Abstract: Acetic acid is hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst comprising one or more active metals on a silica support, wherein the catalyst has a radial crush strength of at least 4 N/mm. The one or more active metals may include cobalt, copper, gold, iron, nickel, palladium, platinum, iridium, osmium, rhenium, rhodium, ruthenium, tin, zinc, lanthanum, cerium, manganese, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum and mixtures thereof. Radial crush strength may be improved by steam treating the catalyst support prior to the loading of the one or more active metals.

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: 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: 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 ethyl acetate produced by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The product of the acetic acid hydrogenation is fed directly to a decanter to separate the hydrogenation product into an aqueous phase comprising water and ethanol and an organic phase comprising ethyl acetate. The organic phase 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. Thus, ethanol may be produced from acetic acid through an ethyl acetate intermediate without an esterification step. This may reduce the recycle of ethanol in the hydrogenolysis process and improve ethanol productivity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Acetic acid is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst in a hydrogenation reactor to form a crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns to recover ethanol. In some embodiments, less than 10 wt. % ethanol is recycled to the hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: Various processes and methods are disclosed for incorporating polyvinyl alcohol additives into products. In one embodiment, polyvinyl alcohol particles are dissolved in a solvent without the use of external heat to form a polyvinyl alcohol solution for incorporation into a product. In an alternative embodiment, polyvinyl alcohol particles are directly incorporated into a starch-based adhesive composition. Through the processes of the present disclosure, solid polyvinyl alcohol particles can be delivered directly to a manufacturing facility where the product that incorporates the polyvinyl alcohol additive is being made or formulated. In this manner, since the polyvinyl alcohol particles are not predissolved, the costs associated with shipping and transporting the polyvinyl alcohol product are greatly reduced.

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 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 and water. Acetal byproduct can be reduced or removed through configurations of hydrolysis secondary reactors. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.

Abstract: Various processes and methods are disclosed for incorporating polyvinyl alcohol additives into products. In one embodiment, polyvinyl alcohol particles are dissolved in a solvent without the use of external heat to form a polyvinyl alcohol solution for incorporation into a product. In an alternative embodiment, polyvinyl alcohol particles are directly incorporated into a starch-based adhesive composition. Through the processes of the present disclosure, solid polyvinyl alcohol particles can be delivered directly to a manufacturing facility where the product that incorporates the polyvinyl alcohol additive is being made or formulated. In this manner, since the polyvinyl alcohol particles are not predissolved, the costs associated with shipping and transporting the polyvinyl alcohol product are greatly reduced.

Abstract: Acetic acid is hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst comprising one or more active metals on a silica support, wherein the catalyst has a radial crush strength of at least 4 N/mm. The one or more active metals may include cobalt, copper, gold, iron, nickel, palladium, platinum, iridium, osmium, rhenium, rhodium, ruthenium, tin, zinc, lanthanum, cerium, manganese, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum and mixtures thereof. Radial crush strength may be improved by steam treating the catalyst support prior to the loading of the one or more active metals.

Abstract: A process for producing ethanol and, in particular, to a process for reducing the concentration of acetic acid in a crude ethanol product by esterifying unreacted acetic acid with an alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention is related to processes for the separation of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns. A reboiler is used following one or more of the columns for reducing ester formation.

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: Acetic acid is hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst comprising one or more active metals on a silica support, wherein the catalyst has a radial crush strength of at least 4 N/mm. The one or more active metals may include cobalt, copper, gold, iron, nickel, palladium, platinum, iridium, osmium, rhenium, rhodium, ruthenium, tin, zinc, lanthanum, cerium, manganese, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum and mixtures thereof. Radial crush strength may be improved by steam treating the catalyst support prior to the loading of the one or more active metals.

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 hydrolyze acetal impurities by the addition of an acid stream.

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. Unreacted acetic acid can be reduced or removed through configurations of esterification secondary reactors. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude product comprising ethyl acetate obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude product is separated to form an organic stream that may be subjected to hydrogenolysis to form ethanol. The organic phase may comprise ethyl acetate is reacted via hydrogenolysis form ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by hydrogenating acetic acid to obtain a mixture of ethanol and acetic acid, esterifying the mixture to produce an esterification product and reducing the esterification product. The mixture may provide a sufficient amount of ethanol and acetic acid for esterification and reduces the need for additional acetic acid and/or ethanol. This may reduce the recycle of ethanol in the hydrogenolysis process and improve ethanol productivity.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude product comprising ethyl acetate obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude product is separated to form an organic stream that may be subjected to hydrogenolysis to form ethanol. The organic phase may comprise ethyl acetate is reacted via hydrogenolysis form ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.