Adding Material To Distilland Except Water Or Steam Per Se Patents (Class 203/50)
  • Patent number: 7485208
    Abstract: Process for working up a bottom stream wherein high boilers and ionic liquid from an extractive rectification in which the ionic liquid is used as entrainer. The process includes feeding the bottom stream to an evaporation stage which is operated at a pressure of less than 500 mbar or to a stripper which is operated through use of inert gas or steam, and the major part of the high boiler present is separated off in vapor form from the ionic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschart
    Inventors: York Alexander Beste, Hartmut Schoenmakers, Wolfgang Arlt, Matthias Seiler, Carsten Jork
  • Publication number: 20080257711
    Abstract: A process for debottlenecking a system for the separation of a conjugated diolefin the system including a first extraction section having an extractive distillation column and a stripping column and a second extraction section. The process includes the steps of withdrawing a first portion of an extract from the extractive distillation column, the extract having at least the first portion and a second portion, and transferring the first portion of the extract to a flash/separation vessel; separating the first portion of the extract into a vapor phase and a liquid phase by flashing in a flash/separation vessel; and combining the liquid phase of the separated first portion of the extract with the second portion of the extract to produce an extract feed for further processing. A system and process for the separation of a conjugated diolefin from a C4- or C5-hydrocarbon mixture containing the conjugated diolefin and higher acetylenes are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: May-Ru Chen, Micheal E. Smith, Ross T. Garner
  • Patent number: 7410555
    Abstract: A process for reacting a first component with itself or a second component to produce a third component in which a first material comprising a first component or said first component and a second component is fed to divided wall column having a catalytic distillation structure in at least one of the separate vertical sections of the divided wall column where concurrently: (1) a first component alone or with a second component is contacted with a catalytic distillation structure in a distillation reaction zone thereby catalytically reacting at least a portion of the first component with itself or with the second component to form a product and (2) a first mixture comprising the first component and the product or the first component, the second component and the product; and withdrawing the product from the distillation column reactor; while within the column concurrently with the catalytic reaction and fractionation a second mixture is fractionated, which contains the first component and the product or first a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Catalytic Distillation Technologies
    Inventors: Willibrord A. Groten, Mario J. Maraschino
  • Publication number: 20080128264
    Abstract: A novel method for connecting multiple existing columns which are retrofitted into vapor-liquid contacting devices with trays or packings suitable for the operation of a three-phase (vapor-liquid-liquid) extractive distillation column for aromatics recovery. The retrofitted columns are connected by a vapor transfer line to transfer the vapor phase from the top of the lower column to the bottom of the upper column, and by a liquid transfer line to transfer the liquid phase from the bottom of the upper column to the top of the lower column of the three-phase extractive distillation column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: KUANG YEU WU, ADAM T. LEE, TZONG-BIN LIN, HUNG-CHUNG SHEN
  • Patent number: 7326823
    Abstract: A method for the solvent extraction recovery of an aromatic wherein an aromatic extract is formed that contains the aromatic and non-aromatics that are both lighter than and heavier than the aromatic, analyzing at least two separate groups of lighter and heavier non-aromatics in the extract, determining from the analyses the distribution of lighter and heavier non-aromatics present and whether the aromatic product that will be recovered from the process will be too far from its predetermined maximum non-aromatic content specification, and making process changes that will cause the process to produce the aromatic product with a non-aromatic content that is closer to its predetermined maximum non-aromatic content specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Solon B. Williams, Reynaldo E. Vera, Robert W. Whitmire, Paul A. Barnard, Brian J. Narowski
  • Patent number: 7241928
    Abstract: A liquid phase process is disclosed for producing halogenated alkane adducts of the formula CAR1R2CBR3R4 (where A, B, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined in the specification) which involves contacting a corresponding halogenated alkane, AB, with a corresponding olefin, CR1R2?CR3R4 in a dinitrile or cyclic carbonate ester solvent which divides the reaction mixture into two liquid phases and in the presence of a catalyst system containing (i) at least one catalyst selected from monovalent and divalent copper; and optionally (ii) a promoter selected from aromatic or aliphatic heterocyclic compounds which contain at least one carbon-nitrogen double bond in the heterocyclic ring. When hydrochlorofluorocarbons are formed, the chlorine content may be reduced by reacting the hydrochlorofluorocarbons with HF. New compounds disclosed include CF3CF2CCl2CH2CCl3, CF3CCl2CH2CH2Cl and CF3CCl2CH2CHClF. These compounds are useful as intermediates for producing hydrofluorocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Velliyur N.Mallikarjuna Rao, Allen Capron Sievert
  • Patent number: 7226527
    Abstract: A process for recovering crude 1,3-butadiene from a C4 fraction by extractive distillation using a selective solvent in a dividing wall column (TK) in which a dividing wall (T) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the column to form a first subregion (A), a second subregion (B) and a lower common column region (C) and which is preceded by an extractive scrubbing column (K) is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerd Bohner, Klaus Kindler, Melanie Pahl, Gerd Kaibel
  • Patent number: 6969446
    Abstract: Process for producing a nitric acid of a concentration from 75 to 99.9% from a more diluted nitric acid, wherein a nitric acid of a concentration of about 45 to 70% is rectified in contact with a liquid extraction medium to prevent the formation of a nitric acid-water-azeotropic mixture, and the vapors of the concentrated nitric acid are condensed and a concentrated nitric acid is obtained and wherein additionally the extraction medium is reconstituted through reconcentration and returned into the extractive rectification, wherein the nitric acid to be concentrated is fed as a boiling liquid or partially vaporized to the extractive rectification preferably carried out in two columns (K 1.0, K 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: QVF Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Gottfried Dichtl, Frank Dorstewitz, Manfred Sassenberg, Ulrich Walter
  • Patent number: 6863780
    Abstract: There is provided an azeotropic mixture having 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and hydrogen fluoride. Further, there is provided a process of separating/purifying R-245fa and/or HF from a mixture of R-245fa and HF wherein the mixture of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and hydrogen fluoride is subjected to a distillation step so that a distillate is obtained which has the azeotropic mixture of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and hydrogen fluoride, and a bottom product is obtained which has separated/purified 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane or hydrogen fluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventors: Tatsuo Nakada, Noriaki Shibata, Takashi Shibanuma
  • Publication number: 20040084295
    Abstract: The invention relates to azeotropic and azeotrope-like mixtures of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane (HFC-365) and hydrogen fluoride and a process for separating the azeotrope-like mixtures. The compositions of the invention are useful as an intermediate in the production of HFC-365. The latter is useful as a nontoxic, zero ozone depleting fluorocarbon useful as a solvent, blowing agent, refrigerant, cleaning agent and aerosol to propellant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Hang T. Pham, Rajiv R. Singh, Hsueh S. Tung
  • Publication number: 20040065538
    Abstract: A process for recovering crude 1,3-butadiene from a C4 fraction by extractive distillation using a selective solvent in a dividing wall column (TK) in which a dividing wall (T) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the column to form a first subregion (A), a second subregion (B) and a lower common column region (C) and which is preceded by an extractive scrubbing column (K) is proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Gerd Bohner, Klaus Kindler, Melanie Pahl, Gerd Kaibel
  • Publication number: 20030213689
    Abstract: A process is described for preventing plugging of distillation equipment when the distillable liquid comprises a mixture of different liquids containing a dissolved substance tending to precipitate from the distillate. An adjuvant is provided to the mixture to be distilled, which adjuvant forms a composition with the dissolved substance that, if isolated, melts at a lower temperature than the distillation temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Bonnie G. McKinnie, Robert E. Williams, Gary L. Sharp, Alireza M. Dadgar
  • Publication number: 20030164283
    Abstract: The present invention involves processes that utilize an olefinic compound, in particular, hexafluoropropene (HFP) or chlorotrifluoroethene (CFC-1113) as extracting agents in the purification of pentafluoroethane (HFC-125). These processes can utilize recovered HFP as a precursor for the production of heptafluoropropane (HFC-227) or other derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Stephan M. Brandstater, Mitchel Cohn, Victoria E. Hedrick, Yuichi Iikubo
  • Patent number: 6514387
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rectifying column for extractive distillation, comprising a column main section (204) and a raffinate section (205) above said main section, an evaporator (208) situated on the lower end of the column, an inlet (214) disposed between the main section of the column and the raffinate section and a solvent inlet (215) arranged on the top side of the raffinate section (205) for feeding an extracting agent. According to the invention, the main section (204) has two chambers (216, 217) connected in parallel. A stripping section (222) is disposed between the bottom of the column (221) and the main section (204), in which concentration of the extracting agent occurs from the top down. The bottom (221) is connected to the solvent inflow (215) by a device (223) for recycling the extracting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Krupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Emmrich, Bärbel Kolbe, Helmut Gehrke, Frank Ennenbach, Uwe Ranke
  • Publication number: 20020157938
    Abstract: A method for isolating 32 from a crude mixture containing HCl and an azeotropic mixture of 32 and HF is provided without the need to isolate any HF azeotrope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: John A. Wismer
  • Patent number: 6441252
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing phenol and acetone from cumene hydroperoxide comprises a reactive distillation column comprising at its upper portion a distillation column and at its lower portion a catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Doron Levin, Jose G. Santiesteban
  • Publication number: 20020088704
    Abstract: The present invention aims to isolate the azeotropes formed in a distillation column (B1) by methanol, propane and butane. The azeotropes are then liquefied in heat exchanger (E2) and mixed in contactor (M1) with water in order to dissolve the methanol in water. The mixture is then fed into a decantation tank (D2) to separate the aqueous phase from the liquid hydrocarbon phase. Finally, an aqueous phase containing methanol is discharged and the methanol-depleted hydrocarbon phase is recycled to distillation column (B1) as reflux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Geraldine Laborie, Fabrice Lecomte, Annick Pucci
  • Patent number: 6375808
    Abstract: A process for refining difluoromethane by removing hydrogen fluoride, which is contained in difluoromethane difficult to remove. The process involves distilling a mixture of difluoromethane with hydrogen fluoride where the mixture is in contact with sulfuric acid. The hydrogen fluoride remains in the liquid phase and the difluoromethane goes into the vapor phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehide Tsuda, Takashi Shibanuma, Yasufu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20010037977
    Abstract: A method for separating an oxidation catalyst, an oxidation reaction product and a reaction solvent from a reaction mixture obtained by oxidizing a substrate in the presence of an oxidation catalyst containing an aromatic N-hydroxyimide compound and a transition metal, the method including (i) distilling the reaction solvent from the reaction mixture in the presence of an organic solvent which is immiscible with the reaction solvent to obtain the reaction mixture containing the reaction solvent in an amount of 5 parts by weight or less per one part by weight of the N-hydroxyimide compound, and the oxidation catalyst precipitated, and (ii) separating the reaction mixture obtained in the step (i) by a solid-liquid separation method into the oxidation product and the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Tani, Shuzo Murata
  • Patent number: 6251228
    Abstract: A waste photopolymer plate washout fluid solvent distillation apparatus includes a single enclosure enclosing a waste washout fluid container, a recovered solvent container, and a distillation unit in which waste washout is distilled by application of heat and vacuum pressure to the waste washout, and by supplying a metered supply of a surrogate solvent to the distilled waste washout as a desired solvent is distilled from the waste washout. The apparatus, by supplying the surrogate solvent to the waste washout as the desired solvent is distilled from the waste washout, enables a greater percentage of the desired solvent to be recovered from the waste washout than has been heretofore possible with prior art apparatus, and also enables the waste washout to be disposed of as a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventors: Daniel B. Marks, Donald G. Fluchel
  • Patent number: 6224781
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing compositions including (a) a compound selected from the group consisting of CHF2CF3, CHF2CHF2, CH2FCF3, CH3CF3, CH3CHF2, CH2FCF2CHF2 and CHF2CF2CF2CHF2 and (b) at least one saturated halogenated hydrocarbon and/or ether having the formula: CnH2n+2−a−bClaFbOc wherein n is an integer from 1 to 4, a is an integer from 0 to 2n+1, b is an integer from 1 to 2n+2−a, and c is 0 or 1, provided that when c is 1 then n is an integer from 2 to 4, and provided that component (b) does not include the selected component (a) compound, wherein the molar ratio of component (b) to component (a) is between about 1:99 and a molar ratio of HF to component (a) in an azeotrope or azeotrope-like composition of component (a) with HF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Barry A. Mahler, V. N. Mallikarjuna Rao, Allen Capron Sievert, Munirpallam A. Subramanian, Edwin James Warwas
  • Patent number: 6221830
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to removing impurities from hexafluoroethane (CF3CF3), also known as Perfluorocarbon 116 (PFC-116) or Fluorocarbon 116 (FC-116), by using azeotropic distillation such that an overhead product consisting essentially of HCl-hexafluoroethane is formed, optionally combined with a phase separation step to break the HCl-hexafluoroethane azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition thereby permitting recovery of substantially pure hexafluoroethane. Unreacted hydrogen fluoride (HF) may be removed from hexafluoroethane during the above azeotropic distillation with HCl or alternatively by an azeotropic distillation wherein an HF-hexafluoroethane azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition exits overhead and substantially pure HF exits in the bottoms stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ralph Newton Miller, Mark Richard Deschere, Barry Asher Mahler, Olagappan Muthu
  • Patent number: 6093855
    Abstract: The divinyl ethers of diethylene glycol or triethylene glycol are separated from the monovinyl ether of the corresponding oligoethylene glycol by distillation, a metal hydroxide being added to the vinyl ether mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Erich Lorenz
  • Patent number: 6024840
    Abstract: Propylene oxide obtained by an epoxidation process which uses methanol as a solvent may be effectively treated to remove acetaldehyde by subjecting the crude epoxidation reaction product to fractional distillation. The methanol solvent is utilized during such distillation to lower the relative volatility of the acetaldehyde impurity, thereby making it possible to obtain a bottoms fraction containing substantially all the acetaldehyde. Purified propylene oxide having a reduced acetaldehyde concentration is removed as an overhead stream. Water may also be effectively separated from the propylene oxide using this procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Arco Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael A. Rueter
  • Patent number: 5902911
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the monohydrogenolysis of 2,2-dichlorohexafluoropropane to 2-chloro-2-hydrohexafluoropropane. The process involves reacting the 2,2-dichlorohexafluoropropane with hydrogen at an elevated temperature of about 150.degree. C. or less in the presence of a catalyst containing a catalytically effective amount of palladium supported on trivalent chromium oxide in the presence of an acid of the formula HZ (where Z is Cl and/or F) to produce 2-chloro-2-hydrohexafluoropropane with a selectivity of over 70% based upon the 2,2-dichlorohexafluoropropane converted. Azeotropes of 2-chloro-2-hydrohexafluoropropane with HF are also disclosed; as are processes for producing such azeotropes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Velliyur Nott Mallikarjuna Rao, Edwin James Warwas
  • Patent number: 5772852
    Abstract: A process for separating HCl from pentafluoroethane, chloropentafluoroethane, chlorotrifluoroethane, trifluoromethane, and other fully saturated and unsaturated fluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons and chlorocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Barry Asher Mahler, Vinci Martinez Felix, Ralph Newton Miller
  • Patent number: 5718807
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to removing impurities from hexafluoroethane (CF.sub.3 CF.sub.3), also known as PerFluoroCarbon 116 (PFC-116) or FluoroCarbon 116 (FC-116), by using azeotropic distillation such that an overhead product containing an HCl-hexafluoroethane is formed, optionally combined with a phase separation step to break the HCl-hexafluoroethane azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition thereby permitting recovery of substantially pure hexafluoroethane. Unreacted hydrogen fluoride (HF) may be removed from hexafluoroethane during the above azeotropic distillation with HCl or alternatively by an azeotropic distillation wherein an HF-hexafluoroethane azeotropic or azeotrope-like composition exits overhead and substantially pure HF exits in the bottoms stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ralph Newton Miller, Mark Richard Deschere, Barry Asher Mahler, Olagappan Muthu
  • Patent number: 5595634
    Abstract: A process for treating C.sub.3 to C.sub.12 petroleum fractions, such as a light cracked naphtha to be used as an etherification feed stock in which H.sub.2 S is removed by distillation of at least the C.sub.3 fraction and mercaptans and diolefins are removed simultaneously in a distillation column reactor using a dual catalyst bed. The mercaptans and H.sub.2 S are reacted with the diolefins in the presence of a reduced nickel catalyst to form sulfides which are higher boiling than the portion of the feed which is fractionated to an upper hydrogenation catalyst bed of palladium for hydrogenating diolefins and acetylenes. The higher boiling sulfides are removed as bottoms along with heavier materials. Any diolefins not converted to sulfides and acetylenes are selectively hydrogenated to mono-olefins in the presence of a palladium oxide catalyst in an upper bed, producing overheads, substantially free of sulfur compounds, diolefins and acetylenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Chemical Research & Licensing Company
    Inventors: Dennis Hearn, Gary R. Gildert, Hugh M. Putman
  • Patent number: 5523015
    Abstract: Hydrogen fluoride is effectively removed from a mixture of hydrogen fluoride, dichloromethane, chlorofluoromethane and/or difluoromethane by distilling the mixture so that two-component azeotropic mixtures of hydrogen fluoride and dichloromethane, hydrogen fluoride and chlorofluoromethane and hydrogen fluoride and difluoromethane are removed, or by liquid-separating the mixture into an upper liquid phase rich in hydrogen fluoride and a lower liquid phase not rich in hydrogen fluoride before each liquid phase is distilled as described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehide Tsuda, Takeo Matsumoto, Yoshinori Tanaka, Satoshi Komatsu, Satoshi Koyama
  • Patent number: 5490907
    Abstract: A method for the separation and recovery of volatiles from a sludge containing about 1 to 80% by weight liquid solvents and 20 to 99% by weight solids, in which said sludge is fed with a reagent powder material in an amount effective to form a mixture having a high surface area to a distillation vessel, said mixture is heated to a temperature up to about 350.degree. C. while said mixture is advanced through the vessel for a time sufficient to distil a sufficient portion of the solvents to yield a solid residue powder, distilled solvents are condensed, and the solid residue powder recovered. The vessel preferably is a mechanical fluidized bed distillation vessel and said mixture is fluidized while being heated therein under a partial vacuum in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The effective amount of reagent powder material includes about 5 to 70 wt % of the reagent powder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Agglo Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Weinwurm, Paul S. Weinwurm
  • Patent number: 5445715
    Abstract: m-Xylene is very difficult to separate from mixtures of p-xylene and o-xylene by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. m-Xylene can be readily separated from p-xylene and mixtures of p-xylene and o-xylene by azeotropic distillation. An effective agent is tetraethyl ortho silicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Lloyd Berg
    Inventor: Lloyd Berg
  • Patent number: 5445716
    Abstract: Ethanol is difficult to separate from isopropanol by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. Ethanol can be readily separated from isopropanol by extractive distillation. Effective agents are dipentene, anisole and ethyl benzene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Lloyd Berg
    Inventor: Lloyd Berg
  • Patent number: 5401430
    Abstract: Hydrogen fluoride and 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane forms an azeotropic mixture of which molar ratio of HF/1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane varies, for example, from about 60/40 at a pressure of 1.5 Kg/cm.sup.2 G and a temperature of 20.degree. C. to about 45/55 at a pressure of 15 Kg/cm.sup.2 G and a temperature of 87.degree.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehide Tsuda, Nobuyoshi Iwashita, Satoshi Komatsu, Satoshi Koyama
  • Patent number: 5344528
    Abstract: Phenol plant waste water containing small amounts of phenol and sodium sulfate is successfully distilled through the addition of recovered sodium sulfate to enhance the volatility of the phenol relative to water; at least a portion of the sodium sulfate is recycled, while a significant portion of the phenol can be returned to the phenol plant for recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Aristech Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Bossler, Donald Glassman, Michael C. Grebinoski, Howard H. Morgan, Jr., Jennifer L. Voss
  • Patent number: 5308452
    Abstract: A waste photopolymer plate washout fluid solvent distillation apparatus includes a single enclosure enclosing a waste washout fluid container, a recovered solvent container, and a distillation unit in which waste washout is distilled by application of heat and vacuum pressure to the waste washout, and by supplying a metered supply of a surrogate solvent to the distilled waste washout as a desired solvent is distilled from the waste washout. The apparatus, by supplying the surrogate solvent to the waste washout as the desired solvent is distilled from the waste washout, enables a greater percentage of the desired solvent to be recovered from the waste washout than has been heretofore possible with prior art apparatus, and also enables the waste washout to be disposed of as a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Progressive Recovery, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Marks, Donald G. Fluchel
  • Patent number: 5124004
    Abstract: A method of distillation employing a heat pump (which may be driven by a compressor) using a vapor stream from within the distillation system as a heat source and a liquid stream from within the distillation system as a heat sink. The selection of heat-source vapors and heat-sink liquid is such that at least one is withdrawn from the phase-contracting region of the distillation system. The return of streams withdrawn from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system to the distillation system is such that at least one of the streams is returned at a temperature different from that of the point from which it was withdrawn, and all withdrawn streams are returned in manner such that a stream removed as vapor is returned at a point with a temperature at most that at the point it was withdrawn, and a stream removed as liquid is returned at a point with a temperature at least that at which it was withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Hans E. Grethlein, Lee R. Lynd
  • Patent number: 5096538
    Abstract: A vacuum drying method wherein a solution of a material to be dried which has been adjusted to 1-50 centipoise, is supplied to a steam-heated long tube, solid-vapor mixture of powdery dry material and vapor produced in the tube is blown out under reduced pressure, and the powdery dry material and vapor are separated so as to obtain powdery dry material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Naitoh
  • Patent number: 5032230
    Abstract: A vacuum draft submerged combustion system and method for separating combustible hydrocarbons and other components or liquid solutions from their solvents, usually water, includes evaporating volatile components by a submerged combustion burner and condensing the vaporized volatile components under a partial vacuum. The hot gases from the burner are injected under partial vacuum into the first tank. The hot gases bubbled through the solution cause volatile components in the liquid to be evaporated and collected above the level of the liquid. The collected gasses are drawn into a condensing tank where the condensable particulates are condensed and collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Deep Woods, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 4975156
    Abstract: 1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane, 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane and hydrogen fluoride are separated from their liquid mixtures, such as liquid mixtures resulting from the hydrofluorination, of 1,1,1-trichloroethane or vinylidene chloride. 1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane and 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane are first separated by distillation into their respective mixtures with hydrogen fluoride, which are thereafter subjected to parallel phase separations resulting in two hydrogen fluoride-enriched liquid phases, a 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane-enriched liquid phase and a 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane-enriched liquid phase. 1-Chloro-1,1-difluoroethane and 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane are purified from the respective halohydrocarbon-enriched liquid phases by distillation. The hydrogen fluoride-enriched stream generated from the phase separation of the hydrogen fluoride/1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane mixture is recycled to the hydrofluorination reaction mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Atochem North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Wismer
  • Patent number: 4961826
    Abstract: A method of distillation employing a heat pump (which may be driven by a compressor) using a vapor stream from within the distillation system as a heat source and a liquid stream from within the distillation system as a heat sink. The selection of heat-source vapors and heat-sink liquid is such that at least one is withdrawn from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system. The return of streams withdrawn from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system to the distillation system is such that at least one of the streams is returned at a temperature different from that of the point from which it was withdrawn, and all withdrawn streams are returned in manner such that a stream removed as vapor is returned at a point with a temperature at most that at the point it was withdrawn, and a stream removed as liquid is returned at a point with a temperature at least that at which it was withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Hans E. Grethlein, Lee H. Lynd
  • Patent number: 4956052
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Mitsuho Hirata, Takeshi Ishikawa, Hiroshi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 4950364
    Abstract: 1,1-Dichloro-1-fluroethane and 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane are separated from their liquid mixtures, such as liquid mixtures resulting from the hydrofluorination of 1,1,1-trichloroethane or vinylidene chloride. 1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane and 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane are completely separated by distillation, by adding to the mixture thereof a liquid containing at least about 3 moles of hydrogen fluoride per mole of 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane in the mixture subject to separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Pennwalt Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Wismer
  • Patent number: 4946561
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gero Braun, Karlheinz Burg, Karl-Friedrich Muck
  • Patent number: 4917773
    Abstract: The process and the device according to the invention relate to the introduction, at a stable, known flow rate, of sublimable tetrachloride into a column for continuous extractive distillation under pressure of the chlorides. The sublimable tetrachloride is dissolved in a hot dissolver in a liquid solvent such as KAlCl.sub.4, and is then recirculated by pump at a stable, known flow rate into an evaporator connected to the column. The solution is then heated in an evaporator in order to sublime the majority of the product which it contains, the sublimed vapors thus passing into the column at a stable, known flow rate. The process according to the invention is adapted, in particular, to a plant for the production of ArCl.sub.4 of nulear purity and of HfCl.sub.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne Du Zirconium Cezus
    Inventors: Pierre Brun, Jean Guerin
  • Patent number: 4913778
    Abstract: Removal of aluminum and iron impurities is accomplished using an absorbing column containing potassium or sodium chloride, producing an aluminum and iron chloride-rich bottoms product and purified Zr(Hf)Cl.sub.4 vapor at the top of the column. This invention is a continuous process for removing impurities of iron or aluminum chloride or both from vaporous zirconium chloride (or hafnium chloride or a mixture thereof). When iron is being removed from zirconium tetrachloride using potassium chloride, the process comprises: introducing impure zirconium chloride vapor into a middle portion of an absorbing column containing a potassium chloride-containing molten salt phase, the molten salt phase absorbing the iron chloride impurity to produce a zirconium chloride vapor stripped of iron chloride in the top portion of the column; introducing potassium chloride into a top portion of the column; controlling the top portion of the column to between 300.degree.-375.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Ernest D. Lee, David F. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 4865694
    Abstract: This is an improved method for separating hafnium from zirconium of the type where a complex of zirconium and hafnium chlorides and phosphorus oxychloride is prepared from zirconium-hafnium chloride and the complex is introduced into a distillation column, with the improvement comprising: electrochemical breaking of the zirconium of hafnium chloride complex taken from said distillation column to separate product from the complex. The electrochemical breaking of the complex, possibly by reducing zirconium or hafnium, is done in a molten salt bath. Preferably, the molten salt in said molten salt bath consists principally of a mixture of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal chlorides and zirconium or hafnium chloride. The product can be either chloride, metal, or mixed metal and subchloride for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Snyder, Richard A. Stoltz, David F. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 4865693
    Abstract: This is a zirconium-hafnium separation process utilizing a complex of zirconium-hafnium chlorides and phosphorus oxychloride. The complex is introduced into a distillation column and a hafnium chloride enriched stream is taken from the top of the column and a zirconium chloride enriched stream is taken from the bottom of the column. In particular, the invention utilizes prepurification of the zirconium-hafnium chlorides prior to introduction of the complex into the distillation column to substantially eliminate iron chloride; thus, the buildup of iron chloride in the distillation column is substantially eliminated and the column can be operated in a continuous stable, and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: David F. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 4714604
    Abstract: A method of separating HF from a mixture including HF and HCl is disclosed wherein the mixture is contacted with silica causing the HF to react with the silica to form SiF.sub.4. The concentration of HCl is increased thereby increasing the relative volatility of SiF.sub.4 /HCl. The SiF.sub.4 is then removed as an aqueous distillate. The concentration of the HCl can be increased by various methods including adding gaseous or concentrated HCl to the mixture or by distilling off a portion of the water to thereby increase the concentration of the HCl. This method provides an efficient method of removing SiF.sub.4 and HF from HCl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Robert S. Olson
  • Patent number: 4647344
    Abstract: Isoprene is recovered from a C.sub.5 -hydrocarbon mixture containing isoprene, penta-1,3-diene and cyclopentadiene by separating the said mixture by liquid-liquid extraction or extractive distillation with the aid of a selective solvent, in combination with a distillation upstream or downstream from the liquid-liquid extraction or extractive distillation, by a method in which a stream containing penta-1,3-diene and cyclopentadiene is separated off in the upstream or downstream distillation and is catalytically hydrogenated, and the hydrogenated stream is fed to the upper part of the liquid-liquid extraction or extractive distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alfred Lindner, Ulrich Wagner, Klaus Volkamer, Walter Rebafka
  • Patent number: 4495035
    Abstract: The invention pertains to improvements in a fluid handling system in which a working fluid passes through a rotor while undergoing a pressure change. A shaft extends longitudinally from and rotates with the rotor. A first seal surrounds the shaft in axially spaced relation to the rotor, and a lubricant having a minimum boiling point is injected into the first seal adjacent the shaft at a pressure sufficient to cause the lubricant to flow axially toward the rotor. A housing surrounds the rotor and shaft and defines a contact zone between the rotor and the first seal for receiving both lubricant and a contact fluid such as the working fluid or a seal buffer gas used to isolate the working fluid from the lubricant. The contact fluid has a maximum boiling point substantially less than the minimum boiling point of the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Inventor: Judson S. Swearingen