Patent ID: 8702852

Claim:
A condensation and washing device comprising: a) a sump container comprising a condensation and washing liquid and having at least one outflow, the condensation and washing liquid comprising an aqueous solution of an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid having formula I, wherein R is chosen from hydrogen and linear or branched C 1-6 aliphatic radicals; b) at least one column on the sump container, the column comprising at least one mass transfer packing at least partially filling the cross-section of the column; c) at least one supply line to the column disposed below the mass transfer packing, the supply line comprising process vapour; and d) at least one discharge line from the column disposed above the mass transfer packing, the discharge line configured for process vapour; wherein the outflow of the sump container is fluidly connected to the column via a pipeline having an inlet to the column disposed above the mass transfer packing to circulate the condensation and washing liquid.