Abstract: The disclosed process relates to an improved process for manufacturing THF from a reaction mixture comprising BDO in the presence of an acid catalyst in a reaction vessel comprising a distillation reaction zone, wherein the acid catalyst is suspended in a vapor-rich region in the distillation reaction zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for recovering power from the gaseous stream produced by an oxidation reaction. Specifically, the invention is based on heating the gaseous stream from the oxidation reaction to a temperature of at least 800° C. and recovering energy through a gas turbine. The compressor stage of the gas turbine compresses the oxidant feed to the reactor thereby at least partially offsetting the cost of providing the high temperature and pressure reaction conditions in the reactor. The invention also provides improved control of the power recovery system by optimising the efficiency of the gas turbine by feeding gas to the gaseous stream to modulate the flow of gas to the turbine relative to the compressor discharge flow in order to compensate for the consumption of oxidant in the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising water, methanol, propanol, butanol and optionally other organic compounds. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for recovering butanol as an essentially pure product from a mixture comprising water, methanol, propanol, butanol and other organic compounds.