Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions of drying agents of superabsorbent polymers, molecular sieves and mixtures thereof and binders of polyurethane foam, polyisocyanurate foam and supports comprising cellulose and a method for separating, drying and/or filtering chemical mixtures. The composition and method of the invention have broad applicability. They may be used for example to remove water from chemical mixtures like refrigerants (e.g., in vehicular refrigeration systems), air (e.g., in vehicular braking systems), natural gas and cleaning solvents (e.g., used in semiconductor manufacture and pipeline cleaning).

Abstract: Process for dewatering organic liquids admixed with water wherein the admixture is brought into contact with a molecular sieve. The moleculat sieve is pretreated so as to reduce its acid site concentration and attain an ammonia TPD value of 18 mmol/g or less prior to contact with the admixture. The present invention relates to a process for dewatering organic liquids admixed with water, said process comprising bringing the admixture into contact with a molecular sieve, characterized in that the molecular sieve is pretreated so as to reduce its acid site concentration and attain an ammonia TPD value of 18 mmol/g or less prior to contact with the admixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for removing water and/or surfactants from lipophilic fluids, absorbent materials employed in such processes, and lipophilic fluids produced by such processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for removing contaminants from lipophilic fluids, adsorbent materials employed in such processes, and lipophilic fluids produced by such processes.

Abstract: A fuel filter having a formulation of a stable intermetallic compound of materials such as tin and antimony. The filter may have an integral porous structure or may be in the form of particles. It removes trace metal ions such as Ca and Na ions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating water-containing solvent mixtures having two or more phases, using one or two gravitational separators (4, 16) and to the use of this apparatus, and also to a process for separating water-containing solvent mixtures having two or more phases. Using the novel apparatus it is possible to separate even small-density-difference solvent mixtures having two or more phases. To this end, a coalescence separator (1) has been provided upstream of the first gravitational separator (4).

Abstract: A composition comprising a magnesium halide coated macroporous carbonaceous substrate is provided for effecting moisture removal from a hydrogen halide fluid. Moisture removal is effected by intimately contacting the hydrogen halide fluid with the magnesium halide coated macroporous carbonaceous substrate and separating the fluid from the coated substrate.

Abstract: Invention relates to methods for water removal from oil, oil products, gas condensate, and liquid hydrocarbons. The suggested invention aims at a more efficient water removal from the flows of hydrocarbons of different origin. Technical task of water removal is implemented via the selective filtration of hydrocarbons through a filtering element consisting of three tilted beds, wherein the first and the third beds are made of a porous-cellular metal or alloy with hydrophobic surface, while intermediate one is made of hydrophilic materials such as the porous-cellular metal or alloy with modified surface, celluloid foam or the cartridges filled with glass balls or glass fiber. The suggested method allows a high degree of water removal from the hydrocarbon medium under continuous regime without water phase settling. Apparatus for the implementation of this method is also described.

Abstract: A system for removal of water from a hydrocarbon fluid flowing through a conduit having a support body structured to hold a filter within the conduit. The filter includes a super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophilic substance bound with a medium. The support body is attachable to a tank opening. The support body has a longitudinal part with an adjustable length so as to extend toward a bottom of the tank. The support body is telescopic with perforations formed thereon so as to allow hydrocarbon fluid to encounter the filter.

Abstract: A system for removal of water from a hydrocarbon fluid, such as a fuel emulsion in a tank or flowing through a conduit that is used from time to time for delivering fuel to a household or consumer device, including a filter with a super-absorbent, hydrophilic, oleophobic substance bound with a medium to prevent separation and a support body structured to hold the filter, the filter being removable in order to be cleaned and reused or to be discarded and replaced by another filter.

Abstract: Difluoromethane (R-32) is of current interest as a partial replacement for chlorodifluoromethane (R-22) refrigerant heretofore widely used in vapor compression refrigeration systems. R-32 has, however, proved to be more reactive than is desirable with the zeolite A adsorbent-desiccant compositions used in such systems to prevent corrosion and freeze-up problems. The potassium cation form of a zeolite A molecular sieve—with at least 60 percent of the sodium cations replaced with potassium ions, agglomerated with a clay binder, and pore-reduced to essentially exclude the adsorption of R-32 having essentially no reactivity with difluoromethane, and having a surface ratio of silicon to aluminum of less than about 1.7 mol/mol as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy—has been found to be an effective desiccant for refrigerants comprising difluoromethane.

Abstract: The invention relates to separating different substances, more concretely, to a method and apparatus for filters, degassing, dehydrating and removing products of ageing in insulating and other petroleum oils. The technical result is that the aforesaid phases of processing oil or a mixture of oils are ensured with high efficiency for a single passage through an active component, and also the possibility of regenerating the adsorbents being used is ensured during the process of operation of the equipment, with simultaneous simplification of the construction and reduction of size and of power consumption. The apparatus 1 for filtering, degassing, dehydrating and removing products of ageing comprises at least one tank 2, in which are disposed cylindrical partitions 3, 4 filled with an adsorbent 5 and secured in the tank 2 by means of fixing elements 6. Partitions 3, 4 form channels for the passage of oil being processed.

Abstract: Minute quantities of water in a terpene cleaning solvent cause a reaction with certain metals, particularly lead, tin and copper, which reactions are responsible for corrosion of the metal. Such reactions can be reduced or substantially eliminated by exposing the cleaning solvent to a molecular sieve prior to the cleaning operation. The molecular sieve typically includes a plurality of beads of zeolite to which the cleaning solvent is exposed. The molecular sieve traps the water molecules from the solvent so that, after treatment, the solvent contains substantially no water molecules.

Abstract: A halohydrocarbon solvent recovery process. The process in one embodiment included heating a gross mixture including solvent, fatty-acid impurities and water in a bath to vaporize at least a portion of the solvent and the impurities. A portion of the vapor is then condensed in a reflux condenser to form a condensate mixture. After drying and impurity adsorption, a solvent product of at least 99% purity may be recovered. In one embodiment, the gross mixture is obtained from steam stripping dry-cleaner filter cartridges.

Abstract: A bag type device (2) for extracting water from oil includes a bag (3) with an outer layer of felt (20) lined by at least one layer (22) of water absorbing laminate. The interior of the bag is composed of a plurality of slit sheets of water absorbing laminate forming a plurality of finger-like strips (35) depending from adjacent the top of the bag. The strips are preferably longer than the length of the bag. The bag and the water-absorbing layers within the bag are supported by a wire ring (30) stitched into a hem around the open upper end of the bag. As oil is passed through the bag, the finger-like strips provide an increased surface area for absorption of water from the oil. The strips can expand inwardly and toward the oil flow to prevent back-pressure build up within the bag.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing water from a dielectric oil includes first and second spaced-apart electrically conductive walls, a bed of molecular sieves between the first and second walls, and a device for measuring the capacitance across the bed of molecular sieves between the first and second walls.

Abstract: Crystals of the Zeolite Analcime (Analcite) Na.sub.2 O.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.4SiO.sub.2.2H.sub.2 O are provided having a largest dimension greater than 50 micron. A method for preparing such crystals by mixing aqueous solutions of aluminium sulphate and sodium metasilicate, allowing a gel to form then heating, is provided. The presence of an organic water-miscible base encourages an increased crystal size. The crystals retain water strongly and a use for them in long term immobilisation of tritiated waste water is provided.

Abstract: A fluid-collecting device for collecting fluid from a fuel tank having an opening leading to the inside thereof including an elongated bag which is of a size which can pass through the opening, desiccant material in the bag, an elongated cord sewn to the top of the bag, and a disc to which the outer end of the cord is attached, the disc being of a larger size than the opening so that it cannot enter the opening, to thereby provide access to the outer end of the cord which can be grasped to withdraw the bag of desiccant material from the tank.

Abstract: A process for separating polar substances (preferably water, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, nitriles) from hydrocarbon fluids employs a sorbent comprising aluminum borate and zirconium borate. Preferably, the sorbent composition has been prepared by coprecipitation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a fluid stream wherein the fluid stream is passed through a first filtering zone to remove particulate materials therefrom above a first preselected micron level, then through a desiccant media bed zone including a multiplicity of desiccant beads to dry the fluid stream and then through a second filtering zone to remove particulate materials therefrom above a second preselected micron level below said first micron level so as to remove smaller particulate materials including particulates from said first filtering zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing water traces from a liquid phosgene stream in chemical processes which employ a phosgenation step. Water traces are removed from a liquid phosgene stream containing at least 60 weight percent phosgene by contacting the stream with a strongly basic macroreticular anion exchange resin which catalyzes the reaction between phosgene and the water traces.

Abstract: Difluoromethane (R32) is of current interest as a partial replacement for chlorodifluoromethane (R22) refrigerant heretofore widely used in vapor compression refrigeration systems. R32 has, however, proved to be more reactive than is desirable with the zeolite A adsorbent-desiccant compositions used in such systems to prevent corrosion and freeze-up problems. The sodium cation form of a zeolite having the crystal structure of zeolite B is found to be an effective adsorbent for that purpose and to be significantly less reactive with the R32.

Abstract: An adsorption system, such as a composite drier-bed, having at least two distinct adsorption regions for simultaneously drying and removing metallic/inorganic and organic forms of mercury from a fluid including a container having an entrance area and an exit area; a distinct first region located within said container and proximal to said entrance area of a porous substrate having elemental silver associated therewith; and a distinct second region adjacent thereto of a porous substrate having elemental gold associated therewith. The first region substantially removes water and metallic forms of mercury and the second region substantially removes organic forms of mercury and residual water from said fluid. A method of removing both metallic and organic mercury simultaneously with water as well as a means for regenerating the drier-bed is also disclosed.

Abstract: Lube oil basestocks having an oil/water interfacial tension (.gamma. o/w) of less than 41 mN/m, preferably less than about 35 mN/m which exhibit unacceptable demulsibility can have their demulsibility performance improved by contacting said lube oil basestock with an acidic ion exchange resin, such as Amberlyst AR-15, or with silica. The treated lube oil base stock exhibits an oil/water interfacial tension (.gamma. o/w) of at least about 41 mN/m, preferably at least about 42 mN/m.

Abstract: A system and method for removing contaminants in a fluid, particularly water from lubricating oil, is provided which may comprise a particulate zeolitic adsorbent in conjunction with a non-porous PTFE barrier that has been modified to be permeable to water and impermeable to oil. Such a system is capable of reducing the level of water in lubricating oil to less than 100 parts per million.

Abstract: Mercury is often removed as an impurity from process fluid streams by adsorption in fixed beds using any of several well-known adsorbents having the ability to selectively adsorb mercury. It is also common to reintroduce this sequestered mercury into the environment by means of the spent gas used to periodically regenerate the fixed beds. A solution to this problem is provided by the present invention in which the mercury is removed from the process stream using at least two cyclically regenerated adsorption beds in combination with a condenser whereby upon regeneration of one bed, the regeneration stream effluent therefrom is treated in the condenser to recover the bulk of the mercury as liquid mercury and recycling the overhead from the condenser to another bed engaged in the adsorption-purification of fresh feedstock.

Abstract: A process for dewatering an aqueous fluid containing solids using water-absorbent substances is disclosed. A water-absorbent substance and a body to which the solids will adhere are added to the solids-containing aqueous fluid. The water-absorbent substance absorbs water and the solids coat the solids-adhering body. The water-laden substance may then be separated from the solid-adhering body that is coated with solids, thereby separating the water and the solids.

Abstract: A device for removing water from an aqueous phase at the bottom of a hydrocarbon fuel tank has an elongated tubular frame with open areas defined by longitudinal members and circumferential ribs. A pad of cotton carrying a coating of highly water-absorbent particles on its inner surface is disposed over the frame, and the pad is enclosed on the outside by one or more layers of cotton muslin. An outside cover of a plastic mesh placed over the fabric provides a limit to outward expansion of the pad upon absorption of water and forces expansion of the particles to occur in a radially inward direction. Absorption of water is enhanced by treating the pad with an aqueous solution of a surfactant and by keeping the device enclosed so as to retain its moistened condition until being placed in use. An elongated metal rod placed inside the tube along its axis serves both as a weight to retain the device in place and as a means for grounding any static electricity.

Abstract: Ground water which contains heavy metal ions and toxic volatile organic compounds is purified by passing an air stream through it to purge out the organic compounds, adsorbing the displaced organic compounds on a molecular sieve and destroying them using a strong oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide. This procedure avoids having the heavy metal ions from the water collect on the molecular sieve which causes the destruction of the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Mercury is often removed as an impurity from process fluid streams by adsorption in fixed beds using any of several well-known adsorbents having the ability to selectively adsorb mercury. It is also common to reintroduce this sequestered mercury into the environment by means of the spent gas used to periodically regenerate the fixed beds. A solution to this problem is provided by the present invention in which the mercury is removed from the process stream using a large non-regenerated adsorption bed in combination with a periodically regenerated secondary adsorption bed, the mercury content of the latter being transferred to the former during the regeneration procedure.

Abstract: Water-containing mixtures of at least one hydrocarbon/halocarbon and hydrochloric acid, e.g., the methyl chloride feedstream in conventional process for the synthesis of chloromethanes, are desiccated by intimately contacting such mixtures with an effective drying amount of an essentially anhydrous drying agent that includes (i) a metal sulfate, chloride or perchlorate, or (ii) phosphorus pentoxide.

Abstract: A method of emulsion breaking comprising contacting an emulsion with a substrate having adhered thereto an alkylphenol-polyethylene oxide-acrylate polymer. The emulsion breaking material is used to separate water-in-oil emulsion by coalescence.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst composition comprising a mixture of solid fumaric acid and solid barium chromate useful in removing impurities and residual moisture from such sources as organic drycleaning solvents and petroleum fuels, and methods of using the catalyst composition.

Abstract: A tri-modal filter canister adapted to contemporaneously remove both entrained water and suspended solid particles from non-aqueous fluids, said water and particulate removal functions being separate and substantially severable within said filter canister.

Abstract: A filter device for filtering hydrocarbon fuel, such as gasoline, includes a filter device having a ceramic material which can activate water. The hydrocarbon fuel which is passed through the ceramic material can be activated by the ceramic material. The ceramic material may comprise ceramic particles housed in the filter body, or a powdery ceramic material attached to the filter body, which comprises an elastic network body having interconnected spaces communicating with each other.

Abstract: A bonded woven fabric compartment containing a super absorbent polymer which absorbs atmospheric water, condensate and water in oil for use in enclosures containing instrumentation and electronic equipment. The polymer is a granular form that when it absorbs water swells and does not migrate out of the compartment.

Abstract: A method is described for the absorption of a liquid in which one applies to a body of the liquid an absorbent material which contains dealginated, partially dewatered kelp residue. Other components, such as perlite, may also be present. The absorbent material will have a water content no greater than about 25%, preferably about 5%-10%. The absorbent material may be formed into a wide variety of shapes, including pellets, boards, blocks, granules, flakes, and the like, and in such forms may be applied in a variety of different manners to the liquid to be absorbed. The method is useful in the absorption of many types of liquids, but most importantly oil products.

Abstract: Crystalline molecular sieves having three-dimensional microporous framework structures of ELO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2 and PO.sub.2 framework oxide units are disclosed. The molecular sieves have an empirical chemical composition on an anhydrous basis expressed by the formula:mR: (EL.sub.w Al.sub.x P.sub.y Si.sub.z)O.sub.2wherein "R" represents at least one organic templating agent present in the intracrystalline pore system; "m" represents the molar amount of "R" present per mole of (EL.sub.w Al.sub.x P.sub.y Si.sub.z)O.sub.2 ; "EL" represents at least one element capable of forming a framework oxide unit; and "w", "x", "y" and "z" represent the mole fractions of elements(s) "EL", aluminum, phosphorus and silicon, respectively, present as framework oxides. Their use as adsorbents, catalysts, etc. is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aldehyde in a mixture containing hemiacetals and hydrates of the aldehyde is purified by treating the mixture with an effective amount of microwave radiation to decompose the hemiacetals and hydrates. Liberated water and/or alcohol is immediately removed with an adsorbent.

Abstract: A system for the detection of oil or water leakages having a housing with a plurality of openings. The housing is to have a sufficient volume to permit the expansion of an absorbent material when such is placed within it. Additionally the housing is to have a hollow rod extending from it. Running through the rod is a wire. One end of the wire extends into the housing and holds a weighted member. The other end of the wire is connected to means for signaling persons of the presence of the liquid sought to be detected. When an expandable absorbent material is placed in the housing and the material detects the presence of a particular liquid, the absorbent material expands. This expansion forces the weighted member to push the wire through the hollow rod so that the signaling means are activated. In a modification of the present invention, underground leakages in oil and/or water tanks may also be detected and signaled to persons in the area.

Abstract: Mercury is selectively removed to very low levels of concentration from fluid streams such as natural gas, cracked gas, hydrogen or naphtha by passage of the stream through an adsorbent bed containing particles of a zeolitic molecular sieve having pore diameters of at least 3.0 Angstroms and in which the zeolite crystallites forming the outer shell of the adsorbent particle to a depth of not greater than about 0.1 millimeter into the adsorbent particle, contain ionic or elemental silver. These adsorbent particles are utilized to particular advantage in a compound adsorbent bed containing a desiccant substantially free of silver through which a fluid stream containing both mercury vapor and water vapor is both dried and purified with respect to mercury by passage therethrough, coupled with periodic regeneration of both media using conventional purge desorption methods.

Abstract: A method is provided for the purification and concentration of soy protein comprising mixing an aqueous solution including soy protein along with other water soluble moieties including sugars, salts, and phytins with a solid crosslinked polymer gel selected from the group consisting of N-substituted polyacrylamides and copolymers of N-substituted polyacrylamides; swelling the gel to absorb a portion of the water and other water soluble moieties including sugars, salts, and phytins from the aqueous solution by substantially maintaining the temperature of the gel at a preselected temperature below the lower critical solution temperature of the gel, to yield a concentrated soy protein solution; and separating the concentrated soy protein solution from the swollen gel. The concentrated soy protein solution may be repeatedly subjected to the gel treatment depending on the desired purity of the protein and the desired solids concentration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for removing a solute from a solution. The process comprises maintaining the solution at reflux conditions to produce a vapor which evolves from the reaction solution. At least a portion of the vapor is removed from the zone and is contacted, outside of the reaction zone, with a solid removal agent which is specific for capturing to itself that portion of the vapor which was the solute to be removed and originally present in the reaction solution. After such capture, the remaining vapor is condensed and returned to the reaction zone. In another embodiment, the solute is removed from the solution by first maintaining the solution at reflux conditions in a zone to produce a vapor which evolves from the solution. At least a portion of that vapor is removed from the zone and condensed. The resultant condensate is contacted, outside of the reaction zone, with a solid removal agent which is specific for capturing unto itself the solute from the condensate.

Abstract: Layered divalent metal hydrogen phosphate, MHPO.sub.4.nH.sub.2 O wherein M is a Group IIA or Group IIB element and n ranges from about 0 to 2, is prepared by hydrothermal treatment of an aqueous mixture containing a source of metal oxide, a source of phosphorus oxide and a source of hydrogen atoms, said aqueous mixture having an initial pH ranging between about 3 and 10.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of and apparatus for removing chemical nerve agents such as tabun, sarin and soman and chemical blister agents such as mustard gas and lewisite from a cleaning solvent such that the solvent is rendered contaminant free and safely resuable in future cleaning operations. The solvent, trichlorotrifluoroethene and the contaminants are soluble in one another and are all of non-polar configuration. Removal is effected by preferential adsorption of the contaminants from the solvent. Effective adsorbents are Fuller's Earth, activated charcoal, activated alumina and silica gel.

Abstract: Containment means in the form of water-absorbing polymers are included in the path of a refrigeration cycle to remove accumulated water or water vapor that inherently develops. Such polymers do not lose their efficiency even when they become oil coated, which occurs because lubricating oil is normally circulated with the refrigerant and refrigerants like freon are also somewhat oily. Preferably such containment means are in the form of polymer granules included in a bag or sack placed in a readily-openable canister, which itself is placed inside the housing of a dehydrator. This dehydrator housing also has a readily opened lid held on by a quick-disconnecting clamping means.

Abstract: A separation method utilizing the ability of temperature-sensitive cross-linked polymer gels to selectively extract solvent from a solution of a macromolecular material. A feed solution containing macromolecules is added to a small amount of gel. The gel swells to absorb the low molecular weight solvent, but it cannot absorb the macromolecules. The raffinate, which is now a concentrated macromolecular solution, is drawn off. To regenerate, the filtered gel is warmed, so that its volume decreases sharply. This suddenly decreased volume occurs because the gel is near a critical point. The solvent is removed from the shrunken gel. The temperature of the gel is then lowered; more feed solution is added; and the cycle is begun again.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a water-insolubilized resin of a polymer of at least one monomer selected from N-alkyl- or N-alkylene-substituted acrylamides or methacrylamides represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 mean individually a hydrogen atom or methyl group and R.sub.3 denotes a methyl, ethyl or propyl group, with the proviso that R.sub.3 is an ethyl or propyl group when R.sub.2 stands for a hydrogen atom, and that R.sub.3 is a methyl or ethyl group when R.sub.2 stands for a methyl group, or wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 form --CH.sub.2).sub.4 or --CH.sub.2).sub.2 O--CH.sub.2).sub.2 in combination; or a copolymer of at least one monomer selected from the acrylamides or methacrylamides and another copolymerizable monomer. The resin has water-absorbing capacity which varies in degree depending on temperature and, when heated, undergoes shrinkage even in the presence of a large excess of water to release once-absorbed water.

Abstract: A superabsorbent filter medium which is suitable for manufacturing accordian pleated filter cartridges at high production rates and low cost by using a rotary pleater or scoring machine rather than slower blade-type pleaters. The filter medium is a thin laminate of filter paper, superabsorbent resin powder, and tissue papper, rolled together under pressure and bonded with water vapor. Unlike other commercially available superabsorbent filter media laminates, this construction is thin and flexible enough to be rotary pleated at low cost.

Abstract: A highly hydrophilic material that does not absorb hydrocarbon fuel is contained in a fabric tube, lowered by a drawstring to the bottom of a fuel container, there maintained until water at that position is extracted and thereafter removed for disposition. The hydrophilic material is preferably a graft polymerized starch or gelable polysaccharide such as agarose. The fabric container must be densely woven with fine intracies to contain the hydrolyzed hydrophilic material during placement and especially against fluidic heads during extraction. The fabric material is coated with polymeric material insoluble in hydrocarbon fuel but soluble in water, such as polyvinyl alcohol, to keep the fabric free of hydrocarbon encroachment during initial placement. Static electricity is removed from the system by coating the fabric material with antistatic agents of a surfactant nature and providing a conducting system which is externally grounded.