Abstract: The present invention provides a beverage and a dermatological composition comprising water molecules, the water molecules having oxygen atoms of different isotopes, the beverage being enriched in at least one of the oxygen isotopes, the enrichment being in reference to (i) the amount of that oxygen isotope in the water used to produce the beverage or (ii) the amount of that oxygen isotope in ground water, or (iii) Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water. The water molecules may be derived from a plant source, such as a juice, a sap or a tree water.

Abstract: Methods and systems for filtering water according to its isotopic forms. In some embodiments, a stream of water comprising at least two distinct isotopic forms of water may be directed into one or more filtration modules comprising a graphene oxide membrane. The graphene oxide membrane(s) may be used to separate the stream into a permeate and a retentate, wherein the permeate comprises an increased concentration of light water relative to the retentate.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel method for removing tritium oxide contamination from a solution with water. The method captures the tritium oxide in a much smaller volume suitable for economical disposal. In so doing the original water is decontaminated of the tritium oxide and may be discharged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing racemic or optically active menthol in pure or enriched form by distillatively separating menthol from substance mixtures which comprise essentially menthol and diastereomers thereof. This distillative separation is performed in a dividing wall column with 50 to 300 theoretical plates and one or more side draw points at an absolute operating pressure of 5 to 500 mbar.

Abstract: A method for concentrating contaminated sorbate in a solution which includes contaminated sorbate and clean sorbate is described wherein contaminated sorbate having a freezing point which is higher than the freezing point of the clean sorbate is cooled to a temperature below the freezing point of the contaminated sorbate and above the freezing point of the clean sorbate to concentrate the contaminated sorbate by cycling alternately from a desorption cycle to an adsorption cycle. By maintaining the solution at a temperature between the freezing point of the contaminated sorbate and the freezing point of the clean sorbate, the clean sorbate can be evaporated off.

Abstract: Method for concentrating nitrogen isotope to obtain a final product nitrogen, in which the stable nitrogen isotope, 15N, is concentrated, by low-temperature distillation of raw material nitrogen containing trace amounts of oxygen and argon using a plurality of distillation columns in a cascade arrangement. An argon-oxygen mixture is discharged from the bottom of the final column and 15N-concentrated nitrogen is extracted from a lower intermediate point of the final column. The flow rate of the argon-oxygen mixture discharged from the bottom of the final column is controlled based on the reading of a thermometer installed below the point where the final product 15N-concentrated nitrogen is extracted, thereby providing a stable nitrogen product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing racemic or optically active menthol in pure or enriched form by distillatively separating menthol from substance mixtures which comprise essentially menthol and diastereomers thereof. This distillatiive separation is performed in a dividing wall column with 50 to 300 theoretical plates and one or more side draw points at an absolute operating pressure of 5 to 500 mbar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing Nebivolol and, more in particular, to a fractional distillation method of a mixture of stereoisomers of formula intermediates useful in the preparation of nebivolol.

Abstract: An aromatics complex producing one or more xylene isomers offers a large number of opportunities to conserve energy by heat exchange within the complex. One previously unrecognized opportunity is through providing two parallel distillation columns operating at different pressures to separate C8 aromatics from C9+ aromatics. The parallel columns offer additional opportunities to conserve energy within the complex through heat exchange in associated xylene recovery facilities.

Abstract: A method of enriching a heavy oxygen isotope by distillation of the present invention includes: a first distillation step of feeding oxygen and ozone generated by an ozonizer 12 into a distillation column 13 filled with a diluent gas, and separating the oxygen, and the ozone and the diluent gas; a photodecomposition step of introducing a mixed gas of the ozone and the diluent gas from a bottom of the distillation column into a photoreaction cell 14, and irradiating the mixed gas with a laser light to selectively decompose the ozone containing the heavy oxygen isotope; and a second distillation step of returning non-decomposed ozone and oxygen containing the heavy oxygen isotope to the distillation column, and separating the oxygen, and the ozone and the diluent gas.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus of the present invention includes a distillation column group in which a plurality of distillation columns including a condenser and a reboiler is connected in the form of a cascade; a gas-feeding line which feeds gas from the distillation column to a latter distillation column; a gas line which introduces the gas from the distillation column to the condenser attached to the distillation column; a liquid-line which withdraws a condensed liquid from the condenser; a liquid-reflux line which introduces a part of the condensed liquid from the liquid-line to the distillation column; a liquid-return line which returns the remainder of the condensed liquid from the liquid-line to a former distillation column; a valve provided on the liquid-return line; and a bypass line which connects the liquid-return line and the gas line so as to flow an evaporated gas generated in the liquid-return line to the gas line.

Abstract: A method for concentrating effectively the heavy nitrogen isotope 15N to 50 atom % or more in which 14N15N and/or 15N2, which are molecules containing a heavy nitrogen isotope of 15N, are concentrated by distilling successively nitrogen N2 using plural distillation columns T1 to T4 each of which includes at least one condenser C1 to C4 and at least one reboiler R1 to R4 and is arranged in series, and a part of nitrogen in the distillation is drawn out to be subjected to isotope scrambling in an isotope scrambler S1, and nitrogen after the isotope scrambling is returned to the distillation to produce nitrogen N2 with a 15N concentration of 50 atom % or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for concentrating nitrogen isotope comprising a step for obtaining a final product nitrogen, in which the stable nitrogen isotope, 15N, has been concentrated, by low-temperature distillation of raw material nitrogen containing trace amounts of oxygen and argon with a plurality of distillation columns composed in a cascade arrangement, wherein together with discharging an argon-oxygen mixture from the bottom of the final column and extracting a 15N-concentrated nitrogen fluid from a lower intermediate point of the final column, the flow rate of the argon-oxygen mixture discharged from the bottom of the final column is controlled based on the reading of a thermometer installed below the point where the final product 15N-concentrated nitrogen is extracted, thereby enabling the final product nitrogen to be stably obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing racemic or optically active menthol in pure or enriched form by distillatively separating menthol from substance mixtures which comprise essentially menthol and diastereomers thereof. This distillatiive separation is performed in a dividing wall column with 50 to 300 theoretical plates and one or more side draw points at an absolute operating pressure of 5 to 500 mbar.

Abstract: A process for light water detritiation which includes the steps of water distillation for tritium stripping and enriching, followed by chemical conversion of tritium enriched water to elemental hydrogen, and finally by one or more thermal diffusion columns for final tritium enrichment. The combination of process steps takes advantage of water distillation large throughput capability at low tritium concentration with the simplicity of thermal diffusion for small throughput final tritium enrichment. The water distillation front-end and the thermal diffusion back end processes are compatible with any intermediate chemical conversion process such as electrolysis or water gas shift reaction to convert tritiated water to elemental hydrogen.

Abstract: By using a dephlegmator which conducts distillation concurrently with heat exchange within at least one distillation column, or a portion of one distillation column, of a distillation cascade, the quantity of liquid holdup within the distillation apparatus is reduced and the start-up time is shortened. Consequently, the operational costs associated with startup are reduced, and productivity is improved markedly.

Abstract: A process for light water detritiation comprised of water distillation for tritium stripping and enriching, followed by chemical conversion of tritium enriched water to elemental hydrogen, and finally by one or more thermal diffusion columns for final tritium enrichment. The combination of process steps takes advantage of water distillation large throughput capability at low tritium concentration with the simplicity of thermal diffusion for small throughput final tritium enrichment. The water distillation front-end and the thermal diffusion back end processes are compatible with any intermediate chemical conversion process such as electrolysis or water gas shift reaction to convert tritiated water to elemental hydrogen.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising first to third columns, wherein the outlet of a first column reboiler and the inlet of a second column condenser are connected by a first introduction conduit, and the outlet of a second distillation column reboiler and the inlet of a third column condenser are connected by a second introduction conduit, and additionally the outlet of the second column condenser and the inlet of the first column reboiler are connected by a first return conduit, and the outlet of the third column condenser and the inlet of the second column reboiler are connected by a second return conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enrichment of heavy oxygen isotopes is provided wherein an oxygen starting material which contains heavy oxygen isotopes is enriched in at least one of oxygen molecule 16O17O, 16O18O, 17O17O, 17O18O and 18O18O, by means of cryogenic distillation of the oxygen starting material containing heavy oxygen isotopes. In addition, a method and apparatus are provided for further increasing the concentration of at least one of the heavy isotope oxygen molecules by means of conducting isotope scrambling on the above-mentioned plurality of oxygen molecules enriched by means of the above mentioned cryogenic distillation.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of pure trans- and cis-4-hydroxy-2, 2,6-trimethylcyclohexan-1-one from a mixture of these isomers comprises fractionally rectifying the isomeric mixture in a suitable column having from about 30 to 80 theoretical separation stages at temperatures of preferably from 50.degree. to 130.degree. C. and a pressure in the range from 0.1 to 5 mbar. The products are essential intermediates for the preparation of 3-hydroxycarotenoids such as cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin.

Abstract: A method for preparing a stable colloid in water in which water is enriched with respect to para water by condensing water vapor on a surface which does not decompose water into H and OH, dispersing a water insoluble material in colloidal form therein, whereby excess parawater acts as a stabilizer for the colloid, and storing the colloid in a vessel having a wall which does not decompose water into H and OH. The stability of the colloidal can be later broken by contacting it with a surface that decomposes water into H and OH.

Abstract: Methods for producing selenium-72, separating it from its daughter isotope arsenic-72, and generating multiple portions of a solution containing arsenic-72 from a reusable parent substance comprised of selenium-72.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the photochemical isolation and separation of specific mercury isotopes from mixtures of mercury isotopes is disclosed. The system employs an electroded mercury photochemical lamp having a uniform, controlled output. The lamp is controlled by the use of a fluid heat transfer medium to control the partial pressure of mercury vapor within the lamp. This allows a means for controlling both the bandwidth and intensity of the lamp output.

Abstract: A process for purifying impure water, e.g. heavy water, which provides for the removal of dissolved inorganic and organic contaminants by distillation of the water and washed vapor withdrawal, and optional chemical pretreatment of oxidazable matter.

Abstract: A system of four cryogenic fractional distillation columns interlinked with two equilibrators for separating a DT and hydrogen feed stream into four product streams, consisting of a stream of high purity D.sub.2, DT, T.sub.2, and a tritium-free stream of HD for waste disposal.

Abstract: A process for removing helium and other impurities from a mixture containing deuterium and tritium, which process comprises the following steps: separating the isotopes of hydrogen from the impurity by catalytic oxidation; condensing out the oxides H.sub.2 O, D.sub.2 O and T.sub.2 O thus formed; separating by electrolysis a portion of the said oxides in an electrolytic cell in order to produce a protium-rich portion; distillating the protium-rich portion to separate deuterium and tritium oxides from a distillate rich in water; and electrolyzing the condensate of the distillation step and the non-electrolyzed portion of the first electrolyzing step in order to form a mixture of deuterium and tritium.Preferably the impure mixture of deuterium and tritium is a waste product of a fusion reactor and the purified deuterium-tritium mixture is recycled to the reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying impure vaporizable liquid, e.g. heavy water, which provides for the removal of dissolved inorganic solid contaminants from such liquid to produce a high purity liquid product.

Abstract: Sulfur isotopes are continuously separated and enriched using a closed loop reflux system wherein sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2) is reacted with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or the like to form sodium hydrogen sulfite (NaHSO.sub.3). Heavier sulfur isotopes are preferentially attracted to the NaHSO.sub.3, and subsequently reacted with sulfuric acid (H.sub.2 SO.sub.4) forming sodium hydrogen sulfate (NaHSO.sub.4) and SO.sub.2 gas which contains increased concentrations of the heavier sulfur isotopes. This heavy isotope enriched SO.sub.2 gas is subsequently separated and the NaHSO.sub.4 is reacted with NaOH to form sodium sulfate (Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4) which is subsequently decomposed in an electrodialysis unit to form the NaOH and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 components which are used in the aforesaid reactions thereby effecting sulfur isotope separation and enrichment without objectionable loss of feed materials.