Abstract: Chlorosilanes such as dimethyldichlorosilane are hydrolyzed in a first super-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column A to produce cyclosiloxanes, chlorosiloxanes, and hydrogen chloride gas. The cyclosiloxanes and the chlorosiloxanes are washed and separated according to their volatility in a second sub-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column B, to produce a substantially chloride free volatile cyclosiloxane stream and a substantially chloride free non-volatile siloxane stream. The process is substantially chloride efficient.

Abstract: Chlorosilanes such as dimethyldichlorosilane are hydrolyzed in a first super-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column A to produce cyclosiloxanes, chlorosiloxanes, and hydrogen chloride gas. The cyclosiloxanes and the chlorosiloxanes are washed and separated according to their volatility in a second sub-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column B, to produce a substantially chloride free volatile cyclosiloxane stream and a substantially chloride free non-volatile siloxane stream. The process is substantially chloride efficient.

Abstract: A method for removing a particulate from a liquid silicon containing compound. The method comprises contacting a suspension comprising a non-conducting liquid silicon containing compound and a particulate having a different dielectric constant than the non-conducting liquid silicon containing compound with a non-conducting packing substrate in an electric field. The present method is especially useful for removing suspended particulate ranging in size from about 0.01 to 100 microns from silicon fluids.

Abstract: An improved structured packing for use in a liquid-vapor contact column. More specifically in a structured packing for liquid-vapor contact where the structured packing comprises laterally orientated channels having peripheral openings, the improvement comprises substantially occluding the peripheral openings with a barrier film. The present invention also includes an improved liquid-vapor contact column comprising a column shell having positioned within a structured packing comprising an outer surface in non-occlusive proximation to the column shell and laterally orientated channels having peripheral openings through the outer surface, the improvement comprising substantially occluding the peripheral openings with a barrier film.

Abstract: A process for separating an emulsion into separate and easily recoverable phases. The process comprises exposing an emulsion comprising a discontinuous phase and a non-conducting continuous phase to an electric field thereby effecting coalescence of the discontinuous phase into droplets of a size for effective gravitation from the continuous phase, where the discontinuous phase and the continuous phase have different dielectric constants and densities and at least one of the phases comprise a silicon containing compound or a silicon containing polymer. The present process is especially useful for separating emulsions where the discontinuous phase is an aqueous acid solution and the continuous phase is diorganopolysiloxane.