Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing di- and more highly oxidized carboxylic acids from a compound selected from a first group consisting of carbohydrates, carbohydrate derivatives and carbohydrate derivatives having more than one primary alcohol group, comprising oxidizing, in an aqueous solution in a concentration between 0.1% and 60%, the compound selected from said first group and a compound selected from a second group consisting of monooxidized carbohydrates, monooxidized carbohydrate derivatives and monooxidized carbohydrate derivatives having more than one primary alcohol group, with one of oxygen and an oxygen-containing gas, on one of a noble metal catalyst and a mixed metal catalyst; electrodialyzing the oxidized compounds in at least one electrodialysis stage; and removing said di- and more highly oxidized carboxylic acids in said at least one electrodialysis stage.

Abstract: A process is described for producing organic acids such as lactic acid. The process includes the steps of producing lactic acid by fermentation, resulting in an aqueous fermentation broth containing lactic acid, and adding a calcium base, such as calcium carbonate, to the fermentation broth, thereby producing calcium lactate in the broth. Biomass is removed from the broth, thereby leaving an aqueous solution or dispersion of calcium lactate. The calcium lactate is reacted with a source of ammonium ions, such as ammonium carbonate, or a mixture of ammonia and carbon dioxide, thereby producing an ammonium lactate. Contaminating cations can be removed by ion exchange. The free lactic acid or a derivative thereof can be separated from the ammonium ions, preferably by salt-splitting electrodialysis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a process for purifying solutions containing a hydroxide compound, including the steps of: (A) providing an electrochemical cell containing an anode, a cathode, a cation selective membrane and a bipolar membrane, the bipolar membrane having an anion selective side facing the anode and a cation selective side facing the cathode, wherein the cation selective membrane is positioned between the anode and the bipolar membrane, and the bipolar membrane is positioned between the cation selective membrane and the cathode, thereby defining a feed compartment between the cation selective membrane and the anode, a recovery compartment between the bipolar membrane and the cation selective membrane, and a water compartment between the bipolar membrane and the cathode; (B) charging a solution of an ionic compound at a first concentration to the water compartment, and water to the recovery compartment; (C) charging a solution containing the hydroxide compound at a second concentra

Abstract: An electric current is passed through a mixed solution containing a saccharide(s) and an organogermanium compound, in a compartment whose anode side is defined by an anion exchange membrane and whose cathode side is defined by a cation exchange membrane, to separate and remove said organogermanium compound. In the present invention, an organogermanium compound can be very effectively separated and recovered from a mixed solution containing a saccharide(s) and said organogermanium compound. The present invention is particularly effective for separation and recovery of an organogermanium compound from a reaction mixture obtained when a compound having an aldose structure is isomerized into a compound having a ketose structure in the presence of said organogermanium compound.

Abstract: A method and integrated apparatus for disposing of an organic halogen compound comprising phosphorus and at least one element selected from the group consisting of sulfur and a metal, in addition to carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, in atomic bond, comprises the steps of ionizing the compound to obtain ionization products, splitting up the ionization products by electrodialysis to obtain ionic end products and residual organic substances, and disposing of the ionic end products and residual organic substances.

Abstract: In a process for an electrochemical treatment of cellulose waste lye, mass transport takes place through a diaphragm or membrane between a cathode chamber and an anode chamber, and optionally through a middle chamber. Cationogenic components are removed from cellulose waste lye containing lignin sulfonates and being located in at least one of the chambers. Lignin sulfonic acids are produced from the waste lye. In an installation for an electrochemical treatment of cellulose waste lye, at least one diaphragm divides at least one reaction vessel into at least one cathode chamber and at least one anode chamber. At least one cathode electrode is disposed in the at least one cathode chamber, and at least one anode electrode is disposed in the at least one anode chamber. The at least one cathode electrode is formed of iron or aluminum and the at least one anode electrode is formed of special steel, in particular V4A steel.

Abstract: Keto compounds are prepared by a condensation reaction in which an enolate is formed, and then a protonation in which the free keto compound is produced. In accordance with the invention, both condensation and protonation are carried out in one step by electrodialysis. Transesterification can also be carried out in the same step.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a process for purifying solutions containing a hydroxide compound, including the steps of: (A) providing an electrochemical cell containing an anode, a cathode, a cation selective membrane and an anion selective membrane, wherein the cation selective membrane is positioned between the cathode and the anion selective membrane, and the anion selective membrane is positioned between the cation selective membrane and the anode, thereby defining a feed compartment between the cation selective membrane and the anion selective membrane, a recovery compartment between the cathode and the cation selective membrane, and a water compartment between the anion selective membrane and the anode; (B) charging a solution of an ionic compound at a first concentration to the water compartment, and water to the recovery compartment; (C) charging a solution of the hydroxide compound at a second concentration to the feed compartment; (D) passing a current through the cell to produce the

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ascorbic acid starting from an ascorbate is characterized in that an ascorbate, e.g. sodium ascorbate, dissolved in water is decomposed under the influence of an electric field by means of ion-selective membranes into ascorbate ions and cations and the latter are separated spatially from one another and then, as a result of simultaneous generation of protons and hydroxide ions, the ascorbic acid is prepared from the liberated ascorbate ions and protons and, spatially separated therefrom, the corresponding hydroxide, e.g. sodium hydroxide, is also prepared from the cations and hydroxide ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for reducing the fouling of ion-selective membranes used in the electrodialytic purification of organic acids. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of nanofiltration and chelating agents for removal of impurities from an organic acid-containing feed material to reduce the fouling of ion-selective membranes used in electrodialysis.

Abstract: A process for reducing the content of organic and inorganic halogen in an aqueous solution of a nitrogen-containing epihalohydrin-based resin, in which process the aqueous resin solution is subjected to an electrodialysis treatment. The aqueous resin solutions obtained by the process are used as additives in the production of paper, board and paper board, in particular as wet-strength agents.

Abstract: A separation system to prepare a high .alpha.-glycosyl-L-ascorbic acid content product involves the use of a specific anion-exchange membrane having a molecular weight cut-off in the range of about 100-1,000. The system readily separates .alpha.-glycosyl-L-ascorbic acid from L-ascorbic acid and other impurities and provides a relatively-high yield.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of keto compounds from the associated alkali metal salts, in which process protonation is carried out by electrodialysis in a nonaqueous medium without the addition of acid which is foreign to the system, and the keto compounds are thereby liberated.

Abstract: Salt-free aqueous solutions of bisaminoxyalkanes (I) are prepared by a process in whicha) a dihaloalkane (II) is converted with a ketoxime (III) in an aqueous solution of a strong mineral base into the alkylene bisoxime ether (IV),b) the alkylene bisoxime ether (IV) is cleaved with a strong mineral acid and water to give the ketone and the salt of the mineral acid with the bisaminoxyalkane (I), and the ketone is separated off in a conventional manner,c) an alkali metal hydroxide is added to the remaining aqueous solution to liberate the bisaminoxyalkane (I) andd) the ionic components are removed from the resulting aqueous solution by electrodialysis.