Abstract: Systems and methods of recovering 2-ethyl hexanol from crude alcohol are disclosed. The crude alcohol originates from a reactor that produces 2-ethyl hexanol and is first distilled in a first distillation column The distillate from the first distillation column is then further distilled in a second distillation column. A side stream is drawn from the second distillation column and recycled to the reactor that produces 2-ethyl hexanol. The bottom stream from the second distillation column is mixed with the bottom stream from the first distillation column. The combined stream is further distilled in a third distillation column to produce a 2-ethyl hexanol product stream.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for producing an organic compound using fermentation wherein multiple components of the system are recycled within the system. The system and method allow for extraction of a high concentration of the organic compound from the fermentation broth in a continuous system that allows recycling of the biomass, aqueous fermentation broth and extraction solvents. The system and method are particularly well adapted for producing and extracting ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a perm-selective porous membrane and a method of separating gases using the prepared porous membrane. According to the present invention, a membrane is synthesized using a hierarchically structured alumina porous support by a counter diffusion method. During this synthesis, the diffusion rate of metal ions loaded on the porous support is controlled by controlling the pore size of the porous support, and the position at which the membrane is synthesized is controlled by synthesizing the membrane inside the support. This can increase the physical stability of the membrane and make the membrane thicker so as to ensure higher H2/CO2 separation factors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the energy efficient and selective extraction of dilute concentrations of biomolecules, e.g., small organic compounds, e.g., one or more C2-C6 alcohols, one or more C3-C5 carboxylic acids, one or more C8-18 fatty alcohols, one or more C1-C18 dicarboxylic acids, one or more furfurals, one or more furans, one or more butanediols, one or more butadienes, and mixtures thereof, from an aqueous solution using liquid phase dimethyl ether (DME).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed by extraction into a water immiscible organic extractant composition during the fermentation. The invention also relates to a method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed during the fermentation by extraction into a water-immiscible extractant composition comprising a first solvent having a butanol partition coefficient of at least 3, and a second solvent having a butanol partition coefficient, wherein the butanol partition coefficient of the first solvent is higher than the butanol partition coefficient of the second solvent. Optionally, the first solvent has a higher concentration of hydrogen bonding sites than the second solvent. The invention further relates to a composition including butanol in the water immiscible organic extractant composition described above.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process and system of producing methanol from methanol condensates. In a preferred embodiment the condensates are biomethanol condensates from chemical pulp mills and various waste sources used to produce a purified biomethanol. Pulp condensates are rich in methanol and contain many other contaminants. Presently, most chemical pulp mills, such as Kraft pulp mills use steam stripping to remove and concentrate the methanol and burn the methanol onsite along with the contaminants. A combination of treatments that include air stripping, steam stripping, distillation and reverse osmosis is described to obtain purified biomethanol suitable for sale or use on site.

Abstract: A method of purifying an alcohol, such as isopropyl alcohol, includes a first ion exchange step of performing ion exchange treatment on an alcohol-containing liquid; a step of performing dehydration treatment using a dehydration membrane on the liquid treated in the first ion exchange step; a distillation step of performing distillation on the dehydration-treated liquid; and a second ion exchange step of further performing ion exchange treatment on the liquid obtained in the distillation step to obtain a purified alcohol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds, such as acetic acid, from solid biomass material. One embodiment comprises introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material, said superheated vapor stream comprising at least one volatile organic compound; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material, said vapor component comprising at least one volatile organic compound; and retaining at least a portion of the vapor component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream.

Abstract: Catalytic processes to produce a reaction product comprising 1-butanol by contacting a reactant comprising ethanol with a catalyst composition under suitable reaction conditions are provided. The catalyst composition may comprise a hydroxyapatite of the Formula (MwM?xM?yM??z)5(PO4)3(OH), wherein M is Mg; M? is Ca; M? is Sr; M?? is Ba; w is any number between 0 and 1 inclusive; x is any number from 0 to less than 0.5; y is any number between 0 and 1 inclusive; z is any number between 0 and 1 inclusive; and w+x+y+z=1. Base-treated catalyst compositions may be used. Also provided are processes for contacting an initial catalyst composition comprising the hydroxyapatite with a base to produce a base-treated catalyst composition, and the base-treated catalyst compositions so obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the energy efficient and selective extraction of dilute concentrations of C2-C6 alcohols from an aqueous solution using liquid phase dimethyl ether.

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 is disclosed for producing ethanol comprising contacting acetic acid and hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a binder and a mixed oxide comprising nickel and tin.

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: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing multi-carbon alcohols, including butanol and/or hexanol. The process comprises the step of reacting ethanol in a reactor to form a crude product comprising butanol, ethanol, and water. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product in a first distillation zone to form a first distillate comprising ethanol and a first residue comprising butanol, and water. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the first residue in a second distillation zone to form a second distillate and a second residue comprising butanol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds, such as acetic acid, from solid biomass material. One embodiment comprises introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material, said superheated vapor stream comprising at least one volatile organic compound; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material, said vapor component comprising at least one volatile organic compound; and retaining at least a portion of the vapor component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream.

Abstract: Process for the purification of an alcohol in the course of a process comprising: (1) providing a reaction zone (C) comprising an acid type catalyst; (2) providing a reaction zone (B) comprising an acid adsorbent material; (3) providing an alcohol stream comprising impurities; (4) introducing the alcohol stream of (3) into the reaction zone (B) and bringing said stream into contact with the acid adsorbent material at conditions effective to reduce the amount of impurities having an adverse effect on the acid type catalyst of the reaction zone (C); (5) recovering from step (4) an alcohol stream and introducing it into the reaction zone (C); (6) optionally introducing one or more reactants (R) into the reaction zone (C); (7) operating said reaction zone (C) at conditions effective to recover a valuable effluent.

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 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: 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: An improved process for extracting fusel alcohols and/or fusel alcohol esters from an ethanol fermentation product involves adding to the fermentation product an extractant solvent selected from amyl alcohols, amyl acetates, and mixtures thereof to produce a two-phase system including a water and alcohol phase, and an immiscible second phase comprised of amyl alcohols, amyl acetates or a mixture thereof. Thereafter, the first and second phases can be separated to obtain a first phase depleted of fusel alcohols and/or esters of fusel alcohols and a second phase containing fusel alcohols and/or esters of fusel alcohols extracted from the first phase.

Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture of a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. An overhead stream from a first distillation column is decanted into two liquid phases. The wet butanol phase is refined in a second distillation column; the aqueous phase is returned to the first distillation column. A portion of the wet butanol phase from the decanter is also returned to the first distillation column. The extractant may be C7 to C22 fatty alcohols, C7 to C22 fatty acids, esters of C7 to C22 fatty acids, C7 to C22 fatty aldehydes, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture of a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a noncondensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof An overhead stream from a first distillation column is decanted into two liquid phases. The wet butanol phase is returned to the first distillation column as reflux. A bottom stream from the first distillation column is refined in a second distillation column to obtain a second overhead stream and a second bottoms stream. The extractant may be C7 to C22 fatty alcohols, C7 to C22 fatty acids, esters of C7 to C22 fatty acids, C7 to C22 fatty aldehydes, and mixtures thereof.

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: Embodiments of the present invention provide for production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds, such as acetic acid, from solid biomass material. One embodiment comprises introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material, said superheated vapor stream comprising at least one volatile organic compound; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material, said vapor component comprising at least one volatile organic compound; and retaining at least a portion of the gas component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream.

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: A method for preparing a mixture (M) comprising at least an alcohol (Aj), said method comprising the following steps: i) a step in which at least an alcohol (Ai) in gaseous state is oligomerized, thereby producing a mixture (A); ii) a step in which the mixture (A) is condensed to a gaseous stream and to a liquid stream corresponding to a condensed mixture (A); and iii) a step in which the condensed mixture (A) is hydrogenated in the liquid state.

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: 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: 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: Mixed alcohols are produced from syngas. The syngas is provided to a catalyst in a reactor at selected temperatures and pressures. Reactive products, including mixed alcohols, are removed from the reactor. Non-reactive components are removed from the mixed alcohols of their reaction products. At least part of the non-reactive components are reintroduced in the reactor along with syngas. The non-reactive components are a solvent or a supercritical fluid. The nonreactive components can be reintroduced into the reactor with reactive components such as methanol or CO2.

Abstract: Described is a process to obtain tetracosanol from a complex mixture derived from tall oil pitch that comprises terpenoids, rosin alcohols, rosin aldehydes, aliphatic alcohols, hydrocarbons and stilbene derivatives. The process comprises a mixture crystallization step from hexane and a fractional distillation of the crystallized solids, which yields tetracosanol with more than 90% purity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high molecular weight polystyrene-polydialkylsiloxane-polystyrene (“SDS”) triblock copolymer compositions and methods of separating one or more organic compounds from an aqueous solution using membranes derived from SDS triblock copolymers. The methods may be used to separate the one or more organic compounds from an aqueous solution produced in a fermentation process. In some embodiments, the one or more organic compounds include an alcohol, such as, for example, ethanol. In other embodiments, the one or more organic compounds include acetone. In other embodiments, the one or more organic compounds include acetone, ethanol, and n-butanol produced in an acetone-ethanol-n-butanol (ABE) fermentation process. In other embodiments, the one or more organic compounds include one or more byproducts produced in a fermentation process.

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 present application relates to a method of manufacturing isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol with high purity is obtained from a feed including water and isopropyl alcohol. In addition, energy used in a process of obtaining the isopropyl alcohol, and investment cost for manufacturing facilities are reduced.

Abstract: An oxygenate to olefins (OTO) process, comprising the steps of: (i) purifying an oxygenate feedstream comprising one or more ionic contaminants by contacting the feedstream with a membrane, resulting in the formation of a retentate and a permeate separated by the membrane, which permeate is a purified oxygenate stream which contains a lower ionic contaminant concentration than the original oxygenate feedstream; (ii) introducing the purified oxygenate stream into an oxygenate to olefins reaction zone; and (iii) contacting the purified oxygenate stream with a molecular sieve catalyst in the oxygenate to olefins reaction zone to form a product stream comprising olefins.

Abstract: A dividing wall distillation column for producing high-purity n-butanol and a method for the production of high-purity n-butanol by fractional distillation are disclosed. More particularly, the method which provides a dividing wall distillation column with crude n-butanol as a feed to perform a fractional distillation of n-butanol and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. The dividing wall distillation column exhibits the effects of a two distillation column from only one distillation column, thereby reducing energy and the costs of installing the apparatus as compared to conventional distillation systems.

Abstract: An olefin hydration process and reactor are provided, wherein an integrated membrane selectively removes alcohol product from the reactor, thereby allowing for increased yields.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for recovering butanol from a fermentation medium. The methods comprise providing a fermentation medium comprising butanol, water, and a recombinant microorganism comprising a butanol biosynthetic pathway, wherein the recombinant microorganism produces butanol; contacting the fermentation medium with a water immiscible organic extractant composition comprising a dry solvent to form a butanol-containing organic phase and an aqueous phase; and recovering the butanol from the butanol-containing organic phase.

Abstract: A scalable and sustainable process for production of renewable chemicals and biofuel from seaweed in its own juices or in seawater without desalination of the seaweeds is provided herein. The process as disclosed in the preset invention is an eco-friendly process for production of renewable chemicals and biofuel with an easy method of disposing of the waste streams. Further, the process as disclosed in the present invention is cost effective, suitable since transporting and storing the raw material obtained in the form of slurry of the seaweeds because of its lesser bulk is easy, easier handling due to its free flowing nature and its direct use for further processing to obtain renewable chemicals and/or biofuel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing industrial products such as hydrocarbon products from non-polar lipids in a vegetative plant part. Preferred industrial products include alkyl esters which may be blended with petroleum based fuels.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods and compositions directed to farnesol production, accumulation and cellular sequestration in plants. More specifically, the methods of the invention comprise modifying plant cells that express farnesene to convert the farnesene to farnesol, and in some cases, to farnesol glycoside, such as farnesol glucoside. In other embodiments, carbon flux is shunted towards sesquiterpene production by applying certain plant growth regulators and herbicides to increase sesquiterpene production.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for processing heavy oil from any sources including tar sands, oil shales, varied residues in a bi-reforming process utilizing reaction conditions with steam and carbon dioxide sufficient to form a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to form methanol. Methanol produced can be dehydrated to form dimethyl ether, with water produced being recycled back to the bi-reforming process.

Abstract: A method for preparing a mixture (M) comprising at least an alcohol (Aj), said method comprising the following steps: i) a step in which at least an alcohol (Ai) in gaseous state is oligomerized, thereby producing a mixture (A); ii) a step in which the mixture (A) is condensed to a gaseous stream and to a liquid stream corresponding to a condensed mixture (A); and iii) a step in which the condensed mixture (A) is hydrogenated in the liquid state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing deodorized 1,2-propanediol, to the use of the purified propanediol and to an apparatus for performing the process.

Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed herein relates to treatment of water contaminated with glycol to be recycled for further effective use of the cleaned water resulting therefrom, especially at airports. More specifically, this invention relates to improved techniques for efficiently and reliably generating continuous flows of cleaned water as well as a continuous flow of recyclable glycol water of controlled concentration.

Abstract: An improved process for extracting fusel alcohols and/or fusel alcohol esters from an ethanol fermentation product involves adding to the fermentation product an extractant solvent selected from amyl alcohols, amyl acetates, and mixtures thereof to produce a two-phase system including a water and alcohol phase, and an immiscible second phase comprised of amyl alcohols, amyl acetates or a mixture thereof. Thereafter, the first and second phases can be separated to obtain a first phase depleted of fusel alcohols and/or esters of fusel alcohols and a second phase containing fusel alcohols and/or esters of fusel alcohols extracted from the first phase.

Abstract: Mixed matrix pervaporation membranes are described which include i) a matrix phase comprising a polymeric material, and ii) a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) dispersed in the matrix phase. In membranes described, the thickness of the membrane is greater than 0.5 ?m. The membranes may in examples be used in a process for separating an organic compound from an aqueous liquid mixture. An example process includes contacting the liquid mixture on one side of a mixed matrix pervaporation membrane to cause the organic compound to permeate the mixed matrix membrane, and removing from the other side of the membrane a permeate composition comprising a portion of the organic compound which permeated the membrane. Example membranes described have relatively good selectivity for separation of the organic compound from the liquid mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosafety-guarded photobiological butanol production technology based on designer transgenic plants, designer algae, designer blue-green algae (cyanobacteria and oxychlorobacteria), or designer plant cells. The designer photosynthetic organisms are created such that the endogenous photobiological regulation mechanism is tamed, and the reducing power (NADPH) and energy (ATP) acquired from the photosynthetic process are used for synthesis of butanol (CH3CH2CH2CH2OH) directly from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The butanol production methods of the present invention completely eliminate the problem of recalcitrant lignocellulosics by bypassing the bottleneck problem of the biomass technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alcohol concentration method which comprises sealing in an alcohol aqueous solution by a laminate formed by extrusion lamination of polyethylene terephthalate onto at least one surface of an air permeable film-shaped substrate; and storing the alcohol aqueous solution in the laminate for a predetermined period of time, whereby the alcohol in the alcohol aqueous solution can be concentrated easily and conveniently.

Abstract: The present invention provided a method for salting-out extraction of acetone and butanol from a fermentation broth, characterized in that one type, or two or more types of salts and one type, or two or more types of extractants are added to an acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation broth, in which the salt saturation achieves 10%˜100%; and the volume ratio of the fermentation broth containing salts to the extractants is 1:0.1˜1:5. The mixture is allowed to stand until phase separation is formed. The top phase is a solvent phase or extraction phase enriched with acetone and butanol whereas the bottom phase is a salt-enriched phase or raffinate phase. This method involves many advantages, such as the simplified operation procedure, accelerated separation process and low separation cost, and therefore becomes a promising method of separating acetone and butanol in industrial application.