Abstract: A butanol production system and method for producing refined mixed butanols includes an internal baffle single pass reactor having an internal fluid conduit defined by an internal wall. The internal fluid conduit contains a process fluid comprising water, mixed butenes and mixed butanols, to form a crude product. Internal flow baffles are located along a length of the internal fluid conduit. Baffled cells are defined at an outer diameter by the internal wall and at ends by the internal flow baffles. A separation system separates water and mixed butenes from the crude product to produce refined mixed butanols. An oscillator assembly is coupled to the internal baffle single pass reactor and has a reciprocating oscillator head selectively movable in a back and forth linear motion, and in communication with the process fluid such that the process fluid undergoes a general sinusoidal movement along the internal baffle single pass reactor.

Abstract: A butanol production system and method for producing refined mixed butanols includes an internal baffle single pass reactor having an internal fluid conduit defined by an internal wall. The internal fluid conduit contains a process fluid comprising water, mixed butenes and mixed butanols, to form a crude product. Internal flow baffles are located along a length of the internal fluid conduit. Baffled cells are defined at an outer diameter by the internal wall and at ends by the internal flow baffles. A separation system separates water and mixed butenes from the crude product to produce refined mixed butanols. An oscillator assembly is coupled to the internal baffle single pass reactor and has a reciprocating oscillator head selectively movable in a back and forth linear motion, and in communication with the process fluid such that the process fluid undergoes a general sinusoidal movement along the internal baffle single pass reactor.

Abstract: A butanol production system and method of producing refined mixed butanols from water and mixed butenes. The system includes an internal baffle single pass reactor, a separation system and an exterior motion driver. The reactor has baffled cells. The separations system is operable to separately selectively separate water and mixed butenes from the crude product such that a refined mixed butanols is produced. The exterior motion driver is operable to induce unsteadiness in the fluid flow of the process fluid through the reactor. A method for producing refined mixed butanols includes introducing mixed butenes, water and a butene hydration catalyst into the reactor, operating the butanol production system such that the external motion driver induces unsteadiness in the process fluid flow and the reaction of mixed butenes and water occurs in the presence of the butene hydration catalyst such that mixed butanols form.

Abstract: A butanol production system and method of producing refined mixed butanols from water and mixed butenes. The system includes an internal baffle single pass reactor, a separation system and an exterior motion driver. The reactor has baffled cells. The separations system is operable to separately selectively separate water and mixed butenes from the crude product such that a refined mixed butanols is produced. The exterior motion driver is operable to induce unsteadiness in the fluid flow of the process fluid through the reactor. A method for producing refined mixed butanols includes introducing mixed butenes, water and a butene hydration catalyst into the reactor, operating the butanol production system such that the external motion driver induces unsteadiness in the process fluid flow and the reaction of mixed butenes and water occurs in the presence of the butene hydration catalyst such that mixed butanols form.