Abstract: A process for the isolation of high-boiling monomers from distillation residue formed in the cyclodimerization and/or cyclotrimerization of 1,3-butadiene after target products of cyclooctadiene, vinylcyclohexene and/or cyclododecatriene have been separated off, comprising extracting the distillation residue with a nonpolar or slightly polar solvent, separating off insoluble oligomers and polymers that have at least partly crystallized by mechanical separation, removing the extractant, and isolating the high-boiling monomers.

Abstract: A process for the desulfurization of hydrocarbonaceous oil wherein the hydrocarbonaceous oil and a recycle stream containing sulfur-oxidated compounds is contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in a hydrodesulfurization reaction zone to reduce the sulfur level to a relatively low level and then contacting the resulting hydrocarbonaceous stream from the hydrodesulfurization zone with an oxidizing agent to convert the residual, low level of sulfur compounds into sulfur-oxidated compounds. The residual oxidizing agent is decomposed and the resulting hydrocarbonaceous oil stream containing the sulfur-oxidated compounds is separated to produce a stream containing the sulfur-oxidated compounds and a hydrocarbonaceous oil stream having a reduced concentration of sulfur-oxidated compounds. At least a portion of the sulfur-oxidated compounds is recycled to the hydrodesulfurization reaction zone.

Abstract: A method for separating benzene from a hydrocarbon mixture containing benzene and at least one other organic material is carried out by treating the hydrocarbon mixture with at least one cyclodextrin to form complexes of the cyclodextrin with at least a portion of the benzene present in the hydrocarbon mixture. The cyclodextrin-benzene complexes then are separated from the hydrocarbon mixture.

Abstract: Low-sulfur aliphatic compounds are obtained from olefin-rich starting materials contaminated with organic sulfur compounds.

Abstract: The impurity content, e.g. propionitrile, in a fraction containing C5 or C6 tertiary olefins obtained by cracking hydrocarbons is reduced by distilling with an alkanol and removing the impurity as a higher boiling point fraction.

Abstract: A process for the desulfurization of hydrocarbonaceous oil wherein the hydrocarbonaceous oil is contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in a hydrodesulfurization reaction zone to reduce the sulfur level to a relatively low level and then contacting the resulting hydrocarbonaceous stream from the hydrodesulfurization zone with an oxidizing agent to convert the residual, low level of sulfur compounds into sulfur-oxidated compounds. The resulting hydrocarbonaceous oil stream containing the sulfur-oxidated compounds is separated after decomposing any residual oxidizing agent to produce a stream containing the sulfur-oxidated compounds and a hydrocarbonaceous oil stream having a reduced concentration of sulfur-oxidated compounds.

Abstract: Mesitylene is difficult to separate from 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene because of the proximity of their boiling points. They are readily separated by azeotropic distillation. Effective agents are isopropyl acetate, 2-pentanol and acetonitrile.

Abstract: A system and/or process for decreasing the level of at least one organic fluoride present in a hydrocarbon mixture by first passing the hydrocarbon mixture to an eductor and educting into the hydrocarbon mixture a catalyst comprising a volatility reducing additive and hydrofluoric acid to produce a hydrocarbon-catalyst mixture, permitting the hydrocarbon-catalyst mixture to undergo a phase separation to produce a hydrocarbon phase having a lower concentration of at least one organic fluoride than the hydrocarbon mixture and to produce a catalyst phase, and withdrawing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon phase to thereby form a hydrocarbon product stream, are disclosed. In an alternate embodiment, a system and/or process for controlling the concentration of at least one organic fluoride and/or the RON of the hydrocarbon mixture by adjusting the amount of volatility reducing additive present in the catalyst are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of carotenes and the production of carotene concentrate from natural oils and fats. The carotene-containing natural oils and fats is subjected to alcoholic esterification to form a mixture of fatty acid alkyl esters, carotenes, tocopherols and tocotrienols. The alkyl esters mixture is subjected to vacuum distillation at a pressure of less than 60 mTorr and a temperature of less than 180.degree. C. to form a carotene-rich concentrate. The carotenes in the carotene-rich concentrate are adsorptively separated, concentrated and collected as carotene-rich fraction.

Abstract: A process for separating 1,3-butadiene from a crude C.sub.4 stream containing butanes, butenes, butadienes and acetylenes has been developed. The process begins with introducing hydrogen, a solvent, and the crude C.sub.4 stream to a catalytic extractive distillation unit having a reaction zone containing a catalyst capable of hydrogenating acetylenes. Butanes and butenes, being less soluble in the solvent, are distilled in an overhead stream from the catalytic extractive distillation unit. Butadienes and acetylenes, being more soluble in the solvent, are carried with the solvent to the reaction zone located within the catalytic extractive distillation unit. In the reaction zone the acetylenes are converted to hydrogenation products. The hydrogenation products other than butadiene are separated from the butadienes by the extractive distillation occurring in the unit. The solvent and butadiene mixture is removed from the catalytic extractive distillation unit in a distillate stream.

Abstract: Mesitylene cannot be separated from 4-ethyl toluene by distillation because of the proximity of their boiling points. They are readily separated by azeotropic distillation. Effective agents are isopropyl palmitate, triacetin and methyl salicylate.

Abstract: In an atmospheric pipestill stripping process where steam is utilized as the stripping gas to strip bottoms and side stream products, the improvement comprising utilizing methanol or a methanol and steam mixture as said stripping gas. In a refinery atmospheric pipestill stripping process utilizing a stripping gas, said process comprising utilizing a gas selected from the group consisting of methanol and a mixture of methanol and steam as said stripping gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for separating at least one cycloalkane containing 5-10 carbon atoms per molecule from at least one close-boiling alkane by extractive distillation of a feed consisting essentially of said at least one cycloalkane and said at least one alkane, the improvement comprising the use of certain pyrrolidones, certain morpholines, sulfoxides, sulfolanes, glycol compounds, or mixtures thereof, and optionally water; wherein said extractive distillation process produces (i) an overhead distillate product which contains a smaller volume percentage of said at least one cycloalkane and a larger volume percentage of said at least one alkane than said feed, and (ii) a bottoms product which contains said solvent and a larger volume percentage of said at least one cycloalkane and a smaller volume percentage of said at least one alkane than said feed; and wherein said at least one cycloalkane is separated from said solvent and recovered from said bottoms product.

Abstract: 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene is difficult to separate from 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene can be readily separated from 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene by extractive distillation. Effective agents are 3-nitrotoluene, m-cresol and sulfolane.

Abstract: A hydroprocessing process includes two hydroprocessing reaction stages, both of which produce a liquid and a vapor effluent, and a liquid-vapor contacting stage. The first stage vapor effluent contains impurities, such as heteroatom compounds, which are removed from the vapor by contact with processed liquid effluent derived from one or both reaction stages and, optionally, also liquid recovered from processed vapor. The first and contact stage liquid effluents are passed into the second stage to finish the hydoprocessing. The contact and second stage vapor effluents are cooled to recover additional hydroprocessed product liquid.

Abstract: An extraction process and an apparatus for separating aromatic compounds contained in a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock where the feedstock feed into the lower part of an extraction column is brought into intimate countercurrent contact therein with a third liquid and at least partially with at least one structured packing element (31) of the static mixer type contained in the upper part of the extraction column. Such third liquid (feed to the top of said column) is in the form of a solvent which is immiscible with the feedstock except for being capable of extracting the aromatic compounds. At least part of the extract phase rich in solvent and aromatic compounds is separated by liquid--liquid separation (26), preferably by gravity type decantation, into a phase rich in solvent and essentially depleted of raffinate, which is removed, and a phase rich in raffinate and impoverished in solvent, which is recycled to the extraction step. The extraction process is typically to be used to formulate lubricant oils.

Abstract: A process for separating linear alpha olefins from branched alpha olefins in a feed stream by:a) contacting the feed stream with a linear polyaromatic compound having at least four fused aromatic rings, such as 2,3-benzanthracene, under conditions effective to form a reaction mixture comprising a linear polyaromatic compound-linear alpha olefin adduct;b) separating the linear polyaromatic compound-linear alpha olefin adduct from the reaction mixture;c) dissociating the linear polyaromatic compound-linear alpha olefin adduct to form the linear polyaromatic compound and a linear alpha olefin composition, and optionallyd) separating the linear polyaromatic compound formed in step c) from the linear alpha olefin composition.

Abstract: The polymerization of a vinylaromatic or vinylaliphatic compound at elevated temperature in the absence of air is inhibited by processing the vinylaromatic or vinylaliphatic compound in the presence of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl or 4-acetylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxylalone or in admixture with p-nitrosophenol or 2-methyl-4-nitrosophenol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reducing corrosion in a system in which aromatic hydrocarbons are separated from a mixture with aliphatic hydrocarbons. The aromatic hydrocarbons are extracted from the mixture using an extracting solvent. The aromatic hydrocarbons are stripped from the extracting solvent with steam and the steam is condensed to form water which is separated from the aromatic hydrocarbons. The separated water is passed through a basic anion exchange column and is then heated to produce the steam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering styrene from a feedstock containing at least styrene, ethylbenzene, and one or more aromatic or non-aromatic hydrocarbon compounds which includes separating said feedstock into a first stream relatively more concentrated in styrene than said feedstock and a second stream relatively more concentrated in ethylbenzene than said feedstock, recovering styrene from said first stream to produce a styrene product stream, dehydrogenating the ethylbenzene of said second stream to produce additional styrene, and recovering said additional styrene. The feedstock may be separated into said first and second streams by a process selected from the class consisting of extractive distillation, azeotropic distillation, distillation, liquid-liquid extraction, chemical complex formation, membrane separation, and combinations thereof, and the additional styrene may be recovered by recycling it into said feedstock.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a process for inhibiting the polymerization of vinyl aromatic compound during the distillation of the vinyl aromatic compounds. The process involves adding to the vinyl aromatic compound, e.g., styrene, a nitroso compound such as N-nitroso-N, N'-di-3-pentyl-p-phenylenediamine.

Abstract: An extractive distillation process for separating at least one substituted unsaturated aromatic from a pyrolysis gasoline mixture, containing said aromatic and at least one close-boiling aromatic or non-aromatic hydrocarbon, employing a two part extractive solvent, the first part selected from propylene carbonate, sulfolane (tetramethylene sulfone), methyl carbitol, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, 2-pyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof, and the second portion consisting of water.

Abstract: This invention pertains to addition of polyisobutylene to a predominantly gaseous stream in a process for preventing the shearing of hydrocarbon droplets in the stream to aerosol sizes. It is difficult to remove droplets of aerosol sizes from gaseous streams with demisters, scrubbers, filters or the like. Generally, aerosol size droplets are created when a predominantly gaseous stream containing some liquid is passed at relatively high velocity through an orifice, valve, bend, tee, choke or the like, or subjected to compression by a turbine. The addition of polyisobutylene would improve the separation efficiency of the demisters, scrubbers, filters or the like. In addition, when the demister pads or compressor has its blades coated with polyisobutylene, drag on the droplets is reduced, resulting in less shearing of the droplets to aerosol sizes. This in turn would result in minimum dissemination of droplets and less wear on the compressor's blades.

Abstract: 3-Carene is difficult to separate from limonene by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. 3-Carene can be readily separated from limonene by extractive distillation. Effective agents are o-cresol, 2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanone and triethylene glycol.

Abstract: An alcohol, specifically ethanol, methanol and isopropanol, is used to remove acid from a refrigeration system, a heat pump or an air conditioner. The alcohol vaporizes acid, primarily inorganic acid, in the system and, in the filter/dryer, reacts with surfaces or is adsorbed. The alcohol, the quantity of which is determined from the capacity of the filter/dryer, is introduced into the compressor oil sump for thorough mixing with the oil during compressor lubrication.

Abstract: For the extraction of carotenes, in particular of .beta.-carotene, from natural sources, these are stirred for several hours at at least 30.degree. C. in a solvent mixture composed of acetic esters of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alcohols as well as a portion of 1 to 25% by weight of an oil of biological origin. The natural colorant is in this way obtained in very high space-time yields and high purity.

Abstract: Phellandrene is difficult to separate from limonene because of the proximity of their boiling points. They are readily separated by azeotropic distillation. Effective agents are ethanol, dioxolane and acetonitrile.

Abstract: A process is directed to the removal of impurities such as sulfur compounds, oxygenates, and/or olefins from a light paraffin hydrocarbon feedstock such as a C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 fraction, which may be used subsequently in an isomerization process in an integrated complex for the production of ethers such as MTBE and TAME. The hydrocarbon feedstream is passed to a removal zone wherein the hydrocarbon feedstream is contacted with a selective solvent for the removal of the impurities comprising at least one of sulfur compounds, oxygenates and olefins to provide a rich solvent stream and a treated hydrocarbon stream. The rich solvent comprising the trace impurities is contacted with a stripping medium stream to regenerate the selective solvent in a stripping zone. The removal zone may be a liquid-liquid extraction zone or a gas absorption zone.

Abstract: Minor amounts of C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbons from amine absorbents used in removing H.sub.2 S liquid C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbon are recovered. The process features recovery of the C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbon in a hydrocarbon gas from a second absorption zone where H.sub.2 S is removed from the hydrocarbon gas, the hydrocarbon gas functioning as a stripping gas.

Abstract: A method for the prevention of fouling in a distillation train of a hydrocarbon processing unit. The method involves the precipitation of foulants contained in the hydrocarbon fluid prior to distillation. Precipitation of fouling components occurs when the liquid to be distilled is contacted with a high boiling fluid which is a non-solvent for the foulant causing species but is a solvent for the liquid that is to be distilled.

Abstract: o-Xylene cannot be separated from p-xylene and m-xylene by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. o-Xylene can be readily separated from mixtures of p-xylene and m-xylene by extractive distillation. Effective agents are o-cresol, dichloroacetic acid, methyl salicylate and 1-tetradecanol.

Abstract: 3-Carene and limonene cannot be separated from each other by rectification because of the closeness of their boiling points. They are readily separated by extractive distillation. Effective agents are: diethylene glycol phenyl ether, nonyl phenol, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, ethyl salicylate, 4-ethylphenol and 2-phenoxyethanol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating aromatic hydrocarbons from a mixed hydrocarbon feed employing a selective solvent which exhibits a low critical solution temperature of the solvent with a solute. The mixed hydrocarbon feed is passed to an extraction zone wherein the feed is contacted with a lean solvent to provide a raffinate stream comprising non-aromatics and a rich solvent stream comprising aromatics and solvent. Both the raffinate stream and the rich solvent stream are admixed with a sufficient amount of a solute at a temperature which is at or below a low critical solution temperature with the solvent to separate the raffinate and aromatic phases from the solvent/solute mixture. The solvent/solute mixture is heated to a separation temperature which is above the low critical solution temperature to provide a solvent phase which is essentially free of solute at energy levels significantly lower than conventional processes.

Abstract: Vinyl aromatic monomer polymerization methods utilizing a composition of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol and a substituted benzoquinonediimide compound are disclosed. Preferably, the composition is employed in an amount of 1 part to 10,000 parts per million parts monomer during distillation of styrene.

Abstract: Complexing reagents are provided which comprise Cu(I) carboxylates or Cu(I) sulfonates and high molecular weight olefins. The invention complexing reagents are useful for separating olefins from mixtures of olefins and paraffins.

Abstract: A process for separating a first component of a composition from a second component of a composition. The process involves contacting the composition with a supercritical fluid comprising 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, or a mixture thereof, in the supercritical state under conditions and for a time sufficient to remove the first component from the composition.

Abstract: Vinyl aromatic monomer polymerization methods utilizing a composition of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol and a substituted benzoquinonediimide compound are disclosed. Preferably, the composition is employed in an amount of 1 part to 10,000 parts per million parts monomer during distillation of styrene.

Abstract: An olefin/oxygen purge gas from the catalytic reaction of the olefin with hydrogen peroxide is contacted with an absorbent liquid such as isopropanol and water to absorb olefin while an inert gas such as methane is added to avoid formation of flammable oxygen-containing gas compositions.

Abstract: o-Xylene cannot be separated from p-xylene and m-xylene by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. o-Xylene can be readily separated from mixtures of p-xylene and m-xylene by azeotropic distillation. Effective agents are 3-methyl-1-butanol, methyl propionate and 3-pentanone.

Abstract: 1-Hexene is difficult to separate from hexane by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. 1-Hexene can be readily separated from hexane by extractive distillation. Effective agents are hexyl acetate, methyl amyl alcohol and acetophenone.

Abstract: Benzene is difficult to separate from cyclohexane or cyclohexene by conventional distillation or rectification because of the close proximity of their boiling points. Benzene can be readily separated from cyclohexane or cyclohexene by using extractive distillation. Effective agents are: for benzene from cyclohexane, methyl acetoacetate; for benzene from cyclohexene, ethyl acetoacetate.

Abstract: p-Xylene cannot be separated from m-xylene by distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. p-Xylene can be separated from m-xylene by means of extractive distillation. Effective agents are 3-ethylphenol and isopropyl palmitate. Effective agents for separating mixtures of p-xylene, m-xylene and o-xylene are 2-butoxyethyl acetate and 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

Abstract: A method for flocculating finely divided particles suspended in nonpolar liquids, thereby facilitating the removal of these particles by sedimentation or filtration, by treating the contaminated nonpolar liquids with from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a flocculant comprising a water soluble organic compound having a cationic quaternary nitrogen or ammonium group. The flocculants useful in the method of the invention are desirably miscible or dispersible in the nonpolar liquid, and a carrier solvent or surfactant may be used to improve dispersibility of the flocculant.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for removing nitrile contaminants from C.sub.5 streams. In particular, a C.sub.5 stream is washed in a countercurrent fashion with a mixture comprising 50% methanol and 50% water to extract the nitriles from the C.sub.5 hydrocarbons into the water-methanol mixture. Propionitrile removal is enhanced by the presence of the methanol in the solvent. An further embodiments include (1) a method for recovering methanol from the extract stream by hydrogenating the nitriles to form amines, converting the amines to ammonium salts by acid treatment and distilling out the methanol and (2) distilling out methanol/nitriles from the extract stream, admixing the methanol/nitriles with an alkane/alkene/ether stream then distilling the methanol out in a azeotrope with the alkane/alkenes while leaving the nitriles in the ether.

Abstract: m-Xylene is very difficult to separate from mixtures of p-xylene and o-xylene by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. m-Xylene can be readily separated from p-xylene and mixtures of p-xylene and o-xylene by azeotropic distillation. An effective agent is tetraethyl ortho silicate.

Abstract: Heptane is difficult to separate from 1-heptene by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. Heptane can be readily separated from 1-heptene by extractive distillation. Effective agents are diacetone alcohol, ethyl butyrate and dimethylsulfoxide.

Abstract: p-Xylene cannot be separated from m-xylene by distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. p-Xylene can be separated from m-xylene by means of extractive distillation. Effective agents are 3-ethylphenol and 1,1,2-trichloroethane. Effective agents for separating mixtures of p-xylene, m-xylene and o-xylene are 2-butoxyethyl acetate and 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for separating desired clathrate forming gases from a gas mixture containing the desired clathrate forming gases. The process includes providing a stream of the gas mixture, contacting the stream of the gas mixture with an aqueous solvent to form a solid clathrate hydrate suspension in the aqueous solvent. The forming of the solid clathrate hydrate suspension in the aqueous solution causing the gaseous stream to be thereafter leaner in the desired clathrate forming gases. The solid clathrate hydrate suspension and the aqueous solution are subjected to an elevated temperature and to a reduced pressure to produce a product gaseous stream which is richer in the desired clathrate forming gases.

Abstract: Ethyl benzene is difficult to separate from p-xylene by conventional distillation or rectification because of the closeness of their boiling points. Ethyl benzene can be readily separated from p-xylene by extractive distillation. An effective agent is 5-methyl-2-hexanone, also called methyl isoamyl ketone.

Abstract: Ethyl benzene is difficult to separate from xylenes by conventional distillation or rectification because of the proximity of their boiling points. Ethyl benzene can be readily separated from xylenes by azeotropic distillation. Effective agents for separating ethyl benzene from p-xylene are methyl formate, n-butanol and cyclopentanol; from p-xylene and m-xylene, n-butanol.