Abstract: The present invention relates to the recovery of alcohols, in particular ethanol, from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a reduced energy process. The crude ethanol product may be fed to a distillation column in which a substantial portion of the water is removed with the acetic acid in the residue. Additional water may be removed by using a pressure swing adsorption unit, molecular sieve, and/or membrane. Ethanol extraction may also be used to reduce the ethanol concentration in the recycle streams.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing a water stream comprising the steps of hydrogenating acetic acid to form a crude ethanol product and separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in at least one column of a plurality of columns into a distillate comprising ethanol and a residue comprising the water stream. The water stream preferably is essentially free of organic impurities other than acetic acid and ethanol.

Abstract: There is shown a method of purifying glacial acetic acid containing terpene and terpenoid impurities. Substantially dry acetic acid containing terpene and terpenoid impurities is combined with water and a suitable organic solvent, which is substantially immiscible with acetic acid and water, to form a separating composite extraction medium having a weight ratio of acetic acid:water of at least 1:1. The components are separated into an organic phase and an aqueous acid phase, with the terpene and terpenoid impurities concentrated in the organic phase, and with the aqueous acid phase purified of terpene and terpenoid impurities. The purified aqueous acid phase is recovered, and the purified acetic acid is dried.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing ethanol, comprising the step of providing from a distillation column in a carbonylation process a purified acetic acid stream comprising up to 25 wt. % water. The process further comprises the step of hydrogenating acetic acid of the purified acetic acid stream in the presence of a catalyst and under conditions effective to form a crude ethanol product comprising ethanol and water. Ethanol is recovered from the crude ethanol product.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and by reacting a portion of the crude ethanol product or one or more derivative streams containing ethyl acetate obtained therefrom in the presence of hydrogen, via hydrogenolysis. The one or more derivative streams comprise ethyl acetate that are reacted via hydrogenolysis to form additional ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.

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: In one embodiment, the present invention is to an ethanol composition comprising at least 85 wt. % ethanol and from 95 wppm to 850 wppm isopropanol.

Abstract: An ethanol/fuel blend composition. The ethanol/fuel blend composition includes an ethanol composition including at least 92 wt. % ethanol, and from 95 wppm to 1,000 wppm isopropanol and a fuel.

Abstract: A denatured fuel ethanol composition for blending with fuels, including gasoline and diesel fuel. The composition includes an ethanol composition comprising at least 92 wt. % ethanol; and from 95 wppm to 1,000 wppm isopropanol; and at least 1.96 vol. % fuel denaturant.

Abstract: Processes for producing alcohols such as ethanol and propanol from a mixed acid feedstock. In one embodiment, the process comprises the steps of hydrogenating a mixed acid feedstock comprising acetic acid and one or more higher acids, preferably comprising propionic acid, in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude alcohol product comprising ethanol and one or more higher alcohols, preferably including propanol.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing ethanol. The process comprises the step of hydrogenating an acetic acid feed stream in a first reactor to form a crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product may comprise, among other components, ethanol, acetaldehyde, and residual acetic acid. The process further comprises the step of recovering acetaldehyde from the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the steps of feeding a first portion of the recovered acetaldehyde to the first reactor and reacting the first portion of the recovered acetaldehyde in the first reactor to form additional ethanol. In addition, the inventive process may comprise the steps of feeding a second portion of the recovered acetaldehyde to a second reactor and reacting the second portion of the recovered acetaldehyde in the second reactor to faun an additional product.

Abstract: Recovery of alcohols, in particular ethanol, from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a reduced energy process. The crude ethanol product may be fed to a distillation column in which a substantial portion of the water is removed with the acetic acid in the residue. The ethanol product is obtained from the distillate.

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: 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.

Abstract: Monitoring and recycling gases from acetic acid hydrogenation reaction to maintain a constant pressure in the hydrogenation reaction system. Purging of the vapor stream comprising hydrogen may be limited or reduced. Further purging of the by-product may be from the dissolved by-product gases.

Abstract: Purifying and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid from an feed stream comprising water. The presence of water does not significantly impact acid conversion or selectivity to ethanol. Further the addition of water allows for improved recovery of ethanol.

Abstract: A method of removing impurities, such as halogens, sulfurs, and corrosion metal impurities, in an ethanol production process. Ion exchange resins may be used to remove these impurities from acetic acid feed streams and recycle streams that comprise unreacted acetic acid.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and by reacting a portion of the crude ethanol product or one or more derivative streams containing ethyl acetate obtained therefrom in the presence of hydrogen, via hydrogenolysis. The one or more derivative streams comprise ethyl acetate that are reacted in via hydrogenolysis form additional ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: A crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid comprises ethanol and ethyl acetate. Using a distillation column operated at a pressure of from 0.1 to 100 kPa, the ethyl acetate and ethanol may be effectively separated. In addition, maintaining the amount of water that is fed to the distillation column to an amount less than 10 wt. %, based on the weight of all components fed to the distillation column, provides an energy benefit.