter with air, the water vapor being subsequently retrieved by condensing. The evaporation of water from the aqueous salt solution through contact thereof with the air is conducted by using two air flows, that is, primary and secondary flows. The primary air flow is supplied to a cooling zone, while the secondary air flow and the aqueous salt solution are delivered to an evaporation zone wherein the secondary flow is moistened by the water evaporating from the aqueous salt solution by virture of the psychrometric temperature difference until the moisture content in the secondary air flow is increased, as compared with the initial moisture content therein, by from 3.5 to 116 g/kg. During the course of absorbing the moisture, the secondary air flow acts to cool the primary air flow passing through the cooling zone.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the separation of components from a mixture which forms an azeotrope is disclosed by subjecting the mixture to extractive distillation to remove one of the components and regeneration to separate another component from the extracting agent added to the extractive distillation column. According to the invention, a first side stream is withdrawn from the extractive distillation column, passed in heat exchange with the bottoms from the extractive distillation column en route to the regeneration column and returned to the extractive distillation column at a point below the point at which it is withdrawn. A second side stream from the extractive distillation column is withdrawn, passed in heat exchange with the bottoms of the regeneration zone and returned to the extractive distillation column. For this purpose, separate heat exchangers are used for the respective side streams.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for extracting an organic liquid from an organic liquid solute/solvent mixture. The mixture is contacted with a fluid extractant which is at a temperature and pressure to render the extractant a solvent for the solute but not for the solvent. The resulting fluid extract of the solute is then depressurized to give a still feed which is distilled to form still overhead vapors and liquid still bottoms. The enthalpy required to effect this distillation is provided by compressing the still overhead vapors to heat them and indirectly to heat the still feed. The process is particularly suitable for separating mixtures which form azeotropes, e.g., oxygenated hydrocarbon/water mixtures. The energy required in this process is much less than that required to separate such mixtures by conventional distillation techniques.

Abstract: Ethylene oxide and water are reacted in a reactor and the reaction product is subjected to distillation in a plurality of distillation columns, in the first columns water and components having a boiling point below that of monoethylene glycol and higher ethylene glycols, if any, being distilled off. To obtain extremely pure monoethylene glycol alkali metal compounds are added at a point between the reactor and the monoethylene glycol distillation column in an amount to adjust the pH of the product entering the latter column to a value of from 7 to 10. The monoethylene glycol obtained in this manner is especially pure and has very low UV absorption values. It is, therefore, especially suitable for the manufacture of polyester fibers.

Abstract: Formaldehyde manufacture by oxidative-dehydrogenation of methanol over a silver or copper catalyst. Aqueous formaldehyde solution is obtained from the reaction and is stripped of methanol and water by a low energy process at relatively low temperature by means of recycled inert gas in a stripping column comprising at least about 1.5 theoretical transfer units for stripping methanol.

Abstract: A control system for distillation column with a sidedraw line is provided wherein a prediction on the influence by changes in the feed stream with respect to the sidedraw composition is made.

Abstract: Sulfur compounds are separated from aqueous mixtures containing same by employing a stripper having at least two stripping sections with at least a portion of the stripper kettle product being recycled to the lower stripping section. The process is particularly effective in recovering mercaptans from steam condensate. In the production of mercaptans by reacting hydrogen sulfide with olefins, steam condensate contaminated with mercaptans is obtained from the steam ejector employed in the product fractionation column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus particularly suitable for the production of alcohol from fermentable substances such as grain. In this method, mash cooking, fermentation, and boiling are carried out sequentially in a single vessel. Boiling produces a first vapor rich in alcohol which is partially condensed to form a liquid condensate and a second vapor which is further enriched in alcohol. The liquid condensate is returned to the vessel and an alcohol product is recovered from the second vapor, preferably without the addition of external heat. Alcohol recovery is effected by passing the second vapor to a second vessel. Vapor from the second vessel is partially condensed to form a third vapor which is still further enriched in alcohol and a liquid condensate which is returned to the second vessel where it is contacted by the second vapor introduced thereto.

Abstract: A method for dehydration and/or enrichment of aqueous alcohol mixtures wherein the mixtures in the vapor state are contacted with a dehydration agent which is composed of cellulose, caboxymethylcellulose, cornmeal, cracked corn, corn cobs, wheat straw, bagasse, starch, hemicellulose, wood chips, other grains, other agricultural residues or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Heat transfer apparatus comprises:(a) a heat pump, and(b) a distillation means operatively connected with the heat pump to receive distillable fluid therefrom for condensation and release of latent heat Q.sub.c,(c) the heat pump connected with said distillation means to receive said latent heat for addition of work input and re-transfer to the distillation fluid.

Abstract: The invention involves a process for substantially separating the components of mixtures of substances at least one of which is of low volatility while the other is of low or no volatility, the process using a compressed gas under supercritical conditions and an entrainer which increases the concentration of said mixture in the gaseous phase as well as the separation factor between the components to be separated. The process operates in two distillation zones the first of which substantially separates the components of low volatility in a process similar to a rectification process while the second distillation zone separates the top product of the first distillation zone from the gas with the aid of the entrainer which is condensed partially and in this state is passed in countercurrent to the gas carrying the separated component of low volatility.

Abstract: In a process for the continuous preparation of pure organic solutions of percarboxylic acids having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, by(a) contacting aqueous hydrogen peroxide with a carboxylic acid containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms in the presence of an acid catalyst at a feed molar ratio of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 to carboxylic acid of 0.

Abstract: The waste water output of an RO unit in a distillation system is conveyed to a still's condenser cooling coil to minimize water requirements of the system. A portion of the heated water fron the condenser, in one embodiment, is circulated to the RO unit inlet, where a temperature mixing valve maintains an optimum temperature for the RO inlet water by mixing feed water and condenser output water in the desired proportions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from water having solid contaminants dissolved therein. Contaminated water flows across a grid and into a storage tank. The grid utilizes solar energy to heat that water to a predetermined temperature. A heat transfer structure which is dome-shaped and receives water from the storage tank and a preheater means utilizing solar energy heats the water to a further predetermined temperature. An evaporator means receives the heated water and exposes it to a vacuum condition so that the temperature of the water is above the saturation temperature. The water is thus vaporized, and solid contaminants dissolved therein are separated therefrom. The solids are deposited on a plurality of moving belts and are then moved into a solids removal system. The solids removal system comprises a plurality of trap door pairs upon which the solids are deposited and which are sequentially opened so that the vacuum conditions existing in the evaporator are not disturbed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for producing substantially anhydrous alcohols from aqueous solutions thereof by distilling a mixture of aqueous alcohol and an entrainer to a drying column withdrawing an azeotrope as a distillate and continuously recovering anhydrous alcohol with less than 0.1% by weight of water from the base of the drying column. The improvement resides in feeding the distillate to a condenser and introducing (a) the condensate therefrom in a substantially non-turbulent state into a decanter at a point close to the interface between the aqueous and organic phases present therein and (b) a specified amount of water, which is less than 0.25 volumes per volume of the anhydrous alcohol recovered, into the drying column at a point adjacent to that at which the organic hydrocarbon phase is returned as reflux.