Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid which includes introducing sulfuric acid into a first reactor including a continuous stirred tank reactor and introducing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile into the first reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile is continually hydrolyzed within the first reactor to produce an intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide. The intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution is continuously introduced into a plug flow reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide is continually hydrolyzed within the plug flow reactor to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate product solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is recovered from the aqueous hydrolyzate product solution.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-(methylthio)propanal. A liquid reaction medium is contacted with a gaseous acrolein feed stream in a gas/liquid contact zone. The reaction medium contains 3-(methylthio)propanal, methyl mercaptan and a catalyst for the reaction between methyl mercaptan and acrolein. The gaseous acrolein feed stream comprises acrolein vapor and non-condensable gas. Acrolein is transferred from the acrolein feed stream to the reaction medium and reacts with methyl mercaptan in that medium to produce a liquid reaction product containing 3-(methylthio)propanal. The non-condensable gas is separated from the liquid reaction product. The reaction product is divided into a product fraction and a circulating fraction, and the circulating fraction is recycled to the gas/liquid contact zone.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid or a salt thereof which includes introducing an aqueous mineral acid into a nitrile hydrolysis reactor including a continuous stirred tank reactor and introducing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile into the nitrile hydrolysis reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile is continually hydrolyzed within the nitrile hydrolysis reactor to produce a nitrile hydrolysis reactor product stream containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide. The nitrile hydrolysis reactor product stream is continuously introduced into an amide hydrolysis flow reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide is continually hydrolyzed within the amide hydrolysis flow reactor to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate product containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is recovered from the aqueous hydrolyzate product.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-(methylthio)propanal. A liquid reaction medium is contacted with a gaseous acrolein feed stream in a gas/liquid contact zone. The reaction medium contains 3-(methylthio)propanal, methyl mercaptan and a catalyst for the reaction between methyl mercaptan and acrolein. The gaseous acrolein feed stream comprises acrolein vapor and non-condensable gas. Acrolein is transferred from the acrolein feed stream to the reaction medium and reacts with methyl mercaptan in that medium to produce a liquid reaction product containing 3-(methylthio)propanal. The non-condensable gas is separated from the liquid reaction product. The reaction product is divided into a product fraction and a circulating fraction, and the circulating fraction is recycled to the gas/liquid contact zone.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid which includes introducing sulfuric acid into a first reactor including a continuous stirred tank reactor and introducing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile into the first reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile is continually hydrolyzed within the first reactor to produce an intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide. The intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution is continuously introduced into a plug flow reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide is continually hydrolyzed within the plug flow reactor to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate product solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is recovered from the aqueous hydrolyzate product solution.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-(methylthio)propanal. A liquid reaction medium is contacted with a gaseous acrolein feed stream in a gas/liquid contact zone. The reaction medium contains 3-(methylthio)propanal, methyl mercaptan and a catalyst for the reaction between methyl mercaptan and acrolein. The gaseous acrolein feed stream comprises acrolein vapor and non-condensable gas. Acrolein is transferred from the acrolein feed stream to the reaction medium and reacts with methyl mercaptan in that medium to produce a liquid reaction product containing 3-(methylthio)propanal. The non-condensable gas is separated from the liquid reaction product. The reaction product is divided into a product fraction and a circulating fraction, and the circulating fraction is recycled to the gas/liquid contact zone.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid or a salt thereof which includes introducing an aqueous mineral acid into a nitrile hydrolysis reactor including a continuous stirred tank reactor and introducing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile into the nitrile hydrolysis reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile is continually hydrolyzed within the nitrile hydrolysis reactor to produce a nitrile hydrolysis reactor product stream containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide. The nitrile hydrolysis reactor product stream is continuously introduced into an amide hydrolysis flow reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide is continually hydrolyzed within the amide hydrolysis flow reactor to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate product containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is recovered from the aqueous hydrolyzate product.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid which includes introducing sulfuric acid into a first reactor including a continuous stirred tank reactor and introducing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile into the first reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile is continually hydrolyzed within the first reactor to produce an intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide. The intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution is continuously introduced into a plug flow reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide is continually hydrolyzed within the plug flow reactor to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate product solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is recovered from the aqueous hydrolyzate product solution.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid or a salt thereof which includes introducing an aqueous mineral acid into a nitrile hydrolysis reactor including a continuous stirred tank reactor and introducing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile into the nitrile hydrolysis reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile is continually hydrolyzed within the nitrile hydrolysis reactor to produce a nitrile hydrolysis reactor product stream containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide. The nitrile hydrolysis reactor product stream is continuously introduced into an amide hydrolysis flow reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide is continually hydrolyzed within the amide hydrolysis flow reactor to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate product containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is recovered from the aqueous hydrolyzate product.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid which includes introducing sulfuric acid into a first reactor including a continuous stirred tank reactor and introducing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile into the first reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile is continually hydrolyzed within the first reactor to produce an intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide. The intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution is continuously introduced into a plug flow reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide is continually hydrolyzed within the plug flow reactor to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate product solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is recovered from the aqueous hydrolyzate product solution.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-(methylthio)propanal. A liquid reaction medium is contacted with a gaseous acrolein feed stream in a gas/liquid contact zone. The reaction medium contains 3-(methylthio)propanal, methyl mercaptan and a catalyst for the reaction between methyl mercaptan and acrolein. The gaseous acrolein feed stream comprises acrolein vapor and non-condensable gas. Acrolein is transferred from the acrolein feed stream to the reaction medium and reacts with methyl mercaptan in that medium to produce a liquid reaction product containing 3-(methylthio)propanal. The non-condensable gas is separated from the liquid reaction product. The reaction product is divided into a product fraction and a circulating fraction, and the circulating fraction is recycled to the gas/liquid contact zone.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid which includes introducing sulfuric acid into a first reactor including a continuous stirred tank reactor and introducing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile into the first reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile is continually hydrolyzed within the first reactor to produce an intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide. The intermediate aqueous hydrolysis solution is continuously introduced into a plug flow reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide is continually hydrolyzed within the plug flow reactor to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate product solution containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is recovered from the aqueous hydrolyzate product solution.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-(methylthio)propanal. A liquid reaction medium is contacted with a gaseous acrolein feed stream in a gas/liquid contact zone. The reaction medium contains 3-(methylthio)propanal, methyl mercaptan and a catalyst for the reaction between methyl mercaptan and acrolein. The gaseous acrolein feed stream comprises acrolein vapor and non-condensable gas. Acrolein is transferred from the acrolein feed stream to the reaction medium and reacts with methyl mercaptan in that medium to produce a liquid reaction product containing 3-(methylthio)propanal. The non-condensable gas is separated from the liquid reaction product. The reaction product is divided into a product fraction and a circulating fraction, and the circulating fraction is recycled to the gas/liquid contact zone.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-(methylthio)propanal. A liquid reaction medium is contacted with a gaseous acrolein feed stream in a gas/liquid contact zone. The reaction medium contains 3-(methylthio)propanal, methyl mercaptan and a catalyst for the reaction between methyl mercaptan and acrolein. The gaseous acrolein feed stream comprises acrolein vapor and non-condensable gas. Acrolein is transferred from the acrolein feed stream to the reaction medium and reacts with methyl mercaptan in that medium to produce a liquid reaction product containing 3-(methylthio)propanal. The non-condensable gas is separated from the liquid reaction product. The reaction product is divided into a product fraction and a circulating fraction, and the circulating fraction is recycled to the gas/liquid contact zone.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid or a salt thereof which includes introducing an aqueous mineral acid into a nitrile hydrolysis reactor including a continuous stirred tank reactor and introducing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile into the nitrile hydrolysis reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile is continually hydrolyzed within the nitrile hydrolysis reactor to produce a nitrile hydrolysis reactor product stream containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide. The nitrile hydrolysis reactor product stream is continuously introduced into an amide hydrolysis flow reactor. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide is continually hydrolyzed within the amide hydrolysis flow reactor to produce an aqueous hydrolyzate product containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid. 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is recovered from the aqueous hydrolyzate product.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-(methylthio)propanal. A liquid reaction medium is contacted with a gaseous acrolein feed stream in a gas/liquid contact zone. The reaction medium contains 3-(methylthio)propanal, methyl mercaptan and a catalyst for the reaction between methyl mercaptan and acrolein. The gaseous acrolein feed stream comprises acrolein vapor and non-condensable gas. Acrolein is transferred from the acrolein feed stream to the reaction medium and reacts with methyl mercaptan in that medium to produce a liquid reaction product containing 3-(methylthio)propanal. The non-condensable gas is separated from the liquid reaction product. The reaction product is divided into a product fraction and a circulating fraction, and the circulating fraction is recycled to the gas/liquid contact zone.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-(methylthio)propanal. A liquid reaction medium is contacted with a gaseous acrolein feed stream in a gas/liquid contact zone. The reaction medium contains 3-(methylthio)propanal, methyl mercaptan and a catalyst for the reaction between methyl mercaptan and acrolein. The gaseous acrolein feed stream comprises acrolein vapor and non-condensable gas. Acrolein is transferred from the acrolein feed stream to the reaction medium and reacts with methyl mercaptan in that medium to produce a liquid reaction product containing 3-(methylthio)propanal. The non-condensable gas is separated from the liquid reaction product. The reaction product is divided into a product fraction and a circulating fraction, and the circulating fraction is recycled to the gas/liquid contact zone.

Abstract: A process for the continuous preparation of 3-(methylthio)propanal. A liquid reaction medium is contacted with a gaseous acrolein feed stream in a gas/liquid contact zone. The reaction medium contains 3-(methylthio)propanal, methyl mercaptan and a catalyst for the reaction between methyl mercaptan and acrolein. The gaseous acrolein feed stream comprises acrolein vapor and non-condensable gas. Acrolein is transferred from the acrolein feed stream to the reaction medium and reacts with methyl mercaptan in that medium to produce a liquid reaction product containing 3-(methylthio)propanal. The non-condensable gas is separated from the liquid reaction product. The reaction product is divided into a product fraction and a circulating fraction, and the circulating fraction is recycled to the gas/liquid contact zone.

Abstract: An edible grain washer has a hollow body provided with an open side and a closed opposite side. A water inlet port having a screen is provided in an upper side of the hollow body, and a water inlet port having a screen is provided in an upper part of the closed opposite side of the hollow body. A cover is provided to detachably cover the open side of the hollow body, which also has a handle extending from a rear side of the hollow body. The edible grain washer of this invention is convenient for use in homes.

Abstract: A container designed so that after pouring out a liquid therefrom, any liquid inadvertently remaining on and running down the outside surface of the container opening can be returned to the inside of the container so that the container and its storage place will not be dirtied by the liquid and other foreign material. The container includes a guiding piece having a tubular piece and a drain hole, a cap, and a stopping annulus having a ring which passes through the tubular piece, has a diameter smaller than that of the open top of the container body but larger than that of the tubular piece, and includes an upper end lower than that of the tubular piece and a lower end higher than a bottom portion of the open top. A liquid guiding device is provided for guiding out of the container the liquid contained therein.