Abstract: The present invention provides a process to recover esters of mercapto acids from solutions containing water by mixing an extraction mixture comprising cycloalkane, arene, and an aqueous inorganic salt solution with an ester of mercapto acid and water solution followed by separating and distilling the resultant organic phase to recover the ester of mercapto acid.

Abstract: A process for the concentration of ethylene oxide in an impure solution thereof including adding the solution and steam to a distillation column, recovering the gaseous stream therefrom containing ethylene oxide, and progressively condensing the steamed solution in at least two heat exchangers arranged in series, with the absolute pressure of the distillation column and of the exchangers being between about 1.5 and 6 bars and the temperature of the cooling fluid of the last exchanger being between about 5.degree. C. and a maximum temperature 5.degree. C. below the temperature of condensation of pure ethylene oxide at the pressure used.

Abstract: A method and a device of dividing an aqueous processing waste solution of a non-silver halide light-sensitive material into solid and water are disclosed comprising the steps of:(a) introducing said solution into an evaporator,(b) concentrating by heating said solution,(c) removing sludge produced from the evaporator during concentrating by heating said solution,(d) separating the sludge into solid and liquid and(e) cooling and condensing evaporated gas to liquid.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process for separating at least one cycloalkane or aromatic hydrocarbon from at least one close-boiling alkane employs as solvent at least one N-mercaptoalkyl-2-pyrrolidone, preferably N-(.beta.-mercaptoethyl)-2-pyrrolidone, either alone or in admixture with about 0.1-10 weight-% water.A liquid-liquid extraction process for separating at least one cycloalkane or aromatic hydrocarbon from at least one alkane employs as solvent at least one N-mercaptoalkyl-2-pyrrolidone, preferably N-(.beta.-mercaptoethyl)-2-pyrrolidone, either alone or in admixture with about 0.1-10 weight-% water.

Abstract: A process for separation of components of a mixture of more than one organic substance or of a mixture of at least one organic substance and water by extraction using a supercritical fluid as an extractant. During the extraction an extraction aid having a higher affinity with an unextractable component of the mixture than with an extractable component of the mixture is present. Also disclosed is an apparatus for carrying out this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining trioxane from aqueous solutions by high-pressure extraction using an extracting agent which is in the form either of a gas in the supercritical state or of a liquid gas. An intermediate separation is advantageous, especially in the former case.The trioxane can be obtained in high concentration and with a saving of energy by the process according to the invention.

Abstract: A method and device for removing, from liquid such as water, dissolved volatile substances and gases when water is being distilled or evaporated. Feed water of a distilling apparatus or evaporator is heated to a sufficiently high temperature, whereby part of the feed water changes into vapor, and is then conducted to a purifying device. The feed water is discharged in the purifying device in the form of a thin film. The gaseous substances present in the feed water or liquid are separated by a separator device provided in the purifying device, and then conducted away through a connector provided on the purifying device.

Abstract: An energy saving process for purification of methyl tertbutyl ether by fractional distillation of a mixture containing dissolved water and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons characterized by phase separation of water and methyl tertiary butyl ether within the distillation column and withdrawal of the separated water phase from the column at a point below the point at which the mixture is supplied to the column.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran is recovered by a two stage distillation procedure from a crude hydrogenation product resulting from vapor phase hydrogenation of diethyl maleate and containing water, ethanol and a minor amount of n-butanol, and possibly also dissolved hydrogen, in addition to butane-1,4-diol, gamma-butyrolactone and "heavies" such as diethyl ethoxysuccinate. In the first distillation stage, conveniently operated substantially at atmospheric pressure, ethanol, water, and tetrahydrofuran are recovered as overhead product, are condensed to separate the condensible components from a hydrogen stream which can be vented, and then redistilled in the presence of a molar excess of a hydroxylic solvent containing at least two hydroxyl groups, such as butane-1,4-diol, in a second distillation zone.

Abstract: A method for removing the volatile constituents from gasoline and volatile organic chemicals from contaminated potable water when a fluid including gasoline-water mixture and when contaminated potable water is introduced into a vertical tower includes the steps of flowing the gasoline-water fluid and the water downward in a tower over and in contact with media trays stacked in courses in the tower. The media trays, either circular or square, fit closely within the tower inner wall, such trays are aluminum or molded plastic frames one inch by one inch angles one-eighth inch thick, with a plurality of one and one-half inch wide slats one-quarter of an inch thick on the top of the frame; the slats being spaced apart not less than one-half inch nor more than three-quarters of an inch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating and concentrating an organic component having a lower boiling point than water from an aqueous solution containing the organic component which comprises the steps of (1) bringing an aqueous solution containing an organic component having a lower boiling point than water into contact with one surface of a hydrophobic porous membrane, continuously or intermittently evacuating the side of the porous membrane opposite to the aqueous solution to obtain a concentrated vapor of the organic component, and liquefying the vapor; and (2) bringing the resulting concentrated aqueous solution into contact with one surface of a hydrophobic nonporous membrane, evacuating the side of the non-porous membrane opposite to the concentrated aqueous solution to obtain a further concentrated vapor of the organic component, and liquefying the vapor.

Abstract: Anhydrous, stable, crystalline .delta.-form of prazosin hydrochloride, having an infrared spectrum in potassium bromide of FIG. 1 having the following sharp absorption bands at 7.95.mu., 13.3.mu., and a triplet at 9.95.mu. and the x-ray diffractogram of FIG. 2 having sharp bands in 10.5.degree., 12.0.degree., 16.9.degree., and doublets in 24.5.degree. and 26.5.degree.. The .delta.-form of prazosin hydrochloride is prepared by removing the water of crystallization of prazosin hydrochloride hydrate by azeotropic distillation with selected organic solvents having a boiling point in the range of 55.degree.-160.degree. C. The .delta.-form of prazosin hydrochlorie is useful as a hypotensive agent.

Abstract: Used drilling muds containing substantial quantities of organic liquids and water-soluble salts are treated to render them environmentally acceptable for disposal purposes, by drying the muds to evaporate all liquids, aqueous and non-aqueous, preferably in a shell-and-tube type heat exchanger through which they are conveyed and held in suspension by screw conveyors, and preferably with the vapors thus generated flowing in a direction counter-current to the mud. Water-soluble salts are removed from the dried mud components by dissolving with water, and the vapors are condensed and phase separated for further purification and re-use if desired.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved process for the manufacture of glyoxylic acid obtained by oxidation of glycolic acid. For processing purposes alkyl esters of these acids are employed. Increased efficiency is obtained by recovering glycolate rich streams from one or more distillation operations and after treatment to remove acetic acid by-product the streams are recycled to the oxidation reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple process for the production of anhydrous oxime by the separation of the oxime from an aqueous solution. The process is advantageous because the potential explosive hazards of current processes are eliminated and the oxime is easily separated from the aqueous phase. The process comprises the steps of:(a) vaporizing an aqueous oxime solution;(b) vaporizing a water-immiscible organic solvent for the oxime wherein the boiling point of the solvent is lower than the boiling point of the oxime;(c) combining the vapors together;(d) condensing the collected vapors;(e) removing the organic phase of the condensate from the aqueous phase; and(f) recovering anhydrous oxime from the removed organic phase.The anhydrous oxime produced by the present process if useful in applications such as isocyanate condensation and carbamate formation.

Abstract: Excess water is removed from regenerated redox solution by contacting a downwardly flowing spray of regenerated redox solution with a stream of inert gas at a rate and pressure sufficient to provide for the substantial saturation of the gas with excess water impurities in the redox solution without the substantial undesirable oxidation of the metal in the regenerated redox solution.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating volatile components from a volatile-containing liquid by a stripping gas flowing countercurrent to the liquid. Separation of the volatile components is enhanced by heating the liquid with radiant solar energy and agitating the liquid as it flows.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the amount of water in the feed to a methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) conversion reactor is described. The output products of a dehydration reactor and an aqueous methanol feed are supplied to a primary distillation tower or separator. A dimethylether (DME)/methanol mixture is taken as overhead from the primary tower and can be sent to the MTG conversion reactor to produce hydrocarbons boiling in the gasoline range. Bottoms from the primary tower, containing methanol and water, are supplied to a secondary distillation tower or separator. A methanol stream is drawn as overhead from the secondary tower and is passed to an acid catalyzed dehydration reactor where an equilibrium mixture of dimethylether, methanol, and water is produced. The equilibrium mixture is passed from the dehydration reactor to the primary distillation tower. In preferred embodiments, the conversion reactor feed from the primary distillation tower may be of a gaseous or liquid phase.

Abstract: An improved process for separating high purity alkyl glyoxylate from complex mixtures containing alkyl glyoxylate, alkyl glycolate, water, alcohol and miscellaneous impurities by an azeotropic distillation operation using an azeotroping agent selected from the group consisting of methylene dichloride, 1,1,1--trichloroethane, and benzene.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering organic values from aqueous solutions containing scale-forming ions by electrodialysis and fractionation-distillation, wherein an aqueous substantially free of organics is introduced into the concentrate side of the electrodialysis membranes to substantially reduce or avoid scaling on said membranes.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of a dialkyl maleate by reaction of maleic anhydride with an alkyl alcohol in a monoesterification zone to form the corresponding monoalkyl maleate, followed by reaction of resulting monoalkyl maleate with further alkyl alcohol to form the corresponding dialkyl maleate, which includes the steps of supplying a first liquid feed comprising said monoalkyl maleate to a secondary esterification zone containing a charge of a solid esterification catalyst, supplying a second feed stream comprising said alkyl alcohol to said secondary esterification zone, maintaining said secondary esterification zone at an elevated temperature sufficient to form or to maintain therein a vaporous stream containing said alkyl alcohol, intimately contacting said first liquid feed in said secondary esterification zone in the presence of said catalyst with said vaporous feed stream, recovering from said secondary esterification zone a vaporous effluent stream containing, in addition to alkyl alco

Abstract: A process for converting crude aqueous methanol feedstock or the like to olefinic hydrocarbons in contact with a medium pore shape selective crystalline acid zeolite catalyst, wherein the improvement comprises contacting the aqueous methanol feedstock with a liquid propane-rich hydrocarbon extractant under liquid extraction conditions, recovering an aqueous phase containing the major amount of water introduced with the feedstock, recovering an organic extract phase comprising the hydrocarbon extractant and a portion of methanol introduced in the feedstock, and converting the extracted methanol at elevated temperature under catalytic reaction conditions to produce predominantly olefinic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Color properties of crude phenolic esters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids are improved by comminuting the ester to a finely divided particle size in the presence of an aqueous or alcoholic alkali solution and thereafter distilling the esters to obtain phenolic esters of reduced color.

Abstract: An amine is separated from an aqueous solution of amine and volatile organic compounds by distillation in a column. The vapors generated during distillation are condensed. The condensed vapors are then passed into a separating device in which the volatile organic compounds are removed. The liquid remaining in the separating device is then fed to the head of the distillation column. Water is removed from the column in a sidestream and diamine is the residue. This process is particularly effective in recovering aromatic diamines from solutions which accumulate during hydrogenation of dinitro aromatic compounds.

Abstract: The components of aqueous ammonium fluoride solutions are recovered as ammonia and potassium fluoride by adding potassium hydroxide, distilling to remove and secure the ammonia, concentrating the remaining solution and combining it with a water soluble, dipolar, aprotic solvent, such as N-methylpyrrolidone, and distilling to remove the remaining water to obtain the potassium fluoride as a slurry in the solvent. Slurries of potassium fluoride are useful in the replacement of chloride in heterocyclyl and aryl chlorides by fluoride.

Abstract: A process for converting crude aqueous methanol feedstock to liquid hydrocarbons in contact witha medium pore shape selective crystalline acid zeolite catalyst, such as HZSM-5. In a preferred embodiment, the novel technique comprises the steps of: (a) contacting a crude methanol feedstock containing a minor amount of water with a liquid hydrocarbon extraction stream under extraction conditions favorable to selective extraction of the methanol, thereby providing an extract liquid stream rich in methanol and an aqueous raffinate stream lean in methanol; (b) charging the extracted methanol substantially free of water to said reaction zone under process conditions to convert substantially all methanol to hydrocarbons; (c) cooling reaction effluent to recover aqueous liquid byproduct stream, gas rich in C.sub.2.sup.- hydrocarbons, liquid rich in C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 and C.sub.5.sup.

Abstract: A process for extracting poly-beta-hydroxybutyrates from an aqueous suspension of microorganisms, in which an azeotropic distillation, and an extraction of the polymer by means of the solvent used, are carried out simultaneously.The poly-beta-hydroxybutyrates obtained can be used in medicine.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for drying aqueous solids by evaporation using a fluidizing oil and a surfactant wherein the fluidizing oil and surfactant are recovered and recycled separately or together. The aqueous solids may, or may not, have a heavy, natural oil associated with them.

Abstract: A process of recovering elemental phosphorus from sludge is disclosed wherein the sludge is flash evaporated utilizing a heat transfer means and then separated from the solid impurities contained therein.

Abstract: A beneficiated kaolin clay slurry is concentrated from a solids content of about 50% to 60% by weight to a solids content of at least 65% by weight by evaporating water therefrom by passing the aqueous clay slurry through one or more non-contact evaporated heat exchangers. The kaolin clay slurry is passed in indirect heat exchange relationship with a heating vapor, with the heating vapor comprising water vapor previously evaporated from the aqueous clay slurry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a wellbore in the earth from a location in a body of water wherein the drilling operation generates a substantial amount of a mixture of solid drilling cuttings, water and at least one hydrocarbonaceous oil wherein the water and oil are removed from the solid drilling cuttings and any retain solid particles in said water and oil are removed therefrom prior to reuse, disposal, or other disposition of said water and oil.

Abstract: Isopropyl ether cannot be completely removed from isopropyl ether--isopropanol--water mixtures by distillation because of the presence of the minimum ternary azeotrope. Isopropyl ether can be readily removed from mixtures containing it, isopropanol and water by using extractive distillation in which the extractive distillation agent is a higher boiling glycol, glycol ether or a mixture of them. Typical examples of effective agents are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol diethyl ether plus propylene glycol ethyl ether.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for reducing the amount of water in the feed to a methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) conversion reactor is described. The output products of a dehydration reactor and an aqueous methanol feed are supplied to a primary distillation tower or separator. A dimethylether (DME)/methanol mixture is taken as overhead from the primary tower and can be sent to the MTG conversion reactor to produce hydrocarbons boiling in the gasoline range. Bottoms from the primary tower, containing methanol and water, are supplied to a secondary distillation tower or separator. A methanol stream is drawn as overhead from the secondary tower and is passed to an acid catalyzed dehydration reactor where an equilibrium mixture of dimethylether, methanol, and water is produced. The equilibrium mixture is passed from the dehydration reactor to the primary distillation tower. In preferred embodiments, the conversion reactor feed from the primary distillation tower may be of a gaseous or liquid phase.

Abstract: Concentrated, stable water-in-oil emulsions of water-soluble or water-swellable polymers are prepared by polymerization of one or more water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers in a water-in-oil emulsion and removal of water from the water-in-oil polymer emulsion by azeotropic distillation, by a method in which superheated vapor of an inert organic solvent which is immiscible with water is passed into the water-in-oil polymer emulsion. Using the process, it is also possible to concentrate emulsions which tend to coagulate or water-in-oil emulsions which are sensitive to shearing, without the polymers losing their effectiveness.

Abstract: Middle phase emulsions are broken by subjecting the emulsion to a first atmospheric distillation step to remove water, followed by a second vacuum distillation step to recover oil. The residue contains the surfactant. The atmospheric distillation is generally carried out by steam distillation.

Abstract: A process for drying lactams to extremely low water contents is provided which comprises mixing the lactam with hydrocarbon distilling from the mixture a water/hydrocarbon vapor and or condensate, contacting said vapor or condensate with a drying agent to remove water and returning the dried distillate to the mixture to permit recycling process is capable of providing anionic polymerization grade lactam with a water content of less than about 50 ppm.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating aqueous solutions of hygroscopic organic liquid having boiling points higher than the normal boiling point of water is disclosed. The apparatus includes an airtight evacuated chamber, means for injecting a preheated temperature adjusted solution into the chamber to vaporize water from the solution and produce a concentrated aerosol of organic liquid, and means for coalescing the concentrated aerosol. Also included is a system for recovery of organic vapor leaving the chamber along with the vaporized water.

Abstract: Methacrylonitrile higher in purity than that obtained by the conventional process is efficiently produced by the present improved process for producing purified methacrylonitrile in which the reaction mixture formed by the ammoxidation of isobutylene or tert-butyl alcohol is distilled using water as solvent to obtain a crude methacrylonitrile solution which contains methacrylonitrile as major constituent, methacrolein, hydrogen cyanide, and isobutyronitrile, and the crude methacrylonitrile solution is then purified in a product column, wherein the improvement comprises first removing isobutyronitrile from said crude solution, then feeding the remaining solution to the product column, withdrawing from the top a vapor containing methacrolein, condensing the vapor, returning a greater part of the condensate to the product column while removing the remainder from the distillation system, and withdrawing purified methacrylonitrile from the middle or lower section, preferably from a point lower than the feeding sta

Abstract: A separation of mixtures of water and 2,6-dimethylmorpholine is carried out by rectifying the mixtures at a pressure at the head of the column between 6 and 150 mbars. The separated 2,6-dimethylmorpholine has a maximum water content of 500 ppm by weight and it is possible to achieve for a corresponding design of the rectification water contents of less than 1 ppm by weight of dimethylmorpholine.

Abstract: A process for the continuous isolation of phthalic anhydride and maleic anhydride from the reaction gases obtained by catalytic oxidation of o-xylene or naphthalene with air, wherein the reaction gases are treated with a hydrocarbon of boiling range from 115.degree. to 175.degree. C. as the solvent in a column, and are then treated with an organic solvent of boiling range from 180.degree. to 290.degree. C. in a second column, the phthalic anhydride and maleic anhydride being isolated from the liquid bottom product of the first column.

Abstract: A two-stage distillation method for separating a mixed liquid such as a dimethylformamide-containing aqueous liquid or a methanol-containing aqueous liquid, into light and heavy fractions. The mixed liquid is first subjected to a distillation treatment in a first distillation zone of a vapor recompression type. When the boiling point of the mixed liquid is close to that of the desired light fraction, the top product from the first distillation zone is recovered as the light fraction, while the bottom product is subjected to a further distillation treatment to obtain the heavy fraction as its bottom product. When the boiling point of the mixed liquid is close to that of the heavy fraction, the bottom product from the first distillation zone is recovered as the heavy fraction, while the top product from the first distillation zone is subjected to a further distillation treatment to obtain the light fraction as its top product.

Abstract: Isopropyl ether cannot be completely removed from isopropyl ether-isopropanol-water mixtures by distillation because of the presence of the minimum ternary azeotrope. Isopropyl ether can be readily removed from mixtures containing it, isopropanol and water by using extractive distillation in which the extractive distillation agent is dimethylsulfoxide with or without a mixture of higher boiling oxygenated and/or nitrogenous organic compounds. Typical examples are dimethylsulfoxide; dimethylsulfoxide and ethylene glycol; dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide and 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: A process for separating highly pure butene-2 and butene-1 from a C.sub.4 hydrocarbon fraction containing isobutane, n-butane, butene-1, butene-2, and at least one diolefinic hydrocarbon and/or at least one acetylenic hydrocarbon, which comprises, (1) as a step A, treating the C.sub.

Abstract: Isopropyl ether cannot be completely removed from isopropyl ether-isopropanol-water mixtures by distillation because of the presence of the minimum ternary azeotrope. Isopropyl ether can be readily removed from mixtures containing it, isopropanol and water by using extractive distillation in which the extractive distillation agent is a higher boiling oxygenated, nitrogenous and/or sulfur containing organic compound or a mixture of these. Typical examples of effective agents are ethylene glycol; dimethylsulfoxide plus propylene glycol; dimethylsulfoxide plus dimethylformamide plus diethylene glycol diethyl ether.

Abstract: 2,6-Dimethylmorpholine containing a high proportion of the cis compound is prepared by cyclization of diisopropanolamine (1,1'-iminobispropan-2-ol) in the presence of sulfuric acid, with simultaneous addition of the components and full utilization of the heat of reaction.

Abstract: A method in the production of hydrogen peroxide by the anthraquinone process is described, in which method anthraquinone derivatives dissolved in a working solution are subjected alternatingly to hydrogenation and oxidation. To reduce the relative moisture in the working solution to a suitable level of 20-98%, preferably 40-85%, the working solution is dried prior to hydrogenation by contacting it with a gas or a gaseous mixture, the water vapor pressure of which is below that of the working solution. Suitable gases or gas mixtures are air or exhaust gases from the oxidation stage of the anthraquinone process.

Abstract: High purity alkyl glyoxylate is produced from complex mixtures containing alkyl glyoxylate, alkyl glycolate, water, alcohol and miscellaneous impurities. High purity alkyl glyoxylate is useful in the synthesis of alkyl glyoxylate polymers.

Abstract: MTBE is recovered from an ether containing effluent by fractionation. When driers are not used on the hydrocarbon feed to MTBE manufacture, a separate water-methanol phase occurs in the fractionation overhead which is separately processed in a methanol fractionator and the water recovered is used to water wash the separated hydrocarbon phase from the overhead while methanol is recycled to MTBE and when driers are used on the hydrocarbon feed a separate methanol phase occurs in the fractionation overhead which can be recycled to MTBE manufacture and the hydrocarbon phase is directly passed to a drier preceding alkylation.

Abstract: A nitrocellulose composition containing substantially no water consisting of a homogeneous phase comprising nitrocellulose and an organic liquid which is inert to isocyanate. The composition is suitable for compounding in polyurethane paint.

Abstract: A C.sub.4 and/or C.sub.5 olefinic hydrocarbon cut, containing dimethyl ether and water as impurities, in a relative proportion of dimethyl ether to water of at most 5:1, is purified in a distillation zone where it is introduced at an intermediate level, distant from the top or from the bottom thereof by at least 3 theoretical plates, optionally with a stripping gas, and separated into a overhead fraction comprising an aqueous liquid phase and a hydrocarbon liquid phase at least partially recycled as reflux to the upper part of the distillation zone, and a bottom fraction formed of the purified C.sub.4 and/or C.sub.5 olefinic cut.