Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for liquid-liquid extraction in which a first liquid phase is passed continuously through a series of extraction stages (10) while a second liquid phase is passed continuously through the series in counter-current to the first phase. In each stage the second phase is dispersed as by a sieve plate (11) and then allowed to coalesce into a settled body (14) from which the second phase is withdrawn and passed to the next adjacent stage. The invention is characterized by the fact that the flows of the two phases in each stage are generally transverse to each other. Preferably the first phase flows through the series of stages under gravity while the second phase is pumped (16) from stage to stage to control its inter-stage transfer.The invention combines the features of separate control of residence time characteristics of an extraction column with the safety aspects inherent in a mixer/settler battery.

Abstract: Epoxidation of an alkene by reaction with a peroxycarboxylic acid to produce an oxirane. A peroxycarboxylic acid in organic solution is reacted with an alkene to produce a product mixture. Unreacted alkene is separated from the product mixture as a gas. The separated alkene is absorbed into the organic solution containing the peroxycarboxylic acid. The oxirane product is obtained by purification of the product mixture after the alkene has been separated. The organic solution containing the peroxycarboxylic acid is preferably obtained by countercurrently contacting an aqueous phase which includes sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide and water and an organic phase containing carboxylic acid and organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the production of a peracid in a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous phase comprising sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide and water; (b) providing an organic phase comprising a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent and carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid and propionic acid; and (c) contacting said aqueous and organic phases countercurrently to produce an aqueous solution comprising sulphuric acid and water and an organic product solution comprising chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent and a peracid corresponding to said carboxylic acid. Desirably the process includes the added step of: (d) utilizing at least a portion of said aqueous solution to provide at least a portion of the aqueous phase of step (a).

Abstract: A process for the production of epichlorhydrin, which comprises the steps of:(a) providing an organic solution comprising perpropionic acid and an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of chlorinated hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons;(b) reacting at least a portion of the perpropionic acid of said organic solution and allyl chloride to produce a product mixture comprising epichlorhydrin, propionic acid and organic solvent; and(c) effecting distillation of said product mixture to separate a product phase rich in epichlorhydrin out from said product mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the production of a peracid in an organic solvent comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous phase comprising sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide and water; (b) providing an organic phase comprising an organic solvent and carboxylic acid; and (c) contacting said aqueous and organic phases countercurrently to produce an aqueous solution comprising sulphuric acid and water and an organic product solution comprising organic solvent and a peracid corresponding to said carboxylic acid. Desirably the process includes the added step of: (d) utilizing at least a portion of said aqueous solution to provide at least a portion of the aqueous phase of step (a).

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the preparation of a peracid which comprises reacting hydrogen peroxide with a carboxylic acid in an aqueous medium containing a mineral acid, and extracting the peracid thus formed into an organic phase comprising an organic solvent so as to produce an aqueous solution comprising sulphuric acid and water and an organic solution comprising peracid and organic solvent, wherein the hydrogen peroxide is added to the reaction mixture in a plurality of stages, thereby to limit the concentration of hydrogen peroxide at any location. Preferably the reaction and extraction are effected simultaneously.