Abstract: In one embodiment, a steam turbine facility includes drain piping in which a shut-off valve is provided, the drain piping being either a valve drain pipe that leads a drain from the main steam regulating valve to an outside thereof, or a casing drain pipe that leads a drain from the turbine casing to an outside thereof. A heat absorber disposed in a range, upstream of the shut-off valve, of the drain piping to absorb heat of the drain piping.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the treatment of sewage sludge with enzymes, which process comprises treating a sewage sludge resulting from the treatment of municipal or industrial waste water with a composition comprising a fermentation supernatant product from a Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture and a non-ionic surfactant, wherein said fermentation supernatant product is free of active enzymes, at conditions suitable for generating said active enzymes from said sewage sludge in situ.

Abstract: A water recovery process for a steam assisted gravity drainage system for a heavy oil recovery facility, the process comprising a flash drum and a flash drum heat exchanger/condenser, wherein the water recovery process receives hot water produced by a facility at a temperature above the water atmospheric boiling point and cools it to a temperature below the water atmospheric boiling point before transferring it to the remaining section of the water recovery process.

Abstract: The invention provides a process of preparing an intermediate useful in the synthesis of biphenyl-2-ylcarbamic acid 1-(2-{[4-(4-carbamoylpiperidin-1-ylmethyl)benzoyl]methylamino}ethyl)piperidin-4-yl ester, and a process of preparing a crystalline freebase of the ester.

Abstract: Water can be separated from a liquid composition (e.g., salt water) by directing a carrier gas flow through an evaporator and directly contacting the carrier gas flow with the liquid composition in the evaporator to humidify the carrier gas with water evaporated from the liquid composition, producing a humidified gas flow, which is then compressed by injecting a fluid that includes steam and/or an organic compound at an elevated pressure at least five times greater than the pressure in the evaporator and at a temperature at least as high as a saturation temperature of the steam/organic compound at the elevated pressure of the fluid. After being compressed, the humidified gas flow is directed through at least one condenser where water is condensed from the compressed humidified gas flow and collected; and the dehumidified gas flow is re-circulated back through the evaporator for reuse as the carrier gas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an essential oil extraction apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a container configured to hold an essential oil-containing material, an essential oil extract receiver contained in the container, a condenser having an outlet fluidly coupled to the receiver and located relative to the container so as to receive essential oil-containing vapor emitted by the essential oil-containing material; and at least one microwave reflection structure associated with at least one of the container, the receiver or the condenser. The apparatus can have an overall dimension that is sufficiently small so that the apparatus fits inside a standard-sized kitchen microwave oven.

Abstract: A desalination system wherein a latent heat of condensation produced by the temperature gradient across a membrane distillation (MD) module is transferred directly to a latent heat of vaporization during desalination of a liquid flow stream. The desalination system comprises the MD module disposed within an object and configured to receive an input feed stream for desalination and produce an output flow stream of a product. The system also comprises a vapor compressor in fluidic communication with the MD module and configured to introduce a hot steam to a high temperature side of the MD module and extract a cool steam, having a temperature less than the hot steam, from a low temperature side of the MD module, thereby creating a temperature gradient across of the MD module. A desalination method is also presented.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of stream directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for extractive distillation using internal addition of steam to an extractive distillation column from a reboiler are described herein. The apparatuses include an extractive distillation column, a reboiler (for example, a kettle reboiler) coupled to the extractive distillation column, and a steam input line. The steam input line is coupled to an internal steam sparger device of the reboiler. Methods utilizing the apparatuses to perform extractive distillation of a hydrocarbon feed stream are also described herein.

Abstract: A system and process for the recovery of at least one halogenated hydrocarbon from a gas stream. The recovery includes adsorption by exposing the gas stream to an adsorbent with a lattice structure having pore diameters with an average pore opening of between about 5 and about 50 angstroms. The adsorbent is then regenerated by exposing the adsorbent to a purge gas under conditions which efficiently desorb the at least one adsorbed halogenated hydrocarbon from the adsorbent. The at least one halogenated hydrocarbon (and impurities or reaction products) can be condensed from the purge gas and subjected to fractional distillation to provide a recovered halogenated hydrocarbon.

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: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of stream directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process wherein a stream comprising dichlorohydrin, water, and HCI is separated into a stream which is rich in dichlorohydrin and low in HCI and an aqueous HCI stream which is low in dichlorohydrin. The process involves the distillation of the mixture comprising dichlorohydrin, water, and HCI with an amount of water being added before and/or during the distillation such that the water concentration during the distillation is on the line D-E, or to the right thereof, in the phase diagram of FIG. 1.

Abstract: Provided are azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions of trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (HFO-1336mzz(E)) and water. Such azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions are useful in isolating HFO-1336mzz(E) from impurities during production. Azeotropes of the instant invention are similarly useful in final compositions, such as blowing agent, propellants, refrigerants, diluents for gaseous sterilization and the like.

Abstract: Systems and processes for recovering alkylene oxide, including an alkylene oxide recovery column including a stripping section located in the column to convert a portion of a feed stream to a gas phase including alkylene oxide; a reabsorption section in the column above the stripping section including a water stream to reabsorb the alkylene oxide in the gas phase portion and to produce an aqueous solution, a first stripping gas to strip carbon dioxide and oxygen from the aqueous solution by converting a portion of the aqueous solution to a gaseous portion, producing an alkylene oxide stream, and a side take-off located at a bottom portion of the reabsorption section for removal of the alkylene oxide stream; a condenser to partially condense the gas phase portion; and a top take-off for removal of a light impurity fraction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for extractive distillation using internal addition of steam to an extractive distillation column from a reboiler are described herein. The apparatuses include an extractive distillation column, a reboiler (for example, a kettle reboiler) coupled to the extractive distillation column, and a steam input line. The steam input line is coupled to an internal steam sparger device of the reboiler. Methods utilizing the apparatuses to perform extractive distillation of a hydrocarbon feed stream are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for preparing liquid from solid materials such as medicinal materials. It includes liquid and materials for preparing the liquid at the beginning and the end of the process. The device uses a steam generator, an intermediate switch valve and a material chamber, which are connected sequentially with pipes, and further includes an outlet pipe, which is at the bottom of the material chamber. The method involves the steps of: distillation and absorption; immersion; and repetition. The device and method for preparing liquid alternates the distillation and immersion steps, which reduces harmful substance in the prepared liquid that would otherwise occur by conventional methods. The method not only extracts soluble effective matter, but also reduces loss of volatile effective matter. Ultimately, the method makes the steps for preparing liquid simple and clear, and it can prepare liquid quantitatively, effectively and without pasty and shrinkable characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an evaporation apparatus capable of supplying active ingredients sufficiently and stably. One embodiment of the invention includes a retention vessel keeping a liquid formulation which contains active ingredients, a liquid absorbing mechanism which absorbs the liquid formulation from said retention vessel, an evaporation mechanism which evaporates active ingredients of said liquid formulation absorbed into said liquid absorbing mechanism and adjusting means which adjusts the evaporation of active ingredients.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a desolvation method for removing a solvent efficiently from a polymer solution. In the present desolvation method where the solvent is removed from the polymer solution by steam stripping using an apparatus comprising a pipe which connects a gas phase portion of a desolvation tank at the downstream and a liquid phase portion of a desolvation tank at the upstream, and an opening-degree adjusting mean (for example, pressure adjusting valve) fixed to this pipe, pressures are controlled such that a pressure difference (?P=P2?P1) between pressures of each gas phase portion of desolvation tanks at the downstream and at the upstream is allowed to be larger by from 0.005 to 0.6 MPa, preferably from 0.05 to 0.3 MPa than a pressure difference when the opening-degree adjusting mean is fully opened.

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: An improved distillation of water. involves distilling significant quantities of water at temperatures well below the boiling point. During distillation, a compound is taken from a liquid-phase to a gas-phase and then condensed to the liquid-phase again to get a pure liquid. The present invention uses water sprayed (105) and absorbed onto a solid surface such as micro-powder (104) made from wood as a starting material. Absorbing water onto such a surface results in rapid evaporation with a relatively low temperature gradient when the water and particles are agitated. The present invention could be characterized as solid-phase distillation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing an aqueous solution of free hydroxylamine (HA) by simultaneous countercurrent treatment of a HA salt with ammonia or ammonia water, then separating the HA by distillation and reconcentrating the aqueous HA solution in a countercurrent with a stripping medium. The stripping medium used according to the invention is a mixture of steam and a non-condensable inert gas and the process temperature at a defined pressure is controlled by the quantity of non-condensable inert gas at the column inlet. The preferred non-condensable inert gas is nitrogen. This results in increased safety and a reduction in losses of the method for producing aqueous solutions of free HA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system for stripping volatile compounds such as ammonia from liquids. Part of the ammonia is stripped from the liquid in a system having a shunt through which liquid such as e.g. fermented biomass can be diverted in the form of a side stream in liquid contact with a main fermentor(s). The stripper system is connected to an evaporator. In the evaporator aqueous liquid is heated at a pressure below atmospheric pressure whereby vapor is developed at a temperature below 100° C. The vapor from the evaporator is directed to the liquid medium containing ammonia and this results in ammonia being stripped from the liquid and transferred to the vapor phase. The vapor phase is condensed in a first condenser at a low pressure, and the liquid thus obtained is further treated in a stripper unit at a higher pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an amino composition by addition reaction between a polyamine and an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound in the presence of a strongly basic alkali metal catalyst to obtain an amino composition containing not more than 2% by weight of unreacted polyamine and preferably not more than 10 ppm of alkali metal.

Abstract: A system for optimized operation and troubleshooting/diagnosis of an amine regeneration system comprising a flash tank, a rich/lean heat exchanger, a still, a reflux condenser, a reflux accumulator, a pump, a reboiler, and a pump bypass line to the flash tank.

Abstract: A system for optimizing operation of an amine regeneration system comprising a flash tank, a rich/lean heat exchanger, a still, a reflux condenser, a reflux accumulator, a pump, a reboiler, and a flash tank pressurization assembly.

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 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: This invention is directed to a method of removing dimethyl ether from an olefin stream. Dimethyl ether is removed from the olefin stream by first separating the olefin stream into a first stream comprising dimethyl ether and lighter boiling point compounds, and a second stream comprising C4+ olefin and higher boiling point hydrocarbons. The dimethyl ether is then separated from the first stream using extractive distillation.

Abstract: In a process for purification of ethylene oxide by distillation an aqueous mixture comprising ethylene oxide, formaldehyde and at least 5% by weight of water is introduced via a feed into a distillation apparatus comprising at least one distillation column, the mixture being introduced at a height above the bottom of at least 8 theoretical stages, the ethylene oxide is taken off at the top and in the bottom phase a mixture is obtained which contains less than 5% by weight of ethylene oxide.

Abstract: A method for distilling a raw material liquid containing (meth)acrylic acid substantially free from azeotropic solvents, collected with a collection agent from a mixed gas obtained by gas phase catalytic oxidation reactions which includes feeding to a distillation column the raw material liquid which temperature is substantially equal to that of the entrance place in the column.

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: 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 refined dihydroxyaryl compound, for example, catechol, having a high degree of purity and a very low metal content is produced by evaporating a starting dihydroxyaryl compound in a distillation column, condensing the vapor fraction in a condenser connected to a top outlet of the distillation column, and collecting the condensed fraction from the condenser into a storage tank through a conduit, wherein the condenser and optionally the conduit and/or the storage tank have inside surfaces thereof formed from a metal material containing at least 25% by weight of nickel, and the condensed dihydroxyaryl compound fraction is brought into contact with the specific nickel (25% or more)-containing metal inside surface.

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: 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: Cyclopentane and/or cyclopentene and, if desired, isopentane can be obtained by distillative separation from a pre-benzene fraction or a C5 fraction which has in each case being partially hydrogenated to remove acetylene compounds and diolefins, wherein a) in a first fractional distillation, low boilers are removed as first top product and, either b1) the first bottom product is fed to a second fractional distillation and there cyclopentene is taken off as second top product and cyclopentane and higher-boiling hydrocarbons are taken off as second bottom product and this second bottom product is separated into cyclopentene and higher boilers in a third fractional distillation, or b2) the first bottom product is subjected to a catalytic hydrogenation and subsequently, in a fractional distillation, separated into cyclopentane as top product and higher boilers as bottom product, or b3) the first bottom product is subjected to a fractional distillation to separate off the relatively high boilers as bottom prod

Abstract: A process for separating a formaldehyde-containing product from a formalin solution comprising formaldehyde, water and methanol, wherein said formaldehyde-containing product contains substantially less water than said formalin solution, comprising distilling said formalin solution in the presence of a water entraining compound, especially methyl propionate or methyl methacrylate. The formaldehyde-containing product is suitable for use in a further process which requires a source of formaldehyde containing a relatively low level of water. One example of such a process is the reaction of methyl propionate with formaldehyde and methanol over a catalyst to produce methyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A method for distilling a raw material liquid containing (meth)acrylic acid substantially free from azeotropic solvents, collected with a collection agent from a mixed gas obtained by gas phase catalytic oxidation reactions which includes feeding to a distillation column the raw material liquid which temperature is substantially equal to that of the entrance place in the column.

Abstract: Fluorinated emulsifier acids bound to an anion exchanger resin can be eluted using a mixture of water, a compound of the formula M—X, in which M is an alkali metal or an alkylammonium ion, and X is hydroxyl, fluoride or chloride, and at least one organic solvent which completely dissolves the other components. For work-up of the eluent, this is advantageously subjected to steam distillation until all volatile constituents have been essentially removed, and the emulsifier acid is liberated from the steam distillation residue using a sufficiently strong acid. This emulsifier acid can advantageously be distilled off and collected as the ammonium salt in aqueous ammonia solution.

Abstract: Volatile siloxane oligomers are removed from an emulsion containing siloxane polymers and volatile siloxane oligomers prepared by emulsion polymerization of volatile siloxane oligomers by continuously feeding the emulsion to a continuous flow device for vaporizing liquids, continuously feeding a stripping gas to the continuous flow device, continuously removing an overhead fraction of volatile siloxane oligomers from the continuous flow device, and continuously removing an unvaporized bottom fraction from the continuous flow device of an emulsion containing siloxane polymers which is substantially free of residual volatile siloxane oligomers used to prepare the emulsion. A benefit of the method is that the viscosity of the siloxane polymer in the emulsion before the emulsion is fed to the continuous flow device is substantially the same as the viscosity of the siloxane polymer in the emulsion after the emulsion is removed from the continuous flow device.

Abstract: The present invention aims to isolate the azeotropes formed in a distillation column (B1) by methanol, propane and butane. The azeotropes are then liquefied in heat exchanger (E2) and mixed in contactor (M1) with water in order to dissolve the methanol in water. The mixture is then fed into a decantation tank (D2) to separate the aqueous phase from the liquid hydrocarbon phase. Finally, an aqueous phase containing methanol is discharged and the methanol-depleted hydrocarbon phase is recycled to distillation column (B1) as reflux.

Abstract: The preparation of polyamides, their oligomers or mixtures thereof, where appropriate with other reaction products, takes place by reacting amino nitrites (A) and, where appropriate, other polyamide-forming monomers and/or oligomers with water (D) in a reactive distillation, wherein the reaction product (P) is discharged from the bottom of the reactive distillation apparatus, and ammonia (N) which is produced and, where appropriate, other low molecular weight compounds which are produced, and water, are taken off overhead.

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 method and apparatus for separating volatile from nonvolatile substances, separation of volatile substances, one from the other, and for performing various chemical reactions. In particular, an apparatus which performs these functions utilizing a combination of above ambient temperatures and above one inch of mercury vacuum within a rotating vessel. The apparatus uses a conventional rotary vacuum seal. The apparatus, however, operates well above the maximum operating temperature of the conventional rotary vacuum seal by isolating and cooling the conventional rotary vacuum seal.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing and subsequently cooling dispersions or liquids comprisinga) passing steam through the dispersion or liquid to be cooled and held in a vessel (1), said dispersion or liquid being caused to foam up as a result,b) discharging the foam from the top section of the vessel via a nozzle (5) into an evacuated separation vessel (4), the foam being broken in the process,c) condensing the water vapor formed from the foam in a heat exchanger (8) and removing volatile organic components at the same time, andd) returning the broken foam to the vessel (1),in which the steps a) to d) are performed until the dispersion or liquid has been deodorized to the desired extent, wherein, after completion of the deodorization (in accordance with steps a) to d)), the hot dispersion or liquid is discharged from the bottom section of the vessel (1) through the nozzle (5) into the evacuated separation vessel (4), so that the dispersion or the liquid is cooled, the nozzle (5) and the evacuated separation vessel (4