Abstract: A process for forming an extruded composition using a wet-spin dry-jet technique including forming a dispersion dope by mixing phase change material with a first portion of solvent, and sonicating the mixture, forming a prime dope by combining a first portion of polymer and a second portion of solvent, forming an extrusion composition by combining the dispersion dope, the prime dope and a second portion of the polymer, rolling the extrusion composition, degassing the extrusion composition, extruding the extrusion composition through a spinneret, drying the extruded composition, and quenching the extruded composition. The weight fraction of the phase change material in the extruded composition can be greater than approximately 60%, and preferably greater than approximately 75%.

Abstract: A process for forming an extruded composition using a wet-spin dry-jet technique including forming a dispersion dope by mixing phase change material with a first portion of solvent, and sonicating the mixture, forming a prime dope by combining a first portion of polymer and a second portion of solvent, forming an extrusion composition by combining the dispersion dope, the prime dope and a second portion of the polymer, rolling the extrusion composition, degassing the extrusion composition, extruding the extrusion composition through a spinneret, drying the extruded composition, and quenching the extruded composition. The weight fraction of the phase change material in the extruded composition can be greater than approximately 60%, and preferably greater than approximately 75%.

Abstract: The process involves the use of two rotary valves to implement Varicol operation of a simulated moving bed apparatus to separate a product from at least one multicomponent feed. In a particular embodiment, paraxylene is separated from a mixture of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. The use of the Varicol process further enhances the separation of the desired product and provides flexibility with a simulated moving bed apparatus using dual rotary valves.

Abstract: A process to separate paraxylene from a mixture of paraxylene, metaxylene, orthoxylene, and ethylbenzene in a commercial simulated moving bed apparatus in a reduced number of beds is provided, allowing an additional separation to be conducted in the remaining beds. This additional separation may separate another xylene isomer, ethylbenzene, or a non-aromatic C8+ hydrocarbon from the raffinate stream produced by the first separation. A PowerFeed process is used to recover paraxylene in a first adsorption zone containing 8-16 beds of a conventional 24-bed simulated moving bed adsorption apparatus, and then a second separation may be conducted in a second adsorption zone containing the remaining beds.

Abstract: A process to separate paraxylene from a mixture of paraxylene, metaxylene, orthoxylene, and ethylbenzene in a commercial simulated moving bed apparatus in a reduced number of beds is provided, allowing an additional separation to be conducted in the remaining beds. This additional separation may separate another xylene isomer, ethylbenzene, or a non-aromatic C8+ hydrocarbon from the raffinate stream produced by the first separation. A PowerFeed process is used to recover paraxylene in a first adsorption zone containing 8-16 beds of a conventional 24-bed simulated moving bed adsorption apparatus, and then a second separation may be conducted in a second adsorption zone containing the remaining beds.

Abstract: The process involves the use of two rotary valves to implement Varicol operation of a simulated moving bed apparatus to separate a product from at least one multicomponent feed. In a particular embodiment, paraxylene is separated from a mixture of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. The use of the Varicol process further enhances the separation of the desired product and provides flexibility with a simulated moving bed apparatus using dual rotary valves.

Abstract: A process is described for separating paraxylene from a multicomponent fluid mixture of C8 aromatics. A mixture of C8 aromatics is fed to a simulated moving-bed adsorptive apparatus. The location of the feed to the apparatus is moved at set intervals. The rate of flow of feed to the apparatus is varied during each interval to enhance the separation of paraxylene from the multicomponent mixture.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a process for supplying a first reactant and a second reactant (reactants) to a simulated moving bed reactor (SMBR) at each step of a sequential repeating injection cycle, where the SMBR includes zones each having an injection point and each containing a solid separation media; reacting the reactants in the SMBR during the sequential repeating injection cycle (cycle) to form a first product; separating the first product in the SMBR with the solid separation media; and changing an amount of one or both of the reactants injected at one or more of the injection points of the SMBR during a step of the cycle. Changing the amount of the reactants can be done at each step of the sequential repeating injection cycle. Changing the amount can include changing an inlet concentration of the reactants injected at one or more of the injection points during each step of the cycle.

Abstract: A process is described for separating paraxylene from a multicomponent fluid mixture of C8 aromatics. A mixture of C8 aromatics is fed to a simulated moving-bed adsorptive apparatus. The location of the feed to the apparatus is moved at set intervals. The rate of flow of feed to the apparatus is varied during each interval to enhance the separation of paraxylene from the multicomponent mixture.

Abstract: A process for conducting equilibrium-limited chemical reactions that produce water as a reaction product. Specifically, a process that uses a reactive chromatography unit (RCU) to improve the efficiency of equilibrium-limited reactions, such as a process for reacting glycol ether (GE) and carboxylic acid (CA) to form water and glycol ether ester (GEE). The process includes supplying GE and CA to the RCU, where one of either the CA or the GE is in a stoichiometric deficit relative to the other reactant. The reactant in the stoichiometric deficit reacts in the presence of the catalyst in the RCU to form a mixture of GEE and water. A raffinate is separated from the mixture using the separation media of the RCU contains at least the GEE. An extract separated from the mixture using the separation media of the RCU contains at least the water.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a process for supplying a first reactant and a second reactant (reactants) to a simulated moving bed reactor (SMBR) at each step of a sequential repeating injection cycle, where the SMBR includes zones each having an injection point and each containing a solid separation media; reacting the reactants in the SMBR during the sequential repeating injection cycle (cycle) to form a first product; separating the first product in the SMBR with the solid separation media; and changing an amount of one or both of the reactants injected at one or more of the injection points of the SMBR during a step of the cycle. Changing the amount of the reactants can be done at each step of the sequential repeating injection cycle. Changing the amount can include changing an inlet concentration of the reactants injected at one or more of the injection points during each step of the cycle.

Abstract: A system for reacting and separating solid and fluid components includes a series of sequential simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography columns connected to form a circulation loop. Each SMB chromatography column includes an inlet and an outlet. A reactor is configured to receive a solid reactant and has an inlet and an outlet, and the reactor inlet is fluidly connected to an outlet of a first SMB chromatography column of the series of sequential SMB chromatography columns. The reactor outlet is fluidly connected to an inlet of a second SMB chromatography column of the series of sequential SMB chromatography columns.

Abstract: A process for conducting equilibrium-limited chemical reactions that produce water as a reaction product. Specifically, a process that uses a reactive chromatography unit (RCU) to improve the efficiency of equilibrium-limited reactions, such as a process for reacting glycol ether (GE) and carboxylic acid (CA) to form water and glycol ether ester (GEE). The process includes supplying GE and CA to the RCU, where one of either the CA or the GE is in a stoichiometric deficit relative to the other reactant. The reactant in the stoichiometric deficit reacts in the presence of the catalyst in the RCU to form a mixture of GEE and water. A raffinate is separated from the mixture using the separation media of the RCU contains at least the GEE. An extract separated from the mixture using the separation media of the RCU contains at least the water.

Abstract: A system for reacting and separating solid and fluid components includes a series of sequential simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography columns connected to form a circulation loop. Each SMB chromatography column includes an inlet and an outlet. A reactor is configured to receive a solid reactant and has an inlet and an outlet, and the reactor inlet is fluidly connected to an outlet of a first SMB chromatography column of the series of sequential SMB chromatography columns. The reactor outlet is fluidly connected to an inlet of a second SMB chromatography column of the series of sequential SMB chromatography columns.