Abstract: Catalysts and processes for forming catalysts for use in hydrogenating acetic acid to form ethanol. In one embodiment, the catalyst comprises a first metal, a silicaceous support, and at least one metasilicate support modifier. Preferably, the first metal is selected from the group consisting of copper, iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, titanium, zinc, chromium, rhenium, molybdenum, and tungsten. In addition the catalyst may comprise a second metal preferably selected from the group consisting of copper, molybdenum, tin, chromium, iron, cobalt, vanadium, tungsten, palladium, platinum, lanthanum, cerium, manganese, ruthenium, rhenium, gold, and nickel.

Abstract: A process for the selective production of ethanol by vapor phase reaction of acetic acid over a hydrogenating catalyst composition to form ethanol is disclosed and claimed. In an embodiment of this invention reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen over either cobalt and palladium supported on graphite or cobalt and platinum supported on silica selectively produces ethanol in a vapor phase at a temperature of about 250° C.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for producing ethanol. The process comprises the step of contacting a carbon monoxide feed and an impure methanol feed in a reactor under conditions effective to produce a crude acetic acid product. The impure methanol feed comprises more than 0.15 wt. % of impurities. The process further comprises the step of separating the crude acetic acid product to form an intermediate acetic acid product and at least one derivative stream. The intermediate acetic acid product may comprise acetic acid and at least one of the impurities from the impure methanol feed. The process further comprises the step of hydrogenating at least a portion of the intermediate acetic acid product to produce a crude ethanol product. The hydrogenation is preferably conducted over a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of first metal, a silicaceous support, and at least one support modifier. Preferably, the first metal is selected from the group consisting of copper, iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, titanium, zinc, chromium, rhenium, molybdenum, and tungsten. In addition the catalyst may comprise a second metal preferably selected from the group consisting of copper, molybdenum, tin, chromium, iron, cobalt, vanadium, tungsten, palladium, platinum, lanthanum, cerium, manganese, ruthenium, rhenium, gold, and nickel.

Abstract: A process for the selective production of acetaldehyde by vapor phase reaction of acetic acid over a hydrogenating catalyst composition to form acetaldehyde is disclosed and claimed. In an embodiment of this invention reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen over platinum and iron supported on silica selectively produces acetaldehyde in a vapor phase at a temperature of about 300° C.

Abstract: A process for the selective and direct formation of ethanol from acetic acid comprising contacting a feed stream containing acetic acid and hydrogen in vapor form at an elevated temperature with a hydrogenation catalyst comprising cobalt and one or more metals selected from the group consisting of palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, rhenium, iridium, chromium, copper, tin, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, zinc and iron on a catalyst support.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing ethanol, the process comprising the steps of carbonylating methanol in a carbonylation system in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst under conditions effective to form acetic acid; hydrogenating the acetic acid in a hydrogenation system in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a crude ethanol product comprising ethanol and water; separating the ethanol from the water to form an ethanol stream and a water stream; and directing at least a portion of the water stream to the carbonylation system, e.g., for use as an extractant in a permanganate reducing compound removal system.

Abstract: An integrated process for producing ethanol, comprising the step of reacting carbon monoxide with at least one reactant in a reactor containing a reaction medium to produce a liquid reaction product comprising acetic acid. The reaction medium comprises water, acetic acid, methyl acetate, a halogen promoter, and a first catalyst. The process further comprises the steps of directly feeding the liquid reaction product from the reactor to a distillation column and withdrawing from it an overhead stream comprising methyl acetate, and/or halogen promoter, a bottoms stream comprising a solution of the first catalyst, and a liquid acetic acid sidestream; and hydrogenating acetic acid of the liquid acetic acid sidestream in the presence of a second catalyst and under conditions effective to form a crude ethanol product comprising ethanol and water. No flashing vessel is used to purify the liquid reaction product. Ethanol is recovered from the crude ethanol product.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for producing ethanol from at least two different streams obtained by carbonylating methanol. The process comprises the steps of reacting carbon monoxide with at least one reactant in a first reactor containing a reaction medium to produce a reaction solution comprising acetic acid, wherein the at least one reactant is selected from the group consisting of methanol, methyl acetate, methyl formate, dimethyl ether and mixtures thereof and wherein the reaction medium comprises water, acetic acid, methyl iodide, and a first catalyst, purifying the reaction solution to yield an acetic acid product stream and at least one derivative stream, introducing the acetic acid product stream and the at least one derivative stream into a second reactor in the presence of a second catalyst to form a crude ethanol product, and recovering ethanol from the crude ethanol product.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing ethanol, comprising the step of reacting carbon monoxide with at least one reactant in a reactor containing a reaction medium to produce a liquid reaction product comprising acetic acid. The process further comprises the step of separating the reaction product in a flasher into a liquid recycle stream and a vapor stream. The vapor stream is then distilled in a rectification tower and an overhead stream and an acetic acid stream are withdrawn therefrom, wherein the acetic acid is substantially free of halogen promoters. The process further comprises the step of hydrogenating acetic acid of the acetic acid stream in the presence of a second catalyst and under conditions effective to form a crude ethanol product comprising ethanol and water. Ethanol is recovered from the crude ethanol product.

Abstract: Processes and systems for forming ethanol from methanol. The process involves carbonylating the methanol to form acetic acid and hydrogenating the acetic acid to form ethanol. In a first aspect, at least some hydrogen for the hydrogenating step is derived from a tail gas stream formed in the carbonylation step. In a second aspect, at least some carbon monoxide for the carbonylation step is derived from a vapor stream in the hydrogenation system. In a third aspect, a syngas stream is separated to form a hydrogen stream and a carbon monoxide stream, and the hydrogen stream is methanated to remove residual carbon monoxide prior to being introduced into the hydrogenation system.

Abstract: Processes and systems for forming ethanol from methanol. The process involves carbonylating the methanol to form acetic acid and hydrogenating the acetic acid to form ethanol. In a first aspect, at least some hydrogen for the hydrogenating step is derived from a tail gas stream formed in the carbonylation step. In a second aspect, at least some carbon monoxide for the carbonylation step is derived from a vapor stream in the hydrogenation system. In a third aspect, a syngas stream is separated to form a hydrogen stream and a carbon monoxide stream, and the hydrogen stream is methanated to remove residual carbon monoxide prior to being introduced into the hydrogenation system.

Abstract: Processes and systems for forming ethanol from methanol. The process involves carbonylating the methanol to form acetic acid and hydrogenating the acetic acid to form ethanol. In a first aspect, at least some hydrogen for the hydrogenating step is derived from a tail gas stream formed in the carbonylation step. In a second aspect, at least some carbon monoxide for the carbonylation step is derived from a vapor stream in the hydrogenation system. In a third aspect, a syngas stream is separated to form a hydrogen stream and a carbon monoxide stream, and the hydrogen stream is methanated to remove residual carbon monoxide prior to being introduced into the hydrogenation system.

Abstract: A process for the selective and direct formation of ethanol from acetic acid comprising contacting a feed stream containing acetic acid and hydrogen in vapor form at an elevated temperature with a hydrogenation catalyst comprising molybdenum carbide and one or more promoter metals selected from the group consisting of copper, iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, titanium, zinc, chromium, rhenium, potassium, tin and tungsten on a catalyst support.

Abstract: Catalysts and processes for forming catalysts for use in hydrogenating acetic acid to form ethanol. The catalyst comprises palladium and chromium on a support.

Abstract: A process for the selective production of acetaldehyde by vapor phase reaction of acetic acid over a hydrogenating catalyst composition to form acetaldehyde is disclosed and claimed. In an embodiment of this invention reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen over platinum and iron supported on silica selectively produces acetaldehyde in a vapor phase at a temperature of about 300° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing ethanol and recovering methyl iodide, the process comprising the steps of carbonylating methanol in a carbonylation system in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst under conditions effective to form acetic acid; hydrogenating the acetic acid in a hydrogenation system in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a crude ethanol product comprising ethanol and water; and separating the crude ethanol product to form an ethanol stream and a water stream.

Abstract: A process for the selective and direct formation of ethanol from acetic acid comprising contacting a feed stream containing acetic acid and hydrogen in vapor form at an elevated temperature with a hydrogenation catalyst comprising molybdenum carbide and one or more promoter metals selected from the group consisting of copper, iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, titanium, zinc, chromium, rhenium, potassium, tin and tungsten on a catalyst support

Abstract: A process for the selective production of acetaldehyde by vapor phase reaction of acetic acid over a hydrogenating catalyst composition to form acetaldehyde is disclosed and claimed. In an embodiment of this invention reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen over platinum and iron supported on silica selectively produces acetaldehyde in a vapor phase at a temperature of about 300° C.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated multistep economical process for the production of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) from acetic acid in the vapor phase. First, acetic acid is selectively hydrogenated over a hydrogenating catalyst composition to form acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde so formed can be converted to ethylidene diacetate via reaction with acetic anhydride. In a subsequent step so formed ethylidene diacetate is thermally decomposed to form VAM and acetic acid. Alternatively, acetaldehyde formed in the first step can selectively be reacted with ketene to form VAM. In an embodiment of this invention reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen over platinum and iron supported on silica selectively produces acetaldehyde in a vapor phase at a temperature of about 300° C., which is selectively hydrogenated over platinum supported catalyst to form ethanol and dehydrated over NAFION catalyst to form ethylene at a temperature of about 185° C.