Abstract:
Recycle streams in an ethanol production process are hydrolyzed to reduce ethyl acetate concentration. In the process, acetic acid is hydrogenated to form a crude ethanol product, which undergoes a separation or purification process. Ethyl acetate is formed as a byproduct of the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The hydrolysis of recycle steams from the separation process can reduce the concentration of ethyl acetate, converting some or all of the ethyl acetate to acetic acid and ethanol.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing an esterification product, such as ethyl acetate. The processes comprise esterifying acetic acid and an alcohol such as ethanol to produce an esterification product. The esterification product may be recovered using an extractive separation. The esterification product is reduced with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a crude reaction mixture comprising the alcohol, in particular ethanol, which may be separated from the crude reaction mixture.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to processes for the recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns. At least one of the columns is operated at a controlled pressure to enhance separation of ethanol and organics. In one embodiment, there are at least two columns that operate at controlled pressures.
Abstract:
Processes for producing alcohols such as ethanol and propanol from a mixed acid feedstock in an integrated process. In one embodiment, the process comprises the step of carbonylating methanol in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst to form a mixed acid feedstock comprising acetic acid and one or more higher acids, preferably comprising propionic acid. The mixed acid feed is hydrogenated in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a crude alcohol product comprising ethanol and one or more higher alcohols, preferably including propanol.
Abstract:
Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing an esterification product, such as ethyl acetate. The processes comprise esterifying, in the vapor phase, acetic acid and an alcohol such as ethanol to produce the esterification product. The esterification product is reduced with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a crude reaction mixture comprising the alcohol, in particular ethanol, which may be separated from the crude reaction mixture.
Abstract:
Recovery of alcohol, in particular ethanol, from a crude product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using various combinations of membranes and/or distillation columns.
Abstract:
A process for purifying ethanol by using a finishing reactor to remove impurities, such as ethyl acetate, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, and diethyl acetal, present in ethanol after distilling a crude product from a hydrogenation reactor. The finishing reactor may reduce the impurities in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst or may hydrolyze the impurities.
Abstract:
A process for removing water from an alcohol mixture, such as an ethanol mixture in the production of ethanol by hydrogenating acetic acid. The water is removed from a distillate of a first column using an adsorption unit, membrane, extractive column distillation, or a combination thereof.
Abstract:
Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and recovery of unreacted acetic acid from a weak acid stream. The unreacted acetic acid may be recovered as a dry acetic acid composition and may be directly or indirectly fed to the hydrogenation reactor.