Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stripping paint from surfaces, comprising: a) contacting a painted surface with a paint stripping composition, and b) separating at least some of the paint contacted with the paint stripping composition from the painted surface; c) wherein the paint stripping composition comprises: i) from about 60 to about 99% by volume of one or more environmentally acceptable esters selected from the group consisting of t-butyl acetate, a carboxylic acid methyl ester having a caboxylate residue of at least three carbon atoms, an ester of lactic acid, an ester of oxalic acid having two alkoxy residues wherein each alkoxy residue has at least three carbon atoms, diethyl tartrate, triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, and one or more sugar esters; and ii) dimethyl sulfoxide which is present in an amount from about 1 to about 40% by volume of the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distillation process composition at least partially separating mixtures of aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbon compounds employing an extractive distillation composition comprising: a. at least one organic sulfoxide of the formula R1—SO—R2, and b. at least one acrylic sulfone of the formula R3—SO2—R4  wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 have at least one carbon atom and can be the same or different, and  wherein the at least one organic sulfoxide is present in an amount effective to provide improved separation of the aromatic and non-aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, as compared to a process employing the same extractive distillation composition not comprising the organic sulfoxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to extractive distillation compositions for separating a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds, wherein the extractive distillation composition includes at least one alkylene glycol compound, and at least one compatibility agent, wherein the compatibility agent is selected from materials having polar parameters and hydrogen bonding parameters such that the extractive distillation composition provides improved separation of the hydrocarbon compounds, as compared to the use of the extractive distillation composition without the compatibility agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for enhanced extractive distillation of hydrocarbons that employ extrative distillation compositions comprising sulfolane or sulfolane derivatives in comination with compatibility agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extractive distillation composition for at least partially separating a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds comprising: