Abstract: An improved process for recovering phenol from phenol-water mixtures by distillation is provided by carrying out the distillation in a manner which avoids the normal phenol-water azeotropic limitation by introducing a ketone-hydrocarbon mixture into the upper section of a fractional distillation column used for the recovery. Mixtures of benzene or lower alkyl substituted benzene with lower ketones are employed in the process.

Abstract: A process is provided for extracting phenol from phenol-water mixtures using a hydrocarbon-extracting medium having an improved extraction coefficient. The extracting medium comprises a mixture of a hydrocarbon component containing at least a substantial amount of an aromatic hydrocarbon for example benzene, and a ketone component, for example 2-butanone.

Abstract: Apparatus and a process for mixing and horizontally distributing vertically flowing fluids are disclosed, the apparatus being adapted to be self-supporting in a vertically elongated shell or to support a bed of particulate solids within a shell. The process and apparatus are particularly useful for supporting an upper catalyst bed and for mixing and distributing liquid hydrocarbons and a hydrogen-containing gas across the cross-section of a downstream catalyst bed in a reactor system. The apparatus is preferably adapted for introducing a cooling gas into a reaction stream between upstream and downstream catalyst beds.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for gravity separating lighter and heavier liquids are disclosed, the apparatus including a vessel with its interior divided by a horizontal baffle into upper and lower spaces, which are in communication at one end. The horizontal baffle is shaped to provide a sloping floor in the upper space. Mixed lighter and heavier liquids are passed into the lower space, forming a heavier, lower phase, containing most of the heavier liquid and a lighter, upper phase containing the lighter liquid and a small amount of heavier liquid. The lighter phase passes into one end of the upper space. The opposite end of the upper space has a vertical baffle to retain the lighter phase above the sloping floor formed by the horizontal baffle. The minor portion of heavier liquid separates by gravity from the lighter phase and flows toward the lower portion of the sloping floor, and the lighter liquid is removed from the vessel through an outlet orifice located at the higher portion of the floor.