Abstract: Systems and methods for generating higher alcohols from synthesis gas produced from carbonaceous materials are described, which can include a reactor configured to produce an alcohol stream and CO2 from a syngas feed. The alcohol stream can be separated in one or more downstream separators to produce a net reactor product and a methanol stream that can recycled into the reactor. The net reactor product preferably comprises higher-order alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and butanol.

Abstract: Improved processing for the production of light olefins is provided involving synthesis gas conversion to form an effluent including product dimethyl ether, subsequent separation of the product dimethyl ether and conversion thereof to the desired light olefins. The synthesis gas conversion effluent may also desirably include methanol and at least a portion of such methanol may be employed to effect the separation of the product dimethyl ether.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process of making a methanol product using a slurry bubble reactor. The reactor is operated in the liquid phase, with catalyst particles being suspended in the liquid. The invention provides for efficient use of heat and recovery of product by feeding cool syngas into the reactor, while maintaining a high degree of backmixing within the reactor. Complex cooling equipment is not required in the reaction process.

Abstract: An improvement to the process for separating dimethyl ether (DME) from byproducts in a one-step catalytic conversion of synthesis gas (syngas), the improvement comprising using a scrubbing solvent comprising a mixture of dimethyl ether and methanol for the separation of dimethyl ether and carbon dioxide from the unconverted synthesis gas in a scrubbing column. Additional improvements include recycling of the scrubbing solution, multi-step processing of the liquid effluent from the scrubber, and methods of processing the methanol-water effluent of the flash column that is interposed between the DME reactor and the scrubber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery as a feedstock of an alpha-olefin from a mixture containing mainly hydrocarbon compounds, such as is obtained by Fischer-Tropsch-synthesis after an at least crude separation of components boiling higher and/or lower than the alpha-olefin, wherein tertiary olefins of the mixture, after superstoichiometrical addition of a low alcohol, are subjected to catalytic etherification and a stream derived by etherification is fed jointly with the alpha-olefin and the ethers produced and other high boiling reaction products to a distillative separation of components boiling higher than the olefin.

Abstract: A process for carrying out a chemical equilibrium reaction is disclosed in which, in a first stage, one or more reactants are contacted with a fixed arrangement of a catalyst under conditions such that the reactants and the products of the reaction are gaseous, the unconverted reactants and products of the first stage being passed to a second stage, in which they are contacted with a fixed arrangement of a catalyst and the reaction allowed to proceed in the presence of an absorbent capable of absorbing a product of the reaction.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of methanol from a synthesis gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide in which an equilibrium reaction to methanol is achieved by conducting the reaction and the product separation in a pressure swing adsorption and reaction zone containing a uniformly distributed adsorbent for the selective adsorption of methanol and a catalyst for the equilibrium conversion of the synthesis gas to methanol. More specifically, the process achieves the production of methanol by the reaction of the hydrogen and the carbon oxide with the simultaneous adsorption of the product at the same temperature and pressure. The passing of the synthesis stream to the bed is terminated and the bed is purged and depressurized to desorb the methanol product. In one embodiment, the bed is cocurrently purged with at least a portion of an effluent stream prior to depressurizing the bed.

Abstract: A process for producing methanol by reacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen, wherein said reactants in the gaseous phase are introduced into a reaction zone comprising one or more fixed catalyst beds using a liquid absorbent, selectively absorbing substantially all of the methanol formed, followed by desorption of the methanol. The absorption of methanol is preferably effected in a separate absorption zone.

Abstract: The invention concerns the synthesis of methanol from lower hydrocarbons. The C1-3 hydrocarbons are subjected to partial oxidation over a catalyst in the presence of oxygen and steam, part of the carbon dioxide is removed from the effluent gas to adjust the ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and the resulting gas is converted to methanol in a steam generating reactor. The over all economy of the process is clearly better than that of conventional processes utilising a steam reformer.

Abstract: A homogeneous catalytic process wherein a gaseous or vaporized reactant stream is continuously introduced into a liquid phase mixture containing (a) a volatile precious metal catalyst, and (b) methanol and/or ethanol as reactant or reaction product, at least a portion of the volatile precious metal being continuously removed from the liquid phase mixture by the effluent gas and/or vapor stream, and such effluent stream is an integral component of a cyclic process stream and/or a vent stream discharged from the process.

Abstract: The process involves the separation of monohydric and polyhydric products from a liquid homogeneous mixture obtained from the reaction of hydrogen and oxides of carbon in a solvent solution containing a Group VIII metal carbonyl complex catalyst by extracting said solvent solution with a liquid polyhydric alcohol having at least four carbon atoms and at least four hydroxyl moieties at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. Further, the process is advantageous in that it can be effected under pressure in the presence of oxides of carbon.