Abstract: A stator-type mixing device is used as a mixing device between fixed catalyst beds in a reactor. The mixing device includes a plurality of blades or surfaces arranged around a central hub. The blades are arranged at an angle relative to vertical so that a fluid cannot pass vertically through the mixing device without contacting at least one blade or surface. The blades or surfaces allow the stator-type mixing device to span the full cross-sectional surface area of the reactor, so that concentration of liquids in a localized portion of the reactor cross-sectional area is reduced or minimized. For reactors where at least part of the process fluid is a liquid under reaction conditions, a distributor tray can be included below the stator-type mixing device.

Abstract: A stator-type mixing device is used as a mixing device between fixed catalyst beds in a reactor. The mixing device includes a plurality of blades or surfaces arranged around a central hub. The blades are arranged at an angle relative to vertical so that a fluid cannot pass vertically through the mixing device without contacting at least one blade or surface. The blades or surfaces allow the stator-type mixing device to span the full cross-sectional surface area of the reactor, so that concentration of liquids in a localized portion of the reactor cross-sectional area is reduced or minimized. For reactors where at least part of the process fluid is a liquid under reaction conditions, a distributor tray can be included below the stator-type mixing device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of an alcohol, the process comprising (a) reacting an olefin and water in the presence of a catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a crude alcohol stream comprising alcohol, and a dialkyl ether; (b) separating at least a portion of the crude alcohol stream into an alcohol-containing stream and a dialkyl ether stream; (c) contacting at least a portion of the dialkyl ether stream with an ether decomposition catalyst, the ether decomposition catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide having the following composition XmYnZpOq where X is at least one metal selected from Group 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements, Y is at least one metal selected from Group 3 (including the Lanthanides and Actinides) and Group 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements and Z is at least one metal selected from Groups 7, 8, and 11 of the Periodic Table of Elements; m, n, p, and q are the atomic ratios of their respective components and, when m is 1, n is from about 0.01 to about 0.