Abstract: The present invention produces ethanol in a stacked bed reactor that comprises a first catalyst and a second catalyst, wherein the first and second catalysts comprise at least one group VIII metal, and wherein the second catalyst is substantially free of copper. The crude ethanol product may be separated and ethanol recovered.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing ethanol, comprising contacting acetic acid and hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder, a mixed oxide, and at least two promoter metals comprising ruthenium and bismuth. The mixed oxide preferably also comprises cobalt and tin.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing ethanol, comprising contacting acetic acid and hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder, a mixed oxide, and at least two promoter metals comprising ruthenium and bismuth. The mixed oxide preferably also comprises cobalt and tin.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing ethanol, comprising contacting hydrogen and a feed stream comprising acetic acid in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder and a mixed oxide comprising a promoter metal and tin, and preferably also comprising cobalt. The promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and combinations thereof. The feed stream may comprises pure acetic acid or may comprise a mixture of 50 to 95 wt. % acetic acid and 5 to 50 wt. % ethyl acetate.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing ethanol, comprising contacting acetic acid and hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder and a mixed oxide comprising cobalt and preferably tin, wherein the mixed oxide is present in an amount from 60 to 90 wt. %, based on the total weight of the catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention is to a process for producing a anhydrous ethanol composition comprising hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude ethanol product; separating in a first column at least a portion of the crude ethanol product into a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid; separating in a second column at least a portion of the first distillate into a second distillate comprising ethyl acetate and a second residue comprising ethanol and water; separating in a third column at least a portion of the second residue into a third distillate comprising ethanol and residual water and a third residue comprising separated water; and dehydrating at least a portion of the third distillate to form the anhydrous ethanol composition. The anhydrous ethanol composition, as formed, comprises less than 1 wt. % water.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing ethanol, comprising contacting hydrogen and a feed stream comprising acetic acid in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder and a mixed oxide comprising a promoter metal and tin, and preferably also comprising cobalt. The promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and combinations thereof. The feed stream may comprises pure acetic acid or may comprise a mixture of 50 to 95 wt. % acetic acid and 5 to 50 wt. % ethyl acetate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, to processes for making catalysts and to chemical processes employing such catalysts. The catalysts are preferably used for converting acetic acid to ethanol. The catalyst comprises a precious metal and one or more active metals on a modified support. The modified support may comprise cobalt tungstate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the separation of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the vaporization and hydrogenation of acetic acid using reduced residence time for the vapor phase reactants between exiting the vaporizer and entering the reactor. The crude ethanol product is separated in at least one column to recover an ethanol product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the formation of alcohols from alkanoic acids, the steps of the process comprising: contacting a feed stream containing the alkanoic acid and hydrogen at an elevated temperature with a hydrogenating catalyst comprising from 3 to 25 wt. % of active metals on a support, wherein the active metals comprise cobalt and tin.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying a crude ethanol product. The process comprises the step of hydrogenating acetic acid in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst to form the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in a purification zone. The purification zone preferably comprises a first column, which yields a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid. The at least a portion of the crude ethanol product has a residence time from the reactor to the purification zone from 5 minutes to 5 days.

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 hydrogenolyzis. The one or more derivative streams comprise ethyl acetate that are reacted via hydrogenolyzis to form additional ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst having an amorphous support and one or more active metals. The amorphous support may comprise a support material and an amorphous support modifier, which adjusts the acidity of the support material. In preparing the amorphous catalyst, post-synthesis treatment, i.e. calcination, may be used to adjust the catalyst performance while converting acetic acid to ethanol.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing ethanol, comprising contacting acetic acid and hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder and a mixed oxide comprising cobalt and preferably tin, wherein the mixed oxide is present in an amount from 60 to 90 wt. %, based on the total weight of the catalyst.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing ethanol, comprising contacting hydrogen and a feed stream comprising acetic acid in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder and a mixed oxide comprising a promoter metal and tin, and preferably also comprising cobalt. The promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and combinations thereof. The feed stream may comprises pure acetic acid or may comprise a mixture of 50 to 95 wt. % acetic acid and 5 to 50 wt. % ethyl acetate.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing ethanol comprising contacting acetic acid and hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder and a mixed oxide comprising nickel and tin.

Abstract: A process for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.

Abstract: A process for produce ethanol by hydrogenation acetic acid and/or esters thereof is disclosed. The process involves reacting hydrogen feed stream with an acetic acid feed stream in a reactor operated in the presence of a catalyst to form an ethanol mixture and monitoring carbon monoxide concentration of the fresh hydrogen feed stream and adjusting temperature in the reactor in response to the carbon monoxide concentration of the fresh hydrogen feed stream.

Abstract: Purifying and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In addition, the process involves the esterification of acetic acid in a column used for recovering the ethanol.

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.