A system and method for removing acetaldehyde from an acetic acid system are disclosed. The method includes, providing a light-ends stream, comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acetaldehyde, methyl iodide, methyl acetate, water, acetic acid, or mixtures thereof; condensing the light-ends stream to form one or more liquid phase compositions and a vapor phase composition, comprising a majority of the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide and a minor portion of the acetaldehyde, methyl iodide, water, and acetic acid; contacting the vapor phase composition with a solvent to produce a liquid stream, comprising methyl iodide, acetaldehyde, and a portion of the solvent; and contacting the liquid stream, and optionally a polyol compound, with an acid catalyst to convert a portion of the acetaldehyde to an aldehyde derivative having a higher boiling point than acetaldehyde.

A system and method for removing acetaldehyde from an acetic acid system are disclosed. The method includes, providing a light-ends stream, comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, acetaldehyde, methyl iodide, methyl acetate, water, acetic acid, or mixtures thereof; condensing the light-ends stream to form one or more liquid phase compositions and a vapor phase composition, comprising a majority of the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide and a minor portion of the acetaldehyde, methyl iodide, water, and acetic acid; contacting the vapor phase composition with a solvent to produce a liquid stream, comprising methyl iodide, acetaldehyde, and a portion of the solvent; and contacting the liquid stream, and optionally a polyol compound, with an acid catalyst to convert a portion of the acetaldehyde to an aldehyde derivative having a higher boiling point than acetaldehyde.

A device for manufacturing dimethyl carbonate including a reaction section and a separation section is provided. The reaction section includes a first distillation column, a methanol supply device, a carbon dioxide supply device, a dehydrating agent supply device, and a side reactor. The methanol supply device is connected to the first distillation column. The carbon dioxide supply device is connected to the first distillation column. The dehydrating agent supply device is connected to the first distillation column. A feed nozzle of the side reactor is connected to a gas outlet of a top of the first distillation column. A discharge nozzle of the side reactor is connected to a recycle nozzle of the first distillation column. A catalyst is disposed in the side reactor. The separation section includes a second distillation column. The second distillation column is connected to a liquid outlet of a bottom of the first distillation column.

A device for manufacturing dimethyl carbonate including a reaction section and a separation section is provided. The reaction section includes a first distillation column, a methanol supply device, a carbon dioxide supply device, a dehydrating agent supply device, and a side reactor. The methanol supply device is connected to the first distillation column. The carbon dioxide supply device is connected to the first distillation column. The dehydrating agent supply device is connected to the first distillation column. A feed nozzle of the side reactor is connected to a gas outlet of a top of the first distillation column. A discharge nozzle of the side reactor is connected to a recycle nozzle of the first distillation column. A catalyst is disposed in the side reactor. The separation section includes a second distillation column. The second distillation column is connected to a liquid outlet of a bottom of the first distillation column.

Provided is a system and method for producing and purifying biodiesel. In particular, the system comprises a tandem arrangement of at a modular biodiesel reactor and a continuous flow separation and purification unit. The system can further comprise an evaporation unit that is placed between the biodiesel reactor and the continuous flow separation and purification unit.

Provided is a system and method for producing and purifying biodiesel. In particular, the system comprises a tandem arrangement of at a modular biodiesel reactor and a continuous flow separation and purification unit. The system can further comprise an evaporation unit that is placed between the biodiesel reactor and the continuous flow separation and purification unit.

A method, system, and device for separating components is described. A vessel is provided. A first volume of a process liquid, containing a first component and a second component, is passed into an inner chamber. The piston retracts to a first position. The fluid inlet is closed. The piston is retracted to a second position, causing the first component and a first portion of the second component to flash to form a vapor stream while a second portion of the second component freezes to form a solid product stream. The fluid outlet is then opened. The piston is advanced to a third position that results in a third volume, smaller than the first volume, such that the vapor stream is expelled. The fluid outlet is closed. The piston is fully closed such that the solid product stream is pressed into and extruded through the solids outlet.

A method, system, and device for separating components is described. A vessel is provided. A first volume of a process liquid, containing a first component and a second component, is passed into an inner chamber. The piston retracts to a first position. The fluid inlet is closed. The piston is retracted to a second position, causing the first component and a first portion of the second component to flash to form a vapor stream while a second portion of the second component freezes to form a solid product stream. The fluid outlet is then opened. The piston is advanced to a third position that results in a third volume, smaller than the first volume, such that the vapor stream is expelled. The fluid outlet is closed. The piston is fully closed such that the solid product stream is pressed into and extruded through the solids outlet.

Embodiments described herein provide a method, comprising reducing pH of a glycol vaporization separator purge stream to form an acid stream; distilling the acid stream to form an overhead stream and a bottoms stream; and recycling the bottoms stream to the vaporization separator.

Embodiments described herein provide a method, comprising reducing pH of a glycol vaporization separator purge stream to form an acid stream; distilling the acid stream to form an overhead stream and a bottoms stream; and recycling the bottoms stream to the vaporization separator.