Abstract: The problem solved by the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently purifying acrylic acid derivative (I), more specifically a method for efficiently eliminating alcohol (II) from a composition containing acrylic acid derivative (I) and alcohol (II).

Abstract: Method of operating a heavy ends column in an acetic acid production unit having a reaction section, a light ends recovery section including a light ends distillation column, and a heavy ends column. A stream containing acetic acid and propionic acid obtained from the light ends recovery section is fed to the heavy ends column through a feed inlet positioned at an intermediate point in the heavy ends column. A product stream containing acetic acid is withdrawn from the heavy ends column through a sidedraw product outlet position above the feed inlet, and a product stream containing the propionic acid is withdrawn from the heavy ends column through a heavy product outlet positioned below the feed inlet. The pressure in the heavy ends column above the feed inlet is lower than the pressure of the stream containing acetic acid and propionic acid that is fed to the heavy ends column.

Abstract: Processes for purifying acetic acid by distilling a process in a column in which acetic anhydride is formed in the lower portion of the column. The product stream withdrawn from the column comprises acetic acid, water at a concentration of no more than 0.2 wt. %, and acetic anhydride at a concentration of no more than 600 wppm. The process further comprises hydrating the acetic anhydride in the product stream to form a purified acetic acid product comprising acetic anhydride at a concentration of no more than 50 wppm.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of dimethyl ether by catalytic dehydration of methanol, in which there is used a catalyst based on a zeolite immobilized on a silicon carbide support, for example a zeolite of type ZSM-5 supported on silicon carbide extrudates or on a silicon carbide cellular foam.

Abstract: Furfural is produced in one step at both high yield and high conversion from a feedstock comprising solid biomass and/or insoluble polysaccharide, in a high boiling, water-miscible solvent containing a soluble acid catalyst, and water. Furfural product and water can be distilled off, leaving non-volatile solvent behind. Because furfural contact with the acidic medium is minimized, degradation is kept to a minimum. The feedstock does not have to be pretreated. Because the biomass undergoes near complete dissolution, the residual material is flowable and easier to handle than residual solids reported from other processes. Further, certain by-products (e.g., humins, lignins) solubilized in the reaction solvent can be precipitated by addition of water or aqueous solution and then removed from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A dielectric fluid composition containing of 60% to 63% in weight of mono-unsaturated fatty acid, of 20% to 23% in weight of di-unsaturated fatty acid, of 5% to 7% in weight of tri-unsaturated fatty acid, and of 6% to 8% in weight of saturated fatty acid, such that the dielectric fluid is free of antioxidants and/or external additives and has the following properties: a dielectric strength of 40 kV to 70 kV at a separation of 2 mm, a dielectric constant of 2.5 to 3.1 at 25° C., and a dissipation factor of 0.05% to 0.15% at 25° C. The dielectric fluid composition can be obtained by a combination of 95.5% to 99.25% in weight of at least one high oleic vegetable oil, of 0.25% to 1.5% in weight of grape seed oil, of 0.25% to 1.5% in weight of sesame seed oil, and of 0.25% to 1.5% in weight of rice bran oil.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a concentrated alcohol solution from a lignocellulosic feedstock. The lignocellulosic feedstock is hydrolyzed to prepare a sugar solution. The sugar solution is fermented to produce a fermentation broth comprising alcohol and at least about 1 g ammonium ions/kg fermentation broth. The alcohol in the fermentation broth is then concentrated by distillation to produce an alcohol-enriched vapour. Either before distillation, during distillation or during the azeotrope breaking process, the concentration of ammonia in the alcohol-enriched vapour can be reduced by acid addition to at most about 300 ppm. The alcohol in the alcohol-rich vapour is then further concentrated by an azeotrope breaking process to provide the concentrated alcohol solution.

Abstract: Processes for making monoammonium succinate (MAS) and/or succinic acid (SA) from either a clarified diammonium succinate (DAS)-containing fermentation broth or a clarified MAS-containing fermentation broth include (a) distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and optionally ammonia and a liquid bottoms that includes MAS or SA; (b) cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms and optionally adding an antisolvent to the bottoms to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to produce a solid portion that contains MAS or SA in contact with a liquid portion; (c) separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and (d) recovering the solid portion.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an apparatus and method for the recovery of acetic acid, azeotropic agent, extraction agent, re-usable water and other reaction products such as p-toluic acid, from an aqueous stream generated during a terephthalic acid production process, having superior energy efficiency and reduced water consumption.

Abstract: A dielectric fluid composition containing of 60% to 63% in weight of mono-unsaturated fatty acid, of 20% to 23% in weight of di-unsaturated fatty acid, of 5% to 7% in weight of tri-unsaturated fatty acid, and of 6% to 8% in weight of saturated fatty acid, such that the dielectric fluid is free of antioxidants and/or external additives and has the following properties: a dielectric strength of 40 kV to 70 kV at a separation of 2 mm, a dielectric constant of 2.5 to 3.1 at 25° C., and a dissipation factor of 0.05% to 0.15% at 25° C. The dielectric fluid composition can be obtained by a combination of 95.5% to 99.25% in weight of at least one high oleic vegetable oil, of 0.25% to 1.5% in weight of grape seed oil, of 0.25% to 1.5% in weight of sesame seed oil, and of 0.25% to 1.5% in weight of rice bran oil.

Abstract: The invention describes a global method for extracting sterols, vitamin E, squalene and other vegetable hydrocarbons from deodorization distillates of vegetable oils. After esterification of the free fatty acids, followed by trans-esterification of the combined fatty acids (glycerides and sterides) with the same short alcohol, three successive distillations allow successive recovery of a first fraction of the hydrocarbons, the main fraction of alkyl esters, and then the heaviest alkyl esters with squalene. The third distillate will be used for producing squalene and a second fraction of hydrocarbons. The residue of the third distillation will be used for producing sterols and vitamin E. By using bio-ethanol, vegetable glycerol and the vegetable hydrocarbons of the method, with the method it is possible to extract each of the four unsaponifiables without any solvent of petroleum origin and claim the labels of products obtained by natural physical and chemical methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying methacrylic acid, wherein the reaction mixture obtained by a reaction of methacrylamide with water is cooled by mixing with an aqueous medium and then passed into a phase separator. The present invention further describes a system for performing the process according to the invention.

Abstract: A process for reactive distillation wherein a carboxylic acid is reacted in a reaction section of a reactive distillation column with an alcohol under esterifying conditions in the presence of a catalyst to form an ester, wherein a first supply stream comprising the carboxylic acid, a second supply stream comprising the alcohol and a third supply stream comprising an inert entrainer are supplied to the reactive distillation column, wherein the first supply stream is supplied to the column at a first entry level located just above or at the top of the reaction section, the second supply stream is supplied to the column at a second entry level located in or just below the reaction section and below the first entry level, and the third supply stream is supplied to the column at a third entry level located in or below the reaction section and not above the second entry level and wherein a bottom stream comprising the ester formed and unreacted carboxylic acid is obtained and a top stream comprising unreacted alco

Abstract: A process for co-manufacture of acrylonitrile and hydrogen cyanide comprises combining a stream comprising hydrogen cyanide and an acrylonitrile reactor product stream, to produce a combined product stream, having a ratio of acrylonitrile to hydrogen cyanide of about 9 to 1 or less, which can be varied; and treating the combined product stream in a recovery/purification system of acrylonitrile process wherein pH is controlled by addition of an acid to prevent HCN polymerization. The ratio of acrylonitrile to hydrogen cyanide is generally between 2 to 1 and 9 to 1. The stream comprising hydrogen cyanide is advantageously a hydrogen cyanide product stream from a hydrogen cyanide synthesis reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing trioxane and at least one comonomer for preparing (co)polymers based on trioxane, in which, in a first step, formaldehyde the at least one comonomer reactant are reacted in aqueous solution to give trioxane and comonomer, to obtain a reaction mixture A1 comprising trioxane, comonomer, formaldehyde and water, with or without comonomer reactant. In a second step, the reaction mixture A1 is distilled in a first distillation stage at a first pressure to obtain a stream B1 enriched in trioxane and comonomer and a stream B2 comprising essentially water and formaldehyde, with or without comonomer reactant. In a third step, stream B1 is distilled in a second distillation stage at a pressure which is above the pressure of the first distillation stage to obtain a stream C1 comprising trioxane, comonomer and water and a product stream C2 consisting essentially of comonomer and trioxane.

Abstract: A method for producing a fat by distillation and purification while preventing isomerization. The distillation and purification is conducted under an acidic condition to prevent isomerization.

Abstract: A method and a plant are disclosed for purifying lactams, particularly lactams obtained by cyclizing hydrolysis of aminonitrile. The purification of ?-caprolactam obtained by cyclizing hydrolysis of aminocapronitrile is described which includes eliminating the ammonia from the reaction medium of the hydrolysis, then recovering the lactam from said medium in purified form. The recovery is carried out by performing at least a distillation of the lactam in the presence of a base producing optionally a fronts fraction comprising compounds more volatile than the lactam, a fraction comprising the lactam to be recovered to the degree of desired purity and a distillation tails comprising the lactam and compounds less volatile than the lactam. The distillation tails are treated by various processes such as evaporation in thin layers to recover the major part of the caprolactam and recycling the latter in the purification process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for recovering acetone from a waste stream from an acetone purification stage. The waste stream contains mesityl oxide and optionally acetone. The process for recovering acetone includes separating the waste stream in a separating device at least in one stream containing mesityl oxide and optionally a further stream containing acetone, then concentrating mesityl oxide in the mesityl oxide containing stream, and finally recycling the concentrated mesityl oxide stream to the separating device and bringing it into contact with a basic or acidic aqueous medium or with an acidic catalyst in the presence of water whereby mesityl oxide is at least partially hydrolyzed to acetone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved processes to recover acetonitrile from a diluted aqueous low grade acetonitrile feedstock.

Abstract: A process for purifying alicyclic alcohols by distillation, wherein the alicyclic alcohols are distilled in the presence of from 1 to 550 ppm of acidic compounds.

Abstract: A process for the purification of fluoromethyl hexafluoroisopropyl ether which involves contacting a crude composition fluoromethyl hexafluoroisopropyl ether and hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol with a modifier to modify the vapour pressure of the ether and/or the alcohol. The difference in vapour pressure of the ether and the alcohol increases relative to the difference in vapour pressure of the ether and alcohol in the absence of the modifier and enables separation of the ether from the alcohol. The modifier suitably is ammonia and/or an amine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for recovering acetone from a waste stream from an acetone purification stage, whereas said waste stream comprises mesityl oxide and optionally acetone by separating the waste stream in a separating device at least in one stream comprising mesityl oxide and optionally a further stream comprising acetone, by than concentrating mesityl oxide in the mesityl oxide containing stream and finally by recycling the concentrated mesityl oxide stream to the separating device and bringing it into contact with a basic or acidic aqueous medium or with an acidic catalyst in the presence of water whereby mesityl oxide is at least partially hydrolyzed to acetone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering and producing chemicals in a pulp production process where organic chemicals, such as formic acid and acetic acid, are used as cooking chemicals. The process of the invention is based on regeneration of cooking acids and formation of additional cooking acids and furfural by evaporating the cooking liquor and then separating acetic acid, formic acid, furfural and water. The separation is preferably carried out by distillation using the furfural formed in the process as a distilling aid in the distillation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating for disposal oil-contaminated clay substrates such as drill cuttings from drilling with an oil-based mud. If necessary, the substrate is pretreated with an aqueous emulsion breaker such as alkylbenzenesulfonic acid. The substrate is mixed under high shear conditions with a mineral acid such as sulfuric acid. This can be done in an agitated reactor with sequential addition of the organic and inorganic acids. The substrate is then mixed with alkaline earth such as lime in a second agitated reactor. The reactions between the acid(s), alkaline earth and substrate are exothermic and provide heat to vaporize the oil, reaction products and water. Recoverable constituents in the vapor can be condensed in a vapor collection system. The treated substrate is essentially free of oil and has a controlled water content.

Abstract: A method is provided for fixing and eliminating fluorine and phosphorus in waste water wherein the waste water includes a fluorophosphate compound in which hydrochloric acid is added to the waste water including the fluorophosphate compound. The waste water to which hydrochloric acid has been added is heated in order to decompose the fluorophosphate compound into hydrogen fluoride and phosphoric acid, while hydrogen chloride gas located within a treating vessel in which the waste water is contained is introduced into a condenser provided outside of the treating vessel, and then a calcium salt is added to the waste water after decomposition in order to fix and eliminate fluorine and phosphorus.

Abstract: A method including evaporating aqueous solutions containing ammonia, adding an acid to the evaporated vapor flow to form an ammonium salt, and condensing the vapor flow to form a liquid containing the salt. By this method the ammonia formed into a salt is not present as an inert gas layer which would impede condensation on the condenser surfaces.

Abstract: A process for purifying alicyclic alcohols by distillation, wherein the alicyclic alcohols are distilled in the presence of from 1 to 550 ppm of acidic compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining anhydrous or substantially anhydrous formic acid, in which firstly aqueous formic acid is prepared by hydrolysis of methyl formate and is freed from water in the subsequent work-up. The process has the special feature that steam, which is employed for the hydrolysis of methyl formate and for heating a distillation column serving for work-up, is also used as stripping steam for waste-water stripping. The stripped waste water is produced during work-up.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining anhydrous or substantially anhydrous formic acid, in which firstly aqueous formic acid is produced by hydrolysis of methyl formate, with the methanol content in the methyl formate having been reduced in advance. The process according to the invention has the special feature that—before the hydrolysis of the methyl formate—the methanol content of the methanol-containing methyl formate is reduced in a distillation column, this distillation column simultaneously being employed for other separation functions during work-up of the formic acid.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of compounds present in a mixture containing residues of heavy products is provided. The process includes conducting a reaction and distillation to obtain the compounds and residues and macerating the residues before they can set to mass. The residues can then be destroyed. The process is particularly suitable for the treatment of the residues obtained in the preparation of phenol from cumene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering ditrimethylolpropane from a still residue obtained by extracting and then distilling off trimethylolpropane from a reaction solution obtained by reacting n-butyraldelhyde with formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst, wherein the still residue is distilled to remove high-boiling components therefrom, and the resultant distillate is subjected to crystallization. When the above process is combined with the acid decomposition, it becomes possible to decompose a linear formal compound obtained from 2 molecules of TMP contained in the still residue as crude TMP and one molecule of formaldehyde, so that di-TMP having a higher purity is obtained.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that hyperbaric, hydrostatic pressure reversibly alters the partitioning of biomolecules between certain adsorbed and solvated phases relative to partitioning at ambient pressure. The new methods and devices disclosed herein make use of this discovery for highly selective and efficient, low salt isolation and purification of nucleic acids from a broad range of sample types, including forensic samples, blood and other body fluids, and cultured cells. In one embodiment, the invention features a pressure-modulation apparatus. The apparatus includes an electrode array system having at least two (i.e., two, three, four, or more) electrodes; and a conduit interconnecting the electrodes. The conduit contains an electrically conductive fluid in contact with a phase positioned in a pressure chamber. The phase can be, for example, a binding medium or stationary phase.

Abstract: A process is described for producing ester quats of the formula (I) ##STR1## where X.sup.- is an anion of an inorganic or organic acid, R.sub.a is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group, R.sub.b and R.sub.c are each, independently of one another, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkylene group, and R.sub.d is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.22 fragment of a saturated and/or unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid, m, n, p, and q are integers, m has a value from 1 to 3, n a value from 0 to 3, p a value from 0 to 1, m+n+p=4, and q has the value 1 or, if m=3, n=0, and p=1, the value 2, in which process a quaternary compound of the formula (II) ##STR2## where X.sup.-, R.sub.a, R.sub.b, R.sub.c, m, n, p, and q have the above meanings, is esterified, in the presence of an oxo acid of phosphorus and/or one of its alkali or alkaline-earth salts as a catalyst, with a saturated and/or unsaturated C.sub.1 to C.sub.22 carboxylic acid, alone or in a mixture, while withdrawing water.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that hyperbaric, hydrostatic pressure reversibly alters the partitioning of nucleic acids between certain adsorbed and solvated phases relative to partitioning at ambient pressure. The new methods and devices disclosed herein make use of this discovery for highly selective and efficient, low salt isolation and purification of nucleic acids from a broad range of sample types, including forensic samples, blood and other body fluids, and cultured cells.

Abstract: A process for purification treatment of an impure liquid, such as a contaminated condensate, obtained when producing paper or paper pulp. The liquid is introduced intro a stripper device at an admission point (C) and the stripper device is also supplied with an acidifier preferably at a point (D) that is located above the admission point (C) and malodorous gases are driven off from the stripper device.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of glycols from used antifreeze compositions by distillation entails the used antifreeze composition being treated before and/or during its distillation with an effective amount of sulfamic acid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and an apparatus for preparing tertiary ethers. According to the process, C.sub.4 to C.sub.6 isoolefins and possibly heavier olefins contained in the feedstock are reacted with lower aliphatic alcohols, in particular methanol or ethanol, in a catalytic distillation reactor system in order to produce the corresponding ethers. According to the invention, the reaction between the isoolefins and the alcohols is essentially carried out in at least one reactor (5-7) of the kind, which is combined with a distillation column (3) intended for product separation, by conducting at least a part of the liquid flow of the column through the reactor and returning it to a lower tray than the one from which it was taken. At least half of cation exchange resin is placed in the side reactor (5-7). In the process according to the invention, the catalyst can be rapidly changed without stopping the process.

Abstract: Etching the surfaces of a metal tower packing improves their wettability and therefore their efficiency in mass transfer applications.

Abstract: A process for the removal of aldehydes and acetals from industrially prepared acetic acid, wherein the contaminated acetic acid is reacted in the presence of a Bronstedt acid and 0.05 to 1% by weight of water and, if required, of 3 to 10 equivalents, calculated on aldehyde and acetal, of a high boiling polyhydric alcohol, and isolating the purified acetic acid by fractional distillation.

Abstract: At least a fraction of at least one branched, saturated aliphatic diacid having 6 carbon atoms, for example 2-methylglutaric acid and/or 2-ethylsuccinic acid and/or dimethylsuccinic acid, is separated from admixtures thereof with adipic acid, by at least partially converting such at least one aliphatic diacid into the corresponding anhydride thereof, and removing the corresponding anhydride or the adipic acid from the medium of conversion/anhydridization, for example by contemporaneous or subsequent distillation, or by crystallization.

Abstract: A method of purifying the oxidate product formed by the liquid phase oxidation of C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 paraffinic hydrocarbons comprises adding a strong acid catalyst to the oxidate product to catalyze the break down of Michael addition products of unsaturated carbonyls and carboxylic acids so that the carbonyls can be distilled off during the initial stages of purification.

Abstract: A process for the purification of caprolactam from crude caprolactam by distilling the crude caprolactam in the presence of an anorganic or organic acid.

Abstract: A process for purification of crude, 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane includes the steps of treating a mixture of crude, 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane and hydrogen fluoride with chlorine in the presence of a Lewis acid, and distilling to recover purified 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane, wherein hydrogen fluoride is present during the treatment with chlorine at a ratio of at least 5% by weight with respect to the mixture of crude, 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane and hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of unwanted di(meth)acrylate produced during the distillation of hydroxyalkyl acrylates or hydroxyalkyl methacrylates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing odourless dimethyl ether (DME) which is thus an excellent propellant. This dimethyl ether is produced from methanol, the methanol feed, prior to the reaction to form dimethyl ether, and/or the dimethyl ether product still containing odorants being treated with acidic materials, preferably acidic ion exchangers.

Abstract: A distillation process for the separation of acetic anhydride from a mixture thereof with ethylidene diacetate wherein the mixture of acetic anhydride and ethylidene diacetate is fed to the mid section of a distillation column and a small amount of acetic acid is fed separately to the lower section of the column. The addition of the acetic acid suppresses tar formation during the distillation process.

Abstract: A method for the acid catalyzed cyclization of an alkenylbenzene feedstock to a dimethyltetralin in a liquid phase reaction wherein the desired dimethyltetralin is removed from the reaction mixture by distillation simultaneously with the addition of the feedstock to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A process for separating alkenes from a methylchlorosilane mixture by adding at least a stoichiometric amount of hydrogen chloride necessary for saturating the alkenes in the methylchlorosilane mixture and thereafter removing resulting chloroalkanes by distillation.

Abstract: A process for refining soap-containing crude polyol fatty-acid polyester reaction product, the process including one or more high-temperature refining treatments and as the first step in the refining process, contacting the crude reaction product with an acid to substantially convert the soap into its corresponding free fatty acids, and the subsequent step of substantially removing from the crude reaction product any salts therein prior to said one or more high-temperature refining treatments.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions which are contaminated by hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, and ammonia are brought to a pH of about 3 or less after their formation and treated with an inert gas in a stripping column to remove the sulfide and cyanide. The pH of the solution is then increased to about 10 or more and the solution is again treated with an inert gas in a second stripping column to remove the ammonia.