A method for improving heat transfer during distillation and concentration of extract with solvent includes providing a distillation vessel having a heat transfer surface and preparing the heat transfer surface with a plurality of surface features. A distillation and concentration system includes a distillation vessel having a heat transfer surface prepared with a plurality of surface features in accordance with the method.

An apparatus and method for extraction of oils from botanical material using high-pressure hydrocarbons such as propane, or butane, or mixtures thereof are described. A high-pressure propane or butane saturated liquid/vapor mixture formed by pressure reduction through a valve placed before an extraction column, thereby serving as an expansion port was employed. The apparatus is capable of both continuous liquid extraction or batch-style liquid operation through the use of a manifold valve, which directs the solvent liquid/vapor in the system to either a supply tank or an extraction column.

A process can be used for recovering 1-methoxy-2-propanol and 2-methoxy-1-propanol from an aqueous effluent stream by liquid-liquid-extraction, followed by extractive distillation, distillation of methoxypropanols from the extraction solvent, and distillative separation of the methoxypropanol isomers. Recovered extraction solvent is recycled to the extraction and extractive distillation. Heat transfer from recovered extraction solvent to the extract fed to the extractive distillation reduces energy demand of the process. A facility for this process contains a countercurrent extraction column, an extractive distillation column, a solvent recovery distillation column, an isomer separation distillation column, and a heat exchanger for transferring heat from recovered extraction solvent to the extract fed to the extractive distillation.

An extractive distillation column system contains a combination column and a side rectification column. A process can be used for separation of butenes from C4-hydrocarbon streams using the extractive distillation column system.

An extractive distillation column system contains a combination column and a side rectification column. A process can be used for separation of butenes from C4-hydrocarbon streams using the extractive distillation column system.

A system for the extraction of essential oils from botanical matter housed within an extraction vessel, the system comprising: a transfer tank storing liquid and gaseous extraction fluid; a charge tank configured for storing liquid and gaseous extraction fluid, the charge tank being in fluid communication with the transfer tank; a transfer tank engagement valve selectively permitting fluid flow between the transfer tank and the charge tank; means for pressurizing the transfer tank; means for cooling the charge tank; wherein pressurizing the transfer tank transfers liquid phase extraction fluid to the charge tank, and cooling the charge tank increases a density of the liquid extraction fluid in the charge tank; wherein a transfer of extraction fluid from the charge tank to the extraction vessel occurs due to a pressure differential between the charge tank and the extraction vessel and without raising the temperature of the charge tank and without using a pump to transfer extraction fluid from the charge tank to the extraction vessel.

A system for the extraction of essential oils from botanical matter housed within an extraction vessel, the system comprising: a transfer tank storing liquid and gaseous extraction fluid; a charge tank configured for storing liquid and gaseous extraction fluid, the charge tank being in fluid communication with the transfer tank; a transfer tank engagement valve selectively permitting fluid flow between the transfer tank and the charge tank; means for pressurizing the transfer tank; means for cooling the charge tank; wherein pressurizing the transfer tank transfers liquid phase extraction fluid to the charge tank, and cooling the charge tank increases a density of the liquid extraction fluid in the charge tank; wherein a transfer of extraction fluid from the charge tank to the extraction vessel occurs due to a pressure differential between the charge tank and the extraction vessel and without raising the temperature of the charge tank and without using a pump to transfer extraction fluid from the charge tank to the extraction vessel.

A continuous distillation process comprises the following steps: putting a material into a multilayer distillation tower to enable the material to sequentially undergo preheating, extrusion pricking, steam distillation, meal roasting, drying and cooling treatment, condensing essential oil-containing steam, and carrying out water separation, so as to obtain an essential oil.

A method for producing epoxyalkane includes the step of separating, in a separation column, a stream containing epoxyalkane, extractant, and diol. The separation column operates under conditions so as to enable the extractant and the diol to form an azeotrope, and a stream containing extractant and binary azeotrope is extracted from the side-draw of the separation column to liquid-liquid separation. The method can be used for the industrial production of epoxyalkane.

A method for producing epoxyalkane includes the step of separating, in a separation column, a stream containing epoxyalkane, extractant, and diol. The separation column operates under conditions so as to enable the extractant and the diol to form an azeotrope, and a stream containing extractant and binary azeotrope is extracted from the side-draw of the separation column to liquid-liquid separation. The method can be used for the industrial production of epoxyalkane.