Polysar Limited

David T Ahlberg

Dilipkumar Padliya

Jeffery T Reed

The present invention relates to a process to remove residue from partially hydrogenated nitrile rubber. The process is undertaken by mixing and kneading the rubber in the presence of an extractant fluid. The extractant fluid is a solvent for the residue but is not a solvent for the rubber. At the conclusion of the process, the rubber is separated from the residue-containing extractant fluid.

Residue removal process

A distillation apparatus is provided for the fractionation of a hydrocarbon stream. A part of the heat energy to operate the apparatus is provided by heat exchange of a recycled bottom liquid stream with an overhead vapor stream which has been compressed with a concurrent increase in temperature. Such an apparatus may be used to fractionate a C.sub.4 hydrocarbon feed.

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Sarnia, Canada

David T Ahlberg