Distillation: processes, separatory inventions 04/09

20090107832 - Removing contaminants from groundwater: A method and apparatus for removing hydrocarbon contaminants from groundwater. The apparatus preferably removes contaminants from groundwater by heating the groundwater to a temperature at which the contaminant vaporizes and separates from the liquid groundwater. Sparge air may be passed through the groundwater to assist in separating the vaporized contaminant.... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20090107833 - Acetaldehyde removal from methyl acetate by distillation at elevated pressure: A method for removing acetaldehyde from a mixture of methyl acetate, methanol and acetaldehyde includes: (a) feeding the mixture of methyl acetate, methanol and acetaldehyde to a distillation column; (b) distilling the feed mixture of methyl acetate methanol and acetaldehyde at a pressure of 10 psig or more to generate... Agent: M. Susan Spiering C/o Celanese Ltd,IPLegal Dept., Izip 701

20090084668 - Toluene production: A method for optimizing the production of nitration grade toluene from a solvent extraction process that produces an aromatic rich extract and a saturate rich raffinate, comprising adding an effective amount of the raffinate back to the extract.... Agent: Lyondellbasell Industries