Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing an esterification product, such as ethyl acetate. The processes comprise esterifying acetic acid and an alcohol such as ethanol to produce an esterification product. The esterification product may be recovered using an extractive separation. The esterification product is reduced with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a crude reaction mixture comprising the alcohol, in particular ethanol, which may be separated from the crude reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for the 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 one or more columns. At least one of the columns is operated at a controlled pressure to enhance separation of ethanol and organics. In one embodiment, there are at least two columns that operate at controlled pressures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Acetic acid is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst in a hydrogenation reactor to form a crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns to recover ethanol. In some embodiments, less than 10 wt. % ethanol is recycled to the hydrogenation reactor.

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

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 acetaldehyde and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.

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 first residue that comprises ethanol, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, and water. The first residue is separated in a second column to yield a second distillate comprising ethanol and ethyl acetate. The second distillate is then separated in a third column to yield a third distillate comprising ethyl acetate and a third residue comprising ethanol.

Abstract: A process for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid and water. Acetal byproduct can be reduced or removed through configurations of hydrolysis secondary reactors. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst having an amorphous support and one or more active metals. The amorphous support may comprise a support material and an amorphous support modifier, which adjusts the acidity of the support material. In preparing the amorphous catalyst, post-synthesis treatment, i.e. calcination, may be used to adjust the catalyst performance while converting acetic acid to ethanol.

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: The present invention relates to processes for producing and recovering ethanol using an intermediate reboiler. An intermediate stream may be withdrawn from a removal zone of a distillation column and recirculated through the intermediate reboiler to the distillation column. The distillation column may also comprise a bottoms reboiler.

Abstract: A method for making a solid material which is useful as a heterogeneous catalyst including the steps of: forming at least one copper oxide suspension comprising solid particles of copper oxide in a liquid; forming at least one carrier suspension comprising solid particles of a carrier material in a liquid; combining the copper oxide suspension and the carrier suspension; subjecting the combined suspensions to mechanical energy; separating the suspension liquid from the solid particles in the combined suspension; and subjecting the solid material to a thermal decomposition step. A catalyst made by the method has a BET surface area greater than 150 m2/g, a particle size distribution in which D50 is in the range from 25-35 ?m, and wherein the D50 after 60 minutes ultrasound treatment is at least 30% of the original value.

Abstract: A process for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid includes contacting a feed stream containing acetic acid and hydrogen at an elevated temperature with catalyst comprising platinum and tin on a high surface area silica promoted with calcium metasilicate. Selectivities to ethanol of over 85% are achieved at 280° C. with catalyst life in the hundreds of hours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, to processes for making catalysts and to chemical processes employing such catalysts. The catalysts are preferably used for converting acetic acid and ethyl acetate to ethanol. The catalyst comprises a precious metal, tin and cobalt, wherein molar ratio of cobalt to tin is at least 11:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified catalyst supports, to processes for making modified catalyst supports, and to chemical processes employing catalysts that comprise such modified catalyst supports. The modified catalyst support comprises a first metal, a second metal and a support modifier on a support, wherein the support modifier comprises a support modifier metal selected from the group consisting of tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, niobium, and tantalum.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are oxidized to ethylene and/or oxygenates that comprise acetic acid. The acetic acid may be converted to ethanol by hydrogenation. The ethylene may be converted to ethanol by hydration.

Abstract: The catalytic conversion of glycerol or acetol to alcohols, such as polyhydric alcohols like propylene glycol and simple alcohols like methanol and ethanol, without the addition of external hydrogen, is improved by the use of a transition metal alloy catalyst which, in the case of glycerol, is a nickel alloy catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, to processes for making catalysts and to chemical processes employing such catalysts. The catalysts are preferably used for converting acetic acid to ethanol. The catalyst comprises a precious metal and one or more active metals on a modified support that comprises cobalt.

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: Processes for contacting an olefin feed stream, preferably comprising ethylene, with at least one stream from an ethanol production process that comprises water. The hydration reaction produces ethanol to improve overall ethanol yields from the hydrogenation acetic acid and esters thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing fatty alcohols, in which a stream comprising at least one fatty acid triglyceride is provided and this stream is subjected to a hydrogenation in the presence of a heterogeneous copper catalyst.

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: The present invention relates to catalysts, to processes for making catalysts and to chemical processes employing such catalysts. The catalysts are preferably used for converting acetic acid to ethanol. The catalyst comprises a precious metal and one or more active metals on a modified support. The modified support may comprise cobalt tungstate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, to processes for making catalysts and to chemical processes employing such catalysts. The multifunctional catalysts are preferably used for converting acetic acid and ethyl acetate to ethanol. The catalyst is effective for providing an acetic acid conversion greater than 20% and an ethyl acetate conversion greater than 0%. The catalyst comprises a precious metal and one or more active metals on a modified support. The modified support includes a metal selected from the group consisting of tungsten, vanadium, and tantalum, provided that the modified support does not contain phosphorous.

Abstract: A process for producing ethanol and, in particular, to a process for reducing the concentration of acetic acid in a crude ethanol product by esterifying unreacted acetic acid with an alcohol.

Abstract: Renewable resources comprising bagasse, corn stover, wood sawdust and switch grass are subject to direct catalytic conversion or bio-fermentation producing ethanol leaving complex lignin compounds for disposal. Chemical conversion of lignin compounds (recoverable from digested lignin) to substituted phenols followed by a carbon steel catalyzed pulsed flow hydrogenation produces cresol and substituted creosol compounds. The pulsed flow process produced close to 100 percent reduction of the reactants compared to 25 percent with continuous flow and is applicable to aliphatic carboxylic acid compounds such as natural oils producing valued liquid hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising ethyl acetate, ethanol and acetaldehyde and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream. A liquid recycle stream is sent to a second vaporizer to form a second vapor feed stream that is fed to the hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is related to processes for the separation of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns. A reboiler is used following one or more of the columns for reducing ester formation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present application discloses methods to selectively synthesize higher alcohols and hydrocarbons useful as fuels and industrial chemicals from syngas and biomass. Ketene and ketonization chemistry along with hydrogenation reactions are used to synthesize fuels and chemicals. In another embodiment, ketene used to form fuels and chemicals may be manufactured from acetic acid which in turn can be synthesized from synthesis gas which is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, etc.

Abstract: Acetic acid is hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst comprising one or more active metals on a silica support, wherein the catalyst has a radial crush strength of at least 4 N/mm. The one or more active metals may include cobalt, copper, gold, iron, nickel, palladium, platinum, iridium, osmium, rhenium, rhodium, ruthenium, tin, zinc, lanthanum, cerium, manganese, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum and mixtures thereof. Radial crush strength may be improved by steam treating the catalyst support prior to the loading of the one or more active metals.

Abstract: In a process for producing ethanol, acetic acid is contacted with hydrogen in a reaction zone in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a crude ethanol product comprising ethanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. At least a portion of the crude ethanol product is separated to yield a vapor stream and a liquid stream, wherein the vapor stream comprises hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and wherein the liquid stream comprises ethanol. At least a portion of the vapor stream is contacted with a methanation catalyst under conditions such that carbon monoxide reacts with hydrogen in the vapor stream portion to produce a treated stream comprising methane, hydrogen and less carbon monoxide than the vapor stream. At least a portion of the treated stream is returned directly or indirectly to the reaction zone and ethanol is recovered from the liquid stream.

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: A process for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.

Abstract: A method for producing ethanol by which ethanol can be synthesized from less fermentable biomass materials such as plant-derived materials and rice straws and industrial waste biomass materials such as wooden building materials and pulp and which can therefore broaden the range of raw materials for the production of ethanol. Specifically, a method for producing ethanol including reacting a raw material gas obtained by a thermochemical gasification reaction of biomass in the presence of a catalyst containing rhodium, at least one transition metal, and at least one element selected from lithium, magnesium and zinc.

Abstract: A process for purifying an ethanol stream that comprises byproduct, such as aldehyde, acetals, and/or esters, but withdrawing a sidestream comprising ethanol from a distillation column. The sidestream may have a reduced concentration of aldehyde that reduces the formation of acetals in subsequent purification of the ethanol stream.

Abstract: Two or more vapor-liquid separators are used in a process for removing at least one non-condensable gas from a crude alcohol mixture prepared by hydrogenating alkanoic acid and/or esters thereof. The vapor-liquid separators may comprise flashers or knock-out pots and are suitable for removing non-condensable gas, including those gases that are dissolved in the liquid. The multiple vapor-liquid separators may be in series prior to any separation of organic components. In addition, there may be a vapor-liquid separator before and after a distillation column for treating the feed to the column.

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 acetaldehyde and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen containing feedstocks into alcohols in the presence of a particulate catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of ethanol from a carbonaceous feedstock; wherein the carbonaceous feedstock is first converted to synthesis gas which is then converted to ethanoic acid, which is then esterified and which is then hydrogenated to produce ethanol.

Abstract: The processes of the current invention relate to the production of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and ethyl acetate. Conversion of ethyl acetate may be improved by controlling the water content that may be fed to the vaporizer to form a feed stream that may be fed to the hydrogenation reactor. At least 0.01 wt. % water is fed to the vaporizer. The crude ethanol product is separated two or more columns to yield an ethanol product.

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 hydrolyze acetal impurities by the addition of an acid stream.

Abstract: The process of the current invention relates to the production of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and ethyl acetate in the presence of a catalyst. Conversion of ethyl acetate may be improved by adding water to the reactor. At least 0.01 wt. % water may be added to the reactor. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns to yield an ethanol product.

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: 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 process for the production of fatty alcohol(s) a fatty acid or fatty acid mixture is subjected to esterification with a lower alkanol to form a stream comprising the corresponding lower alkyl ester or esters. The stream is vaporized and subjected to hydrogenation to form a stream comprising fatty alcohol(s) and an amount of unconverted lower alkyl ester(s). This stream is subjected to transesterification in a wax ester reactor in the presence of a solid transesterification catalyst. Fatty alcohol(s) and wax ester(s) are then separated by distillation to yield a fatty alcohol(s) product and a stream comprising wax ester(s). The stream of wax ester(s) is passed to a second hydrogenation zone to effect hydrogenation in the liquid phase to revert the wax ester(s) to fatty alcohol(s), which are returned to the distillation separation step.

Abstract: In a hydrogenation processes, a second lower temperature hydrogenation reactor is used to control the concentration of impurities, namely ethyl acetate, acetaldehyde, and acetal, prior to separating the reaction mixtures. Controlling impurities reduces the need for separation capital and improves overall efficiencies for recovering alcohols.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processes for producing ethanol and acetic acid and, in particular, to a process for integrating an ethanol production process with an acetic acid production process.

Abstract: Process for production of a higher alcohol product from an alcohol synthesis gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and lower alcohols, comprising a carbon dioxide and optional alkane removal step. Use a stripper using synthesis gas as stripping gas to purify the liquid phase containing the lower and highers alcohols, in order to strip the lower alcohol from the alcohol stream. Synthesis gas used for stripping is used as recycle stream in the reactor.

Abstract: The present application discloses complexes useful as catalysts for organic chemical synthesis including hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of unsaturated compounds or dehydrogenation of substrates. The range of hydrogenation substrate compounds includes esters, lactones, oils and fats, resulting in alcohols, diols, and triols as reaction products. The catalysts of current application can be used to catalyze a hydrogenation reaction under solvent free conditions. The present catalysts also allow the hydrogenation to proceed without added base, and it can be used in place of the conventional reduction methods employing hydrides of the main-group elements. Furthermore, the catalysts of the present application can catalyze a dehydrogenation reaction under homogenous and/or acceptorless conditions. As such, the catalysts provided herein can be useful in substantially reducing cost and improving the environmental profile of manufacturing processes for variety of chemicals.

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.