Abstract: A method is described for the production of a polyhydric alcohol from a urethane containing polymer. The method first provides a reaction mixture comprising said polymer, a solvent, which comprises a polyol capable of reacting with said polymer to depolymerize said polymer; and a catalyst, which comprises catalyst particles. Said polymer is depolymerized in said reaction mixture by reacting with said polyol to produce said polyhydric alcohol. A further step allows said reaction mixture containing said polyhydric alcohol product to separate into an, upper, product phase containing said polyhydric alcohol and another, lower, phase mainly containing said polyol and said catalyst. The catalyst is recovered from said another phase, while said polyhydric alcohol product is recovered from said product phase.

Abstract: A continuous method for depolymerizing polycaprolactam waste into caprolactam is described. In the method, a melt of the polycaprolactam waste and an inert gas are fed to a reactor in a continuous manner. Water and an aromatic hydrocarbon are also fed to the reactor and the polycaprolactam waste is contacted with superheated steam of the water/hydrocarbon mixture at a temperature of between 260° C. and 300° C. and at a gauge pressure from 1 barg to 70 barg. Turbulent mixing conditions are created in the reactor, and a caprolactam-containing vapor stream is created in the reactor which exits the reactor at an outlet. The caprolactam is separated from the exited caprolactam-containing vapor stream by partial condensation, and collected. A reactor system for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A method is described for the production of a polyhydric alcohol from a urethane containing polymer. The method first provides a reaction mixture comprising said polymer, a reactive solvent, which comprises a polyol; and a catalyst, comprising catalyst particles. Said polymer is depolymerized in said reaction mixture by reacting with said polyol to produce said polyhydric alcohol. A further step allows said reaction mixture containing said polyhydric alcohol product to separate into a product phase containing said polyhydric alcohol and another phase mainly containing said polyol and said catalyst. The catalyst is recovered from said another phase, while said polyhydric alcohol product is recovered from said product phase. The catalyst is a catalyst complex comprising the catalyst particles and a catalyst entity covalently bonded to the catalyst particles via a linking group, wherein the catalyst entity comprises a cationic moiety having positive charge and a negative moiety having negative charge.

Abstract: A method of depolymerization of waste polymer material into monomers comprises releasing at least part of the at least one dye from the waste polymer material in an alcoholic solvent without depolymerizing the condensation polymer in the waste polymer material and at conditions preventing a reaction between the dye and the alcoholic solvent, wherein the alcoholic solvent is a polyol. The alcoholic solvent is added in a weight ratio of the alcoholic solvent to the waste polymer material of between 200:1 and 10:1. The at least partially decolorized waste polymer is then separated from the alcoholic solvent, and the at least one dye is extracted from the alcoholic solvent so as to regenerate the alcoholic solvent, which is led to a storage for reuse. The condensation polymer is depolymerized in the purified recovered alcoholic solvent by using a catalyst. A reactor system for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: The separation method separates a polyalcohol compound from water, so as to obtain a purified product stream comprising the polyalcohol compound in an output concentration of at least 90 wt %. Thereto, a mixture of the polyalcohol compound and water is provided, said mixture having a polyalcohol concentration. The polyalcohol concentration of the mixture is increased in an evaporation stage. Subsequently, the mixture is treated in a distillation stage to deliver the purified product stream comprising the polyalcohol compound in the output concentration of at least 90 wt %. Herein, the distillation stage is operated to produce steam output, that is optionally compressed to a steam pressure, and is coupled to the evaporation stage. The maximum distillation pressure and/or said compressed steam pressure is not less than the maximum evaporation pressure. The reactor system is configured for performing the separation method.

Abstract: A process for obtaining soluble functional proteins from plant material includes the steps of: mechanically disrupting the cells of the plant material to obtain a mush stream; subjecting the mush stream to a coarse physical separation step, resulting in a permeate and a retentate; subjecting the permeate Pb to mild treatment, resulting in a treated permeate; subjecting the treated permeate to serial centrifugation steps; subjecting centrate to a microfiltration step resulting in a permeate and a retentate; subjecting the permeate to an ultrafiltration step resulting in a permeate and a retentate; subjecting the retentate to hydrophobic column adsorption to provide a column permeate and a retentate; and drying the column permeate to provide a soluble functional protein isolate.

Abstract: The reactor system comprises a reactor vessel with at least one inlet and a first and a second outlet, which reactor vessel is configured for depolymerisation of a condensation polymer and which first and second outlet are configured for removal of a first and a second part of a reaction mixture. The reactor system further comprises a heat exchanger downstream of the first outlet. Herein the second outlet is arranged at a lower position of the reactor vessel than the first outlet. The first outlet is configured for removal of the first part being a dispersion and/or solution comprising said condensation polymer and depolymerisation products thereof in a solvent. Said first part is led to the heat exchanger. The second outlet is configured for removal of the second part including agglomerates. The reactor system is used for depolymerisation of a condensation polymer.

Abstract: Method for depolymerising terephthalate polymer into reusable raw material, the method comprising steps of: depolymerizing terephthalate polymer by using ethylene glycol into a depolymerised mixture comprising at least one monomer and at least one dimer, wherein said at least one monomer comprises bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), and said at least one dimer comprises dimer of bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET-dimer); removing solid compounds from said depolymerised mixture in a first separator to obtain a composition comprising the at least one dimer and the at least one monomer as solutes in a mixture of ethylene glycol and water; crystallizing BHET-dimer from said solution, thereby obtaining a mixture of BHET-dimer crystals and a first mother liquid; separating the crystallized BHET-dimer from the first mother liquid, and thereafter: forming BHET crystals from said first mother liquid, thereby obtaining a mixture of BHET crystals and a second mother liquid; and recovering the BHET crystals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid composition comprising at least 90.0 wt. % bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), as based on dry weight and having a pore volume in the range of 0.20 to 1.0 cm3/g. The porosity is above 25% or even above 35%. The solid composition is made by crystallisation, followed by granulation and fluid bed drying.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for separating biomass from solid fermentation product wherein a slurry comprising biomass and solid fermentation product is provided to the top of a biomass separator unit and an aqueous medium is provided to the bottom of a biomass separator unit, while a product stream comprising solid fermentation product is withdrawn from the bottom of the biomass separator unit and a waste stream comprising biomass is withdrawn from the top of the biomass separator unit. It has been found that the method according to the invention makes it possible to provide a solid fermentation product which comprises very low amounts of remaining biomass, while product loss can be limited.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl includes the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing an HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor. The magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor may be a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 60 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for separating biomass from solid fermentation product wherein a slurry comprising biomass and solid fermentation product is provided to the top of a biomass separator unit and an aqueous medium is provided to the bottom of a biomass separator unit, while a product stream comprising solid fermentation product is withdrawn from the bottom of the biomass separator unit and a waste stream comprising biomass is withdrawn from the top of the biomass separator unit. It has been found that the method according to the invention makes it possible to provide a solid fermentation product which comprises very low amounts of remaining biomass, while product loss can be limited.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl includes the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing an HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor. The magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor may be a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 60 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl includes the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing an HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor. The magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor may be a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 60 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carboxylic acid that includes the following steps is provided. First, subjecting an aqueous mixture, including carboxylic acid and at least 5 wt. % dissolved magnesium chloride, to a forward extraction step using a first organic liquid, including an organic solvent, the organic solvent being selected from the group of C5+ ketones, thereby obtaining an organic carboxylic acid solution and an aqueous waste liquid including magnesium chloride. Second, subjecting the organic carboxylic acid solution to a back extraction step wherein the carboxylic acid is extracted from the organic carboxylic acid solution into an aqueous liquid, thereby obtaining an aqueous carboxylic acid solution and a second organic liquid. Third, subjecting the aqueous waste liquid including magnesium chloride derived from the forward extraction to a thermal decomposition step at a temperature of at least 300° C., thereby decomposing the magnesium chloride to magnesium oxide and HCl.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl, comprising the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing a HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor, wherein the magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor is a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 50 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O. The process accordingly is fast and can be operated in a manner which is efficient both as regards apparatus and energy. It can also be integrated in a process for converting a magnesium chloride solution.

Abstract: The separation method separates a polyalcohol compound from water, so as to obtain a purified product stream comprising the polyalcohol compound in output concentration of at least 90 wt %. Thereto, a mixture of the polyalcohol compound and water is provided, said mixture having a polyalcohol concentration. The polyalcohol concentration of mixture is increased in an evaporation stage, at least a portion of which is operated in at first pressure. Subsequently, the mixture is treated in distillation stage to be deliver the stream comprising the polyalcohol compound in the output concentration of at least 90 wt %, which distillation stage is operated at a second pressure. Herein, the distillation stage is operated to produce steam output, that optionally compressed to a third pressure and is coupled to the evaporation stage. The second pressure and/or any third pressure is higher than first pressure. The reactor system is configured for performing the separation method.

Abstract: A fermentation product manufacturing process includes fermenting under fermentation conditions in an aqueous fermentation medium in a fermentation reactor a carbohydrate source with a microorganism capable of converting the carbohydrate into a fermentation product which is a salt or a product with a boiling point above the boiling point of water, during the process withdrawing part of the medium including biomass from the reactor in the form of a recycle stream, providing the stream including biomass to a pressure vessel wherein the pressure is such that the temperature of the stream decreases 1-8° C., as compared to the temperature of the medium in the reactor, by the evaporation of water, and recycling the cooled recycle stream to the reactor. The process makes it possible to obtain a homogeneous temperature profile of the fermentation medium with limited occurrence of hot or cool spots within the reactor which results in improved fermentation performance.

Abstract: A method for conversion of magnesium chloride into magnesium oxide and HCl includes the steps of providing a magnesium chloride compound to a thermohydrolysis reactor, the reactor being at a temperature of at least 300° C., withdrawing MgO from the thermohydrolysis reactor in solid form, and withdrawing an HCl containing gas stream from the thermohydrolysis reactor. The magnesium chloride compound provided to the thermohydrolysis reactor may be a solid magnesium chloride compound which comprises at least 60 wt. % of MgCl2.4H2O.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for separating biomass from solid fermentation product wherein a slurry comprising biomass and solid fermentation product is provided to the top of a biomass separator unit and an aqueous medium is provided to the bottom of a biomass separator unit, while a product stream comprising solid fermentation product is withdrawn from the bottom of the biomass separator unit and a waste stream comprising biomass is withdrawn from the top of the biomass separator unit. It has been found that the method according to the invention makes it possible to provide a solid fermentation product which comprises very low amounts of remaining biomass, while product loss can be limited.