Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and by reacting a portion of the crude ethanol product or one or more derivative streams containing ethyl acetate obtained therefrom in the presence of hydrogen, via hydrogenolyzis. The one or more derivative streams comprise ethyl acetate that are reacted via hydrogenolyzis to form additional ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: Processes for producing alcohols such as ethanol and propanol from a mixed acid feedstock in an integrated process. In one embodiment, the process comprises the step of carbonylating methanol in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst to form a mixed acid feedstock comprising acetic acid and one or more higher acids, preferably comprising propionic acid. The mixed acid feed is hydrogenated in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a crude alcohol product comprising ethanol and one or more higher alcohols, preferably including propanol.

Abstract: This invention relates to 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 sidestreams to regulate C3+ alcohols concentration in the recovered ethanol.

Abstract: Ethanol production process for recovering ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Ethanol recovery is improved by esterifying a vapor crude ethanol product to reduce unreacted acetic acid concentration.

Abstract: A process for reducing ethyl acetate and/or diethyl acetal concentration of a crude ethanol product by hydrolysis is disclosed. A portion of the water is initially separated from the crude ethanol product in a first column residue. Ethyl acetate in the first column distillate is hydrolyzed to form additional ethanol and acetic acid. Product ethanol is recovered in a second distillation column preferably in a side stream and acetic acid is removed in the second column residue.

Abstract: Recovery of alcohols, in particular ethanol, from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a reduced energy process. The crude ethanol product may be fed to a distillation column in which a substantial portion of the water is removed with the acetic acid in the residue. The ethanol product is obtained from the distillate.

Abstract: Recovery of an alcohol such as ethanol from a crude alcohol product, preferably 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 in a second column as an ethanol side stream.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing a denatured ethanol composition comprising the steps of hydrogenating an acetic acid feed in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude ethanol product comprising ethanol, and at least one denaturant and separating the crude ethanol product in one or more separation units into a denatured ethanol composition and one or more derivative streams. The denatured ethanol composition comprises from 0.01 wt. % to 40 wt % denaturant, based on the total weight of the denatured ethanol composition.

Abstract: Recovery of alcohol, in particular ethanol, from a crude product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using various combinations of membranes and/or distillation columns.

Abstract: Purifying and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In addition, the process involves returning acetaldehyde separated from the crude ethanol product to the reactor.

Abstract: Recovery of alcohol, in particular ethanol, by separating a vapor crude alcohol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The vapor crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising ethanol and at least one non-condensable gas. The vapor crude ethanol product may pass through a membrane before the first distillation column to separate the at least one non-condensable gas from the ethanol. The ethanol product is subsequently recovered from the distillate stream.

Abstract: A process for removing water from an alcohol mixture, such as an ethanol mixture in the production of ethanol by hydrogenating acetic acid. The water is removed from a distillate of a first column using an adsorption unit, membrane, extractive column distillation, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An ethanol/fuel blend composition. The ethanol/fuel blend composition includes an ethanol composition including at least 92 wt. % ethanol, and from 95 wppm to 1,000 wppm isopropanol and a fuel.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using an extractive distillation column. The column yields a residue that comprises ethanol, acetic acid, and the extractive agent. The extractive agent may be water and may be separated from the residue and returned to the extractive distillation column.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is to an ethanol composition comprising at least 85 wt. % ethanol and from 95 wppm to 850 wppm isopropanol.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and by reacting a portion of the crude ethanol product or one or more derivative streams containing ethyl acetate obtained therefrom in the presence of hydrogen, via hydrogenolysis. The one or more derivative streams comprise ethyl acetate that are reacted in via hydrogenolysis form additional ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and recovery of unreacted acetic acid from a weak acid stream. The unreacted acetic acid may be recovered as a dry acetic acid composition and may be directly or indirectly fed to the hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: A method of removing impurities, such as halogens, sulfurs, and corrosion metal impurities, in an ethanol production process. Ion exchange resins may be used to remove these impurities from acetic acid feed streams and recycle streams that comprise unreacted acetic acid.

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

Abstract: A crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid comprises ethanol and ethyl acetate. Using a distillation column operated at a pressure of from 0.1 to 100 kPa, the ethyl acetate and ethanol may be effectively separated. In addition, maintaining the amount of water that is fed to the distillation column to an amount less than 10 wt. %, based on the weight of all components fed to the distillation column, provides an energy benefit.