Abstract: There is provided a process wherein a lower alkyl ester of a fatty acid derived from natural fats and oils and a lower alcohol containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms is produced in a lower sulfur content at lower costs without causing a reduction in yield and a deterioration in selectivity, as well as a process for producing an alcohol without reducing the activity of a catalyst. The process comprises the step of adsorption treatment of an ester with at least one adsorbent selected from clay and activated carbon. Further are provided a process for producing an ester which further comprises adsorption treatment with a hydrogenating decomposition-type adsorbent containing Ni and/or Cu, in hydrogen or a mixed gas atmosphere of hydrogen and an inert gas, and a process for producing an alcohol which comprises hydrogenation reaction with an ester produced by any one of these processes as the starting material.

Abstract: There is provided a process wherein a lower alkyl ester of a fatty acid derived from natural fats and oils and a lower alcohol containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms is produced in a lower sulfur content at lower costs without causing a reduction in yield and a deterioration in selectivity, as well as a process for producing an alcohol without reducing the activity of a catalyst. The process comprises the step of adsorption treatment of an ester with at least one adsorbent selected from clay and activated carbon. Further are provided a process for producing an ester which further comprises adsorption treatment with a hydrogenating decomposition-type adsorbent containing Ni and/or Cu, in hydrogen or a mixed gas atmosphere of hydrogen and an inert gas, and a process for producing an alcohol which comprises hydrogenation reaction with an ester produced by any one of these processes as the starting material.

Abstract: A process for preparing a powdery alkyl sulfate, comprising drying aqueous slurry having a solid content of 60 to 85% by weight and containing an alkyl sulfate and an alkali metal carbonate in a ratio of 0.05 to 10 parts by weight of the alkali metal carbonate based on 100 parts by weight of the alkyl sulfate. This process is capable of stably preparing a powdery alkyl sulfate without deteriorating the quality of aqueous slurry of an alkyl sulfate and powder obtainable from the aqueous slurry.

Abstract: A process for preparing a powdery alkyl sulfate, comprising drying aqueous slurry having a solid content of 60 to 85% by weight and containing an alkyl sulfate and an alkali metal carbonate in a ratio of 0.05 to 10 parts by weight of the alkali metal carbonate based on 100 parts by weight of the alkyl sulfate. This process is capable of stably preparing a powdery alkyl sulfate without deteriorating the quality of aqueous slurry of an alkyl sulfate and powder obtainable from the aqueous slurry.

Abstract: A method for producing an alcohol comprising the steps of continuously feeding starting materials of an alcohol; and carrying out catalytic reduction reaction of the starting materials in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein said starting materials of an alcohol and a hydrogen gas are fed in a gaseous state or a mixture of liquid and gaseous states in a reduction reactor, and wherein said catalytic reduction reaction of the starting materials is carried out under temperature conditions, pressure conditions, and conditions of a molar ratio of hydrogen ((hydrogen molecules/(acyl groups in the starting materials)), sufficient to give an evaporation ratio of the starting materials of from 20 to 80% by weight, and wherein a ratio of VG to VL satisfies the following relationship in the reduction reactor: 100.ltoreq.VG/VL.ltoreq.

Abstract: A method for preparing a copper-containing hydrogenation reaction catalyst includes the step of reducing a formed precursor of a copper-containing hydrogenation reaction catalyst with hydrogen gas or a mixture of hydrogen and inert gas by liquid phase reduction in a stream of a solvent. The reductive activation is carried out by the two steps of performing the first stage of liquid phase reduction by which the catalyst precursor is activated in the temperature range of from 20.degree. to 140.degree. C. so that at least 10% by weight of the copper oxide contained in the catalyst precursor can be reduced by the time when the temperature passes 140.degree. C., and then performing the second stage of liquid phase reduction by which the catalyst precursor is further activated in the temperature range of from 140.degree. to 250.degree. C. The catalyst thus obtained has markedly improved catalytic activity and selectivity.