Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a process for the production of a C6-C15 alcohol mixture including the steps of hydroformylating an olefin mixture including at least one branched C5-C14 olefin to form a hydroformylation product including aldehydes and formates; feeding the hydroformylation product into a hydrogenation step including contacting, in at least one first hydrogenation reactor, at least one catalyst, water, hydrogen, and the hydroformylation product to convert the hydroformylation product to a C6-C15 alcohol mixture; wherein the hydrogen is supplied from the decomposition of the formates and at least one source external to the at least one first hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing an esterification product, such as ethyl acetate. The processes comprise esterifying an excess molar ratio of acetic acid with an alcohol, such as ethanol, to produce the esterification product. 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: Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by hydrogenating acetic acid to obtain a mixture of ethanol and acetic acid, esterifying the mixture to produce an esterification product and reducing the esterification product. The mixture may provide a sufficient amount of ethanol and acetic acid for esterification and reduces the need for additional acetic acid and/or ethanol. This may reduce the recycle of ethanol in the hydrogenolysis process and improve ethanol productivity.

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: Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing an esterification product, such as ethyl acetate. The processes comprise esterifying, in the vapor phase, acetic acid and an alcohol such as ethanol to produce the esterification product. 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: Recovery of ethanol from a crude product comprising ethyl acetate obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude product is separated to form an organic stream that may be subjected to hydrogenolysis to form ethanol. The organic phase may comprise ethyl acetate is reacted via hydrogenolysis form ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing bio-based homoserine lactone and bio-based organic acid through hydrolysis of O-acyl homoserine produced by a microorganism in the presence of an acid catalyst. According to the present invention, O-acyl homoserine produced by a microorganism is used as a raw material for producing 1,4-butanediol, gamma-butyrolactone, tetrahydrofuran and the like, which are industrially highly useful. The O-acyl homoserine produced by a microorganism can substitute conventional petrochemical products, can solve environmental concerns, including the emission of pollutants and the exhaustion of natural resources, and can be continuously renewable so as not to exhaust natural resources.

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: To reduce acetal concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns has a stripping section that comprises at least 40 stages to favor 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: The present invention is related to separating product gas using a carbonylation reactor in which the carbon monoxide is consumed to produce acetic acid, and hydrogen and carbon dioxide are recovered. The recovered hydrogen may be further purified to reduce the concentration of carbon oxides. The present invention provides improved methods for converting product gas or syngas to ethanol.

Abstract: Ethanol production processes using a mixed feed comprising from 20 to 95 wt. % acetic acid, from 5 to 80 wt. % acetic anhydride, and from 0 to 20 wt. % esters selected from the group consisting of methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, or mixtures thereof are disclosed herein. The process comprises contacting the mixed feed with hydrogen in the vapor phase in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising tin, cobalt, platinum, and combinations thereof to form a crude ethanol product having an ethanol to water molar ratio of greater than 1 and separating the crude ethanol product in one or more distillation columns to yield an ethyl acetate stream and an ethanol stream. The process may be integrated with an acetic anhydride production process to obtain further economic savings.

Abstract: The process relates to producing acetic acid and/or ethanol from methane. Oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) may produce a mixture of ethane and ethylene that is further oxidized to acetic acid. The ethylene may be hydrated to form ethanol. In addition, the acetic acid may be hydrogenated to produce ethanol.

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: Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing an esterification product, such as ethyl acetate. The processes comprise esterifying, in the liquid phase, acetic acid and an alcohol such as ethanol to produce an esterification product. 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: A process for purifying ethanol by using a finishing reactor to remove impurities, such as ethyl acetate, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, and diethyl acetal, present in ethanol after distilling a crude product from a hydrogenation reactor. The finishing reactor may reduce the impurities in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst or may hydrolyze the impurities.

Abstract: Ketene chemistry and hydrogenation reactions are used to synthesize fuels and chemicals. Ketene from acetic acid is hydrogenated to form fuels and chemicals; acetic acid can be synthesized from synthesis gas which is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, etc. 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.

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: Described is an integrated process for producing ethanol from acetic acid in which the water from ethanol production is used to control water balance in the acetic acid production. In one embodiment, the invention comprises 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 in the carbonylation reaction medium.

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: Disclosed is a process for the production of higher aldehydes from lower alcohols using a two-stage vapor phase heterogeneous catalyst system. Ethanol feeds afford aldehydes such as butyraldehyde and crotonaldehyde while butanol feeds yield 2-ethylhexanal and 2-ethylhexenal. Higher product selectivities are obtained when the alcohol is first dehydrogenated in the upper catalyst stage followed by aldol condensation of the resulting lower aldehyde to a higher aldehyde.

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 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. Ethyl acetate from the crude reaction mixture may be recovered as returned to assist in recovering the esterification product.

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: The present invention relates to processes for producing ethanol using a stacked bed reactor comprising a first bed comprising a first hydrogenation catalyst and a second bed comprising a second hydrogenation catalyst and one or more diluents. The diluents may be selected from the group consisting of silica, silica-alumina and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst composition comprising at least one Group VIII metal and bismuth on a support, and to a process for manufacturing a product comprising ethanol and ethyl acetate from a feedstock comprising acetic acid over the catalyst composition under hydrogenation conditions, including a temperature of greater than about 290° C.

Abstract: A metallic foam body containing an alloy skin which is up to 50 ?m thick can be obtained by a process including (a) providing a metallic foam body comprising a first metallic material; (b) applying a second metallic material which contains a first metallic compound that is leachable as such and/or that can be transformed by alloying into a second metallic compound that is leachable and different from the first metallic compound on a surface of the foam body (a), by coating the metallic foam body with an organic binder and a powder of the second metallic material; (c) forming a skin on foam body (b) by alloying the first and the second metallic material; and (d) leaching out with a leaching agent at least a part of the first and/or the second metallic compound.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing methanol and its products exclusively from a geothermal source as the sole source material also using the needed energy from the geothermal energy source. The method includes separating or isolating carbon dioxide accompanying hot water or steam of the source, generating hydrogen from the water and subsequently preparing methanol from the carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The methanol can be further converted into dimethyl ether or other products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing ethanol from a feed stream comprising hydrogen and acetic acid and/or ethyl acetate. The reaction occurs at a temperature greater than 225° C. and the feed stream has a liquid hourly space velocity of at least 0.2 hr?1. The reaction occurs in the presence of a catalyst comprising a precious metal and one or more active metals on a modified support.

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 new class of ligands derived from benzo[h]quinoline are described and these ligands are used to prepare several novel transition metal complexes. The complexes are preferably of the group VIII transition metals iron, ruthenium or osmium, with the benzo[h]quinoline ligands acting as tridentate ligands. The complexes described are proved to be very active catalysts for the reduction of ketones and aldehydes to alcohols, via hydrogen transfer and hydrogenation reactions. These compounds hence can be usefully employed as catalysts in said reduction reactions.

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: 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: 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 particular, light ends are separated in an acetaldehyde removal column operating at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to recover acetaldehyde that may be returned to the reactor and reduce acetaldehyde concentrations in an ethyl acetate stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reacting carbon dioxide with hydrogen. In the process a catalyst having carbon dioxide adsorbed thereto is contacted with hydrogen at an elevated temperature. The catalyst can be regenerated by contacting depleted catalyst with a carbon dioxide source, for example a flue gas of a power plant. In a preferred embodiment carbon dioxide is reacted by in situ hydrolysis of water.

Abstract: A hydroconversion process comprises contacting a feedstock comprising renewable materials under hydroprocessing conditions with a promoted catalyst selected from a self-supported catalyst, a supported catalyst and combinations thereof, wherein the reaction conditions can be tailored to directly convert the renewable feedstock to the desired product(s) including fatty alcohols, esters, normal paraffins, or combinations thereof. The catalyst comprising at least a Group VIB metal selected from molybdenum and tungsten, a Group VIII metal selected from cobalt and nickel to convert the feedstock into any of fatty alcohols, esters, and normal paraffins. In some embodiments, the process further comprising additional steps to generate various desirable products, including ?-olefins (or PAO, by dehydrating the fatty alcohol products), lubricants and bright stocks (from the oligomerizing of the PAO), and Group 3 lubricants (from co-oligomerizing of the PAO with some short chain olefins).

Abstract: Group VIII metal containing catalysts used in processes for producing ethanol from ethyl acetate by reacting the ethyl acetate with hydrogenation. The Group VIII metal containing catalyst has a selectivity to ether, especially diethyl ether, that is very low. The process may be integrated with an ethyl acetate production process, such as esterification, hydrogenation, or dehydrogenation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying a crude ethanol product. The process comprises the step of hydrogenating acetic acid in a first reaction zone in the presence of a first catalyst to form the crude ethanol product comprising ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, water, and acetal. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product into a refined ethanol stream and a by-product stream. The refined ethanol stream comprises ethanol and acetaldehyde; and the by-product stream comprises acetic acid and a substantial portion of the water from the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the step of hydrolyzing in a second reaction zone at least a portion of the acetal.

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 is reduced with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a crude reaction mixture comprising ethyl acetate, ethanol, and at least one alcohol having at least 4 carbon atoms. The ethanol is recovered with a reduced amount of the alcohol having at least 4 carbon atoms.

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: Recovery of ethanol from a crude product comprising ethyl acetate obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude product is separated to form an organic stream that may be subjected to hydrogenolysis to form ethanol. The organic phase may comprise ethyl acetate is reacted via hydrogenolysis form ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor.

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 producing ethanol by methyl acetate hydrogenolysis. The process comprises the step of reacting carbon monoxide and methanol in a reaction medium to form a reaction solution that comprises acetic acid and from 0.5 to 25 wt. % methyl acetate. The process further comprises the step of esterifying the acetic acid and feeding the methyl acetate to a distillation column to remove alkyl halides. The process further comprises the steps of reacting the methyl acetate stream that does not contain alkyl halides and hydrogen in the presence of a second catalyst to form an alcohol product that comprises ethanol and/or methanol.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a higher alcohol, comprising a step of hydrogenating a lipid obtained by culturing Euglena in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing product comprising ethanol which comprises contacting a feedstock comprising acetic acid and hydrogen in a reaction zone at hydrogenation conditions with a catalyst composition comprising at least one active metal that may include a Group VIII metal and tin and from 0.01 to 0.5 wt. % cesium on a support comprising tungsten or oxides thereof.

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: 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 processes for producing ethanol from a feed stream comprising hydrogen and acetic acid and/or ethyl acetate. The reaction occurs at a temperature greater than 225° C. and the feed stream has a liquid hourly space velocity of at least 0.2 hr?1. The reaction occurs in the presence of a catalyst comprising a precious metal and one or more active metals on a modified support.

Abstract: The invention relates to ruthenium-rhenium-tin and ruthenium-rhenium catalysts effective for the reduction of carboxylic acids to the corresponding alcohols and processes for the reduction of carboxylic acids to the corresponding alcohols using the ruthenium-rhenium-tin and ruthenium-rhenium catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the temperature and liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) are controlled to maximize acetic acid conversion and to minimize selectivity to ethyl acetate. The hydrogenation catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, gold, iridium, osmium, and rhodium on a support modified by at least one support modifier selected from the group consisting of (i) alkaline earth metal oxides, (ii) alkali metal oxides, (iii) alkaline earth metal metasilicates, (iv) alkali metal metasilicates, (v) Group IIB metal oxides, (vi) Group IIB metal metasilicates, (vii) Group IIIB metal oxides, (viii) Group IIIB metal metasilicates, and mixtures thereof.