Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous plating bath composition and a method for depositing a palladium layer by electroless plating onto a substrate. The aqueous plating bath composition according to the present invention comprises a source for palladium ions, a reducing agent for palladium ions and an aromatic compound. The aqueous plating bath composition has an increased deposition rate for palladium while maintaining bath stability. The aqueous plating bath composition has also a prolonged life time. The aromatic compounds of the present invention allow for adjusting the deposition rate to a constant range over the bath life time and for electrolessly depositing palladium layers at lower temperatures. The aromatic compounds of the present invention activate electroless palladium plating baths having a low deposition rate and reactivate aged electroless palladium plating baths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxidation reactor, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to selectively oxidize sulfur compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstock; (c) separating the hydrocarbons and the oxidized sulfur compounds by solvent extraction; (d) collecting a residue stream that includes the oxidized sulfur compounds; and (e) supplying the residue stream to a deasphalting unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxidation reactor, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to selectively oxidize sulfur compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstock; (c) separating the hydrocarbons and the oxidized sulfur compounds by solvent extraction; (d) collecting a residue stream that includes the oxidized sulfur compounds; and (e) supplying the residue stream to a gasifier to produce a syngas stream and a hydrogen sulfide stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxidation reactor, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to selectively oxidize sulfur compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstock; (c) separating the hydrocarbons and the oxidized sulfur compounds by solvent extraction; (d) collecting a residue stream that includes the oxidized sulfur compounds; and (e) supplying the residue stream to a coker to produce coker gases and solid coke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering components from a hydrocarbon feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxidation reactor, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to selectively oxidize sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds present in the hydrocarbon feedstock; (b) separating the hydrocarbons, the oxidized sulfur compounds, and the oxidized nitrogen compounds by solvent extraction; (c) collecting a residue stream that includes the oxidized sulfur compounds and the oxidized nitrogen compounds; and (d) supplying the residue stream to a fluid catalytic cracking unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the separation of water from a liquid phase medium containing an aliphatic carboxylic acid using azeotropic distillation in the presence of an entrainer. The entrainer, water, and organics are subsequently separated, wherein the entrainer is recycled back to the azeotropic distillation column and organics recycled back to the oxidation reactor.

Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture of a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a noncondensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof An overhead stream from a first distillation column is decanted into two liquid phases. The wet butanol phase is returned to the first distillation column as reflux. A bottom stream from the first distillation column is refined in a second distillation column to obtain a second overhead stream and a second bottoms stream. The extractant may be C7 to C22 fatty alcohols, C7 to C22 fatty acids, esters of C7 to C22 fatty acids, C7 to C22 fatty aldehydes, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture of a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. An overhead stream from a first distillation column is decanted into two liquid phases. The wet butanol phase is refined in a second distillation column; the aqueous phase is returned to the first distillation column. A portion of the wet butanol phase from the decanter is also returned to the first distillation column. The extractant may be C7 to C22 fatty alcohols, C7 to C22 fatty acids, esters of C7 to C22 fatty acids, C7 to C22 fatty aldehydes, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating monochloro-trifluoropropenes such as HCFC-1233 from azeotrope or azeotrope like combinations with HF. The process employs a cold, liquid phase separations and multiple azeotropic distillation trains.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for purifying a chlorine supply that includes a chlorine component, a bromine component, and nitrogen trichloride. The method includes the steps of introducing the chlorine supply into a vaporizer, heating the chlorine supply in the vaporizer to form a vapor, and introducing the vapor into a distillation system to provide purified chlorine gas, a distillate that includes liquid chlorine and the bromine component, and a bottoms component including the nitrogen trichloride. The method also includes the steps of condensing the vapor in a reflux condenser, heating the condensate in a reboiler, removing the purified chlorine gas from the distillation system, and removing the distillate from the distillation system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating close-boiling and azeotropic components of mixtures, wherein said mixtures contain at least one hydrofluorocarbon compound, using at least one ionic liquid.

Abstract: A process for the separation of the aromatic compounds benzene, toluene and xylene from an aromatics-containing reformate gasoline and pyrolysis gasoline or a coke-oven light oil or an aromatics-containing refinery stream, in which the aromatics are separated by an extractive distillation uses a novel solvent combination made up of the compounds n,n?-diformyl piperazine or 2,2?-bis-(cyanoethyl)ether in a combination with n-formyl morpholine as a second solvent for extractive distillation so that the solvent combination obtained shows a higher selectivity with regard to the aromatics to be extracted so that a lower solvent load is required. The aromatics-containing feed mixture is first submitted to a pre-distillation so that the obtained fraction has a narrow boiling point range. This fraction is then submitted to an extractive distillation in a first column, in which an aromatics-lean head product of predominantly paraffinic hydrocarbons is obtained as well as an aromatics-enriched bottom product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing the corrosion rate of iron-containing vessels within an ethylene glycol distillation system. The inventive process includes the addition of an additive component of sodium nitrite and sodium hypophosphite into such iron-containing vessels, to thereby react with iron of the inside walls and form a protective coating thereon. This process reduces the corrosion rate in iron-containing vessels of the apparatus, and reduces the catalytic effects of iron corrosion products within the system. Thus, not only is the on-stream time of the vessels extended, but also product quality is improved by reducing the aldehyde content of the final ethylene glycol product.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes and systems for purifying technical grade trichlorosilane and/or technical grade silicon tetrachloride into electronic grade trichlorosilane and/or electronic grade silicon tetrachloride.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering fluorocarboxylic acids from aqueous compositions containing said acids. The invention more particularly relates to the recovery of flourocarboxylic acids forming an azeotrope with water by contact with a strong acid.

Abstract: A process for isolating a conjugated diene from a hydrocarbon mixture is disclosed. The process comprises distilling the hydrocarbon mixture in the presence of an extraction solvent comprising an N,N-dialkyl aliphatic amide and from 12 to 50 weight percent furfural to separate a distillate and a conjugated diene-rich extract; and recovering the conjugated diene from the extract.

Abstract: A process for the separation of the aromatic compounds benzene, toluene and xylene from an aromatics-containing reformate gasoline and pyrolysis gasoline or a coke-oven light oil or an aromatics-containing refinery stream, in which the aromatics are separated by an extractive distillation uses a novel solvent combination made up of the compounds n,n?-diformyl piperazine or 2,2?-bis-(cyanoethyl)ether in a combination with n-formyl morpholine as a second solvent for extractive distillation so that the solvent combination obtained shows a higher selectivity with regard to the aromatics to be extracted so that a lower solvent load is required. The aromatics-containing feed mixture is first submitted to a pre-distillation so that the obtained fraction has a narrow boiling point range. This fraction is then submitted to an extractive distillation in a first column, in which an aromatics-lean head product of predominantly paraffinic hydrocarbons is obtained as well as an aromatics-enriched bottom product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing the corrosion rate of iron-containing vessels within an ethylene glycol distillation system. The inventive process includes the addition of an additive component of sodium nitrite and sodium hypophosphite into such iron-containing vessels, to thereby react with iron of the inside walls and form a protective coating thereon. This process reduces the corrosion rate in iron-containing vessels of the apparatus, and reduces the catalytic effects of iron corrosion products within the system. Thus, not only is the on-stream time of the vessels extended, but also product quality is improved by reducing the aldehyde content of the final ethylene glycol product.

Abstract: The present invention reduces a cost of a polymerization inhibitor required in purification of high purity acrylic acid through distillation. According to the present invention, a condensate obtained through the distillation of acrylic acid in a distillation column is fed to a flasher, to thereby obtain acrylic acid as a product from a distillate distilled from the flasher.

Abstract: A process for the separation of dichlorobenzene mixtures containing m- and p-dichlorobenzene in which: (i) the mixture is as an extracting agent contacted with a phosphoric ester of the general formula (I) as an extracting agent in which R1, R2 and R3 are identical or different and represent an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alkyl or alkenyl radical and R1, R2, and R3 together contain at least 3C-atom and not more than 12 C-atoms, or a mixture of different phosphoric esters (I) of formula or is contacted with a phosphine oxide of the general formula (II) as an extracting agent in which R1, R2 and R3 are identical or different and represent an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alkyl or alkenyl radical or hydrogen, and R1, R2 and R3 together contain at least 3 C-atoms and not more than 12 C-atoms, or a mixture of different phosphine oxides of formula (II) or a mixture of said phosphoric esters of formula (I) and phosphine oxides of formula (II), and subsequently (ii) the components of the mixture are

Abstract: A method for dehydrating an aqueous composition comprising lithium bis(pentafluoroethanesulfonyl)imide and at least one organic solvent, wherein a part of solvent is distilled off by distillation.

Abstract: A diene production stream comprising a solvent recovery blend from diene production comprising one or more fouling agent, one or more extractive distillation solvent, and from about 1 ppm to about 1000 ppm of N,N-disubstituted amide.

Abstract: Methods and compositions effective to prevent deposition of fouling agents, preferably polymerization precursors, on handling equipment, particularly during solvent recovery.

Abstract: Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) containing less than 10 parts-per-million molar impurities, e.g., tetrafluoromethane (PFC-14), is disclosed. Azeotropic and extractive distillation processes using entraining agents for separating NF3 and PFC-14 from each other and from mixtures with other electronics industry materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for separating sulfur species from hydrocarbon streams, particularly cracked naphtha streams, using extractive distillation. The method effectively separates sulfur species from cracked naphtha streams without substantially lowering the olefin content.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying a crude 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa) containing HFC-245fa and 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-trans-1-propene (HCFC-1233zd(t)), by distillation. This method is characterized in that the distillation is conducted in the presence of a solvent having a boiling point which is higher than that of HCFC-1233zd(t), thereby to substantially remove HCFC-1233zd(t) from the crude HFC-245fa. This solvent may be selected from carbon chlorides, chlorohydrocarbons, fluorochlorohydrocarbons, saturated hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof. With the use of this solvent, it becomes possible to substantially easily separate HFC-245fa from HCFC-1233zd(t).

Abstract: Natural cresylic acid is processed to remove neutral oil impurities by countercurrent liquid/liquid extraction using a heavy phase solvent of a mixture of glycerol and another polyhydric alcohol, preferably triethylene glycol. The light phase solvent is a light paraffinic or cycloparaffinic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A process for the separation of dimethyl ether and chloromethane in mixturesA process for the separation of dimethyl ether and chloromethane in mixtures by two distillation steps. In the first step, the mixture is subjected to an extractive distillation with water, aqueous salt solutions or organic liquids as extractant, the top product being chloromethane. In the second step, the dimethyl ether is separated from the extractant.

Abstract: A process for removing contaminating solvents from solutions containing solid solutes comprising contacting a co-solvent that forms an azeotrope with the contaminating solvent forming a mixture thereby and spray drying the contaminating solvent co-solvent mixture in the presence of the co-solvent at a temperature equal to or above the temperature where the azeotrope distills whereby the contaminating solvent has been azeotropically distilled away from the solute. The process is particularly useful for polymeric solutes, especially silicones.

Abstract: A process for separating HCl from pentafluoroethane, chloropentafluoroethane, chlorotrifluoroethane, trifluoromethane, and other fully saturated and unsaturated fluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons and chlorocarbons.

Abstract: A process for recovering phthalic anhydride as a liquid from a vapor phase oxidation product which comprises mixing the vapor phase oxidation product having a temperature of about 130.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for recovering phthalic anhydride as a liquid from a vapor phase oxidation product which comprises mixing the vapor phase oxidation product having a temperature of about 130.degree. C. or greater with a first stream comprising a solvent having a boiling point in the range between about 150.degree. to 350.degree. C. and a freezing point of less than 40.degree. C.

Abstract: Propylene oxide is recovered through the use of an additive in a distillation solution, resulting in suppressed side reactions and reduced loss of product. Propylene oxide is produced by oxidizing ethylbenzene in a liquid phase with molecular oxygen to a obtain a reaction liquid containing ethylbenzene hydroperoxide; distilling the reaction liquid to obtain a concentrated solution of ethylbenzene hydroperoxide; further mixing and reacting the concentrated solution with propylene to obtain a mixed solution containing propylene oxide; and distilling the mixed solution to separate and recover propylene oxide. At least one compound selected from aliphatic saturated alcohols having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, allyl alcohol, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having 6 or 7 carbon atoms, benzene, ethers, ketones, nitriles, amines, pyridines, diamines, and aminoalcohols is added to the mixed distillation solution in an amount of 0.01-100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of propylene oxide.

Abstract: The polymerization of a vinyl aromatic monomer such as styrene is inhibited by the addition of a composition of a benzoquinone derivative and a hydroxylamine compound.

Abstract: p-Xylene cannot be separated from m-xylene by distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. p-Xylene can be separated from m-xylene by means of extractive distillation. Effective agents are 3-ethylphenol and isopropyl palmitate. Effective agents for separating mixtures of p-xylene, m-xylene and o-xylene are 2-butoxyethyl acetate and 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

Abstract: p-Xylene cannot be separated from m-xylene by distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. p-Xylene can be separated from m-xylene by means of extractive distillation. Effective agents are 3-ethylphenol and 1,1,2-trichloroethane. Effective agents for separating mixtures of p-xylene, m-xylene and o-xylene are 2-butoxyethyl acetate and 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

Abstract: A distillation process for separating spent organic solvents such as trichloroethane or d-limonene from their contaminants such as oil is improved by the addition of a perfluorinated alkane or mixture of such alkanes to permit more efficient separation of the solvents from the oil.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an extractive distillation process for separating HCl from pentafluoroethane, chloropentafluoroethane, chlorotrifluoroethane, trifluoromethane, and other fully saturated and unsaturated fluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons and chlorocarbons.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for recovering carboxylic acids having from one to ten carbon atoms, and particularly formic acid, acetic acid and mixtures of formic and acetic acids, from aqueous solutions, in which the aqueous solution is contacted with solvent consisting essentially of mixed trialkylphosphine oxides in counter-current liquid-liquid extraction flow in a contacting step to thereby transfer the acids from the aqueous solution to the solvent, thus producing a raffinate relatively low in acid content and a rich solvent. The rich solvent is preferably dehydrated to separate water therefrom and yield a dehydrated rich solvent. The dehydrated rich solvent then has the acids stripped from it and the resulting lean solvent is then returned to the liquid-liquid extraction step, while the separated acids are split into their constituent components in a distillation operation.

Abstract: Benzene and other aromatics are separated from a stream of mixed hydrocarbons containing both aromatics and non-aromatics by extractive distillation with a solvent system containing dimethyl sulfoxide and optionally a co-solvent, preferably water, followed by distillation stripping of the aromatics from the enriched solvent system, and recycle of the lean solvent system to the extractive distillation step.

Abstract: Separation of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol from dimethyl terephthalate is accomplished by distillation using methyl benzoate or the methyl ester of p-toluic acid as an azeotropic agent.

Abstract: For the separation of butenes and butanes by extractive distillation, a charge mainly containing butenes and butanes is contacted in an extractive distillation column under pressure with a first selective polar solvent, S1 (e.g., dimethyl formamide), the butanes being collected at the top. The solvent S1 containing the butenes and passing out at the bottom is mixed with a second solvent, S2, having a boiling point intermediate between that of butenes and that of the solvent S1, the mixture passing into a desorption column under pressure, where the butenes are collected at the top. The mixture of solvent S1 and S2 is separated in a purification column under atmospheric pressure, the solvent S2 passing out at the top is recycled to the desorption column, and the solvent S1 passing out at the bottom is recycled to the extractive distillation column.

Abstract: For preparing at least one boric oxide in an anhydrous or hydrated form and of general formula B.sub.2 O.sub.3, xH.sub.2 O, in which x is a number from 0 to 3, a methyl borate hydrolyzate comprising boric oxide and methanol is introduced into a distillation column is introduced the product from, at least one compound (preferably a hydrocarbon such as, e.g., 2,3-dimethyl butane or 2-methyl pentane) forming a heteroazeotrope with methanol, said heteroazaeotrope having a boiling point below that of the azeotrope formed by methyl borate with methanol and at least one compound having a boiling point higher than that of methyl borate, said compound not forming an azeotrope with a boiling point below that of said heteroazeotrope and then at the head of the column said heteroazeotrope is recovered and at the bottom of the column a suspension containing at least one boric oxide.

Abstract: 4-Methyl-2-pentanone cannot be easily separated from formic acid by distillation because of the closeness of their boiling points. 4-Methyl-2-pentanone can be readily removed from formic acid by extractive distillation. Typical effective agents are dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 2-undecanone; DMSO and octanoic acid; DMSO and hexyl acetate.

Abstract: 3-Pentanone cannot be completely removed from 3-pentanone and formic acid mixtures by distillation because of the presence of the maximum azeotrope. 3-Pentanone can be readily removed from 3-pentanone-formic acid mixtures by extractive distillation in which the extractive agent is cyclopentanone, either alone or admixed with certain high boiling organic compounds. Examples of effective agents are cyclopentanone; cyclopentanone and 2-methoxyethyl ether; cyclopentanone, adiponitrile and octanoic acid.

Abstract: Formic acid cannot be easily removed from formic acid-acetic acid mixtures by distillation because of the closeness of their boiling points. Formic acid can be readily removed from mixtures containing it and acetic acid by extractive distillation. Typical effective agents are 2-nitrotoluene, 1-nitropropane and m-nitrobenzoic acid.

Abstract: A method for recovering volatile, organic compounds from manure, by:i) acidifying and concentrating the manure;ii) condensing the formed vapor; andiii) separating the volatile, organic compounds from the condensate.Preferably the volatile, organic compounds are removed from the condensate by liquid extraction, crystallization, distillation and/or ion exchange.

Abstract: 4-Methyl-2-pentanone cannot be easily separated from acetic acid by distillation because of the closeness of their boiling points. 4-Methyl-2-pentanone can be readily removed from acetic acid by extractive distillation. Typical effective agents are dimethlsulfoxide (DMSO); DMSO and adipic acid; DMSO, adipic acid and adiponitrile.

Abstract: 3-Methyl-2-butanone cannot be separated from formic acid by distillation because of the presence of the maximum boiling azeotrope. 3-Methyl-2-butanone can be readily removed from formic acid by extractive distillation using dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Typical effective agents are: DMSO and heptanoic acid; DMSO, octanoic acid and butyl benzoate.

Abstract: Formic acid cannot be completely removed from formic acid--water mixtures by distillation because of the presence of the maximum azeotrope. Formic acid can be readily removed from mixtures containing it and water by using extractive distillation in which the extractive distillation agent is cyclohexanone, isophorone or a mixture of these with certain organic compounds. Typical examples of effective agents are cyclohexanone; isophorone; cyclohexanone and neodecanoic acid; isophorone and diisobutyl ketone.