Three phase crystallization

Claim 1

A process for purifying a crude aromatic hydrocarbon having 1 to 3 rings and the alkyl substituted derivatives thereof from a mixture containing at least 25 weight percent of said compound, contaminated with one or more related congeneric impurities which cannot be readily separated by distillation, said process comprising: (1) forming a dispersion of the liquefied crude aromatic hydrocarbon, said liquefaction being the result of melting or solvent solution, in an immiscible aqueous 20% solution of an inert compound selected from the group consisting of NaCl, NH 3 , CaCl 2 , (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , or (NH 4 ) 3 PO 4 by agitating a mixture of the two wherein said aqueous liquid is substantially immiscible with both (a) the aromatic hydrocarbon, and (b) the mother liquor phase composed of the liquid impurities and solvent, if any, containing the liquid impurities, and the said aqueous liquid has a density between (a) and (b), (2) effecting crystallization of the aromatic hydrocarbon to be purified while maintaining the dispersion; (3) centrifuging the mixture to permit the formation of three phases, i.e., a solid crystalline phase, an aqueous liquid phase, and a mother liquor phase, said aqueous liquid phase having sufficient height to completely separate the crystalline and mother liquor phases; and (4) separating the crystals from step (3) without contact between the crystals and mother liquor.