Abstract: The vaporous reaction product from the continuous reaction of C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 monoalkanols with hydrogen chloride is removed, condensed, and split into a light organic phase and a heavy aqueous phase. The heavy aqueous phase is immediately distilled yielding HCl-containing reaction water at the bottom of the column and an alcohol stream at the head of the column from where it is returned to the synthesis. The light organic phase is washed with water, dried and, optionally, distilled. The water from this washing operation is neutralized, stripped off in order to remove dissolved organic constituents, and removed as waste water from the system.

Abstract: An energy saving process for purification of methyl tertbutyl ether by fractional distillation of a mixture containing dissolved water and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons characterized by phase separation of water and methyl tertiary butyl ether within the distillation column and withdrawal of the separated water phase from the column at a point below the point at which the mixture is supplied to the column.

Abstract: Practically anhydrous crude sec-butyl alcohol produced by catalytic direct hydration of n-butenes is freed by means of water from the azeotropically boiling and low-boiling by-products by continuous azeotropic distillation in a separation column, the prepurified anhydrous sec-butyl alcohol obtained is withdrawn and the high-boiling by-products are subsequently separated in a separate column.

Abstract: A direct hydration process for the production of isopropyl alcohol by reacting a propene-containing hydrocarbon stream with an aqueous stream in an interconnected series of reactors in the presence of an acidic cation exchange resin catalyst wherein the improvement comprises charging a propene-containing hydrocarbon stream to one end of a series of interconnected reactors and charging an aqueous stream to the opposite end of a series of interconnected reactors and directing the streams through the series of reactors so that the hydrocarbon stream and the aqueous stream flow in opposite directions with respect to the series of interconnected reactors and flow in parallel streams through each individual reactor is provided.

Abstract: Tertiary alcohols with 4 or 5 carbon atoms are produced by reacting an isoolefin-containing hydrocarbon stream with water in the presence of a strongly acidic, solid hydration catalyst in such a way that each of the two process streams, the hydrocarbon stream and the process water, is cascaded through several reactors connected in series such that one process stream is fed to one end of the line of reactors and the other process stream to the other end of the line of reactors, and the two process streams pass through the line of reactors in opposite directions, while they pass through the individual reactors as parallel currents.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing technical-grade isopropyl alcohol by contacting the alcohol with a strongly acidic cation exchange resin loaded with silver in ionic form is provided.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing technical-grade isopropyl alcohol by contacting the alcohol with a strongly acidic cation exchange resin loaded with palladium in ionic form is provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for the continuous production of isopropanol and secondary butyl alcohol by catalytically hydrating the corresponding aliphatic olefin in an elongated reaction vessel in which co-product by-product dialkyl ether is separated from the reaction product and recycled to the reaction mixture being introduced therein at a point between the olefin feed inlet and the product outlet about 5 to 30 percent of the distance before the product outlet.

Abstract: The reaction product from etherification of C.sub.4 -C.sub.7 isoolefins with methanol in the presence of an acidic catalyst is washed with water in the presence of inert hydrocarbons thereby removing methanol and a part of the tertiary alcohol. The aqueous extract solution bottoms is distilled to separate methanol as overhead. Tertiary alcohols are withdrawn as a side stream from a tray of the distillation column with a high concentration thereof and fed into the washing column.

Abstract: A process for the production of secondary butyl alcohol by the direct hydration of n-butenes in the presence of an acidic cation exchange resin catalyst which comprises depressurizing the vaporous product stream from a reactor to a pressure ranging from 15 to 40 bar and cooling the depressurizing product stream to a temperature of 120.degree. C. or below to liquefy the product stream, separating an aqueous fraction from said stream leaving an alcohol-butene/butane organic mixture, vaporizing said organic mixture, depressurizing said organic mixture to a pressure ranging from 3 to 30 bar and including a pressure of from 3 to 8 bar and introducing said depressurized organic mixture into a separation column to separate secondary butyl alcohol from said mixture.

Abstract: Acetone containing less than 0.2 weight percent water is produced in an extractive distillation of acetone containing appreciable quantities of water by utilizing isopropyl alcohol as the extracting agent.

Abstract: Process for the production of an aliphatic alcohol comprising reacting an olefin having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms with sulfuric acid to form an ester reaction product, diluting said product with water and steam stripping to remove a lower aliphatic alcohol overhead leaving a dilute sulfuric acid solution, concentrating said dilute sulfuric acid solution in a first stage indirect evaporator, recycling the steam generated in this first stage evaporator to the steam stripping step, further concentrating the sulfuric acid solution in a second stage direct heat evaporator to form a concentrated sulfuric acid solution and recycling said concentrated sulfuric acid solution for reaction with fresh olefin feed.