Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for enhancing the performance and efficiency of separation processes. The methods include flowing a fluid through a processing zone defined by an antiferromagnetic portion of a conduit and, as the fluid flows through the processing zone, exposing the fluid to a magnetic field produced by oscillating electromagnetic waves, wherein the direction of the magnetic field is generally counter to the direction in which the fluid is flowing. The systems include magnetic treatment units, separation systems, and the like.

A system and method for distillation testing of a liquid sample at atmospheric pressure for the improved prediction of the heating necessary to reach the initial boiling point (IBP) and ensure the IBP is observed within certain time constraints, and regardless of sample composition. This monitors the sample by the camera during different heating phases of the test to obtain visual images of the sample and a computer analyzes image data observed to regulate the optimal distillation process.

A plant for preparing a purified isomeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate monomer from a mixture of different isomeric monomers is disclosed herein. The plant can comprise a distillation apparatus, which comprises: a) a distillation column including a structured packing, b) a source for a mixture of different isomeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate monomers, c) an evaporator, d) an overhead vapor condenser, e) optionally, an overhead vacuum system and f) a flow-controlled reflux system. The overhead vapor condenser comprises a shell and tube arrangement and is embodied so as to directly subcool the condensate to less than 47° C. The flow-controlled reflux system comprises a heater, which is embodied so as to reheat a partial stream of the condensate formed in the overhead vapor condenser up to 190° C.

The polymerization process comprises polymerizing an olefin monomer and a comonomer in the presence of a polymerization catalyst in a polymerization step conducted in a polymerization reactor in a solvent to produce a solution comprising a polymer of the olefin monomer and the comonomer.

The polymerization process comprises withdrawing an exhaust stream of the solution from the polymerization reactor in a withdrawing step.

The polymerization process comprises separating the exhaust stream to a first primary stream and a primary concentrated solution stream in a first primary separation step, wherein the first primary stream comprises hydrocarbons and polymer.

The polymerization process comprises separating the first primary stream to a second primary stream and a third primary stream in a second primary separation step, wherein the second primary stream comprises dissolved polymer and the third primary stream comprises majority of the hydrocarbons.

The polymerization process comprises cooling the third primary stream to a temperature of −80 to 20° C. in a primary cooling step to obtain a cooled third primary stream.

The polymerization process comprises separating the cooled third primary stream to a fourth primary stream and a fifth primary stream in a third primary separation step, wherein the fourth primary stream comprises hydrocarbons in vapour phase and the fifth primary stream comprises liquid hydrocarbons.

The polymerization process comprises returning the fourth primary stream and the fifth primary stream independently in a primary returning step to a location upstream of the polymerization reactor.

A distillation head for distilling a distillate from a vaporous distilland. The distillation head including a headspace chamber within a condenser surface. An inlet port having an extended portion below and to but not into the headspace, to receive the vaporous distilland and pass it into the headspace. A collection surface below the headspace to collect the distillate. And an outlet port, to receive the distillate from the collection surface and pass it out of the distillation head.

The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of alkanesulfonic acids.

A method for preparing ethylene including: feeding a thermally cracked compressed stream to a first distillation apparatus selectively operating as a first deethanizer or a depropanizer; and feeding an overhead discharge stream of the first distillation apparatus to a second distillation apparatus. When the first distillation apparatus is operated as the first deethanizer, a bottom discharge stream of the second distillation apparatus is fed to a C2 separator. When the first distillation apparatus is operated as the depropanizer, the bottom discharge stream of the second distillation apparatus is passed through a third distillation apparatus and fed to the C2 separator.

An ambient water condenser system is described having a condensation chamber which at least partially contains or surrounds a fluid reservoir which contains a volume or mass of an aqueous hygroscopic solution for condensing water from ambient air and a distillation process for extracting the water from the solution. The fluid reservoir has a heat source, a lower porous hydrophobic membrane, and an upper porous hydrophobic membrane. The heat source causes the hygroscopic solution near the top of reservoir to have a higher temperature which causes it to have a higher water vapor pressure, whereby the water vapor passing through the upper porous hydrophobic membrane and into the condensation chamber condenses into liquid water.

This disclosure provides an integrated system and method for producing purified water, hydrogen, and oxygen from contaminated water. The contaminated water may be derived from regolith-based resources on the moon, Mars, near-Earth asteroids, or other destination in outer space. The integrated system and method utilize a cold trap to receive the contaminated water in a vapor phase and selectively freeze out water from one or more volatiles. A heat source increases temperature in the cold trap to vaporize the frozen contaminated water to produce a gas stream of water vapor and volatiles. A chemical scrubber may remove one or more volatiles. The integrated system and method utilize ionomer membrane technology to separate the water vapor from remaining volatiles. The water vapor is delivered for crew use or delivered to an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen and oxygen.

A system to treat and desalinate wastewater using a low energy ejector desalination system (LEEDS), which employs a static liquid-gas ejector and maximum heat integration in the water treatment system.