Abstract: A fluid feed mixture, either liquid or gaseous in nature, may be subjected to a gas enrichment separation process. The process is effected by contacting the mixture with the upstream face of a mixed matrix membrane which comprises an organic polymer having a solid particulate adsorbent incorporated therein, the permeability coefficient of the organic polymer being compatible with the permeability coefficient of the adsorbent. The permeate which emanates from the downstream face of the membrane comprises a fluid product mixture in which the proportion of the first fluid component of the feed mixture, which possesses a greater steady state permeability in relation to the second fluid component, is greater than the proportion present in the original fluid feed mixture.

Abstract: The separation of the para-isomer of a dialkyl benzene from a mixture of the isomers thereof, especially p-xylene, by contacting the mixture at adsorption conditions with a type X or type Y zeolite adsorbent, ion exchanged with barium and potassium, and recovering the para-alkylbenzene from the adsorbent by contacting the adsorbent with fluorobenzene or a difluorobenzene at desorption conditions.

Abstract: A fluid feed mixture, either liquid or gaseous in nature, may be subjected to a gas enrichment separation process. The process is effected by contacting the mixture with the upstream face of a mixed matrix membrane which comprises an organic polymer having a solid particulate adsorbent incorporated therein, the permeability coefficient of the organic polymer being compatible with the permeability coefficient of the adsorbent. The permeate which emanates from the downstream face of the membrane comprises a fluid product mixture in which the proportion of the first fluid component of the feed mixture, which possesses a greater steady state permeability in relation to the second fluid component, is greater than the proportion present in the original fluid feed mixture.

Abstract: Sucrose which is found in molasses such as beet molasses or cane molasses may be selectively extracted therefrom by passing an aqueous solution of the molasses over a solid adsorbent such as activated carbon. The sucrose will be selectively adsorbed thereon and separated from the betaine and mineral salts, specifically potassium chloride, in the molasses. The sucrose is then removed from the adsorbent by treatment with a desorbent material comprising an alcohol. An essential step in the process is the flushing of the desorbent from the adsorbent with water prior to the subsequent contact of the adsorbent with the feed stream.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating oleic acid from a feed mixture comprising an oleic acid and linoleic acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite, thereby selectively retaining the oleic acid. The oleic acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement fluid comprising a diluent soluble in the feed mixture and having a polarity index of at least 3.5. Displacement occurs at a temperature from about 120.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. The feed mixture may also contain rosin acids in which case a first molecular sieve comprising silicalite is used to separate the fatty acids from the rosin acids.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a fatty acid from a mixture comprising a fatty acid and a rosin acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising a crystalline silica, thereby selectively retaining the fatty acid. The fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement fluid comprising an ester containing less than six carbon atoms per molecule. Once the rosin acid is removed from the feed mixture, the process is also effective in separating the fatty acids from each other, using the same molecular sieve and displacement fluid.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a saturated fatty acid from a feed mixture comprising saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising a crystalline silica, thereby selectively retaining the saturated fatty acid. The saturated fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement at displacement conditions with a displacement fluid comprising a diluent soluble in the feed mixture and having a polarity index of at least 3.5. Amorphous silica is a preferred binder for the molecular sieve.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a fatty acid from a mixture comprising a fatty acid and a rosin acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite, thereby selectively retaining the fatty acid. The fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement fluid comprising an aqueous solution of a ketone from the group comprising acetone, methyl-ethylketone, or di-ethylketone.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating a fatty acid from a mixture comprising a fatty acid and an unsaponifiable compound, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising a crystalline silica having a silica to alumina mole ratio of at least 12, thereby selectively retaining the fatty acid. The fatty acid is recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement at displacement conditions with a displacement fluid soluble in the feed mixture and having a polarity index of at least 3.5.

Abstract: This invention comprises a process for separating oleic acid from a feed mixture comprising an oleic acid and linoleic acid, which process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite, thereby selectively retaining the oleic acid. The oleic acid may be recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement fluid. The feed mixture may also contain rosin acids in which case a first molecular sieve comprising silicalite is used to separate the fatty acids from the rosin acids.

Abstract: A process for separating ethylbenzene from a feed mixture comprising ethylbenzene and at least one xylene isomer. The mixture is contacted with an adsorbent comprising a barium cation exchanged type-X zeolite containing from about 3.0 to about 6.0 wt. % H.sub.2 O. The unadsorbed portion of the feed mixture is removed from the adsorbent and the ethylbenzene recovered by desorption with benzene.

Abstract: A process for separating a normal C.sub.6 olefin hydrocarbon from a mixture of the same with a C.sub.6 olefin branched chain and/or cyclic hydrocarbon. The process comprises contacting the mixture at separation conditions with a molecular sieve comprising a crystalline silica. The normal C.sub.6 olefin hydrocarbon is selectively retained and will be recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement material comprising pentene-1 or butene-1. The process preferably employs a simulated moving bed.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of glucose from an aqueous mixture of glucose and polysaccharides. The mixture is contacted with an X zeolite containing potassium cations at exchangeable cationic sites and selectively adsorbing glucose in the zeolite. The polysaccharides are removed from the zeolite and the adsorbed glucose recovered by means of a desorbent liquid. Preferred systems for effecting the process are countercurrent and co-current simulating moving beds.

Abstract: A process for separating the ortho-isomer from a feed mixture comprising at least two bi-alkyl substituted monocyclic aromatic isomers, including the ortho-isomers, the isomers having from 9 to about 18 carbon atoms per molecule. The process comprises contacting, at adsorption conditions, the feed with an adsorbent comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate consisting essentially of a sodium or calcium Y-type zeolite or sodium X-type zeolite which selectively adsorbs the ortho-isomers. The feed is removed from the adsorbent, and the ortho-isomers recovered by desorption at desorption conditions with a desorbent material comprising a C.sub.8 or heavier monocyclic aromatic with a boiling point at least 5.degree. C. different than that of the feed mixture when the adsorbent is the sodium Y-type zeolite, or a C.sub.8 or lighter monocyclic aromatic when the adsorbent is a sodium X or calcium Y-type zeolite.The process is particularly amenable to the employment of a simulated moving bed flow scheme.

Abstract: Sucrose which is found in thick juice such as obtained from sugar beet or sugar cane may be selectively extracted therefrom by passing an aqueous solution of the thick juice over a solid adsorbent comprising a stabilized type Y zeolite such as Union Carbide Corporation LZ-Y20 adsorbent, preferably bound with a water permeable organic polymer. The sucrose will be selectively adsorbed thereon and separated from other thick juice ingredients such as raffinose, KCl and betaine. The sucrose is then removed from the adsorbent by treatment with a desorbent material comprising an alcohol. The desorbent is flushed from the adsorbent with water prior to the subsequent contact of the adsorbent with the feed stream.

Abstract: This is a separation process employing a column of adsorbent which is divided sequentially into at least three zones, adsorption, purification and desorption zones. A net fluid flow is maintained through the column with the adsorbent moving actually or in a simulated manner countercurrent with respect to the fluid. The feedstock contains the components to be separated with one component being more selectively adsorbed in the adsorption zone by the adsorbent than the other components. A desorbent fluid effects desorption of the more selectively adsorbed component in the desorption zone, however, if carried over into the adsorption zone with the moving adsorbent the desorbent impedes adsorption. The process employs a flush stream introduced at the upstream boundary of the desorption zone, with the desorbent introduced between the upstream and downstream boundaries of that zone, which flushes the desorbent from the adsorbent prior to its movement into the adsorption zone.

Abstract: A process for separating a normal paraffin hydrocarbon from a mixture of the same with a cyclic and/or branched chain paraffin hydrocarbon. The process comprises contacting the mixture at a temperature of from about 120.degree. C. to about 140.degree. C. with a zeolite free molecular sieve comprising silicalite. The normal paraffin hydrocarbon is selectively retained and will preferably be recovered from the molecular sieve by displacement with a displacement material.

Abstract: A process for the separation of normal C.sub.4 hydrocarbons from isobutylene. A mixture of the normal C.sub.4 hydrocarbons and isobutylene is contacted with a molecular sieve comprising silicalite which is selective for the normal C.sub.4 hydrocarbons. The isobutylene is then recovered in the raffinate stream and the normal C.sub.4 hydrocarbons recovered by displacement with pentene-1.

Abstract: A process for separating a glucose from a feed mixture comprising glucose and fructose which process comprises contacting the mixture with an adsorbent comprising an X zeolite containing potassium cations at the exchangeable cationic sites thereby selectively adsorbing glucose from the feed mixture and thereafter recovering the glucose. Preferably the glucose will be recovered by desorption from the adsorbent with a desorbent material.

Abstract: Sucrose which is found in molasses such as beet molasses or cane molasses may be selectively extracted therefrom by passing an aqueous solution of the molasses over a solid adsorbent such as activated carbon. The sucrose will be selectively adsorbed thereon and separated from the betaine and mineral salts, specifically potassium chloride, in the molasses. The sucrose is then removed from the adsorbent by treatment with a desorbent material comprising an alcohol. An essential step in the process is the flushing of the desorbent from the adsorbent with water prior to the subsequent contact of the adsorbent with the feed stream.