Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically producing aromatic discarboxylic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture is obtained from a carboxylic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture is obtained from a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the re-compression of process generated steam to create a higher pressure steam that is useful as a heating medium in other parts of a carboxylic acid production process or, in general utilized in another process. The invention comprises the following basic steps: (a) recovering thermal energy from at least a portion of the high temperature process stream resulting from an aromatic carboxylic acid production process in a first heat transfer zone to produce a low pressure stream; (b) subjecting the low pressure steam to a compression zone to generate an intermediate pressure steam; (c) utilizing the intermediate pressure steam as a heating medium, specifically within other parts of the carboxylic acid process or generally in another process thereby generating steam condensate; and (d) optionally, recycling all or part of the steam condensate to the second heat transfer zone for low pressure steam generation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture is obtained from a slurry or cake carboxylic acid product without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture suitable as a starting material for polyester or co-polyester production is obtained from a slurry or cake terephthalic acid product without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture is obtained from a slurry or cake carboxylic acid product without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture suitable as a starting material for polyester or co-polyester production is obtained from a slurry or cake terephthalic acid product without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process by which a dried carboxylic acid cake is obtained from a slurry or cake carboxylic acid product through the use of at least one counter current wash. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a dried terephthalic acid cake suitable as a starting material for polyester or co-polyester production is obtained from a slurry or cake terephthalic acid product through the use of at least one counter current wash.

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 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: Disclosed is a process to produce a purified carboxylic acid product. The process comprises removing impurities from a crude carboxylic acid slurry in a solid-liquid displacement zone to form a slurry product. The slurry product if further treated in a staged oxidation zone and a crystallization zone to from a crystallized product. The crystallized product is further cooled in a cooling zone and subsequently filtered and dried in a filtration and drying zone. The process produces purified carboxylic acid product having good color and low impurity levels without the use of purification steps like hydrogenation.

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 power strip with an embedded temperature/timing controller includes a set of primary receptacles and a set of secondary receptacles. The primary receptacles are connected to a power source just like conventional power strips. The secondary receptacles are controlled by the temperature/timing controller to switch power on and off. In a heating control mode, the secondary receptacles are switched on if the room temperature is below the desired temperature. In a cooling control mode, the secondary receptacles are switched on if the room temperature is above the desired temperature. In a timing control mode, the secondary receptacles are switched on for certain periods of time.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the manufacture of aromatic carboxylic acids by exothermic liquid phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock. More particularly, this invention relates to the efficient energy recovery of the exotherm produced by the liquid phase oxidation of an aromatic feedstock. An apparatus useful in recovery of energy from the preparation of aromatic carboxylic acids by the exothermic liquid phase reaction of an aromatic feedstock is described where the primary means of energy recovery is by raising moderate pressure steam. This is coupled with a process to recovery low temperature energy using a process commonly known as an organic Rankine cycle and/or a heat pump. The combination of energy recovery methods increases the overall energy recovery and enables the recovery of reaction energy as either thermal energy (steam) or work or a combination of both.

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: 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: 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: 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 heating a secondary oxidizer with steam. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for heating a secondary oxidizer with steam in a process for the production of a crystallized product.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing risk is provided. The method comprises determining an investment index associated with investment by an insurance company in an insurance pool. Next, the method comprises determining a return index associated with an expected return to the insurance company from participating in the insurance pool; and determining a benefit index based on the investment and return indices. The system for assessing risk comprises an assessment module for assessing risks associated with an insurance company's participation in an insurance pool based on at least one of: an investment index associated with the costs of participating in the insurance pool, and a return index associated with the benefits of participating in the insurance pool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and methodology for quantification of insurance risks from a variety of catastrophic events in one or more geographic locations. A probability distribution for a given catastrophic event is developed. A potential claim distribution of the given event is developed. A geographic distribution of an insurance company's issued policies related to the event is developed. Probabilistic models are built and stochastic simulations carried out to quantify the company's insurance risk due to the catastrophic event. The assessment may be in the form of expected insurance payout, a stated risk level and/or net income impact. Decisions can then be made, based on the invention results, to adjust the related policy premiums or to purchase third-party reinsurance protection against the catastrophic event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture is obtained from a carboxylic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture is obtained from a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.