Abstract: In a distillation unit (10) a rotary heat exchanger (32) receives from a radially inward position feed liquid to be purified and collects on the inner surface of a rotating exterior shell (36) liquid that has passed through its evaporation chambers (56). Stationary scoop tubes (122 and 124) scoop liquid from the resultant liquid layer that forms on the shell (36)'s inner surface, and the kinetic energy of the liquid scooped from the thus-spinning layer drives it radially inward through the scoop tubes (122 and 124) into spray arms (58) for reintroduction into the rotary heat exchanger's evaporation chambers (56).

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: An extractive distillation tower 4 supplied with a feedstock containing butadiene and a solvent and for distilling the feedstock to separate and purify the butadiene.

Abstract: A combination liquid distillation unit and heater, where the distilled liquid is heated to an elevated temperature to effect distillation, and then stored and maintained at an elevated temperature in a hot liquid tank. Thermal communication between the distillation unit portion and the storage tank allow heat from the distillation unit to be recovered in the hot distilled liquid in the tank to be transferred back to the feed water and/or to help maintain the hot distilled liquid in the tank at an appropriate elevated temperature. A start-up chamber in the distillation unit stores a reservoir of feed liquid during periods of inactivity, and allows the hot distilled liquid in the tank to preheat this feed liquid so that the feed liquid boils more quickly upon start-up.

Abstract: Method for extracting an ingredient from plant, animal or mineral by heating water to create a vapor, contacting the ingredient under a state of decompression with the vapor, condensing the vapor by passing the vapor over one or more surfaces cooled by a thermoelectric cooler, and collecting the condensate.

Abstract: Pertaining mainly to the field of the petrochemical industry the method essentially includes delivery of a motive liquid into a liquid-gas ejector from a separator by a pump, feeding a liquid-gas mixture obtained in the ejector into the separator, cooling of the motive liquid with simultaneous heating of a circulating portion of a distillation residual while the motive liquid is pumped through a heat-exchanger/heater by the pump, and maintaining such an operational mode while the temperature of mediums in the separator is higher than the temperature of the motive liquid at the nozzle inlet of the ejector, where the latter is higher than the temperature of the distillation residual at the point of discharge from a rectification column and the temperature of a gas-vapor phase at the gas inlet of the ejector is lower than the temperature of the distillation residual at the point of discharge from the column.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. In recent years, the preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes supplying at least portions of the gas stream to a fractionation tower having at least one reboiler, and often one or more side reboilers, to supply heat to the column by withdrawing and heating some of the tower liquids to produce stripping vapors that separate the more volatile components from the desired components. The reboiler and side reboilers (if any) are typically integrated into the feed stream cooling scheme to provide at least a portion of the refrigeration needed to condense the desired components for subsequent fractionation in the distillation column.

Abstract: A method and system for handling foul condensate containing Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) in a cellulose pulp mill has enhanced energy efficiency and lower cooling water usage, while complying with the Cluster Rules and other environmental regulations. The condensate is fed countercurrently to stripping vapor in the stripping column to produce a HAPs vapor and a clean condensate. Part of the clean condensate is fed from the stripping column reboiler, and the HAPs-rich vapor is directed to the reboiler to at least partially condense while vaporizing the clean condensate into the clean vapor (stripping vapor). The pressure of the stripping vapor is increased, such as utilizing a steam ejector, to about 0.1-30 psig and then is used as the stripping vapor in the stripping column. The non-condensed HAPs-rich vapor is fed to an external condenser, and the dirty condensate from the external condenser and the dirty condensate from the reboiler, are returned to the stripping column.

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: A method and apparatus for removing a contaminant from a fluid feed stream containing the contaminant. The method includes the steps of providing a feed stream (10) and heating it in a first step (18) to at least partially remove some of the contaminants and recover energy from a concentrate and distillate generated. Further heating the feed stream in a second heating step (20) in a heated separator generates a saturated vapor fraction (30) and a concentrated liquid contaminant fraction. The vapor fraction (30) may be compressed (32) to generate a temperature differential in the reboiler exchanger (34) with the vapor fraction being passed into contact with a reboiler exchanger (34) to provide a stream of condensed vapor from the reboiler. The stream may be circulated through the reboiler exchanger (34) and the heated separator to maintain from about 1% to about 50% by mass vapor in the stream.

Abstract: An improved design of a vapor compression distiller which makes use of a rapid, highly turbulent flow through the heat-of-evaporation recovery, or primary, heat exchanger. The distiller may also include the use of turbulators to increase turbulence and mixing within the primary heat exchanger. The increased level of turbulence and mixing dramatically reduces fouling inside the primary heat exchanger and increases the heat transfer efficiency. The improvements in the distiller are maximized by recirculating the liquid to be evaporated at a high multiple of the flow rate of the liquid feed to the distiller. The distiller may also include a feed circulation loop with a secondary heat exchanger to increase the efficiency of heat-of-evaporation recovery in the evaporation/condensation cycle. Applications of the vapor compression distiller include purification of waste liquids, concentration of dilute liquid mixtures, and separation of liquid/liquid, liquid/gas, and liquid/solid mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the alcohol processing industry and relates to a method that includes feeding a mixture into a distillation column which is fitted with contact devices for discharging the vapors through the top of said column. This method further includes boiling a bottom product and supplying the vapor thus formed back into the column. A part of the vapor to be processed using one of said contact devices is then fed back into the vapor flow or liquid flow towards one at least of said devices located upstream relative to the flow direction. In another or the same embodiment, a part of the vapor is fed back into the liquid flow under the level thereof and towards the same contact device in a place that is located upstream from its discharge relative to the flow direction of said vapor. The vapor feedback is preformed without complete condensation thereof.

Abstract: A method for removing a contaminant from a fluid feed stream containing the contaminant. The method includes the steps of providing a feed stream and heating it in a first step to at least partially remove some of the contaminants and recover energy from a concentrate and distillate generated. Further heating the feed stream in a second heating step in a heated separator generates a saturated vapor fraction and a concentrated liquid contaminant fraction. The vapor fraction may be compressed to generate a temperature differential in the reboiler exchanger with the vapor fraction being passed into contact with a reboiler exchanger to provide a stream of condensed vapor from the reboiler. The stream may be circulated through the reboiler exchanger and the heated separator to maintain from about 1% to about 50% by mass vapor in the stream. The apparatus includes a unique configuration of a vapor compressor, heated separator in combination with a forced circulation circuit to generate the decontamination result.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating a liquid mixture by fractional distillation. The apparatus includes at least two chambers with a conduit from the lower portion of a chamber which contains liquid to the upper portion of an adjacent chamber, a source of pressurized vapor, and a conduit from the source of pressurized vapor to the lower portion of the chamber which contains liquid. Flow of the liquid from the chamber which contains liquid is effected by introducing pressurized vapor into the liquid, thereby reducing the density of the liquid, pumping the liquid into the upper portion of the adjacent chamber. The two or more chambers can be housed in a single circular vessel, where the chambers are separated by partitions radiating from the center of the cylindrical vessel to the wall of the vessel. The apparatus can have a reduced height compared to conventional distillation columns.

Abstract: In a process for the purification of (meth)acrylic acid and/or its ester using a distillation unit containing a distillation column, a multitubular reboiler and a pipe connecting these elements, an oxygen containing gas is supplied from a least one point in regions between the distillation column and an inlet of the multitubular reboiler and/or in regions between the inlet and an inlet side tube sheet of the multitubular reboiler. This process can effectively prevent the formation of polymerization products and can stably purify (meth)acrylic acid and/or its ester over a long time.

Abstract: A liquid having certain undesired elements therein is distilled in a distillation column to form a vapor stream. This vapor stream is fed by means of an inert gas drive to a first container having an array of semi-permeable screens which are rotated at a speed of 3,000-10,000 rpm to generate vertical spiral vortexes which act on the vapor to separate out heavier impurities. An inert gas is employed to drive the vapor stream from the first container to the bottom of a second container having a narrower diameter array of semi-permeable screens, these screens being driven at a velocity of 6000-100,000 rpm. In the second container, the molecular species is separated from the main vapor stream by virtue of the exposure of the vapor to large centrifugal gravity forces generated by the horizontal velocity vectors of the rotating screens.

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: Process for the recovery of fluorinated sulphonic acid including the step of subjecting the spent acid to heat treatment with stepwise or continuously increasing temperature, withdrawing at least two fractions during the heat treatment; and recovering the fluorinated sulphonic acid from each fraction.

Abstract: A heat-deteriorative compound contained in a liquid mixture is refined by a distillation procedure using a distillation column in which a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction containing the heat-deteriorative compound are generated from the liquid mixture, and a liquid film-falling reboiler in which the liquid fraction falls in the form of liquid films along inner surfaces of a plurality of vertical heat-conductive pipes at a Reynolds number (Re) of 700 to 10,000 and heated to a temperature lower than the heat-deterioration temperature of the heat deteriorative compound to such an extent that 1 to 15% by weight of the liquid fraction is evaporated per pass through the reboiler, the heated liquid fraction being returned into the distillation column to generate the vapor fraction from the liquid mixture fed into the distillation column.

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 (meth)acryloxy-bearing alkoxysilane is isolated and purified to a high purity by distilling a reaction solution containing the (meth)acryloxy-bearing alkoxysilane in a thin-layer distillation device at a temperature of 90-160° C. and a vacuum of 1-15 mmHg. The resulting alkoxysilane product does not give rise to the quality problem that the product will gradually whiten during storage owing to contact with air. The occurrence of self-polymerization of the alkoxysilane is restrained.

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 (meth)acryloxy-bearing alkoxysilane is isolated and purified to a high purity by distilling a reaction solution containing the (meth)acryloxy-bearing alkoxysilane in a thin-layer distillation device at a temperature of 90-160° C. and a vacuum of 1-15 mmHg. The resulting alkoxysilane product does not give rise to the quality problem that the product will gradually whiten during storage owing to contact with air. The occurrence of self-polymerization of the alkoxysilane is restrained.

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

Abstract: A 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 procedure is provided for the separation of close boiling impurities from products which have slightly higher polarity than the impurities, for example, separation of di-propylene glycol di-tert-butyl ether (DE) from di-propylene glycol mono-tert-butyl ether (DPTB) by distillation, water or steam being used as stripping component with heat provided by a reboiler.

Abstract: A process for separating a fraction containing low and middle boilers from a mixture of low, middle and high boilers, which involves treating the mixture in a column with low-boiler vapor in the bottom, so that the middle-boiling component accumulates in the low-boiler vapor and can be obtained at the temperature level of the low-boiling component.

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 fractionator has a fractionation vessel, a reactor effluent vapors inlet, a vapor feed contacting zone, a baffled contacting section above the vapor feed contacting zone, a tops section above the baffled contacting section, a heavy bottoms liquid hold-up pool section below the vapor feed contacting zone, a bottoms outlet, a bottoms recycle system with a heat exchanger. Recycled, cooled bottoms is fed back to the fractionation vessel at the heavy bottoms liquid hold-up pool section and above the vapor feed contacting zone. The improvements involve providing a separation tray and downpipe for separating cooler bottoms liquid from hotter product vapors within the fractionation vessel: to avoid condensation and absorption of product vapors by the liquid pool; to have more rapid and uniform quenching of hot liquid entering the pool; and substantially reduce costly onstream maintenance to clean fouled bottoms recycle exchangers.

Abstract: There is provided a process of effectively separating pentafluoroethane (HFC-125) from a mixture of HFC-125 and chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115). When the mixture of HFC-125 and CFC-115 is subjected to an extractive distillation to obtain a concentrated HFC-125, ethyleneglycol-based compounds (3) having a general formula: R1O(CH2CH2O)nR2 wherein R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and n is an integer with a value from 1 to 3 is used as an extractant, whereby CFC-115 is obtained as a distillate product (4) and a mixture of HFC-125 and the extractant as a bottom product (5) is obtained. Then, the extractant is separated from HFC-125 by distilling the mixture and re-used in the extractive distillation.

Abstract: A process for purifying argon to obtain a high-purity argon from argon gas containing at least nitrogen, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and methane, including a first step of adding air or oxygen to the argon gas in an amount sufficient to oxidize the contained carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst while maintaining a temperature sufficient to oxidize the contained carbon monoxide without substantially oxidizing the methane, a second step of adding hydrogen into the argon gas obtained in the first step and reacting the contained oxygen with the hydrogen into water in the presence of a catalyst, a third step of removing the carbon dioxide and the water from the argon gas obtained in the second step by use of an adsorbent, and a fourth step of cooling the argon gas obtained in the third step, introducing the argon thus cooled into a distillation column and performing distillation by use of a reflux containing argon as a main component to remove nitrogen, hydrogen, and methane, thereby reco

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: An apparatus and method are provided in which a vaporizer vaporizes a liquid feed for introduction to a feed conversion unit such as a steam active reformer. A condenser condenses vaporized feed from the vaporizer when introduction of feed to the feed conversion unit is stopped. Condensed, liquid feed is passed back into the vaporizer and is conserved rather than going to flare.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the simultaneous co-production of ethyl acetate and n-butyl acetate. The process involves reacting a reaction mixture of ethanol, n-butanol and acetic acid in the liquid phase, in the presence of an acidic catalyst. The process is carried out in a series of reactor and distillation columns. The process is capable of using relatively impure reactants and provides for removing some of the aldehyde type impurities by the use of resin guard beds.

Abstract: A system and process for purifying a 1,3-butadiene feedstock containing 1,3-butadiene and various impurities by first introducing the 1,3-butadiene feedstock stream to a separation column to produce an intermediate product stream containing 1,3-butadiene and residual impurities and then introducing the produced intermediate product stream through a condenser to a suitable dryer for removing residual impurities from the intermediate product stream and thereby forming a purified 1,3-butadiene stream. The separation column separates an overhead stream, containing 1,3-butadiene and impurities such as propadiene, water and oxygen, and a bottoms stream, containing impurities such as polymerization inhibitor, ethyl acetylene, 1,3-butadiene dimer, pentane and 1,2-butadiene, from the intermediate product stream which leaves the separation column in the form of a vapor side draw stream.

Abstract: A process for the continuous distillation of thermolabile monomers under reduced pressure in a column includesfeeding the thermolabile monomers in vapor or liquid form to the column,introducing an inert distillation aid which forms a heteroazeotrope with the thermolabile monomers into the vaporizer at the bottom of the column, but separately from the monomer feed, and vaporizing into there or feeding an emulsion of thermolabile monomers and an inert distillation aid into the vaporizer or into the column,condensing the azeotrope at the top of the column and separating it in a phase separator, taking off the thermolabile monomers and returning the distillation aid to the column or, if desired, working it up by distillation andtaking off components having a higher boiling point than the thermolabile monomers from the bottom of the column.

Abstract: A method of treating cleaning solvent used to clean mechanical parts. The method includes adding to the cleaning solvent a treating composition selected from the group of C.sub.5 -C.sub.14 alcohols, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dials, C.sub.10 -C.sub.14 polyols, and C.sub.4 -C.sub.14 glycol ethers, and mixtures thereof. A further embodiment includes the foregoing plus adding a clarifying agent from the group of aromatic, aliphatic and alkaryl sulfonic acids and sulfonic acid salts, esterified polyols, and alkyl phenol formaldehyde resins capped with alkoxy groups. The solvent is vaporized and condensed to effect recycling thereof without adding substituted quantities of treating composition to the solvent.

Abstract: A process for purification treatment of an impure liquid, such as a contaminated condensate, obtained when producing paper or paper pulp. The liquid is introduced intro a stripper device at an admission point (C) and the stripper device is also supplied with an acidifier preferably at a point (D) that is located above the admission point (C) and malodorous gases are driven off from the stripper device.

Abstract: A method for vacuum distillation includes separation of a liquid product delivered to a reservoir under vacuum into a vapour-gaseous phase and at least one liquid fraction, withdrawal of the vapour-gaseous phase from the reservoir using a vacuum-creating device, and subsequent separation of the vapour-gaseous phase into gas and a liquid phase by condensing performed directly in the vacumm-creating device. A portion of the liquid phase is used as a fluid working medium in the vacuum-creating device.An equipment for vacuum distillation includes a reservoir under vacuum conditions equipped with mains and a vacuum-creating device, which has an ejector, a separator and a pump, interconnected by mains.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing an aromatic dicarboxylic acid wherein the improvement resides in dehydrating and recovering solvent from a feed stream having from 20% to 40% by weight water via azeotropic distillation with organic phase reflux using an entrainer selected from isobutyl acetate, n-propyl acetate or an entrainer with a boiling point between isobutyl acetate and n-propyl acetate.

Abstract: Pure azelaic acid is obtained by working up a reaction mixture containing C.sub.1-18 monocarboxylic acids, mainly pelargonic acid, and C.sub.4-16 dicarboxylic acids, mainly azelaic acid, obtained from the ozonolysis of oleic acid or a starting mixture containing oleic acid. All but <2% by weight of the monocarboxylic acids and part of the dicarboxylic acids with a chain length of <C.sub.9 and >C.sub.9 are separated off to obtain a prepurified product containing more than 75% by weight of oleic acid and the prepurified product is concentrated to more than 90% by weight of oleic acid in several process steps. In a first process step (1), the dicarboxylic acids with chain lengths of <C.sub.9 present in the prepurified product are removed as first runnings by fractional distillation. In a second process step (2), the bottom product obtained is reacted with water to split carboxylic anhydrides present in the bottom product.

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: There is provided a process of effectively separating pentafluorethane (HFC-125) out of a mixture of HFC and chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115). When the mixture of HFC-125 and CFC-115 is subjected to extractive distillation so as to obtain concentrated HFC-125, methanol, ethanol, butanol, propyl alcohol, pentafluoropropanol, tetrafluoropropanol or acetone is used as an extractant, whereby CFC-115 is obtained as a distillate product and a mixture of HFC-125 and the extractant is separated from HFC-125 by distilling the mixture and re-used in the extractive distillation.

Abstract: Inhibition performance is improved in styrene processing through the addition of a stable nitroxide free radical compound to the styrene feed and to the reflux of at least one column.

Abstract: A method of separating water from an aqueous emulsion using a minimum of energy includes heating the aqueous emulsion in a sump, conveying concentrated emulsion from the sump to a heat exchanger so as to pass therethrough back to the sump, circulating water vapor and non-condensable gases from the sump through a compressor to raise its temperature and passing the heated water vapor and non-condensable gases through the heat exchanger to condense and heat the concentrated emulsion therein and evaporate water therefrom, a thermostat filled with water and water vapor, together with first and second pressure switches respectively communicating with the sump and the external atmosphere and the heat exchanger and the external atmosphere, maintaining a temperature differential between 0.5.degree. and 3.degree. C. between the aqueous emulsion in the sump and the temperature of the compressed water vapor and noncondensable gases.

Abstract: There is now provided a method of recycling toluenediisocyanate residue resulting from the production of toluenediisocyanate by the reaction of toluenediamine by phosgenation in the presence of a solvent. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the toluenediisocyanate residue is treated at reflux with an alkanolamine to obtain an intermediary product which is distilled thereby giving rise to various products including but not limited to at least one component selected from toluenediamine, oxazolidone and hydroxyethylimidiazolidone. Preferably the alkanolamine employed is a monoethanolamine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the separation of tar and non-volatile reagents from a reaction mixture formed when chlorinated carbon compounds are allowed to react with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in a liquid phase to form fluorinated carbon compounds. The disclosed process leaves tar essentially free of HF and in a form allowing for safe, easy, and economical transfer and disposal.

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: A method for continuously extracting a solute from a carrier medium. A volatile solvent is placed in a lower distillation chamber of a vessel, the vessel including a convergent baffle disposed to separate the vessel into a lower distillation chamber and an upper extraction chamber. The convergent baffle is contoured to converge to define a conduit riser projecting upwardly into the extraction chamber and terminating in a vaporized solvent port placing the distillation chamber in fluid flow communication with the extraction chamber. A carrier medium containing a solute to be extracted is placed in the extraction chamber. The volatile solvent in the distillation chamber is then vaporized. The vaporized solvent flows upwardly and is converged through the convergent baffle and conduit riser. The converged vapor stream passes through the vaporized solvent port into the carrier medium, flowing through the carrier medium and inducing a linear-torroidal flow in the carrier medium.