Abstract: A method for purification of acetone including the steps of: a) feeding a crude product mixture comprising acetone, water, an impurity to a distillation column; b) withdrawing a liquid side draw stream from the distillation column; c) separating the side draw stream into a water layer and an organic layer, and returning the water layer to the distillation column; and d) recovering from the distillation column: (i) a lower boiling fraction comprising a purified acetone, relative to the crude product mixture and (ii) a higher boiling fraction comprising a major amount of the water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reducing the emission of volatile organic compounds that are produced during the ketonization of carboxylic acids to ketones. The ketonization of carboxylic acids produces a gaseous by-product stream containing carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds. This gaseous by-product stream can be fed to a direct-fired furnace used to heat the ketonization reaction feed streams where the volatile organic compounds are destroyed by combustion in the furnace. The carbon dioxide stream further acts as a diluent for the fuel to the furnace.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reducing the emission of volatile organic compounds that are produced during the ketonization of carboxylic acids to ketones. The ketonization of carboxylic acids produces a gaseous by-product stream containing carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds. This gaseous by-product stream can be fed to a direct-fired furnace used to heat the ketonization reaction feed streams where the volatile organic compounds are destroyed by combustion in the furnace. The carbon dioxide stream further acts as a diluent for the fuel to the furnace.