Abstract: A system and method for separating a fluid mixture is provided which employ vacuum distillation apparatus, and optionally, gas-handling apparatus operable to introduce a gas into the liquid mixture prior to being dispersed within the vacuum distillation apparatus. The liquid mixture is dispersed within the vacuum distillation apparatus as micro-sized droplets. When used, the gas that has been introduced into the liquid mixture is rapidly liberated from the micro-sized droplets thereby causing the droplets to break into still smaller droplets thereby maximizing the vaporization of the more volatile components in the liquid mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an enhanced process for separating dissolved and suspended solids from valuable or harmful liquids and more particularly to improving the operational aspects and separation efficiency of treating certain water miscible fluids including those used for oil and gas processing such as glycols, as well as automobile and aircraft fluids, that have become contaminated with dissolved and/or suspended solid matter.

Abstract: A sulfur-bearing residue treatment system is provided for the recovery of valuable organic components and the reduction of capital costs and operating costs. The treatment system involves the use of a stripping vessel in conjunction with a heating apparatus. All elements of the treatment system may be coupled together to form one integral piece of equipment.

Abstract: A process for purifying grafted polyolefins by extraction is disclosed. The purified grafted polyolefins have improved color and adhesion properties. The extraction is performed with an azeotropic solvent that is strong enough to extract impurities but does not cause sticking of the grafted polyolefin. The azeotropic solvent can be easily recycled.

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: A sulfur-bearing residue treatment system is provided for the recovery of valuable organic components and the reduction of capital costs and operating costs. The treatment system involves the use of a stripping vessel in conjunction with a heating apparatus. All elements of the treatment system may be coupled together to form one integral piece of equipment.

Abstract: A process is provided for the distillative separation of pentene nitrile isomers which have a relative volatility alpha ranging from 1.0 to 1.3 in the pressure range from 1 to 500 kPa, wherein the distillation is carried out in the presence of a liquid diluent which forms with the pentene nitrile isomers, under the same pressure conditions, azeotropes whose relative volatility alpha is higher than that of the pentene nitrile isomers to be separated.

Abstract: A process of treating waste solvent acetonitrile streams which contain at least one water extractable impurity such as isopropyl acetate to remove substantially all of the impurity by distilling the waste solvent acetonitrile in the presence of water for a time sufficient to allow the water extractable impurity to be extractively distilled from the acetonitrile. In preferred embodiments of the present invention the feed may contain either a mixture of waste solvent acetonitrile and crude acetonitrile or crude acetonitrile free of hydrogen cyanide by itself.

Abstract: A process for working up hydroxylamine-containing solutions as obtained in particular in the electronics industry during the cleaning of electronic components is described. According to the invention, the hydroxylamine is stripped from the wastewater with steam. The products obtained are aqueous hydroxylamine and an aqueous solution of the amines. Both product streams can be purified in further process steps to give a saleable product.

Abstract: A closed tunnel system for distilling fresh water from ocean salt water is provided with an elongated evaporation plate adapted to hold ocean water for evaporation therefrom. During the distillation process, a vacuum is drawn in the tunnel, and sunlight is focused onto the evaporation plate with a concave lens-structure roof. External concave mirrors automatically track the sun and focus additional sunlight onto the lens-structure roof. An agitator-wiper unit agitates the ocean water on the evaporation plate to maintain a homogeneous liquid mixture, and to present additional water surface area for evaporation of fresh water. The fresh water vapor then condenses under pressure in heat exchangers that simultaneously pre-heat the ocean water prior to entry onto the evaporation plate.

Abstract: A process for separating hydrogen chloride from a mixture including an N-(C1-C18)-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone and hydrogen chloride by distilling the mixture including an N-(C1-C18)-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone and hydrogen chloride at from 100 to 220° C. and from 50 to 850 hPa in the presence of water in a distillation column, condensing the water as water-hydrogen chloride azeotrope at the top by cooling, returning the water-hydrogen chloride azeotrope to the distillation column, separating off gaseous hydrogen chloride at the top and taking off the N-(C1-C18)-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone from the bottom.

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: 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 comprising the organic acid and/or organic acid amide. The feed stream that comprises the organic acid and/or organic acid amide 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. The mixture comprising the feed stream and the azeotroping agent is heated to produce a vapor stream that comprises the heteroazeotrope. 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 second phase comprises the azeotroping agent.

Abstract: A process for separating water from methanol in an aqueous methanol initial mixture, comprising subjecting said mixture to azeotropic distillation in the presence of sufficient added methyl acrylate to form an azeotrope with most of the methanol in said initial mixture such that a substantial proportion of methanol in the initial mixture is removed as an azeotrope of methanol and methyl acrylate in the overhead vapors resulting from said distillation and a major proportion of water in said initial mixture is removed in the liquid residue of said distillation.

Abstract: A process for producing methylal that involves feeding a liquid containing methanol, formaldehyde and water to an uppermost reactor of at least four solid acid catalyst-filled reactors which are each externally connected to an intermediate portion of a distillation column; and forcibly circulating a liquid containing methanol, formaldehyde, water and produced methylal in a temperature range of 80° C. to 100° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating hydrogen chloride from a mixture comprising an N-(C1-C18)-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone and hydrogen chloride by distilling the mixture comprising an N-(C1-C18)-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone and hydrogen chloride at from 100 to 220° C. and from 50 to 850 hPa in the presence of water by means of a distillation column, condensing the water as water-hydrogen chloride azeotrope at the top by cooling, returning the water-hydrogen chloride azeotrope to the distillation column, separating off gaseous hydrogen chloride at the top and taking off the N-(C1-C18)-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone from the bottom.

Abstract: A distillation procedure is provided for the separation of impurities from organic materials such as glycols and glycol ethers whereby a liquid stripping component is interfaced into a distillation column with or below the organic material introduction, heat being provided by a reboiler, the stripping component and impurities being removed overhead.

Abstract: A process for concentrating spent sulphuric acids particularly sulphuric acids which arise during the nitration of hydrocarbons with nitric acid in the presence of sulphuric acid, wherein single- or multi-stage concentration is effected under vacuum.

Abstract: A distillation procedure is provided for the separation of impurities from organic materials such as glycols and glycol ethers whereby a liquid stripping component is interfaced into a distillation column with or below the organic material introduction, heat being provided by a reboiler, the stripping component and impurities being removed overhead.

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.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of methylglyoxal dimethyl acetal from methylglyoxal and methanol in the presence of an acidic ion exchanger, water is introduced in an amount sufficient to form an acidic reaction mixture in which the acetal product and water form an azeotropic mixture, with or without the retention of some methanol reactant. After subjecting a single phase acidic reaction mixture to an azeotropic distillation, it will separate into two distinct liquid phases with a simple recovery of the acetal product from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: A method permits concentration of a water-miscible organic liquid in a mixture of such liquid and water, with recovery of a desired concentrate of the water-miscible organic liquid and water, and a relatively clean water containing only a very low contest of the water-miscible organic liquid which enables disposal of the water in sewage systems, the method thus enhancing the ability to satisfy environmental concerns; the method has particular application to the recovery of a reusable glycol/water mixture from diluted spent aircraft deicer fluid (ADF).

Abstract: A method and apparatus permits concentration of a water-miscible organic liquid in a mixture of such liquid and water, with recovery of a desired concentrate of the water-miscible organic liquid and water, and a relatively clean water containing only a very low content of the water-miscible organic liquid which enables disposal of the water in sewage systems, the method and apparatus thus enhancing the ability to satisfy environmental concerns; the method has particular application to the recovery of a reusable glycol/water mixture from diluted spent aircraft deicer fluid (ADF).

Abstract: A steam stripping substance, which is obtained by steam distillation of sesame oil under reduced pressure and contains sesamin analogues substantially, is mixed with water, a water-soluble solvent or their mixture serving as solvent. Sesamin analogues are caused to precipitate in this mixed system in the presence of more than one equivalent of an alkali with respect to the acid value of the steam stripping substance. The precipitated sesamin analogues are then separated from the mixed system.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of free hydroxylamine is prepared by a process in which the solution obtained by treating a hydroxylammonium salt with a base is separated into an aqueous hydroxylamine solution and a salt fraction by treatment with water or steam at .ltoreq.80.degree.0 C. The novel process can be carried out in a simple and gentle manner and on a large industrial scale. Owing to the low thermal load, the low concentration of hydroxylamine and the short residence time in the process, the risk of decomposition is minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate and low pressure purge gas such that a contaminant-rich stream is recoverable from the condensate and purge gas, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed, and any non-condensed gases are subjected to water scrubbing, along with the low pressure purge gas to further recover contaminates from the non-condensed gas. A portion of the condensed overhead and scrubbing water containing contaminates is returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with existing low pressure equipment, avoiding costly major modifications, and is particularly adapted to use in conjunction with ammonia and methanol plants.

Abstract: An improved process for separating oil and water from an emulsion containing toxic light ends by flashing the heated and pressurized emulsion, condensing and separating the vaporized water and light ends, recovering the light ends, and recycling the condensed water. The resulting liquid water product has a reduced content of toxic light ends, such as benzene.

Abstract: A process for preparing a substantially pure aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is described. An impure hydrogen peroxide solution is vaporized in a vaporizer to form a vapor containing hydrogen peroxide and a concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution in equilibrium therewith. The solution also contains impurities. A substantially pure hydrogen peroxide solution is obtained by a partially condensing the vapor containing hydrogen peroxide. In addition to the solution, a residual vapor, in equilibrium with the solution and having a lower hydrogen peroxide concentration, can be condensed in a separate condenser. The concentration of the hydrogen peroxide solution obtained by the process can be regulated, for example, by regulating the condensation efficiency of the partial condensation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed, and any non-condensed gases are subjected to water scrubbing to further recover contaminates from the non-condensed gas. A portion of the condensed overhead and scrubbing water containing contaminates is returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with existing low pressure equipment, avoiding costly major modifications, and is particularly adapted to use in conjunction with ammonia and methanol plants.

Abstract: In an improved process for recovering ethylene oxide from an aqueous ethylene oxide solution further containing formaldehyde is provided wherein the impure aqueous ethylene oxide solution is introduced into a distillation zone as a feed stream and undergoes distillation therein to form an ethylene oxide product sidestream and an aqueous bottoms product, water is added to the distillation zone to absorb formaldehyde vapor into a liquid phase and combines with the formaldehyde vapor to form an apparent azeotrope, and removing the apparent azeotrope from the column, the improvement is that all or part of the water is a recycled aqueous stream originating from the aqueous bottoms product and introduced to the distillation zone above the feed stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed with a portion of the condensed overhead being returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. In a second embodiment, separate stripping and rectification towers operate in series whereby the overhead of the stripping tower is delivered to the lower section of the rectification tower and the rectification bottoms are returned to the top of the stripping tower.

Abstract: A method of continuously distilling off the components of a mixture containing phenols, water and methanol using a single distillation column, wherein methanol is recovered from the top of the column, water containing phenols is dragged as a side stream from a recovery section of the column, and phenols are recovered as a bottom product. The method permits efficient separation by the single distillation column of the three components with high purity and low utility energy.

Abstract: A process for removing acetone from an acetone/methyl acetate/methyl iodide mixture utilizing extractive distillation with water being introduced to the distillation zone above the point of introduction of the mixture and acetic acid being introduced at or above the point of introduction of the mixture. In a preferred embodiment the mixture is subjected to an initial extraction with an aqueous extractant to remove most of the methyl iodide.The process is particularly applicable to removing acetone by-product in carbonylation processes for the production of acetic anhydride.

Abstract: A method to recycle spent ethylene glycol in a continuous process for the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate in at least one reactor vessel which includes:a. condensing the overhead vapor of spent ethylene glycol, water and other byproducts from the reactor vessel,b. feeding the condensed vapor to a single distillation column,c. removing only part of the water and other byproducts from ethylene glycol by distillation overhead in the column andd. feeding the resultant bottoms of the column back to the reactor vessel as recycle ethylene glycol along with virgin ethylene glycol, so that polyethylene terephthalate polymer being manufactured by the continuous process is essentially unaffected regarding polymer color and ability to be spun into high quality yarn, but with lower diethylene glycol content that polymer made from all virgin ethylene glycol.

Abstract: A distillation tower (1) has a plurality of liquid sidestream lines (5, 6, 7) and a multi-stage sidestream stripper (13) which includes a respective stripping section (14, 15, 16) for each sidestream line housed in a common, upright, cylindrical shell (28) which allows vapor to pass freely from each stage to the one above. Partial vaporization of each sidestream is achieved by applying a vacuum to the top of the stripper shell (point 21) and/or introducing strip gas at the bottom (point 20). Because the vapor passes serially through the stripping sections from the bottom of the stripper (13) to the top, the need to supply strip gas separately to the stripping sections and/or apply vacuum individually is avoided. The separation between the sidestream products is improved by including, in each stage, a rectification zone (22, 23, 24) positioned above the stripping section.

Abstract: A process for the production of pure dimethylether by feeding the dehydration product from a dimethylether-synthesis reactor into a distillation column for the production of pure dimethylether at defined trays of this column and withdrawal of pure dimethylether and a fraction containing contaminations at defined trays of the same column, whereby in addition washing liquids and bases can be added.

Abstract: In a vacuum distillation process a feed stream is supplied to a furnace and a heated feed stream containing vapor and liquid is passed from the furnace into a distillation column operating at a subatmospheric pressure. Vapor is allowed to rise inside the distillation column. The rising vapor is contacted with a de-entrainment means to remove entrained liquid from the rising vapor. Wash liquid is sprayed on the de-entrainment means and subsequently passed from the distillation column to a collection vessel. The wash liquid is cooled and then withdrawn from said collection vessel.

Abstract: A process for the concentration of ethylene oxide in an impure solution thereof including adding the solution and steam to a distillation column, recovering the gaseous stream therefrom containing ethylene oxide, and progressively condensing the steamed solution in at least two heat exchangers arranged in series, with the absolute pressure of the distillation column and of the exchangers being between about 1.5 and 6 bars and the temperature of the cooling fluid of the last exchanger being between about 5.degree. C. and a maximum temperature 5.degree. C. below the temperature of condensation of pure ethylene oxide at the pressure used.

Abstract: A continuous process for the extraction of bromine from a bromide-rich brine in high efficiency while dramatically reducing the steam requirement for the distillation by operating a contact tower under vacuum. The contact tower is designed to operate near the boiling point of the feed brine so that only stripping steam is needed to remove elemental bromine from the brine.

Abstract: An improved process for separating ethylene-oxide from formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in contaminated ethylene oxide, the process involves introducing the contaminated ethylene oxide into a reflux column and distilling the contaminated ethylene oxide under conditions such that the fluid stream leaving the bottom of the reflux column contains the water present in the contaminated ethylene oxide and the ethylene oxide in amounts corresponding, on a weight basis, to 0.15 to 3 times the weight of the water, and the ethylene oxide resulting from the separation of the formaldehyde and acetaldehyde leaves the column at its top.

Abstract: A continuous process for the extraction of bromine from a bromine-rich brine in high efficiency while dramatically reducing the steam requirement for the distillation by operating a contact tower under vacuum. The contact tower is designed to operate near the boiling point of the feed brine so that only stripping steam is needed to remove elemental bromine from the brine.

Abstract: A highly efficient continuous process for the winning of bromine from a bromide-containing brine which increases overall bromine recovery efficiency, decreases chlorine requirements, decreases waste-brine neutralization, improves steam recovery, increases capacity and significantly reduces total amount of steam necessary for bromine recovery over prior art. This is accomplished by operating a two-stage subatmospheric apparatus comprising a steaming out tower and a secondary flash chamber. The steaming out or contact tower is operated near the vapor pressure of the feed brine so that only stripping steam is required to remove elemental bromine from the brine. The second stage or secondary flash chamber is operated at a lower pressure than the stage one steaming out tower and enables recovery of bromine, steam and chlorine from the waste bromide-depleted brin or tail brine which might otherwise to be lost.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the degassing, dehydrating and lower boiling component separation during straight-run distillation of crude fatty acids. The crude fatty acids are degassed in the degassing stage at such temperatures and pressures in counter current flow with stripping steam that no appreciable dehydration or lower boiling component separation takes place at this stage, then the degassed crude fatty acid is then led to a precut column for dehydration and lower boiling component separation, whereby the falling film concentrator column operates as a partial condensation stage for the creation of the reflux of the fatty acids, which is necessary for the lower boiling component separation, and that the easily boiling component evaporates almost completely in the precut column and is led off from the precut column in vapor form, together with the water.

Abstract: A method of recovering light organic solvent from a liquid mixture containing the solvent and a process material, such as asphaltenes or coal liquefaction products. The solvent-process material mixture is treated in a solvent separation zone to separate a first vapor phase rich in solvent and a first liquid phase rich in process material. At least a portion of the liquid in the solvent separation zone is transferred to a mixing zone, where the liquid is intimately contacted with steam, under shearing conditions. The steam-liquid phase mixture thus produced is returned to the solvent separation zone and treated to separate a second vapor phase, rich in steam and solvent, and a second liquid phase, rich in process material and substantially depleted of solvent. Solvent is recovered from the first and second vapor phases.

Abstract: The separation of homozeotropic mixtures of a paraffin or paraffins of 6-14 carbon atoms and an alcohol or alcohols of 4-8 carbon atoms is conducted in two rectification steps. In a first step, rectification is carried out in the presence of water as the azeotropic agent, and the resultant distillate, after condensation, is separated into two liquid phases. The thus-obtained organic phase is rectified in a further step without the addition of water, and the head product consisting of an alcohol/paraffin mixture is recycled into the first step. The paraffin or paraffins and the alcohol or alcohols are obtained in the lower section of the individual rectifying step or steps. The water which may be present in the starting mixture is removed from the cycle. Low-boiling paraffins and/or low-boiling alcohols are suitable as additional azeotropic agents.

Abstract: A process for the nondegenerative distillation of C.sub.6 -C.sub.24 -fatty acids, of the type obtained by splitting natural fats and oils or by synthetic processes, such as for example the oxidation of paraffins, the crude product is thermally dried under reduced pressure, the dried and heated crude product is subjected to fractional evaporation in falling-film evaporators, optionally in the presence of superheated steam, and the various vapor fractions are deposited in condensers. The thermal drying process is conducted at a temperature of 60.degree.-80.degree. C. and a pressure of 90-100 mbars. The de-watered crude product is fractionated in a film-forming evaporator and, after distillation, passes to a rectification column which condenses the low boiling constituents as the main runnings.

Abstract: A process for producing an unsaturated nitrile with saved energy by which the bottom stream from a recovery column is used as the heat source for at least one distillation column in the process and thereafter used to pre-heat a recovery column feed withdrawn from the bottom of an absorption column, characterized in that the bottom stream of the absorption column is previously heated by at least one source of waste heat in the process, the source being selected from (1) the circulating water in the quenching column, (2) the overhead vapor of the absorption column, (3) the overhead vapor of a dehydration column and (4) the overhead vapor of a product column.

Abstract: A process is provided for the continuous separation of slightly volatile components from a crude phthalic acid anhydride wherein a portion of the crude phthalic acid anhydride is compressed and heated before being reintroduced into a flash evaporator.

Abstract: A process for the isolation of hydroquinone, pyrocatechol, phenol and carboxylic acid from the reaction mixture containing the same such as one obtained by reaction of phenol with percarboxylic acid is disclosed. The reaction mixture is fed to a first rectification column and subjected to distillation whereby there is obtained a bottoms product containing pyrocatechol, hydroquinone and phenol. The top product is largely condensed and recycled, there being withdrawn from the top of the rectification column a mixture comprising phenol and carboxylic acid. The phenol and carboxylic acid mixture are continuously fed to a second rectification column where carboxylic acid is separated from phenol and substantially pure phenol is withdrawn from the stripping section and/or bottom of the second rectification column.

Abstract: In a process for the continuous preparation of adipic acid by hydrolysis of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl adipates with water at an elevated temperature in the presence of a strongly acidic ion exchanger, the improvement that the esters and excess water are fed to the middle section of a column, reaction mixture is taken off at a plurality of trays of the column below the feed point, passed over a strongly acidic ion exchanger and recycled, alkanols or alkanol/water mixtures are taken off at the top of the column and an aqueous solution of adipic acid is taken off at the bottom of the column.