Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and processes for obtaining desired mercaptans or thiophenes from a feed stream containing a mixture of mercaptans, thiophenes and other components. In one aspect of the invention, a system for separating one or more components from a feed stream of mixed mercaptans includes one or more distillation columns in connection with a feed containing mercaptans, the distillation column having a rectification section, a stripping section, and a feed side section separated from a side draw section by a dividing wall that extends from the rectification section to the stripping section. The distillation column further being in connection with a condenser and a reboiler; and a distillate stream, a side drawn stream, and a bottoms stream.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for cooling heat-generating devices. A plurality of heat exchangers are in thermal communication with a plurality electronic devices. Each of the plurality of heat exchangers includes at least one channel configured to receive and circulate a working liquid. Each of the plurality of heat exchangers may be a cold plate, an air cooler, and a combination thereof. The plurality of heat exchangers include at least one cold plate in direct contact with at least one of the plurality of electronic device. At least one air cooler circulates air and convectively absorbs heat from the remaining electronic devices.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for cooling devices and recovering waste heat. A plurality of heat absorption devices in direct or indirect thermal contact with a plurality electronic devices, and comprise channels to receive an evaporable working liquid, which becomes a first 2-phase mixture having a first liquid portion and a first vapor portion upon absorption of heat from the devices. At least one compressor compresses the first vapor portion to form a compressed vapor having elevated pressure and temperature. At least one heat exchanger condenses the compressed vapor to liquid so as to release the heat. An expansion device is used to expand the liquid to provide a second 2-phase mixture comprising a second liquid portion and a second vapor portion. In at least one vapor-liquid separator, the first liquid portion and the second liquid portion are fed back to the plurality of heat absorption devices. The second vapor portion is fed back to the at least one compressor.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and processes for obtaining desired mercaptans or thiophenes from a feed stream containing a mixture of mercaptans, thiophenes and other components. In one aspect of the invention, a system for separating one or more components from a feed stream of mixed mercaptans includes one or more distillation columns in connection with a feed containing mercaptans, the distillation column having a rectification section, a stripping section, and a feed side section separated from a side draw section by a dividing wall that extends from the rectification section to the stripping section. The distillation column further being in connection with a condenser and a reboiler; and a distillate stream, a side drawn stream, and a bottoms stream.

Abstract: A heat pipe can include a microchannel heat exchanger at the heat absorbing end and another heat exchanger which is optionally also a microchannel heat exchanger at the heat sink end, with one or more pipes flowably connecting the two ends for transporting liquid working fluid to the head absorber and vaporized working fluid to the heat sink. The heat pipes may be used to cool electronic devices with rejection of heat outside an enclosure, and optionally outside a room, containing the electronic devices. The heat pipes may be used to cool photovoltaic or solar collection devices with rejection of heat to ambient air at a distance removed from the photovoltaic devices. Heat pipe systems are disclosed wherein the working fluid is a hydrofluorocarbon or a mono-chlorinated hydrofluoroalkene having a normal boiling point in a range from 10° C. to 80° C.

Abstract: Improvement in separating lower carboxylic acids from aqueous streams via liquid-liquid extraction with pressurized liquefied propylene and/or propane, wherein carboxylic acid is transferred from the aqueous phase into the liquid solvent phase (extract). The extracted carboxylic acids are recovered as a liquid concentrate by evaporating off the propylene and/or propane solvent from the extract at mild temperatures.

Abstract: Improvement in separating lower, C2 saturated and/or C3, and/or C4, saturated and/or unsaturated mono carboxylic acids from aqueous streams via extraction by using as the extractant an organic acid or ester or mixtures thereof with a melting point below 10° C., a normal boiling point between 190 and 280° C. and a Hildebrand solubility parameter between 8 and 11 cal1/2 cm?3/2.

Abstract: Improvement in separating lower carboxylic acids from aqueous streams via liquid-liquid extraction with pressurized liquefied propylene and/or propane, wherein carboxylic acid is transferred from the aqueous phase into the liquid solvent phase (extract). The extracted carboxylic acids are recovered as a liquid concentrate by evaporating off the propylene and/or propane solvent from the extract at mild temperatures.

Abstract: Improvement in separating lower carboxylic acids from aqueous streams via liquid-liquid extraction with pressurized liquefied propylene and/or propane, wherein carboxylic acid is transferred from the aqueous phase into the liquid solvent phase (extract).

Abstract: Improvement in separating lower, C2 saturated and/or C3, and/or C4, saturated and/or unsaturated mono carboxylic acids from aqueous streams via extraction by using as the extractant an organic acid or ester or mixtures thereof with a melting point below 10° C., a normal boiling point between 190 and 280° C. and a Hildebrand solubility parameter between 8 and 11 cal1/2 cm?3/2.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a microelectronics cooling device can include a microchannel heat exchanger within an enclosure that houses the device at a heat absorbing end and another heat exchanger which is optionally also a microchannel heat exchanger at a heat sink end outside the enclosure. One or more pipes flowably connect the two ends for transporting liquid working fluid to the heat absorber and vaporized working fluid to the heat sink. The heat pipes may also be used to transfer heat outside a room that contains the electronic devices.

Abstract: Solar electricity generation methods and apparatus are disclosed. In one general aspect, a solar cell is positioned to receive concentrated solar radiation and convert part of it into electricity and part of it into heat. A first heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the solar cell and includes microchannels that have a cross-sectional dimension to the center of the channel that is about equal to or less than the thermal boundary layer thickness for a working fluid. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the photovoltaic solar cell to the working fluid in the microchannels, and a second heat exchanger can then receive the transferred heat via a conduit. This heat can be used to generate additional electricity.

Abstract: A heat pipe can include a microchannel heat exchanger at the heat absorbing end and another heat exchanger which is optionally also a microchannel heat exchanger at the heat sink end, with one or more pipes flowably connecting the two ends for transporting liquid working fluid to the head absorber and vaporized working fluid to the heat sink. The heat pipes may be used to cool electronic devices with rejection of heat outside an enclosure, and optionally outside a room, containing the electronic devices. The heat pipes may be used to cool photovoltaic or solar collection devices with rejection of heat to ambient air at a distance removed from the photovoltaic devices. Heat pipe systems are disclosed wherein the working fluid is a hydrofluorocarbon or a mono-chlorinated hydrofluoroalkene having a normal boiling point in a range from 10° C. to 80° C.

Abstract: The process of the present invention consists in bringing into contact, on the one hand, (A) gaseous phosphorus pentafluoride or a gaseous mixture comprising phosphorus pentafluoride and hydrochloric acid, and, on the other hand, (B) a solution of lithium fluoride in hydrofluoric acid, in a column (10) having a sufficient number of transfer units to carry out the reaction of PF.sub.5 with LiF under the chosen conditions of temperature, of pressure and of molar ratio of the two contrasting reactants and with complete or substantially complete absorption of the PF.sub.5 in the column. This process makes it possible to solve the problems of blockage by preventing recrystallizations of salts; to discharge the heat given off by the reaction by the evaporation of a portion of the HF; and to separate the HCl which may be contained in the starting PF.sub.5, without loss of PF.sub.5, thus allowing subsequent recovery/value enhancement of this HCl.

Abstract: A process of preparing purified alkanesulfonic acid from crude aqueous alkanesulfonic acid containing oxidizable impurities wherein the crude material is treated with a sufficient amount of chlorine to convert the oxidizable impurities to alkanesulfonyl chloride and then hydrolyzing said alkanesulfonyl chloride to alkanesulfonic acid by heating.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkane- and arenesulfonamides in high purity and yield is provided. Ammonia or alkylamine is reacted under boiling conditions with an alkane- or arenesulfonyl halide in the absence of an added solvent. The heat of reaction is dissipated by the heat of vaporization of the ammonia or alkylamine.

Abstract: Stable microemulsion fuel compositions are provided which comprise (a) a hydrocarbon fuel such as diesel fuel, jet fuel, gasoline, or fuel oil; (b) water; and (c) cosurfactant combination of methanol and a fatty acid partially neutralized by a nitrogenous base. The compositions of the invention exhibit a high degree of phase stability even over wide variations of temperature, and reduce combustion emissions.

Abstract: Stable microemulsion compositions are provided especially fire resistant fuel compositions comprising (a) a hydrocarbon such as diesel fuel, jet fuel, gasoline, or fuel oil; (b) water; and (c) a novel cosurfactant combination of a phenyl alcohol and an ionic or nonionic surfactant. Methods are provided for destabilization and separation of the microemulsions directly before use.

Abstract: Stable microemulsion fuel compositions are provided which comprise (a) a hydrocarbon fuel such as diesel fuel, jet fuel, gasoline, or fuel oil; (b) water and/or methanol; and (c) a novel cosurfactant combination of tertiary butyl alcohol and an ionic or nonionic surfactant. The compositions of the invention exhibit a high degree of phase stability even over wide variations of temperature, greatly improved salt tolerance and reduce smoke particulate and NO.sub.x emissions.

Abstract: This invention relates to low cost heat exchangers of the parallel plate-type useful for recovery or dissipation of heat energy in buildings of all types, including homes, office buildings and factories, as well as for heat recovery in the chemical process, electrical power and other industries.