Abstract: A mobile apparatus for chemically decontaminating PCB-contaminated dielectric fluids utilizes three reactors through which the contaminated fluid is processed on a repetitive, sequential batch basis automated by a programmable controller. The processing of each reactor batch includes a charging cycle during which a reactor is filled with contaminated fluid, a reaction cycle during which the PCBs are destroyed by reaction with reagents introduced into a reactor, and a discharging cycle during which the reactor is emptied of decontaminated fluid and reaction by-products into a decanting tank for ultimate separation. The controller coordinates the sequential batch processing through the three reactors in 120.degree. time phased relation such that a charging cycle of one reactor batch, a reaction cycle of a second reactor batch and a discharging cycle of the third reactor batch are all coincident in time during normal operation.

Abstract: A method for isolating polymer resins from organic solvents is provided wherein the organic solvent is vaporized in a separation medium comprised of water and an organic anti-solvent for said polymer without significant vaporization of the organic anti-solvent. The polymer precipitates as a powder without high-speed, high-shear agitation and without the formation of a sticky globular mass.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the level of polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons dissolved in organic solvents at a faster rate wherein the organic solvent is treated with a glycol, such as polyethylene glycol, and an alkali metal hydroxide in the form of a uniform solids slurry.

Abstract: A continuous process for isolating polymer resin from organic solvent solution feed is provided wherein the organic solvents in the feed are volatilized in an aqueous solution to form polymer granules and the size of these granules is controlled by interrupting the feed of the organic solvent solution.

Abstract: A method of isolating polymer resins from organic solvents is provided wherein the organic solvent is volatilized in the presence of an aqueous slurry of solid polymer particles of a particular size which provide agglomeration sites for the polymer resin within solution. The process can function continuously with various polymers including polycarbonates, polystyrene, polyetherimides, polyphenylene ethers, polyesters, etc.

Abstract: A method for purifying water-crystallized bisphenol-A involving treatment with an aqueous alkaline solution. The concentration of base preferably ranges from 0.1 to 25 weight percent of crude bisphenol-A. The crude bisphenol-A is a solid and preferably at a temperature in the range of about 10.degree. to 80.degree. C.

Abstract: Anhydrous alkali metal (especially sodium) salts of hydroxyaromatic compounds, particularly bisphenols such as bisphenol A, are prepared by forming a solution of the hydroxyaromatic compound in a solvent mixture comprising a relatively high boiling non-polar organic liquid such as toluene or o-dichlorobenzene and an alkanol containing up to about 4 carbon atoms, preferably methanol; contacting said solution with an aqueous solution of a substantially stoichiometric amount of alkali metal hydroxide; and removing substantially all volatile materials from the reaction mixture by evaporation. The product thus obtained is a slurry of the anhydrous alkali metal salt in the non-polar liquid.

Abstract: A method for purifying bisphenol-A involving aqueous crystallization of impure bisphenol-A followed by in-situ treatment of the water/bisphenol-A crystal slurry with an organic washing solvent is presented. The purified bisphenol-A is then either removed from the crystal slurry or melted so the purification process can be repeated before separating the purified bisphenol-A.