Process for removing dioxane from a composition
AssigneeThe Chemithon Corporation
InventorsWalter A. Jessup, Burton Brooks, W. Brad Sheats
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and processes for removing dioxane from a composition, e.g., an ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfate paste, utilize an evaporator having an inlet chamber and one or more heated channels. The process includes the step of heating the composition at a location upstream of the flow restriction to a temperature above the flashing temperature of water at a pressure of the channel inlet and applying a pressure to the heated composition to avoid such flashing. The process further includes the step of passing the pressurized, heated composition through the evaporator. The process can further include injecting a vapor into the channel. The purified, concentrated product can be diluted with water to a desired concentration.
Claims41
A method of removing dioxane from an aqueous alkoxylated fatty alcohol sulfate paste, comprising:
- pumping a dioxane-containing aqueous paste feedstock to an inlet of an evaporator;
- supplying heat to the paste in the evaporator;
- and
- reducing the vapor pressure in the evaporator;
- to vaporize dioxane and water from the paste and thereby concentrate the paste, wherein the wt. % increase of the active sulfate following concentration, based on the total weight of the paste, is at least 5 wt. %, and collecting the resulting concentrated product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.