A wiper band assembly suitable for use in packed distillation columns used in an air separation unit is provided. The wiper band assembly includes specially designed metal or metal alloy wiper tabs that are longer and thinner than conventional wiper tabs. The longer and thinner wiper tabs preferably have a thickness between about 0.05 mm and 0.25 mm and a length greater than about 50.0 mm. The physical dimensions and characteristics of the wiper tabs are selected to avoid permanent deformation during the installation process and provides continuous engagement with the interior surface of the packed column wall when the wiper tabs are exposed to pressure differentials typically seen in such packed distillation columns.

A structured packing arrangement for reducing vapor bypass in the gaps between the edges of structured packing elements or bricks and the packed distillation column wall is provided. The structured packing arrangement includes a high pressure drop shroud attached to portions of the perimeter of the structured packing elements and in the gap between the edge of the structured packing elements and the interior surface of the distillation column wall. The high pressure drop shroud urges the ascending vapor flowing at or near the edges of the structured packing elements to stay within the structured packing elements instead of escaping through the side of the structured packing toward the distillation column wall.

The invention concerns an apparatus (10) for separation of components with different volatility in a mixed fluid, said apparatus (10) comprising: a first heat exchanging unit (100) provided with first and second flow path structures (131, 132) forming separate flow paths for a first and a second fluid flow through the first heat-exchanging unit (100); an inlet (118) for feeding the mixed fluid to the apparatus (10); an inlet (119) for feeding steam to the apparatus (10); an arrangement for feeding a cooling medium through the apparatus (10), wherein said arrangement comprises at least one cooling medium inlet (105, 106, 107, 108). The invention is characterized in that the apparatus (10) comprises a second heat-exchanging unit (200) provided with third and fourth flow path structures (233, 234) forming separate flow paths for a first and a second fluid flow through the second heat-exchanging unit (200), wherein the cooling medium arrangement comprises at least one cooling medium inlet (205, 206, 207, 208) arranged in fluid communication with the fourth flow path structure (234) and wherein the first and third flow path structures (131, 233) are arranged in fluid communication with each other.

Mass transfer packing with a minimal surface or a triply periodic minimal surface which enables significantly improved performance for separation and mixing applications particularly with respect to distillation, liquid-liquid contacting, and heat exchange applications.

Mass transfer packing with a minimal surface or a triply periodic minimal surface which enables significantly improved performance for separation and mixing applications particularly with respect to distillation, liquid-liquid contacting, and heat exchange applications.

A catalytic distillation structure that may include a rigid framework having at least two grids with a plurality of horizontal fluid permeable tubes mounted to said grids to form a plurality of fluid pathways among the plurality of horizontal fluid permeable tubes. Additionally, each horizontal fluid permeable tubes may have a profile of a six-sided polygon. Further, the catalytic distillation structure may include a plurality of vertically plates or wires connecting vertically aligned tubes of the plurality of horizontal fluid permeable tubes. Furthermore, the plurality of vertically plates or wires connects from a corner of one vertically aligned tubes to a corner of an adjacent vertically aligned tube.

The present invention concerns a method for purifying an aqueous lactic acid solution, obtained from a fermentation medium or from any other source previously cleared of solid substances and/or of biomass that may be present and ionic substances, characterised in that it comprises the two following steps: a. Concentration of the lactic acid solution until a concentration of between 85 and 95% is reached, preferably of between 90 and 95%, i.e. between 15 and 5% free water or preferably between 10 and 5% free water; b. Distillation in a multi-stage column comprising three areas and allowing the separation, in a single step, of the lactic acid, volatile compounds and the heaviest impurities.

The present invention concerns a method for purifying an aqueous lactic acid solution, obtained from a fermentation medium or from any other source previously cleared of solid substances and/or of biomass that may be present and ionic substances, characterised in that it comprises the two following steps: a. Concentration of the lactic acid solution until a concentration of between 85 and 95% is reached, preferably of between 90 and 95%, i.e. between 15 and 5% free water or preferably between 10 and 5% free water; b. Distillation in a multi-stage column comprising three areas and allowing the separation, in a single step, of the lactic acid, volatile compounds and the heaviest impurities.

A device and method for scrubbing an absorbate from a gas is described. The rotational absorber device comprises a housing having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, an absorbent liquid inlet and an absorbent liquid outlet; a rotor mounted for rotation in said housing and connecting to the inlets and outlets, the rotor comprising a plurality of scrubbing channels extending axially and parallel to a common rotation axis; and means for rotating the rotor. The device and method provide a scrubbing of the gas with improved selectivity and efficiency.

Mass transfer packing with a minimal surface or a triply periodic minimal surface which enables significantly improved performance for separation and mixing applications particularly with respect to distillation, liquid-liquid contacting, and heat exchange applications.