Abstract: Processes for manufacturing a purified aromatic carboxylic acid include contacting crude aromatic carboxylic acid with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst in a hydrogenation reactor to form a purified aromatic carboxylic acid; separating vapor effluent from the purified aromatic carboxylic acid; scrubbing the vapor effluent to form a scrubber effluent; treating the scrubber effluent vapor to form a gaseous treated scrubber effluent and a liquid treated scrubber effluent; and removing at least a portion of organic impurities from the liquid treated scrubber effluent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of an at least bidentate organic compound comprised in a porous metal-organic framework material, the material comprising the at least bidentate organic compound coordinated to at least one metal ion, the process comprising the steps of (a) treating the metal-organic framework material with an acidic or alkaline liquid; (b) optionally separating off solid residue; and (c) isolating the at least bidentate organic compound.

Abstract: In a process for recovering water, metals, soluble organics and insoluble organics from a process for the production of a polycarboxylic acid, the stream is cooled to a temperature at which dissolved organics precipitate. The precipitate organics are separated from a liquid stream and recycled to the production process. The liquid stream is then treated with an alkali to convert remaining organics to the alkali salt form and the metals present to be converted to an insoluble form. The insoluble metals are recovered from a liquid stream and this liquid stream, with the alkali salts of the organics, is passed to a membrane separation unit where it is separated into a permeate comprising water and a retentate comprising water and alkali organic salts. The permeate is recovered and recycled to the production process. The retentate also is recovered.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound is described. The process includes contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising a precursor of at least one ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent to produce an oxidation product comprising at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing terephthalic acid using a p-xylene stream enriched with p-toluic acid are described. The apparatus includes first and second reactor zones. The reactor zones can be in the same reactor or in different reactors.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound is described. The process includes oxidizing the alkyl-aromatic compound to produce a first oxidation product; contacting at least a portion of the first oxidation product, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent to produce a second product comprising a mother liquor and at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid; and adding at least a portion of the mother liquor in the contacting step.

Abstract: Methods of purifying crude or contaminated terephthalic acid using ionic liquids are described. Crude or contaminated terephthalic acid is contacted with a solvent in the absence of an oxidizing agent to form a purified product having at least 30 wt % less 4-carboxybenzaldehyde compared to the crude or contaminated terephthalic acid. The solvent consists essentially of an ionic liquid, optionally an ionic solid or a material capable of forming an ionic salt, and optionally an aqueous solvent. The ionic liquid is formed in situ from at least one ionic liquid precursor.

Abstract: A method of decreasing an amount of an aromatic aldehyde in a product is described. The method includes reacting the aromatic aldehyde in the presence of a reaction medium comprising a nucleophilic solvent, or an ionic liquid and a carboxylic acid, the reaction taking place in the absence of a hydrogenating agent and an oxidizing agent, to form aromatic carboxylic acid, an aromatic alcohol, or both.

Abstract: In this invention, a portion of the products from a pyrolysis reactor are reacted in a process to form one or more chemical intermediates.

Abstract: Impure aromatic carboxylic acids such as are obtained by liquid phase oxidation of feed materials comprising aromatic compounds with substituent groups oxidizable to carboxylic acid groups, or comprising aromatic carboxylic acid and one or more aromatic carbonyl impurities that form hydrogenated species more soluble in aqueous solvents or with less color or color-forming tendencies than the aromatic carbonyl impurity, are purified to an aromatic carboxylic acid product with lower levels of impurities by a process comprising contacting an aqueous solution comprising the impure aromatic carboxylic acid with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure with an attrition-resistance, acid stable catalyst composition comprising at least one hydrogenation catalyst metal and a support comprising relatively high surface area silicon carbide.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle, control is executed to operate an engine with fuel injection being performed, when an unexecuted percentage of catalyst degradation suppression control is equal to or greater than a threshold value of the unexecuted percentage, when a power storage percentage of a battery is equal to or greater than a threshold value of the power storage percentage and the battery is charging, and also when a vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a threshold value of the vehicle speed and a cumulative air amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value of the cumulative air amount, when a catalyst temperature is less than a first threshold temperature and equal to or greater than a second threshold temperature, when the catalyst temperature is equal to or greater than the first threshold temperature, when there is a braking request while the engine is operating.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently producing aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., terephthalic acid). In one embodiment the process/apparatus reduces costs by recovering and purifying residual terephthalic acid present in the liquid phase of an initial oxidation slurry. In another embodiment the process apparatus reduces costs associated with hydrogenation by forming a final composite product containing unhydrogenated acid particles.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and apparatus for producing a carboxylic acid. The processes employ a concentration section disposed before and/or after a product isolation section, which allows for oxidation byproducts produced in the process to exit the product isolation section with the isolated carboxylic acid product and/or to be combined with the isolated carboxylic acid product downstream of the product isolation section at a rate of at least about 15 percent of the net make rate of the oxidation byproducts in the production process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically producing aromatic discarboxylic acids. The process reduces costs associated with hydrogenation by forming a final composite product containing unhydrogenated acid particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a benzenedicarrboxylic acid such as terephthalic acid wherein a dialkyl benzene compound and acetic acid having catalyst components dissolved therein are fed to a first reaction zone wherein the dialkyl benzene compound is oxidized with molecular oxygen to provide a first oxidation zone product comprising a benzenedicarboxylic acid containing minor amounts of mono-carboxylic acid by-products such as carboxybenzaldehyde and toluic acid. The first oxidation zone product comprising a slurry of a benzenedicarboxylic acid containing minor amounts of mono-carboxylic acid by-products is fed to a second oxidation reaction zone that is operated under more severe conditions of temperature and pressure. The rate of the feed of a molecular oxygen containing gas to the second oxidation zone is about 3% or less of the the rate of the feed of the molecular oxygen containing gas to the first oxidation zone.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities from a mother liquor comprising a carboxylic acid, a metal catalyst, impurities by (a) evaporating the mother liquor comprising a carboxylic acid, the metal catalyst, impurities, water and a solvent in a first evaporator zone to produce a vapor stream and a concentrated mother liquor stream; (b) evaporating the concentrated mother liquor stream in a second evaporator zone to form a solvent rich stream and a super concentrated mother liquor stream; (c) separating organic impurities with a water-solvent solution from the super concentrated mother liquor in a solid-liquid separation zone to form an aqueous stream and a second aqueous stream; (d) mixing in a mixing zone water and optionally and extraction solvent with the aqueous stream and second aqueous stream to form an aqueous mixture; and (e) adding an extraction solvent to the aqueous mixture in an extraction zone to form an extract stream and a raffinate stream.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities from a mother liquor comprising a carboxylic acid, a metal catalyst, impurities by (a) evaporating the mother liquor comprising a carboxylic acid, a metal catalyst, impurities and a solvent in a first evaporator zone to produce a vapor stream and a concentrated mother liquor stream; (b) evaporating the concentrated mother liquor stream in a second evaporator zone to form a solvent rich stream and a super concentrated mother liquor stream; (c) mixing in a mixing zone a water-solvent solution and optionally an extraction solvent with the super concentrated mother liquor stream to form an aqueous mixture; (d) optionally separating organic impurities from the aqueous mixture in a solid-liquid separation zone to form a purified aqueous mixture; and (e) extracting the aqueous mixture or purified aqueous mixture with an extraction solvent in an extraction zone to form an extract stream and the raffinate stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to produce a purified carboxylic acid slurry. The process comprises removing impurities from a crystallized product in a solid liquid displacement zone to form the purified carboxylic acid slurry. The process produces purified carboxylic acid slurry having good color and low impurity levels without the use of purification steps like hydrogenation or an impurity removal process.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities from an aqueous mixture or purified aqueous by extracting the aqueous mixture or purified aqueous mixture with an extraction solvent in an extraction zone to form an extract stream and the raffinate stream; and optionally separating the extract stream and a solvent rich stream in a separation zone to form a high boiling point organic impurities stream and a recovered extraction solvent stream.

Abstract: In this invention, a process is provided by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture suitable as starting material for a polyester production is obtained from a decolorized carboxylic acid solution without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, in this invention, a process is provided by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture suitable as starting material for a polyester production is obtained from a decolorized terephthalic acid solution without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.

Abstract: In this invention, a process is provided by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture suitable as starting material for a polyester production is obtained from a decolorized carboxylic acid solution without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, in this invention, a process is provided by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture suitable as starting material for a polyester production is obtained from a decolorized terephthalic acid solution without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of terephthalic acid by a plurality of process steps including the catalyst oxidation of a dialkylbenzene compound, a second oxidation, a hydrogenation of the product of the second oxidation, and crystallization of the hydrogenation terephthalic acid using a plurality of series-connected crystallizers.

Abstract: In a process for reducing the visible color of a crude aromatic dicarboxylic acid containing colored contaminants, an aqueous ammonia solution of the crude aromatic dicarboxylic acid is prepared and contacted with hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a heterogeneous metal-containing catalyst that includes a noble metal and a support. The process is carried out under conditions of temperature, pressure, and contact time effective to reduce the visible color of the aromatic dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to produce a purified carboxylic acid slurry. The process comprises removing impurities from a crystallized product in a solid liquid displacement zone to form the purified carboxylic acid slurry. The purified carboxylic acid slurry is further cooled in a cooling zone and subsequently filtered and dried in a filtration and drying zone. The process produces purified carboxylic acid product having good color and low impurity levels without the use of purification steps like hydrogenation or filtrate purge.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process for separating and recovering post-consumer polyester from various contaminant materials. The invention can be utilized to separate post-consumer polyester from various contaminants including glass, dirt, paper, metal, glue, dye, and the like. The disclosed process includes several stages including a preparation stage, in which a portion of the contaminants can be removed from the polyester, as well as a reaction stage, in which a portion of the polyester can be saponified and contaminants can be physically separated from the polyester. In addition, during the reaction stage, certain hard-to-separate contaminants, such as aluminum and polyvinyl chloride, can react to a form more easily separable from the polyester.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to produce a purified carboxylic acid slurry. The process comprises removing impurities from a crystallized product in a solid liquid displacement zone to form the purified carboxylic acid slurry. The process produces purified carboxylic acid slurry having good color and low impurity levels without the use of purification steps like hydrogenation or an impurity removal process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning crude terephthalic acid by means of catalytic, hydrogenating aftertreatment using a catalyst material containing at least one hydrogenation metal applied to a carbon carrier consisting of carbon fibres. The invention also relates to a catalyst consisting of the at least one catalyst material containing the at least one hydrogenation metal applied to the carbon fibres, the BET surface of the carbon carrier being <500 m2/g, and a monolithic catalyst consisting of said at least one catalyst material containing the at least one hydrogenation material applied to the carbon fibres, and at least one support element or skeleton element which differs from the catalyst material and is connected to the same, said element mechanically supporting the catalyst material and maintaining the same in a monolithic form.

Abstract: Crude polycarboxylic acid is slurried in an aqueous medium and the slurry is brought into contact with a metal catalyst while preventing catalyst components thereof from contaminating crystals. Since hydrogenation or decarbonylation of a polymerization inhibitory substance or a substance causing coloration can efficiently proceed at a low temperature while suppressing side reactions, a product having such a quality as to permit direct use thereof as such for polymerization can be obtained with good productivity. Also, since the contact temperature can be lowered, simplification of apparatus and energy saving may be attained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing bromoisophthalic acid compounds, particularly 5-bromoisophthalic acid compounds and 4,5-dibromoisophthalic acid compounds comprising brominating an isophthalic acid compound of the general formula (1) wherein R1 and R2 independently of one another are hydrogen atom or C1-6 alkyl, with bromine in a solvent containing sulfur trioxide. The object of the invention is to provide a process for preparing bromoisophthalic acid compounds, particularly 5-bromoisophthalic acid compounds and 4,5-dibromoisophthalic acid compounds in a highly selective manner by using bromine that is industrially inexpensive.

Abstract: A process for the production of an aromatic carboxylic acid comprising contacting in the presence of a catalyst, within a continuous flow reactor, one or more precursors of the aromatic carboxylic acid with an oxidant, such contact being effected with said precursor(s) and the oxidant in an aqueous solvent comprising water under supercritical conditions or near supercritical conditions close to the supercritical point such that said one or more precursors, oxidant and aqueous solvent constitute a substantially single homogeneous phase in the reaction zone, wherein the contact of at least part of said precursor with said oxidant is contemporaneous with contact of said catalyst with at least part of said oxidant.

Abstract: A method for purifying crude 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid includes a reduction step of reducing crude 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid containing 6-formyl-2-naphthoic acid with hydrogen and a cleaning step of cleaning the reduction product with alcohol. Preferably, in the reduction step, the crude 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and the hydrogen is brought into contact with a hydrogenation catalyst in a liquid phase, and particularly in water. The method makes the purification process less complex and makes it possible to produce high-purity 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid without damaging equipment or increasing cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalyst compositions for purifying terephthalic acid from p-carboxybenzaldehyde, based on Group VIII metals, comprising crystallites of catalytically active palladium or of palladium and at least one metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements, applied to the surface of a carbon material, wherein a mesoporous graphite-like material with the average mesopore size in the range of from 40 to 400 Å, the proportion of the mesopores in the total pore volume of at least 0.5, and the degree of graphite-similarity of at least 20% is used as the carbon material, in which metal crystallites are distributed in the volume of the carbon material granules in such a manner that the distribution peaks of these crystallites should be at a distance from the outer surface of the granule corresponding to 1-30% of its radius.

Abstract: A process for purifying a naphthalenic carboxylic acid comprising contacting at a temperature below about 575° F. a mixture comprising an impure naphthalenic carboxylic acid and a solvent in the presence of hydrogen gas with a noble metal on carbon catalyst. The process results in reduced amounts of organic impurities in the purified acid when compared to other purification processes.

Abstract: A process for forming reactants useful in the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate includes the steps of: (a) contacting recyclable polyethylene terephthalate with ammonium hydroxide whereby a mixture of ammonium terephthalate and ethylene glycol is formed, (b) separating the ammonium terephthalate, and (c) heating said ammonium terephthalate at a temperature from about 225° C. to about 300° C. to produce terephthalic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering a solution comprising the chemical species obtained by depolymerization of PET from a material containing poly(ethylene terephthalate) in the form of bottles, by making said material react, in the absence of water, with a reagent consisting of one or more metal salts of a weaker acid than the terephthalic acid and of ethylene glycol, until a water-soluble intermediate product is obtained, and subsequently carrying out dissolution in water, stirring and filtering.

Abstract: A high-purity naphthalenedicarboxylic acid is produced by a method including Steps [1] and [2]: In Step [I], a raw mixture of crude terephthalic acid and crude naphthalenedicarboxylic acid is dissolved into high-temperature high-pressure water to form a dibasic acid solution wherein the crude naphthalenedicarboxylic acid content is 0.1 to 10 mass percent of the crude terephthalic acid content, the dibasic acid solution is brought into contact with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. In Step [II], the resultant in the dibasic acid solution is crystallized by multiple stages while the temperature and the pressure are reduced for each stage, and acid mixtures containing enriched naphthalenedicarboxylic acid or enriched terephthalic acid are obtained by solid-liquid separation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning crude terephthalic acid by means of catalytic, hydrogenating aftertreatment using a catalyst material containing at least one hydrogenation metal applied to a carbon carrier consisting of carbon fibres. The invention also relates to a catalyst consisting of the at least one catalyst material containing the at least one hydrogenation metal applied to the carbon fibres, the BET surface of the carbon carrier being <500 m2/g, and a monolithic catalyst consisting of said at least one catalyst material containing the at least one hydrogenation material applied to the carbon fibres, and at least one support element or skeleton element which differs from the catalyst material and is connected to the same, said element mechanically supporting the catalyst material and maintaining the same in a monolithic form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering terephthalic acid from a material containing poly(ethylene terephthalate) (P.E.T.) in the form of bottles, by making said material react, in the absence of water, with a reagent consisting of one or more metal salts of a weaker acid than the terephthalic acid, until a water-soluble compound is obtained, and subsequently carrying out dissolution in water and acidification.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for industrially advantageously producing at a good yield respectively, a hydrogenated aromatic polycarboxylic acid and an acid anhydride thereof each having a high purity. The present invention provides processes for producing a hydrogenated aromatic polycarboxylic acid by (1) hydrogenating an aromatic polycarboxylic acid at a hydrogen partial pressure of 1 MPa or more by a batch system in the presence of a catalyst containing rhodium and palladium in a proportion of 0.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for purifying a mixture of crude aromatic acids comprising at least one benzene carboxylic acid and at least one naphthalene carboxylic acid. The purification method of the present invention provides a purified aromatic acid mixture useful in the manufacture of ultraviolet light resistance polyesters.

Abstract: Granular product of 2-hydroxynaphthalene-3-carboxylic acid with well-suppressed dusting tendency, and process for preparing the same is provided. Granular product of 2-hydroxynaphthalene-3-carboxylic acid having an average particle size of 150 &mgr;m or more and a hardness of 70-3000 g, and a process for preparing the same comprising the steps of dry compressing powdery 2-hydroxynaphthalene-3-carboxylic acid to give compressed material and pulverizing and classifying the same.

Abstract: Processes for producing aromatic monomers useful for forming polyesters are disclosed. Cost effective steps employed in the processes permit small amounts of process-related materials typically removed from monomer to remain in an aromatic monomer product. In many cases, the presence of the process-related materials left in the monomer product by the cost effective process steps can enhance the performance of the monomer in certain applications.

Abstract: Chelating agents (chelants) of the general structure: wherein: n=2-4 X=—CR1R2—, or whereby at least two of X are of formula III Y=COOH, —PO3H2 or o-hydroxyphenyl R1, R2 and R3 are independently H or C1-C8 alkyls m=1, 2 or 3 and most preferably m=1 Z and Z1 are unsubstituted or substituted C C*=C or CH or N Z1, Z2, Z′1, and Z′2 are independently selected from H (or nothing for Z2 and Z′2 if C* is N) and C1-C10 groups that optionally contain one or more N atoms (optionally attached directly to C*), whereby one of the pairs Z/Z1, Z/Z2 and Z1/Z2 and one of the pairs Z′/Z′1, Z′1/Z′2 and Z′/Z′2 may be connected to form substituted or unsubstituted (hetero)(poly)cyclic structures of less than 20 atoms. C* is either part of an aromatic (hetero)(poly)cyclic structure or linked by a double bond to Z or Z2 and/or Z′ or Z′2.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for manufacturing terephthalic acid and more particularly, to a process for manufacturing and recovering the highly purified terephthalic acid, in accordance with the practice of this invention comprising the following procedurses: alkali weight-reduction waste water discharged from weight-reduction process in a polyester textile dyeing complex is dissolved in water, adsorbed to remove impurities, and through acid-neutralization, terephthalic acid of this invention may be obtained.

Abstract: Processes for producing aromatic monomers useful for forming polyesters are disclosed. Cost effective steps employed in the processes permit small amounts of process-related materials typically removed from monomer to remain in an aromatic monomer product. In many cases, the presence of the process-related materials left in the monomer product by the cost effective process steps can enhance the performance of the monomer in certain applications. Aromatic monomer products and polymers produced therefrom having these advantages also are disclosed, as well as products such as pasteurizable bottles made from these polymers.

Abstract: An aromatic dicarboxylic acid is purified by oxidizing m-xylene or p-xylene to produce crude isophthalic acid or crude terephthalic acid, respectively. The products of the oxidizing step are hydrogenated in the presence of a palladium catalyst. Carbon monoxide is introduced during the hydrogenation step. The palladium catalyst is provided on a carbon substrate. The products of the oxidizing step are dissolved in a solvent, which may be water, prior to the hydrogenation step. The products of the oxidizing step may be dissolved at an elevated temperature, above the normal boiling point of the solvent. The oxidation step produces isophthalic acid, 3-carboxybenzaldehyde and fluorenones in the case of oxidizing m-xylene and produces terephthalic acid, 4-carboxybenzaldehyde and fluorenones in the case of oxidizing p-xylene.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aromatic carboxylic acid having improved purity comprising contacting at an elevated temperature and pressure a mixture comprising an impure aromatic carboxylic acid and a solvent in the presence of hydrogen gas with a carbon catalyst which is essentially free of a hydrogenation metal component.

Abstract: An improved process for producing highly pure aromatic carboxylic acid from an impure solid acid product whereby the solid acid product is efficiently dissolved in a suitable solvent at relatively low temperatures despite the presence of solid lumps.

Abstract: A subject of the invention is the method of recovery of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol from poly/ethylene terephthalate/wastes. According to the invention poly/ethylene terephthalate/ is heated in an aqueous solution at the temperature from 150° C. to 280° C. with a reagent substance, chosen from the group, comprising bicarbonates of ammonia and alkali metals, ammonium carbamate and urea, which substances are used in amounts not less than a stoechiometric amount.