A method for preparing high-purity taurine and salt by reacting ethylene oxide with bisulfite to generate isethionate, performing an ammonolysis reaction on the isethionate in combination with ammonia and a metal salt, evaporating the reaction solution and subjecting the concentrated solution to ion exchange to obtain an adsorption solution, extracting taurine from the adsorption solution, eluting adsorbed metal cations from the ion exchange system by an acid, and separately collecting the eluate containing a salt.

A method for preparing high-purity taurine and salt by reacting ethylene oxide with bisulfite to generate isethionate, performing an ammonolysis reaction on the isethionate in combination with ammonia and a metal salt, evaporating the reaction solution and subjecting the concentrated solution to ion exchange to obtain an adsorption solution, extracting taurine from the adsorption solution, eluting adsorbed metal cations from the ion exchange system by an acid, and separately collecting the eluate containing a salt.

There is disclosed a process for recovering monoethanolamine from an aqueous mother liquor solution comprising the steps of: (a) adding excess ammonia or alkali hydroxide and a solvent to the aqueous solution comprised of monoethanolamine sulfate and at least one component selected from the group of inorganic salts consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium sulfite, alkali sulfite, and alkali sulfate, to precipitate the inorganic salts, wherein the alkali is lithium, sodium, or potassium; (b) separating the inorganic salts by means of a solid-liquid separation to yield an aqueous solution comprised of the monoethanolamine; and (c) distilling the solvent to yield an aqueous solution comprised of the monoethanolamine and optionally purifying the MEA by distillation. The recovered MEA is recycled to produce taurine.

There is disclosed a process for recovering monoethanolamine from an aqueous mother liquor solution comprising the steps of: (a) adding excess ammonia or alkali hydroxide and a solvent to the aqueous solution comprised of monoethanolamine sulfate and at least one component selected from the group of inorganic salts consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium sulfite, alkali sulfite, and alkali sulfate, to precipitate the inorganic salts, wherein the alkali is lithium, sodium, or potassium; (b) separating the inorganic salts by means of a solid-liquid separation to yield an aqueous solution comprised of the monoethanolamine; and (c) distilling the solvent to yield an aqueous solution comprised of the monoethanolamine and optionally purifying the MEA by distillation. The recovered MEA is recycled to produce taurine.

Described herein are methods and devices that allow the generation of [F-18]triflyl fluoride and other [F-18] sulfonyl fluorides (such as [F-18]tosyl fluoride) in a manner that is suitable for radiosynthesis of F-18 labeled radiopharmaceuticals using currently available synthesis modules.

Described herein are methods and devices that allow the generation of [F-18]triflyl fluoride and other [F-18] sulfonyl fluorides (such as [F-18]tosyl fluoride) in a manner that is suitable for radiosynthesis of F-18 labeled radiopharmaceuticals using currently available synthesis modules.

A process comprises continuously adding a first stream and a second stream to a sulfonation vessel, wherein the first stream comprises aminoethanol sulfate ester (AES) and the second stream comprises an aqueous solution of sodium sulfite (Na.sub.2SO.sub.3). The process comprises continuously mixing the AES and the aqueous solution of Na.sub.2SO.sub.3 in the sulfonation vessel, thus producing a mixture. The process comprises continuously subjecting the mixture to heat in the presence of an inert gas, thus converting the AES to the taurine via sulfonation. In an aspect, the AES has a residence time of no more than four hours in the sulfonation vessel. In an aspect the heating step is conducted at a temperature of at least 115° C. and a pressure of at least 200 psi.

A process comprises continuously adding a first stream and a second stream to a sulfonation vessel, wherein the first stream comprises aminoethanol sulfate ester (AES) and the second stream comprises an aqueous solution of sodium sulfite (Na.sub.2SO.sub.3). The process comprises continuously mixing the AES and the aqueous solution of Na.sub.2SO.sub.3 in the sulfonation vessel, thus producing a mixture. The process comprises continuously subjecting the mixture to heat in the presence of an inert gas, thus converting the AES to the taurine via sulfonation. In an aspect, the AES has a residence time of no more than four hours in the sulfonation vessel. In an aspect the heating step is conducted at a temperature of at least 115° C. and a pressure of at least 200 psi.

A method is disclosed for the production of taurine in high yield by a cyclic process of reacting monoethanolamine, sulfuric acid, and ammonium sulfite in the presence of additives to inhibit the hydrolysis of 2-aminoethyl hydrogen sulfate intermediate. The cyclic process is economical and little waste is generated.

A method is disclosed for the production of taurine in high yield by a cyclic process of reacting monoethanolamine, sulfuric acid, and ammonium sulfite in the presence of additives to inhibit the hydrolysis of 2-aminoethyl hydrogen sulfate intermediate. The cyclic process is economical and little waste is generated.