The present invention relates to a device for separating two immiscible phases and/or for extracting one phase with another phase (phase separation or extraction device), comprising at least one vessel for receiving the at least two phases, at least one pipe for supplying a fluid to the vessel, at least one pipe for discharging a fluid from the vessel, and at least one arrangement comprising a transparent disk for observing the separation operation or the extraction operation, wherein at least the side of the transparent disk that faces the phases to be separated or extracted consists of sapphire (sapphire glass) or mica (mica disk), and to the use of such a device in the preparation of di- and poly-amines of the diphenylmethane series.

The invention relates to a process for producing LPG and BTX, comprising a) subjecting a mixed hydrocarbon stream to first hydrocracking in the presence of a first hydrocracking catalyst to produce a first hydrocracking product stream; b) separating the first hydrocracking product stream to provide at least a light hydrocarbon stream comprising at least C2 and C3 hydrocarbons, a middle hydrocarbon stream consisting of C4 and/or C5 hydrocarbons and a heavy hydrocarbon stream comprising at least C6+ hydrocarbons and c) subjecting the heavy hydrocarbon stream to second hydrocracking in the presence of a second hydrocracking catalyst to produce a second hydrocracking product stream comprising BTX, wherein the second hydrocracking is more severe than the first hydrocracking, d) wherein at least part of the middle hydrocarbon stream is subjected to C4 hydrocracking optimized for converting C4 hydrocarbons into C3 hydrocarbons in the presence of a C4 hydrocracking catalyst to produce a C4 hydrocracking product stream.

The invention relates to a process for producing LPG and BTX, comprising a) subjecting a mixed hydrocarbon stream to first hydrocracking in the presence of a first hydrocracking catalyst to produce a first hydrocracking product stream; b) separating the first hydrocracking product stream to provide at least a light hydrocarbon stream comprising at least C2 and C3 hydrocarbons, a middle hydrocarbon stream consisting of C4 and/or C5 hydrocarbons and a heavy hydrocarbon stream comprising at least C6+ hydrocarbons and c) subjecting the heavy hydrocarbon stream to second hydrocracking in the presence of a second hydrocracking catalyst to produce a second hydrocracking product stream comprising BTX, wherein the second hydrocracking is more severe than the first hydrocracking, d) wherein at least part of the middle hydrocarbon stream is subjected to C4 hydrocracking optimized for converting C4 hydrocarbons into C3 hydrocarbons in the presence of a C4 hydrocracking catalyst to produce a C4 hydrocracking product stream.

The present application relates to a process for removing an organic compound having one or more positive charges from an aqueous solution, comprising the steps a) provision of the aqueous solution comprising the organic compound and of a hydrophobic organic solution which comprises a liquid cation exchanger, where the liquid cation exchanger is hydrophobic, and where the liquid cation exchanger has one or more negative charges and an overall negative charge, b) contacting the aqueous solution and the organic solution, and c) separating off the organic solution from the aqueous solution.

Systems and methods for recharging zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide in reusable sorbent modules are provided. The systems and methods provide for recharging any combination of zirconium phosphate and/or zirconium oxide sorbent modules. The systems and methods also provide for linkage of multiple rechargers for sharing of infrastructure.

A connector for connecting a dialyzer to a fluid-carrying line is disclosed, wherein the connector includes a coupling portion, especially a male Hansen connector portion, for fluid-tight connection to a connector element, especially a female Hansen connector adapter, of the line. In a flow channel of the connector, a shut-off device is integrated, which below a predetermined pressure or when no fluid communication is provided between the dialyzer and the line shuts off the flow cross-section of the flow channel.

Methods and related apparatuses for sorbent recharging are provided. The methods and related apparatuses for recharging can recharge a specific rechargeable layer or module of a sorbent material such as zirconium phosphate in a sorbent cartridge. The methods and apparatuses include a fluid source containing at least one recharging fluid, wherein the fluid source is fluidly connectable to at least one rechargeable sorbent module for use in sorbent dialysis in a fluid flow path. The methods and apparatuses include passing a single solution through the zirconium phosphate for ion exchanges, resulting in zirconium phosphate to maintain a substantially consistent pH in a dialysate used during dialysis.

Methods for obtaining purified lignin and the lignin that can be obtained by the methods are described. Methods include processing pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feedstock to recover the lignin and provide a lignin composition with a very low level of impurities such as metals and ash. In addition, the lignin recovered from the process can have a narrow molecular weight distribution and, depending upon the specific stages utilized in the process, can have a predetermined molecular weight. The process includes one or more separation stages in which a lignin-containing feedstock is mixed with a solvent solution. The mixture fractionates to form a solvent-rich liquid phase and a lignin-rich liquid phase, the lignin being partitioned across the phases according to the molecular weight of the lignin. Furthermore, the metal salts of the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feedstock also partition across the phases.

Methods for obtaining purified lignin and the lignin that can be obtained by the methods are described. Methods include processing pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feedstock to recover the lignin and provide a lignin composition with a very low level of impurities such as metals and ash. In addition, the lignin recovered from the process can have a narrow molecular weight distribution and, depending upon the specific stages utilized in the process, can have a predetermined molecular weight. The process includes one or more separation stages in which a lignin-containing feedstock is mixed with a solvent solution. The mixture fractionates to form a solvent-rich liquid phase and a lignin-rich liquid phase, the lignin being partitioned across the phases according to the molecular weight of the lignin. Furthermore, the metal salts of the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feedstock also partition across the phases.

A continuous-flow extraction system and method for extracting oil from oil-bearing plant parts, or biomass, with liquid-phase hydrocarbon solvent in a continuous process, providing more than one extraction vessel so that one or more extraction vessels can be cleared of exhausted biomass and reloaded with biomass, while another one or more extraction vessels are undergoing the extraction process, optionally providing a de-waxer for use when needed, providing a primary jacketed separator vessel for flashing hydrocarbon solvent to a vapor phase and precipitating and collecting liquid plant extract, providing at least one secondary jacketed separator vessel for purification and refinement of vapor-phase hydrocarbon solvent and providing for re-liquefication of the solvent for the purpose of re-circulating and reusing the solvent, and providing for the heating, cooling, and pumping necessary to carry out the various steps.