Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities.

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: Purification and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of a crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In particular, the process involves one or more sidedraws to regulate C3+ alcohols concentration in the recovered ethanol.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing ethanol. The process comprises the step of hydrogenating an acetic acid feed stream in a first reactor to form a crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product may comprise, among other components, ethanol, acetaldehyde, and residual acetic acid. The process further comprises the step of recovering acetaldehyde from the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the steps of feeding a first portion of the recovered acetaldehyde to the first reactor and reacting the first portion of the recovered acetaldehyde in the first reactor to form additional ethanol. In addition, the inventive process may comprise the steps of feeding a second portion of the recovered acetaldehyde to a second reactor and reacting the second portion of the recovered acetaldehyde in the second reactor to form an additional product.

Abstract: A denatured fuel ethanol composition for blending with fuels, including gasoline and diesel fuel. The composition includes an ethanol composition comprising at least 92 wt. % ethanol; and from 95 wppm to 1,000 wppm isopropanol; and at least 1.96 vol. % fuel denaturant.

Abstract: Ethanol production from the hydrogenation of acetic acid requires energy to drive the hydrogenation reaction and the purification of the crude ethanol product. Heat integration process to recover heat from one part of the production process to be used within the process improves efficiencies and reduces costs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing a water stream comprising the steps of hydrogenating acetic acid to form a crude ethanol product and separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in at least one column of a plurality of columns into a distillate comprising ethanol and a residue comprising the water stream. The water stream preferably is essentially free of organic impurities other than acetic acid and ethanol.

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: The present invention is to a process for producing a anhydrous ethanol composition comprising hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude ethanol product; separating in a first column at least a portion of the crude ethanol product into a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid; separating in a second column at least a portion of the first distillate into a second distillate comprising ethyl acetate and a second residue comprising ethanol and water; separating in a third column at least a portion of the second residue into a third distillate comprising ethanol and residual water and a third residue comprising separated water; and dehydrating at least a portion of the third distillate to form the anhydrous ethanol composition. The anhydrous ethanol composition, as formed, comprises less than 1 wt. % water.

Abstract: Purification and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of a crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In particular, the process involves one or more sidedraws to regulate C3+ alcohols concentration in the recovered ethanol.

Abstract: To reduce acetal concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns is operated at a higher pressure to increase the equilibrium constant that favors hydrolysis of the acetal. The crude product may comprise ethanol, acetaldehyde, water and one or more acetals, such as diethyl acetal. The acetal concentration may be reduced thus reducing the need to separate acetal from the crude product.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid by hydrolyzing a portion of the crude ethanol product or one or more derivative streams obtained therefrom. The one or more derivative streams comprise ethyl acetate and the hydrolyzed stream is directly or indirectly fed to the distillation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: To reduce acetal concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns is operated at a higher pressure to increase the equilibrium constant that favors hydrolysis of the acetal. The crude product may comprise ethanol, acetaldehyde, water and one or more acetals, such as diethyl acetal. The acetal concentration may be reduced thus reducing the need to separate acetal from the crude product.

Abstract: Ethanol production from the hydrogenation of acetic acid requires energy to drive the hydrogenation reaction and the purification of the crude ethanol product. Heat integration process to recover heat from one part of the production process to be used within the process improves efficiencies and reduces costs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is to a process for producing a anhydrous ethanol composition comprising hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude ethanol product; separating in a first column at least a portion of the crude ethanol product into a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid; separating in a second column at least a portion of the first distillate into a second distillate comprising ethyl acetate and a second residue comprising ethanol and water; separating in a third column at least a portion of the second residue into a third distillate comprising ethanol and residual water and a third residue comprising separated water; and dehydrating at least a portion of the third distillate to form the anhydrous ethanol composition. The anhydrous ethanol composition, as formed, comprises less than 1 wt. % water, based on the total weight of the anhydrous ethanol composition.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is fed to a distillation column to yield an ethanol sidestream.

Abstract: To reduce acetal and/or ester concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns is operated at a higher pressure to increase the equilibrium constant that favors hydrolysis of the acetal. The crude product may comprise ethanol, acetaldehyde, water, ethyl acetate and one or more acetals, such as diethyl acetal. The acetal and/or ester concentration may be reduced thus reducing the need to separate acetal and/or ester from the crude product.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is fed to a distillation column to yield an ethanol sidestream.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is to an ethanol composition comprising at least 92 wt. % ethanol and from 95 wppm to 1,000 wppm isopropanol.