Abstract: The present disclosure includes a column (1) having a cylindrical, vertical column body (2) forming a column cavity (3), and a mass transfer tray (4) disposed in the column cavity (3) and forming a collecting area (5). The column (1) is characterized by a circulation device (9) having at least one drain orifice (10) formed in the column body (2) above the collecting area (5), a circulation line (11) in fluid connection with the drain orifice (10) and at least one recycling orifice (14; 14-1 to 14-3) which is in fluid connection with the circulation line (11) and is formed in the column body (2) above the collecting area (5). Also disclosed herein is a thermal separating process in which a gas ascends within a column (1) of the present disclosure, and a liquid descends within the column (1), said gas and/or liquid containing (meth)acrylic monomers.

Abstract: A cellular material. The cellular material can be the reaction product of a vegetable-based polyol made from a vegetable oil exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, wherein a free radical oxidation reaction is catalyzed by the UV light and the vegetable oil is converted into the vegetable-based polyol; and an isocyanate.

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: A system enables the use of solar heat energy together with electromagnetic energy and optionally energy produced during fermentation of organic products to produce fresh water from salt water, wastewater and water vapor contained in the atmosphere. The resulting fresh water can optionally be rendered drinkable by adding mineral salts at the desired concentration. A method and reactors combine electromagnetic and solar heating steps and optionally heat exchanges with a hot gas originating from combustion, to evaporate droplets of a spray produced from salt water or wastewater. The vapor obtained is separated from the salt particles or agglomerated impurities during evaporation using a cyclone system. The vapor can then be transported over a large distance before being condensed by bearings, in order to separate the water from any additives or impurities that may be present. Additives can be used to lower the vapor pressure of the liquid water and to facilitate droplet fractionation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating an alcohol, and in particular butanol, from a fermented feed and concentrating thin stillage into syrup includes operation of one or more alcohol recovery distillation columns using the heat supplied by steam generated from concentration of the thin stillage in a multi-train, multi-effect evaporation system.

Abstract: A process for separating ethylene glycol and 1,2-butanediol. A material flow containing ethylene glycol and 1,2-butanediol gets into the lower-middle part of the azeotropic rectification column C3 after the light components are removed by the separating columns C1 and C2, wherein the ethylene glycol and the azeotropic agent added from the top of the column form azeotrope which is distilled out from the top of the column and gets into the phase separator D1 after being condensed, the upper phase enriched with azeotropic agent after the phase was separated returns to the top of the column to continue to participate in azeotropy, and the lower phase enriched with ethylene glycol gets into the fourth separating column C4 to be refined to obtain the ethylene glycol product.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for purifying HFO-1234yf by removing HF from a mixture of HFO-1234yf and HF under simple and economically advantageous conditions.

Abstract: Method of distilling mixtures comprising salts having a melting point of less than 200° C. at 1 bar (ionic liquids), wherein the mixtures additionally comprise an organic compound (called distillation aid below) which is not ionic has a molecular weight of less than 5000 has a boiling point which is at least 5° C. higher compared with the ionic mixtures included in the mixture.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for purifying HFO-1234yf by removing HF from a mixture of HFO-1234yf and HF under simple and economically advantageous conditions.

Abstract: An energy-efficient extractive distillation process for producing anhydrous ethanol from aqueous/ethanol feeds containing any range of ethanol employs an extractive distillation column (EDC) that operates under no or greatly reduced liquid reflux conditions. The EDC can be incorporated into an integrated process for producing anhydrous ethanol used for gasoline blending from fermentation broth. By using a high-boiling extractive distillation solvent, no solvent, is entrained by the vapor phase to the EDC overhead stream, even under no liquid reflux conditions. The energy requirement and severity of the EDC can be further improved by limiting ethanol recovery in the EDC. In this partial ethanol recovery design, ethanol which remains in the aqueous stream from the EDC is recovered in a post-distillation column or the aqueous stream is recycled to a front-end pre-distillation column where the ethanol is readily recovered since the VLE curve for ethanol/water is extremely favorable for distillation.

Abstract: Processes comprising: providing a mixture comprising monoethylene glycol and diethylenetriamine; and subjecting the mixture to extractive distillation with a diethylenetriamine-selective solvent comprising triethylene glycol to provide a first stream comprising monoethylene glycol and a second stream comprising diethylenetriamine; wherein the first stream is substantially free of diethylenetriamine, and wherein the second stream is substantially free of monoethylene glycol.

Abstract: In the water purification process, apparatus, and method, contaminated water vapor is exposed to liquid solvent, which causes a transfer of contaminants from the contaminated water vapor to the liquid solvent. In an advantageous embodiment, this latter step is followed by a second purification step where the decontaminated water in liquid phase is exposed to water vapor which causes a transfer of solvent remaining in the decontaminated water to the water vapor. The energy freed during the condensation of the vapor can advantageously be used for evaporation of the liquids, optionally by compressing the vapors prior to condensation thereof within heat exchangers.

Abstract: A method for purifying an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution having rich silicon impurities has been disclosed in the invention, which is particularly related to a method that utilizes a low-carbon alcohol (such as ethanol) for extracting said aqueous potassium hydroxide solution, and includes the steps of mixing a low-carbon alcohol with an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution having rich silicon impurities; allowing the resulting mixture therefrom to divide into an aqueous phase layer and a low-carbon alcohol phase layer that contains the aqueous potassium hydroxide solution with reduced silicon impurities, and subjecting the low-carbon alcohol phase layer to a separation process for removing the low-carbon alcohol, thereby resulting in an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution having reduced silicon impurities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for purifying 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole represented by the formula (I): characterized in that a crude 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole represented by the formula (I) is treated with a lower alcohol before the distillation, and then is distilled. The present purification process is a new one for purifying 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole, suitable for industrial practice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for purifying 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole represented by the formula (I): characterized in that a crude 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole represented by the formula (I) is treated with a lower alcohol before the distillation, and then is distilled. The present purification process is a new one for purifying 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole, suitable for industrial practice.

Abstract: A process for the production of tertiary ethers, including: feeding a hydrocarbon stream comprising isoolefins and propionitrile to a distillation column reactor system containing at least one etherification reaction zone; feeding a C2 to C6 monoalcohol or mixture thereof to the distillation column reactor; concurrently in the distillation column reactor system: reacting a portion of the isoolefins with a portion of the alcohols to form a tertiary ether; and separating the tertiary ether from unreacted isoolefins; withdrawing the tertiary ether and propionitrile from the distillation column reactor system as a bottoms; withdrawing the unreacted isoolefins from the distillation column reactor system as an overheads; and operating the distillation column reactor system such that the etherification reaction zone is substantially free of propionitrile.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for purifying 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole represented by the formula (I): characterized in that a crude 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole represented by the formula (I) is treated with a lower alcohol before the distillation, and then is distilled. The present purification process is a new one for purifying 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole, suitable for industrial practice.

Abstract: The present invention provides extractive distillation processes for removing difluoromethane (HFC-32) from a mixture comprising HFC-32 and at least one of chlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12), 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a), chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115), and pentafluoroethane (HFC-125) using hydrocarbon, chlorocarbon, and oxygen-containing extractive agents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing an alkyl aryl ether and a diaryl carbonate by reacting a dialkyl carbonate and an aromatic alcohol in presence of a transesterification catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing purified N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone free of odorous components. The method is composed of distilling with a distillation column a liquid, which is formed by adding to an odorous components-containing liquid having a N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone purity of not lower than 90 wt %, a compound having boiling point lower than that of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, and whereby removing the odorous components together with said low-temperature boiling compound as the distillate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of at least one of an organic acid or an organic acid amide, such as a heat stable lactic acid or lactamide, from a feed stream which contains the organic acid and/or organic acid amide. The feed stream is mixed with at least one azeotroping agent. The azeotroping agent is a hydrocarbon capable of forming at least one heteroazeotrope with the organic acid or the organic acid amide in the feed stream. The mixture of the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream. The heteroazeotrope is a component of that vapor stream. The vapor stream can be heated further to separate components or it can be condensed into a liquid stream. The liquid stream is capable of being separated into a first phase and a second phase. The first phase contains the highest concentration of the organic acid and/or the organic acid amide and the azeotroping agent is part of the second phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is the observation that 7-aryl-quinone methides and 4-tert-butylcatechol, when used in combination in a vinyl aromatic monomer to inhibit polymerization,do not inhibit polymerization to the same extend as each would if used separately. Stated another way, a phenomenon has been observed that when these two compounds are used together, they can, to a large extent, render each other unable to inhibit polymerization in a vinyl aromatic monomer. Also disclosed are methods of preventing adverse results of this interaction when undesired and a method of using this interaction to prepare a reactive vinyl aromatic monomer having a concentration of 4-tert-butylcatechol that would otherwise inhibit polymerization. The invention is disclosed to be useful with the production and storage of any vinyl aromatic monomer and is disclosed to be particularly useful with the production and storage of styrene monomer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the components of a feed material prior to or simultaneously with at least partially vaporizing one of the components is described. The apparatus comprises at least one inlet (8) for admitting the feed material (10) containing the two components to the apparatus (2) wherein a device for introducing a first movement to the feed material is located, such as, for example, an in-line swirl generator (14), which imparts a swirling movement to the feed material to partially separate the components into two swirling flows. The partially separated material on emerging from the in-line swirl generator (14) is in an evaporation tube (20) in which the more volatile component is vaporized to further assist in separating the two components into a liquid component and a gaseous or vapor component. The liquid component and the vapor phase are discharged from the apparatus in two streams through the same outlet (36).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of pure 2-chloro-5 -chloromethylthiazole by distillation in the presence of oligomeric polyethers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of an organic acid, such as a heat stable lactic acid, from a feed stream which contains at least one of an organic acid amide, an organic acid ammonium salt, or an alkylamine-organic acid complex. The feed stream is mixed with at least one azeotroping agent. The azeotroping agent is a hydrocarbon capable of forming at least one azeotrope with the organic acid that is produced by the thermal decomposition of the amide, ammonium salt, or complex in the feed stream. Preferably the azeotrope is a heteroazeotrope. The mixture of the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream. The azeotrope is a component of the vapor stream. The vapor stream can be condensed to a liquid stream, and the organic acid is recovered in the liquid stream that is produced. When the azeotrope is a heteroazeotrope, the vapor stream can be condensed into a liquid stream, which can be separated into a first phase and a second phase.

Abstract: Indene is produced from an indene-containing coal tar distillate by adding a glycol to the indene-containing coal tar distillate and then conducting azeotropic distillation to obtain an indene fraction while eliminating benzonitrile from the indene-containing coal tar distillate.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for removing carbonyl-containing impurities from impure extractive distillation solvent such as a glycol, comprising: contacting the impure extractive distillation solvent with an acidic ion exchange resin. The purified extractive distillation solvent can be recycled for use as a solvent in an extractive distillation process that removes impurities from alkylene oxide. The extractive distillation solvent can be ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) used to purify propylene oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating 2-butanol from tert-butanol/water by adding of tert-butanol such that the water concentration lowers to less than the limit concentration of the distillation boundary line connecting the two azeotropes TBA/water and SBA/water and is subsequently worked up by distillation.

Abstract: Process for recovery of highly pure acrylonitrile by quickly vaporizing under vacuum the contaminated acrylonitrile as well as fresh acrylonitrile followed by contacting with hydrophilic agents in an extractive distillation column using plural number of packed sections.

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 relates to a process for the preparation of pure 2-chloro-5-chloromethylthiazole (CCMT) by distillation with addition of oligomeric polyethers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for stabilising acrylic monomers in a distillation column, comprising the following steps: adding at least a stabilising agent for acrylic monomers having a total concentration in the liquid phase ranging between 1 ppm and 5000 ppm; injecting oxygen in the distillation column with a O2/organic vapour mol ratio ranging between 0.01% and 1%; adding a metal sequestering agent having a concentration in the liquid phase ranging between 0.1 and 1000 ppm.

Abstract: Disclosed is the observation that 7-aryl-quinone methides and 4-tert-butylcatechol, when used in combination in a vinyl aromatic monomer to inhibit polymerization, do not inhibit polymerization to the same extent as each would if used separately. Stated another way, a phenomenon has been observed that when these two compounds are used together, they can, to a large extent, render each other unable to inhibit polymerization in a vinyl aromatic monomer. Also disclosed are methods of preventing adverse results of this interaction when undesired and a method of using this interaction to prepare a reactive vinyl aromatic monomer having a concentration of 4-tert-butylcatechol that would otherwise inhibit polymerization. The invention is disclosed to be useful with the production and storage of any vinyl aromatic monomer and is disclosed to be particularly useful with the production and storage of styrene monomer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for isolation of a barely volatile organic compound in a sample suspected to contain the same, e.g. a dioxin, which includes continuously adding superheated steam and a volatile and hardly water-soluble/water-insoluble solvent to a liquid or solid sample suspected to contain said organic compound to be isolated, a solid sample being dissolved in said solvent which can dissolve said organic compound to be isolated, distilling off an azeotropic mixture of said organic compound and said solvent by steam distillation, separating a solvent phase of said solvent dissolving said organic compound and said water phase, and recovering quantitatively said organic compound from said solvent. The dioxins are then further subjected to analysis, for example, GC, HRGC-MS and the like.

Abstract: A process for reducing the level(s) of water and/or other impurities from cyclosiloxanes by either azeotropic distillation, or by contacting the cyclosiloxane compositions with an adsorbent bed material. The purified cyclosiloxane material is useful for forming low-dielectric constant thin films having dielectric constants of less than 3.0, more preferably 2.8 to 2.0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the recovery and purification of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from mixtures comprising epoxybutene and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons containing five to seven carbon atoms having boiling points between about 20° C. and 115° C. by means of extractive distillation of the epoxybutene using certain extractive distillation solvents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of purifying olefin containing oxygenate contaminants. The method incorporates the use of extractive distillation. Under the appropriate conditions, olefins containing very low levels of oxygenate contaminants can be recovered.

Abstract: A process for the removal of sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the process includes extractive distillation of a gasoline stream from a fluid catalytic cracker to reject olefins to a raffinate stream and simultaneously extract sulfur compounds to an extract stream.

Abstract: This invention provides a highly pure and highly concentrated free hydroxylamine aqueous solution substantially not containing any salt or organic substance. This invention is a process for obtaining a free hydroxylamine aqueous solution, comprising the steps of letting an aqueous solution or slurry containing hydroxylammonium sulfate and an alkali react with each other, to obtain an aqueous solution or slurry containing free hydroxylamine and dissolved or partially precipitated sulfates; mixing the obtained reaction solution and a lower alcohol, to precipitate solid sulfates; separating a solution containing the lower alcohol and some of water by distillation from the aqueous solution remaining after separating and removing the solid sulfates; and obtaining a free hydroxylamine aqueous solution from the remaining solution by distillation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the recovery of an organic acid, such as a heat stable lactic acid, from a feed stream comprising at least one of an organic acid amide, an organic acid ammonium salt, or an alkylamine-organic acid complex. The feed stream that comprises the organic acid amide, organic acid ammonium salt, or alkylamine-organic acid complex is mixed with at least one azeotroping agent. The azeotroping agent is a hydrocarbon capable of forming at least one azeotrope with the organic acid that is produced by the thermal decomposition of the amide, ammonium salt, or complex in the feed stream. Preferably the azeotrope is a heteroazeotrope. The mixture comprising the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream that comprises the azeotrope. The vapor stream can be condensed to a liquid stream, and the organic acid is recovered in the liquid stream that is produced.

Abstract: Cyclic esters of hydroxy organic acids can be produced and recovered via azeotropic distillation. In certain embodiments cyclic esters, such as glycolide and lactide, can be produced from a fermentation broth or other feed stream that comprises a hydroxy organic acid, an ammonium salt of a hydroxy organic acid, an amide of a hydroxy organic acid, or an ester of a hydroxy organic acid using azeotropic distillation. The hydroxy organic acid of the feed stream or the hydroxy organic acid derived from the feed stream by decomposition is reacted to produce the cyclic ester. In other embodiments a crude composition of a cyclic ester of an organic ester can be purified using azeotropic distillation.

Abstract: A high efficiency continuous process for the recovering high purity sterol mixtures from mixtures of neutral compounds obtained form black liquor soap skimings of the cellulose pulping industry or from tall oil pitch comprising the steps of distillation, crystallization and recirculation of the mother liquor residue.

Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of cyclobutanone from a crude product mixture obtained from an oxidation product mixture resulting from the oxidation of cyclobutanol to cyclobutanone in the presence of water. The process provides for the recovery of cyclobutanone in a purity of at least 90 weight percent by a combination of distillation steps.

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: Aldehyde compounds contained in polycyclic diols as impurities are effectively removed by distilling the polycyclic diols in the presence of an alkali metal compound and/or a alkaline earth compound. The distilled polycyclic diols are useful as a diol component of a polymer such as polycarbonate with less yellowing.

Abstract: A method of removing at least one inert reaction diluent and/or wash solvent from a waste stream from a catalyst precursor production unit is disclosed, where the waste stream includes at least one reaction diluent or wash solvent, at least one titanium alkoxide, at least one magnesium alkoxide, and at least one alkanol. At least one inert reaction diluent and/or wash solvent is removed by contacting the waste stream with a solubilization solvent, and then subjecting the resulting stream to distillation. The solubilization solvent: (i) is present in an amount sufficient to maintain solubility of residual titanium and magnesium alkoxide species; (ii) has a boiling point higher than that of the one or more reaction diluent and/or wash solvent; and optionally but preferably (iii) does not form an azeotrope with the one or more reaction diluent and/or wash solvent.

Abstract: An industrial advantage process for producing high-purity 3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran easily and simply, which comprises reducing a 4-halo-3-hydroxybutyric acid ester (1) with a boron hydride compound and/or an aluminum hydride compound as a reducing agent in an organic solvent immiscible with water; treating the reaction mixture with an acid and water to thereby effect conversion to the corresponding 4-halo-1,3-butanediol and at the same time giving an aqueous solution containing said compound; carrying out the cyclization reaction of the 4-halo-1,3-butanediol in said aqueous solution; extracting the resulting 3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran from the 3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran-containing aqueous solution using an organic solvent immiscible with water; and isolating the 3-hydroxytetrahydrofuran by concentration and/or distillation of the solution obtained.

Abstract: A perfluorovinyl ether of the formula: RfO(CF2CFXO)nCF═CF2  (1) in which Rf is a perfluoralkyl group, X is a fluorine atom or a trifluoromethyl group, and n is a number of 0 to 20 containing impurities is purified by removing a hydrogen fluoride adduct of the perfluorovinyl ether (1) through distillation, the perfluorovinyl ether (1) is distilled in the presence of a ketone or an ether having a lower boiling point than that of the perfluorovinyl ether (1) while refluxing such a solvent. This method can remove the hydrogen fluoride adduct of a perfluorovinyl ether as an impurity and provide a high purity perfluorovinyl ether.

Abstract: A method of separating methanol and dimethyl carbonate in a distillation column through extractive distillation. The extractive distillation is conducted in the presence of an extractive distillation agent which modifies the azeotropic behavior of the dimethyl carbonate/methanol mixture. A vapor side stream is removed from the distillation column.