Abstract: The invention discloses a hydrogenation process for removing impurities and controlling acid for use in downstream processing of biochemically-derived 1,3-propanediol. Preferably, the biochemically-derived 1,3-propanediol, before the contacting, has an initial color and, after the contracting, has a color that is lower than the initial color.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process comprising contacting chemical 1,3-propanediol with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. Preferably, the chemical 1,3-propanediol, before the contacting has an initial color and, after the contacting, has a color that is lower than the initial color.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process comprising contacting chemical 1,3-propanediol with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. Preferably, the chemical 1,3-propanediol, before the contacting has an initial color and, after the contacting, has a color that is lower than the initial color.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of removing organic halogen-containing compounds from a liquid stream mainly containing one or more of the compounds selected from the group consisting of glycol, water and alcohol, which process involves contacting the stream with an ion-exchange material containing basic anions selected from the group of hydroxide, carbonate and bicarbonate.

Abstract: A process for producing glycerin is comprised of the steps of: (1) contacting a fat with water at a temperature and pressure sufficient to produce hydrolyzed fat and a sweet water stream comprised of water, fat and glycerin; (2) introducing the sweet water stream into a vertical constant temperature zone and heating the sweet water stream to a temperature of at least 200° C.; (3) allowing sweet water stream of step (2) to separate into a top layer comprised of fat and a bottom layer comprised of glycerin and water while maintaining a temperature of the two layers of at least about 200° C. for a period of time sufficient to deactivate the prions; (4) separating the glycerin from the water.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting the oxidative degradation of glycerin involving adjusting the pH of glycerin to a range of either: (a) from about 3.5 to about 5.0; or (b) to from about 10.0 to about 12.0.

Abstract: A process is provided to separate 1,3-propanediol, glycerol, or a mixture of 1,3-propanediol and glycerol from a biological mixture using a molecular sieve.

Abstract: A process for greatly improving the color index of polyhydric alcohols, especially trimethylolpropane, by hydrogenation comprises using, in the hydrogenation, an alcohol which has already been purified by distillation. The catalysts used are those conventionally employed in hydrogenations, preferably copper, nickel, palladium or ruthenium catalysts.

Abstract: Volatile compounds may be economically recovered from solids present in aqueous solution by subjecting the solution to rapid separation where the volatilization occurs in a flash, spray, or fluid bed, or mechanically agitated dryers. Rapidly separating the solids from the volatile compound greatly simplifies the isolation of the volatile compounds from water. The methods have utility for fermentation processes, solids management, and recycling processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to triacylglycerol oil-based oligomers and oligomer complexes and methods of making and using same. In more particular, the present invention relates to soybean oil oligomers and oligomer complexes and the methods of making and using these soybean oil oligomers and oligomer complexes as well as the use of these soybean oil oligomers and oligomer complexes for the preparation and production of inks.

Abstract: An unsaturated fatty acid precursor of a natural 1,3-diol derivative, which precursor is the same as that which is naturally present in a cider apple, is enzymatically converted to the natural 1,3-diol derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to triacylglycerol oligomer products and methods of making, using and producing same.

Abstract: A method of producing a highly pure trimethylolpropane from a crude trimethylolpropane obtained by a reaction of n-butyl aldehyde and formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst in a two-stage process of an aldol condensation and a crossed Cannizzaro reaction. Since a high-boiling component and an inorganic salt are removed in advance from the crude trimethylolpropane, hardly removable impurities such as condensation products in the crude trimethylolpropane are changed in the subsequent heat treatment under acidic conditions to components easily removable by distillation. By distilling the heat-treated crude trimethylolpropane, a highly pure trimethylolpropane with a low content of remaining formaldehyde and a low coloring degree is easily obtained.

Abstract: A process for preparing a glycerol from a crude glycerol comprising a glycerol, a diol and water, comprising feeding the crude glycerol to a preparation apparatus comprising two or more, serially connected flash towers and a distillation tower connected to a final flash tower, wherein a bottom fraction of each flash tower is fed to a subsequent flash tower; and adjusting an internal pressure of each flash tower to from 0.13 to 40 kPa, an internal temperature of each flash tower to 140° C. or less, a water content of the bottom fraction of the final flash tower to 0.1% by weight or less, and a pressure at bottom of the distillation tower to from 0.13 to 0.90 kPa.

Abstract: A process for preparing a glycerol from a crude glycerol comprising a glycerol, a diol and water, comprising feeding the crude glycerol to a preparation apparatus comprising two or more, serially connected flash towers and a distillation tower connected to a final flash tower, wherein a bottom fraction of each flash tower is fed to a subsequent flash tower; and adjusting an internal pressure of each flash tower to from 0.13 to 40 kPa, an internal temperature of each flash tower to 140° C. or less, a water content of the bottom fraction of the final flash tower to 0.1% by weight or less, and a pressure at bottom of the distillation tower to from 0.13 to 0.90 kPa.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing and isolating glycols and to a thin-film evaporator which is used in carrying out the process.

Abstract: A water and allylic compound containing propoxylated glycerin stream is reduced in water content by evaporation and flashed at reduced pressure and elevated temperature to reduce the water content to 1000 ppm or less, and thereafter stripping allylic impurities from the propyxylated glycerin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the purification of polyether polyols. This process enables the removal of residual alkaline metal catalyst from produced polyether polyol. It comprises a) adding glycerine to a polyether polyol that contains Group IA alkaline metal catalyst to form a precipitate, and b) separating the precipitate formed in a) to provide a purified polyether polyol. The present invention also relates to the purified polyether polyol produced by this process, the precipitate produced by this process, and the use of the precipitate as an alkaline metal catalyst in a process for the production of polyether polyols.

Abstract: A process for preparing a recyclate polyol obtained from glycolysis of polyurethanes and/or polyurea-polyurethanes comprises reacting scrap polyurethane and/or polyurea-polyurethane with a short-chain compound containing at least 2 OH groups in the presence of a catalyst and admixing a cyclic carbonate. The process results in a recyclate polyol having a low primary aromatic amine content which may be used to produce cellular or non-cellular polyurethanes, polyurea-polyurethanes, or polyisocyanurates.

Abstract: Glycerol, glycidol, glycerol carbonate or 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol is polymerized into preponderantly linear oligomers at 150.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst, selected from RbF, CsF and/or KF impregnated on alumina and zirconium oxide. The alumina is preferably gamma-alumina.

Abstract: A process for preparing diglycerol in high concentrations and high yields by partially reacting glycerol in the presence of an alkaline catalyst to form a reaction mixture containing from 10 to 15% by weight of diglycerol and separating the unreacted glycerol from the reaction mixture in a wiped film or short path first distillation zone at a reduced pressure of 0.5 to 5 mbar and distilling a bottoms product from the first distillation zone in a second distillation zone which is a short path distillation zone at a pressure of 0.05 to 0.3 mbar to obtain a second bottom product containing at least 90% by weight diglycerol. Diglycerol of higher purity can be obtained by recovering diglycerol as a distillate from a third distillation zone.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process using a high boiling polyol such as glycerol is employed for separating high purity catechol, 3-methylcatechol and 4-methylcatechol from a high boiling, pitch-like dihydric phenol fraction. Fractional distillation first separates an impure overhead mixture of the catechol and 3-methylcatechol and an impure 4-methylcatechol bottoms. The impure overhead is extractively distilled to remove impurities and then extractively distilled again to separate the catechol and 3-methylcatechol. This produces a pure overhead of 3-methylcatechol and a bottoms of catechol and polyol which is distilled to recover the catechol and recycle the polyol. The impure 4-methylcatechol is distilled to remove residual material and then extractively distilled to remove impurities. The resulting mixture of 4-methylcatechol and polyol is distilled to recover the pure 4-methylcatechol and to recycle the polyol.

Abstract: The glycerol water (sweet water) accumulating in the high-pressure hydrolysis of natural fats and oils with steam into fatty acid and glycerol is continuously purified. Fats larger than 100 .mu.m in diameter are separated from the aqueous phase in a plate-type phase separator and are returned to the high-pressure hydrolysis process. The aqueous phase thus prepurified is passed through a cross-flow filtration membrane, more particularly a microfiltration membrane, and the concentrate is returned to the entrance of the plate-phase separator. Large product streams of glycerol water can be purified continuously, effectively and particularly economically despite frequent changes of provenance.

Abstract: Glycerine is difficult to separate from bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. Glycerine can be readily separated from bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran by azeotropic distillation. Effective agents are m-xylene, beta-pinene and dicyclopentadiene.

Abstract: Glycerine cannot be easily separated from mannitol, lactose or lactitol by atmospheric or reduced pressure distillation because of their high boiling points. Glycerine can be readily separated from mannitol, lactose or lactitol by azeotropic distillation. Typical effective agents are biphenyl, benzyl benzoate and dimethyl phthalate.

Abstract: Glycerine cannot be easily separated from sorbitol by atmospheric or reduced pressure distillation because of their high boiling points. Glycerine can be readily separated from sorbitol by azeotropic distillation. Typical effective agents are biphenyl, benzyl benzoate and dimethyl phthalate.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for purifying crude glycerol such as splitters crude, soaplye crude and methanolysis crude which comprises a microfiltration step over a filter material on a ceramic support preferably comprising alumina. Preferably the filter material comprises zirconia and/or alumina. Preferably the process further comprises the step of distillation and/or treatment with ion exchange resins. Also the process may involve a combination of microfiltration and ultrafiltration.

Abstract: Triethylene glycol cannot be easily separated from glycerine or 1,2,4-butanetriol by atmospheric or reduced pressure distillation because of the closeness of their boiling points. Triethylene glycol can be readily separated from glycerine or 1,2,4-butanetriol by azeotropic distillation. Effective agents are p-xylene, alphapinene and diisobutyl ketone.

Abstract: Glycerine cannot be easily separated from triethylene glycol and 1,2,4-butanetriol by atmospheric or reduced pressure distillation because of the closeness of their boiling points. Glycerine can be readily separated from triethylene glycol and 1,2,4-butanetriol by azeotropic distillation. Typical effective agents are m-xylene, dipentene and 2-methoxyethyl ether.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran is recovered by a two stage distillation procedure from a crude hydrogenation product resulting from vapor phase hydrogenation of diethyl maleate and containing water, ethanol and a minor amount of n-butanol, and possibly also dissolved hydrogen, in addition to butane-1,4-diol, gamma-butyrolactone and "heavies" such as diethyl ethoxysuccinate. In the first distillation stage, conveniently operated substantially at atmospheric pressure, ethanol, water, and tetrahydrofuran are recovered as overhead product, are condensed to separate the condensible components from a hydrogen stream which can be vented, and then redistilled in the presence of a molar excess of a hydroxylic solvent containing at least two hydroxyl groups, such as butane-1,4-diol, in a second distillation zone.

Abstract: The level of impurities such as glycerol-based acetals and/or ketals in glycerine, particularly glycerol-dimethylketal, is reduced by extraction of the glycerine with supercritical or near critical carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An improved process for purification of glycerol obtained from natural sources comprising alkalizing a glycerol-containing crude mixture in the presence of air for oxidation, evaporating the mixture in a thin-layer evaporator with redistillation of the residue, rectification and reevaporation in a packed column characterized by low-pressure-loss plates with a falling-film evaporator designed for internal and external partial condensation and to separate off unwanted constituents of the mixture, bleaching the product with activated carbon and separating the bleach in known manner.

Abstract: Glycerine is recovered from an aqueous waste stream containing but minor amounts of glycerine by the requested steps of; (1) evaporating, (2) contacting with pentanol, (3) separating precipitated salt, (4) flashing to remove pentanol, and (5) vacuum distillation. This process is particularly useful treating saline waste water resulting from the manufacture of epoxy resins.

Abstract: A method for harvesting algae of the genus Dunaliella from suspensions thereof in brines containing sodium chloride at a concentration of about 3M or above, wherein the algal suspension is contacted with an adsorbent having a hydrophobic surface so as to adsorb the algae thereon, and the adsorbent with the algae adsorbed thereon is separated from the brine..beta.-carotene and other useful cell components may be extracted from the adsorbed algae by treatment with a suitable solvent.

Abstract: An oxygenated organic compound, such as ethanol, is recovered from a dilute aqueous stream thereof by contacting said stream with crosslinked polyvinylpyridine resin or nuclear substituted derivative thereof to effect selective sorption of the compound by said resin. The sorbed compound is thereafter removed from the resin by stripping with an inert gas such as carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A thermally efficient process for recovering an oxygenated organic material, such as ethanol, present in dilute aqueous solution is disclosed which comprises contacting said dilute aqueous solution with at least one inert extractant which is liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, said extractant being selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted cyclic secondary amines and unsubstituted and substituted aromatic cyclic amines having a distribution coefficient of at least about 0.70 or a separation factor of at least about 1.0.

Abstract: The distillative separation of a mixture of glycerine and glycerine-based acetal or ketal transesterification products is aided by addition of a borate ester-forming compound to the mixture prior to distillation.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for extracting an organic liquid from an organic liquid solute/solvent mixture. The mixture is contacted with a fluid extractant which is at a temperature and pressure to render the extractant a solvent for the solute but not for the solvent. The resulting fluid extract of the solute is then depressurized to give a still feed which is distilled to form still overhead vapors and liquid still bottoms. The enthalpy required to effect this distillation is provided by compressing the still overhead vapors to heat them and indirectly to heat the still feed. The process is particularly suitable for separating mixtures which form azeotropes, e.g., oxygenated hydrocarbon/water mixtures. The energy required in this process is much less than that required to separate such mixtures by conventional distillation techniques.

Abstract: The invention involves a process for substantially separating the components of mixtures of substances at least one of which is of low volatility while the other is of low or no volatility, the process using a compressed gas under supercritical conditions and an entrainer which increases the concentration of said mixture in the gaseous phase as well as the separation factor between the components to be separated. The process operates in two distillation zones the first of which substantially separates the components of low volatility in a process similar to a rectification process while the second distillation zone separates the top product of the first distillation zone from the gas with the aid of the entrainer which is condensed partially and in this state is passed in countercurrent to the gas carrying the separated component of low volatility.

Abstract: Glycerol and aliphatic nitriles are simultaneously produced by treating liquid glycerides with gaseous ammonia at a rate of at least 200 liters of ammonia per kilogram of glyceride per hour at temperatures of from 220.degree. to 300.degree. C. in the presence of metal salts of carboxylic or sulfonic acids as catalysts and subjecting the product mixture to a phase separation into a nitrile phase and a glycerol/water phase. Preferred starting materials are vegetable and animal fats and oils.