Abstract: A method of extracting propionitrile from liquid chloropicrin includes providing a feed solution that constitutes liquid chloropicrin and a propionitrile solute dissolved therein. A liquid, water-based solvent that is immiscible with the feed solution is also provided. The feed solution and the solvent are intermixed such that the solvent absorbs and extracts at least a portion of the propionitrile solute from the feed solution. The feed solution is then separated from the solvent and extracted propionitrile solute to produce a liquid extract and a liquid raffinate, which liquid extract includes the water-based solvent and the propionitrile solute absorbed by the solvent, and which raffinate includes the feed solution from which propionitrile solute has-been extracted.

Abstract: A process for removing organic compounds from a brine solution permits processing of that solution in a chlor-alkali electrochemical cell. A brine solution containing a mixture of nonvolatile organic compounds is introduced into a tank with a selected volume of acid and is heated to boiling. Nonvolatile organic compounds in the solution are decomposed such that they become volatile compounds, which are removed by distillation from the tank or by additional subsequent steam distillation. The resulting brine solution has a final total organic compound (TOC) level sufficiently low to render its suitable for use in a membrane, diaphragm or other type of chlor-alkali electrochemical cell.