Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process that relates to the recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic acid. The process involves the addition of a wash solution to a high temperature molten dispersion to recover the metal catalyst and then subjecting an aqueous mixture or purified aqueous mixture so formed to a single stage extraction to remove organic impurities to produce an extract stream and a raffinate stream comprising the metal catalyst.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that relates to the recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic. More particularly, the process involves recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream through the use of a pressure filter, the combining of water with a mother liquor to recover the metal catalyst and then subjecting an aqueous mixture so formed to a single stage extraction with an extraction solvent to produce an extract stream comprising organic impurities and a raffinate stream comprising the metal catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process that relates to the recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic acid. The process involves the addition of a wash solution to a high temperature molten dispersion to recover the metal catalyst and then subjecting an aqueous mixture or purified aqueous mixture so formed to a single stage extraction to remove organic impurities to produce an extract stream and a raffinate stream comprising the metal catalyst.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities from a mother liquor comprising a carboxylic acid, a metal catalyst, impurities by (a) evaporating the mother liquor comprising a carboxylic acid, the metal catalyst, impurities, water and a solvent in a first evaporator zone to produce a vapor stream and a concentrated mother liquor stream; (b) evaporating the concentrated mother liquor stream in a second evaporator zone to form a solvent rich stream and a super concentrated mother liquor stream; (c) separating organic impurities with a water-solvent solution from the super concentrated mother liquor in a solid-liquid separation zone to form an aqueous stream and a second aqueous stream; (d) mixing in a mixing zone water and optionally and extraction solvent with the aqueous stream and second aqueous stream to form an aqueous mixture; and (e) adding an extraction solvent to the aqueous mixture in an extraction zone to form an extract stream and a raffinate stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spinal implant for placement between adjacent processes of the human spine. In some embodiments the spinal implant includes a spacer and one or more retention members. In some embodiments, the retention members are fixed relative to the spacer and in other embodiments the retention members are deployable from a first or compact or stowed position to a second or expanded or deployed position. In some embodiments the spacer is expandable from a first size to a second size. In some embodiments the spacer has a tapered body.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that relates to the removal of impurities, specifically benzoic acid, from a mother liquor produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently producing aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., terephthalic acid). In one embodiment the process/apparatus reduces costs by recovering and purifying residual terephthalic acid present in the liquid phase of an initial oxidation slurry. In another embodiment the process apparatus reduces costs associated with hydrogenation by forming a final composite product containing unhydrogenated acid particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically producing aromatic discarboxylic acids. The process reduces costs associated with hydrogenation by forming a final composite product containing unhydrogenated acid particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently producing aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., terephthalic acid). In one embodiment the process/apparatus reduces costs by recovering and purifying residual terephthalic acid present in the liquid phase of an initial oxidation slurry. In another embodiment the process apparatus reduces costs associated with hydrogenation by forming a final composite product containing unhydrogenated acid particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently producing aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., terephthalic acid). In one embodiment the process/apparatus reduces costs by recovering and purifying residual terephthalic acid present in the liquid phase of an initial oxidation slurry. In another embodiment the process apparatus reduces costs associated with hydrogenation by forming a final composite product containing unhydrogenated acid particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized system for more efficiently and economically producing terephthalic acid. The system includes an oxidative digestion reactor/zone configured to provide optimized residence time distribution for the solid and liquid phases of the reaction medium processed therein.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities from a mother liquor comprising a carboxylic acid, a metal catalyst, impurities by (a) evaporating the mother liquor comprising a carboxylic acid, a metal catalyst, impurities and a solvent in a first evaporator zone to produce a vapor stream and a concentrated mother liquor stream; (b) evaporating the concentrated mother liquor stream in a second evaporator zone to form a solvent rich stream and a super concentrated mother liquor stream; (c) mixing in a mixing zone a water-solvent solution and optionally an extraction solvent with the super concentrated mother liquor stream to form an aqueous mixture; (d) optionally separating organic impurities from the aqueous mixture in a solid-liquid separation zone to form a purified aqueous mixture; and (e) extracting the aqueous mixture or purified aqueous mixture with an extraction solvent in an extraction zone to form an extract stream and the raffinate stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to produce a purified carboxylic acid slurry. The process comprises removing impurities from a crystallized product in a solid liquid displacement zone to form the purified carboxylic acid slurry. The process produces purified carboxylic acid slurry having good color and low impurity levels without the use of purification steps like hydrogenation or an impurity removal process.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities from an aqueous mixture or purified aqueous by extracting the aqueous mixture or purified aqueous mixture with an extraction solvent in an extraction zone to form an extract stream and the raffinate stream; and optionally separating the extract stream and a solvent rich stream in a separation zone to form a high boiling point organic impurities stream and a recovered extraction solvent stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for oxidizing a slurry composition in a post oxidation zone in the presence of added steam. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for oxidizing a crude terephthalic acid composition in a post oxidation zone in the presence of added steam in a process for the production of a crystallized post oxidation composition.

Abstract: In this invention, a process is provided by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture suitable as starting material for a polyester production is obtained from a decolorized carboxylic acid solution without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, in this invention, a process is provided by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture suitable as starting material for a polyester production is obtained from a decolorized terephthalic acid solution without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized system for more efficiently and economically producing terephthalic acid. The system includes an novel method for heating the slurry and/or reaction medium subjected to oxidative digestion.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gas phase polymerization of olefins in a fluidized bed reactor are disclosed. The process and apparatus employ a vertically oriented fines ejector in order to reduce fouling and reactor downtime.