Abstract: The present disclosure provides a catalyst for use in a process for methyl acetate and acetic acid production from renewable methanol and synthesis gas. The catalyst comprises at least a metal as an active site for the vapor phase carbonylation reaction, including those from the group VIII and lanthanides series of the periodic table and could be alone or mixed. The support comprises an activated carbon with a high surface area.

Abstract: A catalyst for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether to methyl acetate. The catalyst comprises a zeolite, such as a mordenite zeolite, at least one Group IB metal, such as copper, and/or at least one Group VIII metal, such as iron, and at least one Group IIB metal, such as zinc. Such a catalyst with combined metals provides enhanced catalytic activity, improved stability, and improved selectivity to methyl acetate, and does not require a halogen promoter, as compared to a metal-free or copper only zeolite.

Abstract: A catalyst for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether to methyl acetate. The catalyst comprises a zeolite, such as a mordenite zeolite, at least one Group IB metal, such as copper, and/or at least one Group VIII metal, such as iron, and at least one Group IIB metal, such as zinc. Such a catalyst with combined metals provides enhanced catalytic activity, improved stability, and improved selectivity to methyl acetate, and does not require a halogen promoter, as compared to a metal-free or copper only zeolite.

Abstract: A catalyst for converting dimethyl ether into light olefins, including ethylene and propylene. The catalyst comprises a mixture of two zeolites, ZSM-5 and ZSM-35, intimately mixed and kept in close proximity in a porous extruded binder system. The resulting combination of zeolites demonstrates a synergistic effect with respect to the conversion of the dimethyl ether and has improved resistance to deactivation due to carbon and coke formation than the individual zeolites alone when operating in this reaction. The catalyst is used to produce ethylene and propylene from a feed mixture containing methanol, dimethyl ether and water.

Abstract: A catalyst for converting dimethyl ether into light olefins, including ethylene and propylene. The catalyst comprises a mixture of two zeolites, ZSM-5 and ZSM-35, intimately mixed and kept in close proximity in a porous extruded binder system. The resulting combination of zeolites demonstrates a synergistic effect with respect to the conversion of the dimethyl ether and has improved resistance to deactivation due to carbon and coke formation than the individual zeolites alone when operating in this reaction. The catalyst is used to produce ethylene and propylene from a feed mixture containing methanol, dimethyl ether and water.

Abstract: A method of obtaining purified hydrogen and purified carbon monoxide from crude synthesis gas. A first crude synthesis gas stream is passed through a first separation zone to separate a hydrogen stream from a stream comprising carbon monoxide and methane. The carbon monoxide and methane are subjected to thermal reforming to produce a second crude synthesis gas, which is passed through a second separation zone to separate carbon monoxide from the second crude synthesis gas stream.

Abstract: A process for producing acrylic acid from carbonaceous materials such as biomass. The carbonaceous material, such as biomass, is gasified to produce synthesis gas. The synthesis gas then is subjected to a plurality of reactions to produce acrylic acid.

Abstract: A catalyst which comprises nickel and/or cobalt supported on a support that includes a mixed oxide containing metals, such as aluminum, zirconium, lanthanum, magnesium, cerium, calcium, and yttrium. Such catalysts are useful for converting carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, and for converting methane to hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for producing at least one acetate from acetic acid and at least one alcohol by employing multiple cycles of reacting acetic acid to produce a reaction product including at least one acetate, unreacted acetic acid, unreacted alcohol, and water, followed by drying the reaction product to remove water therefrom. Such process provides for improved yields of acetate.

Abstract: A process for producing acrylic acid from carbonaceous materials such as biomass. The carbonaceous material, such as biomass, is gasified to produce synthesis gas. The synthesis gas then is subjected to a plurality of reactions to produce acrylic acid.

Abstract: A process for producing ethanol from synthesis gas by reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide of the synthesis gas to provide methanol, which then is subjected to dehydration to produce at least one ether, such as dimethyl ether. The ether, such as dimethyl ether, then is subjected to carbonylation with unreacted carbon monoxide from the synthesis gas to provide at least one acetate, such as methyl acetate. The acetate then is subjected to hydrogenolysis to produce ethanol.

Abstract: A catalyst which comprises nickel and/or cobalt supported on a support that includes a mixed oxide containing metals, such as aluminum, zirconium, lanthanum, magnesium, cerium, calcium, and yttrium. Such catalysts are useful for converting carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, and for converting methane to hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for producing alcohols from carbonaceous materials such as biomass. The carbonaceous material, such as biomass, is gasified to produce synthesis gas. The synthesis gas then is subjected to a plurality of reactions to produce alcohols having at least four carbon atoms such as butanol and isobutanol.

Abstract: A process for producing alcohols having three carbon atoms from carbonaceous materials such as biomass. The carbonaceous material, such as biomass, is gasified to produce synthesis gas. The synthesis gas then is subjected to a plurality of reactions to produce alcohols such as n-propanol and isopropanol.

Abstract: A method of producing at least one oxygenated compound, such as methyl acetate, dimethyl ether, and formaldehyde, by reacting dimethyl carbonate and carbon monoxide in the presence of a faujasite zeolite, zeolite Beta, Linde Type L (LTL) zeolite, or MCM-41 zeolite.

Abstract: Processes for producing synthesis gas from biomass in which char particles, which are formed during the production of synthesis gas from biomass, are employed as catalysts. The char particles may be used as catalysts in a gasifier or in a thermal reformer, whereby gaseous components, formed as a result of the gasification of the biomass, such as methane, light alkyl and aromatic compounds, and phenolics, as well as tar, may be reformed and/or converted into synthesis gas.

Abstract: A process for producing synthesis gas, or syngas, from biomass. The process comprises contacting biomass with oxygen, or oxygen and steam, in an amount effective to oxidize the biomass and to heat the biomass to a temperature to no greater than 750° C. At least one combustible material also is contacted with oxygen and steam to heat the at least one combustible material to a temperature of at least 1,100° C., to provide a hot gas derived from the oxidized combustible material. The latter maybe residual products derived from the process itself as char, tar, or hydrocarbons. The oxidized biomass then is contacted with the hot flue gas to heat the biomass to a temperature of at least 900° C., thereby producing synthesis gas. The synthesis gas then is recovered. Such process provides a method of providing heat for producing synthesis gas without consuming a portion of the synthesis gas to provide such heat, thereby providing an increased yield of synthesis gas.

Abstract: A process for converting methanol to ethanol which comprises reacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst to produce a product comprising at least 25 mole % methyl acetate and, in some instances, acetic acid. The acetic acid then is reacted with at least one alcohol to produce at least one acetate selected from methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate. The at least one acetate (if produced) and the methyl acetate produced as a result of reacting methanol and carbon monoxide then are hydrogenated to produce ethanol. Syngas may be produced from biomass to produce all or a portion of the methanol, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide requirements for the process.

Abstract: A process for producing synthesis gas from biomass in which biomass is contacted with oxygen and steam, wherein the oxygen is present in an amount effective to oxidize the biomass partially and to heat the biomass to a temperature of at least 500° C. and no greater than 750° C. At least a portion of the partially oxidized biomass then is treated with oxygen and steam to heat the biomass to a temperature of at least 800° C., thereby producing a synthesis gas, which then is recovered.

Abstract: A method of producing and treating synthesis gas in which a biomass-rich material is gasified in a gasifier containing a fluidized bed at a temperature that does not exceed 750° C. to produce a crude synthesis gas product. The crude synthesis gas then is quenched, scrubbed, and then subjected to at least one adsorption step to provide a clean synthesis gas. The clean synthesis gas then may be reformed catalytically to provide a synthesis gas with a desired H2:CO ratio, and/or may be employed in the synthesis of desired chemicals.