Abstract: A method for preparing ethylene including: feeding a thermally cracked compressed stream to a first distillation apparatus selectively operating as a first deethanizer or a depropanizer; and feeding an overhead discharge stream of the first distillation apparatus to a second distillation apparatus. When the first distillation apparatus is operated as the first deethanizer, a bottom discharge stream of the second distillation apparatus is fed to a C2 separator. When the first distillation apparatus is operated as the depropanizer, the bottom discharge stream of the second distillation apparatus is passed through a third distillation apparatus and fed to the C2 separator.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for producing para-xylenes are provided. The processes comprises providing a reformate stream comprising aromatic hydrocarbons to a reformate splitter to provide a reformate bottoms stream and a reformate overhead stream. A portion of the reformate bottoms stream is passed to a para-xylene separation unit for separating para-xylene, wherein the portion of the reformate bottoms stream is passed to the para-xyelene separation unit without an intermediate step for removal of olefins.

Abstract: For an n-component mixture (n?3), an array of new distillation columns is disclosed with vertical partitions that allow independent control of the vapor flowrates in each partitioned zone, while operating the columns to produce constituent product streams. Specifically, all such more operable columns with vertical partitions for ternary and quaternary feed mixtures are illustrated. For a ternary feed, through extensive computation, the minimum heat duty for each of the new columns is same as for the FTC configuration. The new columns with vertical partitions become even more attractive when the vapor split between column sections must be controlled within a narrow range. Finally, it is disclosed how a new column with vertical partition(s) drawn for an n-component mixture can be adapted to distil feed mixtures that contain more than n-components.

Abstract: A process to separate a multi-component hydrocarbon stream which includes ethylene and other components with at least some of the components being present in a number of phases, is provided. The process includes in a first flash stage, flashing the multi-component hydrocarbon stream, from an elevated pressure and temperature to a pressure in the range of 10-18 bar(a), producing a first ethylene-containing vapor stream at a pressure in the range of 10-18 bar(a) and a multi-phase stream which includes some ethylene. In a second flash stage, the multi-phase stream is flashed to a pressure of less than 6 bar(a), producing a second vapor stream at a pressure of less than 6 bar(a) and a bottoms stream. The first ethylene-containing vapor stream is removed from the first flash stage, the second vapor stream is removed from the second flash stage and the bottoms stream is removed from the second flash stage.

Abstract: In a system and method for recycling a high-boiling-point waste photoresist stripper generated in processes of manufacturing LCDs or semiconductor devices, an expensive high-boiling-point stripper solvent can be easily recycled at high yield and high-purity electronic grade.

Abstract: Split-shell fractionation columns and associated processes for separating aromatic hydrocarbons are provided herein. In an embodiment, a split-shell fractionation column includes a housing shell having a first height and a partition having a second height and disposed within the housing shell. The partition includes first and second vertically oriented baffles separated by a gap region, a seal plate connecting top ends of the baffles, a first input port formed to extend through the partition for the introduction of a gas into the gap region, and a first output port formed to extend outwardly from a bottom of the gap region and through the housing shell. The partition defines a first distillation zone and a second distillation zone within the housing shell.

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 making MAA from a clarified DAA-containing fermentation broth includes (a) distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes MAA, at least some DAA, and at least about 20 wt. % water; (b) cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a DAA-containing liquid portion in contact with a MAA-containing solid portion that is substantially free of DAA; (c) separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and (d) recovering the solid portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recycling product streams that have been separated from a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream comprising olefin monomer, olefin co-monomer, hydrocarbon diluent and components such as H2, N2, O2, CO, CO2, and formaldehyde. In accordance with the present process a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream is separated into a) a first side stream comprising hydrocarbon diluent and olefin monomer; b) a second side stream which is substantially hydrogen-free and comprises hydrocarbon diluent and olefin monomer, c) a bottom stream comprising substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon diluent, and d) an overhead vapor stream comprising olefin monomer, hydrocarbon diluent and components such as formaldehyde, H2, N2, O2, CO and CO2. The present process further includes recycling said first and said second side streams in a polymerization process for preparing bimodal polyolefin.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for separating a paraffin isomerization-zone effluent are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a DIB column configured for fractionating the paraffin isomerization-zone effluent to form a branched C4 hydrocarbon-rich stream. The DIB column comprises a vessel. The vessel comprises a cylindrical wall that extends vertically and that encloses an internal cylindrical volume having a lower portion extending to an upper portion. An internal swage is disposed in the lower portion of the internal cylindrical volume. A plurality of fractionation trays includes an upper fractionation tray that is disposed in the internal cylindrical volume above the internal swage and a lower fractionation tray that is disposed in the internal swage. The lower fractionation tray has a smaller diameter than the upper fractionation tray.

Abstract: A process for the removal of sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream is disclosed. The process includes extractive distillation of a feed stock coupled with a solvent recovery column having a vapor side draw containing the sulfur compound impurities.

Abstract: High purity cyclohexasilane and a method for increasing the purification efficiency thereto are provided. The method for producing cyclohexasilane of the present invention is characterized in that, in distilling crude cyclohexasilane to obtain purified cyclohexasilane, the absolute pressure during distillation is set to 2 kPa or less, and the heating temperature of crude cyclohexasilane is set to 25 to 100° C. The cyclohexasilane of the present invention contains pure cyclohexasilane at a rate of 98% by mass or more and 100% by mass or less.

Abstract: Provided is a distillation column assembly combining two distillation columns used in a distillation process. The distillation column assembly is characterized in that a dividing wall column (DWC) that has one inflow point, three outflow points and an internal dividing wall and a typical distillation column that has two inflow points and two outflow points are sequentially connected to each other, and in that streams of the two outflow points of the DWC are introduced into the two inflow points of the typical distillation column. The distillation column assembly improves an existing process apparatus based on two distillation columns, so that it can be easily installed, has a high energy-saving effect, and can be applied to the case where a separation pressure difference and a utility temperature difference are great.

Abstract: Crude tall oil is subjected to a distillation process that substantially removes impurities. The process produces a combined pitch and a distillate of free fatty acids and rosin acids from two vacuum columns. The distillate stream is amenable to further downstream hydroprocessing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a configuration of a multi stage flash cross tube evaporator wherein flash stages are arranged in a plurality of at least two tiers with a first flash stage to which a heated solution is fed, a plurality of intermediate flash stages and a last flash stage from which the concentrated solution is discharged in each tier, wherein the flash stages in each tier are in a serial flow communication and the flash stages of each tier are in parallel flow communication to the flash stages in the other tier(s). Such configuration allows to minimize the size of the tube bundles, flash stages and evaporator shell and consequently minimizing evaporator weight and cost.

Abstract: A method for cross connecting the lean solvent supply lines between the liquid liquid extraction (LLE) and the extractive distillation (ED) processes thereby using the LLE column as the outlet for removing accumulated heavy hydrocarbons (HCs) and polymeric materials from the solvent loop of both processes to maintain their solvent performance. The unique capabilities of the LLE column in rejecting heavy HCs from the solvent into a raffinate product stream that leaves the system enable the removal of the accumulated heavy HCs and polymeric materials from the closed solvent loop of the ED process when their lean solvent loop are cross connected. Cross connection requires minimum equipment change. In the revamped system, the solvent recovery column (SRC) in LLE process supplies lean solvent for the extractive distillation column while the SRC of the ED process supplies lean solvent for LLE column.

Abstract: The present relates to a process for optimizing the recovery of unreacted monomers from a polymerization process, wherein said process comprises the steps of recovering a fluid stream generated by the separation of the polyolefin product from the polymerization fluid comprising unreacted monomers and optionally comonomers; contacting said fluid stream in an absorption zone with a scrub liquid comprising at least one C4-10 hydrocarbons, thereby absorbing at least a portion of the unreacted monomers in said scrub liquid; and withdrawing from said absorption zone (i) a vapor overhead comprising light gas and (ii) an absorber bottoms scrub liquid comprising said C4-10 hydrocarbons and said unreacted monomer; thereby recovering said unreacted monomer in said absorber bottoms scrub liquid comprising said C4-10 hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for distilling a starting material that includes a liquid Fd to be distilled, uses a gas-tight container system that is resistant to excess and/or negative pressure. The container system includes a condenser for condensing the liquid Fd, which has turned to vapor and whose temperature can be adjusted, to give the condensation product, and a vapor chamber connecting the evaporator and the condenser. The pressure and temperature in the vapor chamber are monitored and controlled so that distillation is always carried out in a range close to the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid Fd to be distilled. If the pressure is too high, it is reduced so that especially foreign gas is removed. An installation includes a container for distillation according to method.

Abstract: A method of distilling a chemical mixture, the method including receiving, in a vessel comprising a complex, the chemical mixture comprising a plurality of fluid elements, applying electromagnetic (EM) radiation to the complex, wherein the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat at a first temperature, transforming, using the heat generated by the complex, a first fluid element of the plurality of fluid elements of the chemical mixture to a first vapor element, and extracting the first vapor element from the vessel, where the complex is at least one selected from a group consisting of copper nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles, nanoshells, nanorods, carbon moieties, encapsulated nanoshells, encapsulated nanoparticles, and branched nanostructures.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a fuel includes heating the fuel and flowing it through hollow superhydrophobic membranes in a membrane module. Vapor from the fuel permeates the hydrophobic membranes and enters a distillate collection chamber, producing distilled fuel and residual fuel. The residual fuel is removed from the module and cooled. The cooled residual fuel is flowed through hollow tubes in the module and the distilled fuel is removed from the distillate collection chamber. Burning the distilled fuel reduces engine emissions. A fuel fractionation system includes a distillate collection chamber, hollow superhydrophobic membranes, hollow tubes and a distillate outlet. The hollow superhydrophobic membranes receive heated fuel and allow vapor from the heated fuel to permeate the membranes and enter the distillate collection chamber. The hollow tubes receive cooled residual fuel and are positioned to allow vapor in the distillate collection chamber to condense on outer surfaces of the hollow tubes.

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

Abstract: A multi-effect evaporator, having an upstream and a downstream end, adapted for distillation of water. It includes a plurality of effects connected in a series manner and arranged into groups. Each group has a common parallel water feed inlet adapted to supply all effects in the group with feed water. The evaporator further includes a main feed water line in fluid communication with the most upstream group. An array of heaters is disposed along the line, adapted for heating the feed water before its entry into the effects of the latter group. Each effect includes means for forwarding the second outlet vapor into one of the heaters for heating the feed water. Each group includes a pump adapted to extract the concentrate from the effects of the group and pump it into the common parallel water feed of an adjacent downstream group.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general terms to a process for preparing alkyl methacrylates, comprising as steps: providing an acetone cyanohydrin by a process according to one of the preceding claims; contacting the acetone cyanohydrin with an inorganic acid to obtain a methacrylamide; contacting the methacrylamide with an alcohol in the presence of an inorganic acid in a reactor to obtain an alkyl methacrylate; continuously discharging at least a portion of the alkyl methacrylate from the reactor into a distillation column as a vapor stream; the discharge being effected by feeding a discharge stream comprising steam into the reactor, to an apparatus for preparing alkyl methacrylates, to a process for preparing polymers based at least partly on alkyl methacrylates, to the use of the alkyl methacrylates obtainable by the process according to the invention in chemical products, and to chemical products based on alkyl methacrylates obtainable by the process according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for efficient purification of MTBE-containing mixtures and for preparation of isobutene by cracking of MTBE-containing mixtures.

Abstract: A strain-free stationary furnace door actuator for a coke furnace battery of the “non-recovery” or “heat-recovery” type, by way of which vertical opening of the coke furnace chamber doors is possible without the use of a coke furnace operating machine, wherein the deviations of the tension elements of the furnace door actuator from the intended arrangements, which result from strain of the transmitting devices, and undesired increases in tension force, which result from differences in the adhesion forces of the coke furnace chamber doors during closure, are avoided by the use of low-strain transmitting devices and tension elements. A method for the strain-free, stationary actuation of the door of a coke furnace battery of the “heat-recovery” type is also disclosed. The method uses rigid tension elements and low-strain transmitting devices for automatically opening and closing coke furnace chamber doors.

Abstract: Processes and systems for purifying silane-containing streams are disclosed with relatively less silane being lost in impurity streams by use of distillation and/or condensation operations.

Abstract: Ultra high purity hexachlorodisilane is prepared from hexachlorodisilane-containing mixtures from numerous sources by distillation wherein water is present at less than 10 ppbw.

Abstract: A method of dehydrating tolylenediamine which includes subjecting tolylenediamine having a water content of 5-40 wt. % to first-stage distillation at a vacuum of 13-101.3 kPa and subjecting the bottoms from the first-stage distillation to second-stage distillation at a vacuum lower than 13kPa.

Abstract: Processes and systems for purifying silane-containing streams are disclosed with relatively less silane being lost in impurity streams by use of distillation and/or condensation operations.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for separating a plurality of naphtha components. The process can include first and second columns. The first column may include a dividing imperforate wall with one surface facing a feed and another surface facing a side stream. Typically, the wall extends a significant portion of the column height to divide the portion into at least two substantially vertical, parallel contacting sections. Also, the second column can communicate with the first column so as to provide a feed to or receive a feed from the first column. Generally, the second column is non-divided. The process may provide at least four product streams.

Abstract: Provided is a heat integrated distillation apparatus includes: rectifying column including a trayed section or a packed bed section; stripping column including a trayed section or a packed bed section located higher than rectifying column; first pipe for connecting top part of the stripping column with bottom part of the rectifying column; and compressor that compresses vapor from top part of the stripping column to feed the compressed vapor to bottom part of the rectifying column. The heat integrated distillation apparatus further includes: heat exchanger located either at the trayed section or a packed bed section of rectifying column or at the trayed section or a packed bed section of stripping column; second pipe; and third pipe for circulating fluids through the heat exchanger.

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

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the small-scale separation of a mixture of two or more components with different boiling points into enriched fractions. In some embodiments, a first and second fluid (e.g., a liquid and a gas, a liquid and a liquid, etc.) are passed through a channel. The first fluid may include at least two components, each with a unique boiling point. Upon contacting the first and second fluids within the channel, at least a portion of the most volatile of the components in the first fluid (i.e., the component with the lowest boiling point) may be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. In some instances, the transfer of the volatile component(s) from the first fluid to the second fluid may be expedited by heating, in some cases above the boiling point(s) of the component(s) to be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. Contact between the first and second fluids may be maintained, for example, via segmented flow, bubbling flow, etc.

Abstract: Separation and purification of hydroquinone from crude mixtures thereof essentially containing hydroquinone in combination with very small amounts of impurities including resorcinol and pyrogallol, include a topping distillation allowing the resorcinol to be removed as the distillation top product, and allowing a crude mixture essentially containing hydroquinone and the heavy impurities to be recovered at the column bottom, such mixture then being subjected to a bottoming distillation which allows the pyrogallol to be removed at the column bottom and allows hydroquinone in a purified form to be recovered at the column top.

Abstract: The present invention relates to products obtained from crude olive pomace oil by centrifugation or decantation of the pomace, wherein said products contain a specific composition of triterpenic acids (especially maslinic and oleanolic acids), fatty acids, and ethyl esters; these products are suitable for use as additives in human or animal food products or in cosmetics products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desalinating water combined with power generation, wherein a desalination system is used for desalinating coastal seawater and is operationally related to a power generation system, wherein such dual purpose co-generation facility captures the heat vapor exhausted or a steam turbine generator's condenser is replaced by the desalination plant's heat exchanger enabling such captured heat energy to reduce the energy requirements of the desalination plant, and wherein brine solution being utilized by the desalination plant is circulated from and to the substrata sea water table via supply and return wells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for utilization of waste heat of flue gas liberated from different heat sources to provide high quality water from sea/brackish.

Abstract: This invention describes a low temperature, self-sustainable desalination process operated under natural vacuum conditions created and maintained by barometric pressure head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing neral (cis-citral) in pure or enriched form by distillatively separating neral from substance mixtures comprising essentially neral and geranial (trans-citral). This distillative separation is performed in a dividing wall column or in a connection of two distillation columns in the form of a thermal coupling.

Abstract: The once-through multi-stage flash (MSF) desalination plant with feed cooler is a desalination system utilizing a feed water cooler. Particularly, the plant includes a conventional MSF system, with a separate water cooler for cooling the seawater or brine that is input into the system, prior to the passage of the brine into the condensation conduits and brine heater. In use, the cooled brine is pumped, under pressure, through at least one conduit that passes through a plurality of flash chambers. The brine is then heated and injected into the plurality of flash chambers, where it is flashed into steam. The steam condenses on an external surface of the at least one conduit, and the condensed water is then extracted from the plant.

Abstract: A distillation column is disclosed. The column includes a plurality of rectification zones and corresponding stripping zones. Each rectification zone is linked to a heat pump or a stage of a heat pump. Overhead material from the top rectification zone is compressed and used to heat bottoms liquid from the bottom stripping zone. Similarly, overhead material from a lower rectification zone is compressed and used to heat liquid taken from the uppermost or top stripping zone. Optionally, overhead material from a middle rectification zone is compressed and used to heat liquid from a middle stripping zone. A single multiple stage heat pump compressor may be utilized as opposed to a plurality of heat pumps. Because the heat exchanger from each rectification-stripping zone pair has a lower duty, economical stab-in heat exchangers may be utilized.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a separation zone for separating a plurality of naphtha components. The separation zone can include first and second columns. The first column may include a dividing imperforate wall with one surface facing a feed and another surface facing a side stream. Typically, the wall extends a significant portion of the column height to divide the portion into at least two substantially vertical, parallel contacting sections. Also, the second column can communicate with the first column so as to provide a feed to or receive a feed from the first column. Generally, the second column is non-divided. The separation zone may provide at least four product streams.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing levulinic acid from fungal biomass are disclosed. In one implementation, a method for distilling levulinic acid from a glucosamine-containing feedstock is disclosed that yields a relatively pure (e.g., 90% or greater) levulinic acid product from an otherwise problematic waste stream.

Abstract: Process for devolatilization of a polymer of an aromatic alkylene, such as styrene and, in particular, an improved process using water as a stripping agent (i) in which the total amount of water to be disposed of can be reduced, (ii) which allows at least a portion of the water to be recycled as stripping agent, reducing make-up requirements for the stripping agent, and (iii) which allows at least a portion of the aromatic alkylene monomer in the water to be recycled to the polymerization process (via the devolatilization steps) rather than being disposed.

Abstract: Purified SiHCl3 and/or SiCl4 are used as a sweep gas across a permeate side of a gas separation membrane receiving effluent gas from a polysilicon reactor. The combined sweep gas and permeate is recycled to the reactor.

Abstract: The invention is a method for processing a mixture containing water, 3-methyl-1-butene and at least one other methylbutene. The method comprises primary distillation of the mixture, giving a gaseous primary overhead product containing methylbutene and water and a water-free primary bottom product containing 3-methyl-1-butene; condensation of the gaseous primary overhead product so as to give a condensate comprising a liquid aqueous phase and a liquid organic phase; separation of the condensate into a liquid aqueous phase and a liquid organic phase; discharge of the liquid aqueous phase; recirculation of the organic phase to the primary distillation; and finally secondary distillation of the water-free primary bottom product from the primary distillation so as to give a secondary overhead product comprising 3-methyl-1-butene and a secondary bottom product. The secondary overhead product obtained has a purity which enables it to be used directly as monomer or comonomer for preparing polymers or copolymers.

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: The invention relates to cryogenic engineering, in particular to purifying krypton-xenon mixture and is usable in the chemical and oil-and-gas industries. The inventive method comprises purifying and separating the mixture in rectification columns, wherein coolant is removed and returned to a cooling cycle, additionally removing radionuclides from krypton and xenon fractions and from krypton and xenon production flows by means of filtration and/or adsorption and/or rectification and/or absorption and/or chemical and/or physicochemical methods in apparatuses for additional removing radionuclides. Balloons for reception of the separated products are certified with respect to radionuclides content and/or activity prior to and after the filling thereof.

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.

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.