Abstract: A process is described for the production of alcoholates from alkali metal hydroxides and aliphatic alcohol which in their molecule contain 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The alcoholates are produced in that alkali metal hydroxide is mixed with an alcohol and is reacted with said alcohol at a temperature from 80.degree. to 110.degree. C., preferably from 80.degree. to 100.degree. C., and under a pressure from 0.3 to 1.2 bars, the alcohol water mixture which evaporates during the reaction is separated into its components by at least one membrane, the alcohol vapor and the water vapor are condensed and the condensed alcohol is recycled to the reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating and concentrating an organic component having a lower boiling point than water from an aqueous solution containing the organic component which comprises the steps of (1) bringing an aqueous solution containing an organic component having a lower boiling point than water into contact with one surface of a hydrophobic porous membrane, continuously or intermittently evacuating the side of the porous membrane opposite to the aqueous solution to obtain a concentrated vapor of the organic component, and liquefying the vapor; and (2) bringing the resulting concentrated aqueous solution into contact with one surface of a hydrophobic nonporous membrane, evacuating the side of the non-porous membrane opposite to the concentrated aqueous solution to obtain a further concentrated vapor of the organic component, and liquefying the vapor.

Abstract: Process for removing water from mixtures of alcohols and water by contacting such a mixture with a substantially dehydrated solid absorbent which comprises particulate starch-containing vegetable matter such as corn starch, potato starch, cracked corn, corn hulls, grains such as barley, wheat, rye, sorghum, oats, milo and the like.

Abstract: The improved method and apparatus treats the stack gases from a commercial bakery oven to remove and recover pollutants, specifically ethyl alcohol. The method includes the steps of cooling the stack gases and passing the cooled gases through a packed column to condense the water and ethyl alcohol and if the ethyl alcohol is to be recovered drying the ethyl alcohol by distillation and by absorption of the water therefrom by a molecular sieve. The apparatus includes blowers and controls to maintain the normal flow of gases from the oven so that the removal and recovery of the ethyl alcohol from the stack gases does not interfere or change the baking conditions of the oven. This may be accomplished by a system of dampers or by controlling the discharge rate of the blowers used.

Abstract: A method of producing a potable spirit comprises removing water from a fermented wash containing ethanol, water and congeners to produce a substantially water-free mixture of ethanol and congeners, and then fractionally distilling this water-free mixture of ethanol and congeners in the absence of water to produce a fraction containing substantially pure water-free potable ethanol. Preferably the fractional distillation is carried out in separate topping and tailing columns. This method provides an energy efficient separation of the ethanol and congeners.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing water from a liquid mixture of water and ethanol contacts it with liquid carbon dioxide so that the ethanol is preferentially transferred into solution, dries the solution using an adsorbent, and then recovers dry ethanol by distilling off the carbon dioxide. This process is particularly energy efficient especially when it includes a fermentation process to generate the ethanol and uses the carbon dioxide generated during the fermentation as the source of liquid carbon dioxide. In this case the method and apparatus provide an additional product of dry carbon dioxide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of regenerating an alcohol-based antifreezing liquid, and more particularly to a method of concentrating and regenerating an alcohol-based antifreezing liquid diluted through water absorption by removing water therefrom.The antifreezing liquid containing water is introduced into an evaporation vessel. The liquid is then heated to a temperature at which components other than alcohol of the liquid are unlikely to be affected in their properties while air is fed thereinto. Thus alcohol and water vapors are generated. These vapors are first cooled to a temperature at which only water is condensed. After water is removed, cooling is effected at a lower temperature. At this stage, the alcohol vapor is condensed, and thus concentrated alcohol, almost water-free, is collected.The alcohol thus collected and nonfreezing and high boiling-point components other than alcohol in the evaporation vessel are again mixed into a concentrated antifreezing liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating organic compounds, particularly lower aliphatic alcohols from fermentation fluids. This is accomplished by the use of a two-step extraction process whereby said lower aliphatic alcohols are selectively extracted from said fermentation fluids by a first solvent. The fermentation fluids from which the lower aliphatic alcohols have been extracted contain some of this first solvent. Therefore, a second solvent, which substantially differs from the first solvent in polarity is employed to extract the residual amounts of first solvent from said fermentation fluids. Then, the fermentation fluids, thus purified, can be returned to the fermentation process without the danger of toxic influences on the fermentation by the presence of said first solvent.

Abstract: The present invention involves a process for removing water from mixtures of alcohols and water by contacting such a mixture with an ion exchange resin of either the cation or anion type. Prior to use for alcohol dehydration, the ion exchange resin itself is dehydrated if necessary or desired by contacting it with methanol, propanol, isopropanol, acetone or other like low molecular weight hydrophilic solvents. After use for alcohol dehydration, the ion exchange resin is regenerated by contacting it with these regenerating agents.

Abstract: The beer is fed to a first solvent extraction column together with an organic solvent for alcohol which solvent is immiscible in water. The alcohol-organic solvent phase is extracted a second time, vacuum distilled or stripped, dried and again vacuum stripped or distilled to produce fuel grade alcohol.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for reducing the amount of water in the feed to a methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) conversion reactor is described. The output products of a dehydration reactor and an aqueous methanol feed are supplied to a primary distillation tower or separator. A dimethylether (DME)/methanol mixture is taken as overhead from the primary tower and can be sent to the MTG conversion reactor to produce hydrocarbons boiling in the gasoline range. Bottoms from the primary tower, containing methanol and water, are supplied to a secondary distillation tower or separator. A methanol stream is drawn as overhead from the secondary tower and is passed to an acid catalyzed dehydration reactor where an equilibrium mixture of dimethylether, methanol, and water is produced. The equilibrium mixture is passed from the dehydration reactor to the primary distillation tower. In preferred embodiments, the conversion reactor feed from the primary distillation tower may be of a gaseous or liquid phase.

Abstract: A process for producing anhydrous ethanol, using an apparatus comprising a combination of a concentration column, an azeotropic distillation column and a solvent recovery column, and capable of effectively utilizing the vapor at the tops of the concentration column and the azeotropic distillation column, is provided, which process comprises:(i) connecting an absorption type heat pump functioning as a condenser and a reboiler at the same time, to either one of the concentration column or the azeotropic distillation column;(ii) connecting a combination of a mechanical type heat pump with a heat exchanger functioning as a condenser and a reboiler at the same time to another of the columns;(iii) using a back pressure turbine as a machine for driving the mechanical type heat pump; and(iv) using the back pressure steam generated by operating the mechanical type heat pump as the heat source for the absorption type heat pump.

Abstract: A process for the separation of water from a water-containing mixture of azeotrope, with an extractant which removes water from the mixture or azeotrope, recovery of the non aqueous portion of the mixture or azeotrope as a product, and regeneration of the extractant for reuse by the removal of water therefrom. A feature thereof is that residual water can be removed from the extractant, and the extractant regenerated for reuse by contacting the heated extractant with a portion of the same product from which the water has been removed; or, the extractant can be regenerated in the process by contact with an inert gas which has been dried in the process. The water-containing mixture or azeotrope is preferably contacted with a portion of the vaporous product to recover the heat of condensation for use in the process.

Abstract: Water cannot be completely removed from ethanol by distillation because of the presence of the minimum azeotrope. Ethanol can be readily dehydrated by using extractive distillation in which the water is removed as overhead product and the ethanol and extractive agent as bottoms and subsequently separated by conventional rectification. Typical examples of suitable extractive agents are methyl benzoate; trimellitic anhydride and methyl benzoate; dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, ethyl salicylate and resorcinol.

Abstract: A process providing continuous or quasi-continuous sorption uses at least three fixed bed sorbent zones connectable in series by pipes, for the passage of a liquid phase containing a component to be sorbed. The approach of saturation of one or more of the zones is detected, e.g., using temperature sensors, and regeneration of the saturated zone or zones is initiated using hot gas. Compared to conventional sorption processes, energy savings, especially as regards energy consumed in blowing the hot gas through the fixed bed zone, are obtainable.

Abstract: A process for the separation of weak organic acids such as ethanol or methanol from dilute aqueous solutions thereof. The process comprises dissolving in the solution an amount of at least 26 grams/100 ml of solution of a base or a basic salt, such as potassium carbonate, the conjugate acid of which has a pKa value of above 6 and which has a solubility of at least 26 grams/100 ml. of solution and is substantially more soluble in water than in the organic acid, and separating from the solution a phase rich in the organic acid and an aqueous phase rich in the base or basic salt. The process is particularly applicable to the separation of ethanol from fermentation media as the high ionic strength of the dissolved base or basic salt causes flocculation of the dissolved solids component of dunder.

Abstract: Improvement in an azeotropic distillation process, the improvement being the use of an entrainer characterized in that it is an organic compound in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogen atoms, including at least one fluorine atom; it is miscible, under process conditions, with the organic compound being dehydrated; its volatility is sufficiently close to the volatility of the organic compound being dehydrated such that, under the process conditions, it forms an azeotrope with the organic compound; it is less miscible, under process conditions, with water than is the corresponding organic compound in which the halogen atoms are replaced with hydrogen atoms; and it is chemically stable under the process conditions.

Abstract: A distillation process for the production of dehydrated ethanol from dilute aqueous solutions of ethanol characterized in that the distillation is performed in a two-column system wherein the first column--for rectification--is operated under such a pressure that the second column--for dehydration--is heated exclusively with the vapors of the first column; in the first column the concentration of the dilute aqueous ethanol is effected to an ethanol concentration below the composition of the binary ethanol-water azeotrope; the separation of water is effected from the lower layer of the condensed head product of the second column; the separation of impurities and entrainers, having a lower boiling point than ethanol, is effected at the head of the first column and that of impurities, having a higher boiling point, above the feed point of the dilute aqueous solution in the first column; and, in the second column, the dehydration is effected by means of entrainers, with the addition of a fuel component or fuel, t

Abstract: A process for the separation of ethanol from water using solvent extraction at elevated pressures is disclosed. Separation is effected by contacting aqueous ethanol with either propylene (propene), allene (propadiene), methyl acetylene (propyne), or methyl allene (1,2-butadiene). This produces two liquid layers which separate because of the difference in their densities, and are easily drawn off as separate streams. The solvent is recovered by reverse osmosis means in a liquid state. The ethanol and water remain in a liquid state and are substantially recovered.

Abstract: A process for continuous rectification of a liquid mixture containing alcohols, particularly a liquid fermate, employs a plurality of distillation columns to which the liquid mixture is fed in parallel, and which have successively reduced operating pressures and temperatures from an initial one to a final one thereof. The top vapor distillate from the higher-pressure columns supplies driving heat to the sumps of the next successively lower-pressure columns. Direct steam at 130.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. is fed to the sump of the column operated at the highest pressure. Direct steam is generated by indirect heat exchange of water with the top vapor withdrawn from the columns, and the resulting direct steam is fed to the sumps of the next-lower-pressure columns. The apparatus can also include a section for the production of absolute alcohol.

Abstract: Alcohol substantially free of water is prepared by fermenting a fermentable biomass feedstock in a fermentation unit, thereby forming an aqueous fermentation liquor containing alcohol; extracting said aqueous fermentation liquor with an organic solvent containing an extractant for said alcohol, thereby forming an alcohol-organic solvent extract phase and an aqueous raffinate; contacting said alcohol-organic solvent phase with a carrier gas thereby separating said alcohol from said alcohol-organic solvent phase and forming an alcohol laden solvent vapor; and separating alcohol substantially free of water from said carrier gas.

Abstract: A process for the separation of ethanol from water using solvent extraction at elevated pressures is disclosed. Separation is effected by contacting aqueous ethanol with either propylene (propene), allene (propadiene), methyl acetylene (propyne), or methyl allene (1,2-butadiene). This produces two liquid phases which separate because of the difference in their densities, and are easily drawn off as separate streams. The solvent is recovered by distillation and condensation using a heat pump to transfer heat. The ethanol and water remain in a liquid state and are substantially recovered.

Abstract: To reduce the amount of high quality energy utilized in removing water from a dilute ethanol solution, a two-stage process is used. The first stage removes eighty-five percent of the water using a low temperature apparatus and process and the remainder of the energy is removed by any of the other conventional processes. In the first stage, anhydrous sodium sulfate is dissolved in a dilute aqueous solution of 10 weight percent alcohol at approximately thirty degrees centrigrade. The solution is cooled to approximately twenty degrees centrigrade, at which temperature decahydrate crystals of sodium sulfate precipitate from the solution are removed. The solution is increased to a value in excess of 45% of alcohol which requires removal of approximately 82 percent of the water in the form of crystals. The crystals are dried to the anhydrous state at substantially room temperature and reused.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the separation of ethanol from an ethanol containing water solution, wherein the ethanol containing solution is extracted by means of a solvent which is in the liquid or supercritical state, the ethanol containing solvent phase is separated into its components by being conducted over an adsorption medium without changing the pressure or temperature, and the ethanol is recovered by treating the ethanol containing adsorption medium with the solvent used for the extraction at a pressure from 1 to 30 bar and at a temperature from 150.degree. to 300.degree. C.

Abstract: Purified isopropanol is obtained from a crude reaction mixture by removing high boiling oils with activated carbon, extraction with a high boiling solvent and distillation with energy saving use of distillation vapors to heat successive distillation steps. Recyle of components also improves the overall economics of the process.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of aliphatic alcohol by the direct hydration of an olefinic hydrocarbon. The process is directed to the production of isopropyl alcohol. The process includes the recovery of the alcohol from a water-rich hydration zone effluent stream by countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction against a paraffinic solvent. The solvent is derived from paraffins originally admixed with the olefin-containing feed stream, and the raffinate stream comprises water which is recycled in the process. Expensive product fractionation is eliminated in the production of a fuel grade isopropyl alcohol.

Abstract: Aqueous ethanol and other lower alkanol water mixtures may be dehydrated in the gas or liquid phase by using carbon molecular sieves. These sieves preferentially adsorb water and recovery of absolute ethanol or other absolute alkanol is achieved. Absolute ethanol produced from this process may be used in the manufacture of gasohol.

Abstract: Organic solvents miscible with water and containing from 2 to 50% of water can be dried by passage over a molecular sieve capable of retaining water after it has been dehydrated, at a superficial velocity of less than 15 cm/min and using columns having specified lengths relative to the mass transfer zone.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of a water soluble alcohol from an aqueous mixture of the alcohol comprises incorporating in the mixture at least about 0.5% of a base selected from the group consisting of ammonium or alkali or alkaline metal hydroxide, ammonium or an alkali or alkaline metal carbonate or mixtures thereof; and at least about 0.2% of an electrolyte. The aqueous-alcohol mixture separates into two immiscible layers, and the layers are separated.

Abstract: An oxygenated organic compound, such as ethanol, is recovered from a dilute aqueous stream thereof by contacting said stream with crosslinked polyvinylpyridine resin or nuclear substituted derivative thereof to effect selective sorption of the compound by said resin. The sorbed compound is thereafter removed from the resin by stripping with an inert gas such as carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A thermally efficient process for recovering an oxygenated organic material, such as ethanol, present in dilute aqueous solution is disclosed which comprises contacting said dilute aqueous solution with at least one inert extractant which is liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, said extractant being selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted cyclic secondary amines and unsubstituted and substituted aromatic cyclic amines having a distribution coefficient of at least about 0.70 or a separation factor of at least about 1.0.

Abstract: A thermally efficient process for recovering ethanol present in dilute aqueous solution is disclosed which comprises contacting said dilute aqueous ethanol solution with at least one inert extractant which is liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, said extractant being selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted cyclic secondary amines and unsubstituted and substituted aromatic cyclic amines having a distribution coefficient of at least about 0.70 or a separation factor of at least about 1.0.

Abstract: A novel composition, and extraction process for the dehydration of a hydrated aliphatic, monohydric alcohol to produce a fuel grade alcohol. A select group of alkali-metal and alkaline-earth metal salts are added to and dissolved within a low volatility polyhydric alcohol to form a solution, or solvent extractant, and said solvent extractant contacted and dissolved within said aliphatic, monohydric hydrated alcohol, the solvent extractant distilled, condensed, and a dehydrated fuel grade aliphatic monohydric fuel grade alcohol recovered.

Abstract: Alcohol substantially free of water is produced by a process comprising extracting an aqueous alcohol solution with an organic solvent system containing an extractant for said alcohol thereby forming an organic solvent-alcohol phase and an aqueous phase, and vacuum distilling said organic solvent-alcohol phase thereby obtaining the product alcohol substantially free of water.

Abstract: A method for dehydrating an oxygenated fuel composition comprising at least one gasoline blending hydrocarbon component, isopropanol and water by contacting the composition with HSPAN.

Abstract: Ethanol is recovered from a dilute aqueous stream thereof by contacting said stream with crosslinked polyvinylpyridine resin or nuclear substituted derivative thereof to effect selective sorption of the ethanol by said resin. Sorbed ethanol is thereafter removed from the resin by stripping with an inert gas such as carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Organic liquid-water solutions, such as 5-30 W % alcohol in water, are separated efficiently in a two-stage adsorption process using a bed of selected adsorbent material in each stage to produce a concentrated organic product. Each adsorbent is selected to effectively adsorb the minor component from the feed solution and thus provide a dehydrated alcohol product. In the first-stage adsorber bed, activated carbon is used to selectively adsorb the alcohol, after which the desorbed alcohol vapor is passed to a second-stage adsorber bed of molecular sieve adsorbent for virtually complete removal of the remaining water. The process provides a dehydrated alcohol liquid product preferably containing less than about 2 W % water, and requires low energy usage.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for extracting an organic liquid from an organic liquid solute/solvent mixture. The mixture is contacted with a fluid extractant which is at a temperature and pressure to render the extractant a solvent for the solute but not for the solvent. The resulting fluid extract of the solute is then depressurized to give a still feed which is distilled to form still overhead vapors and liquid still bottoms. The enthalpy required to effect this distillation is provided by compressing the still overhead vapors to heat them and indirectly to heat the still feed. The process is particularly suitable for separating mixtures which form azeotropes, e.g., oxygenated hydrocarbon/water mixtures. The energy required in this process is much less than that required to separate such mixtures by conventional distillation techniques.

Abstract: A method for dehydration and/or enrichment of aqueous alcohol mixtures wherein the mixtures in the vapor state are contacted with a dehydration agent which is composed of cellulose, caboxymethylcellulose, cornmeal, cracked corn, corn cobs, wheat straw, bagasse, starch, hemicellulose, wood chips, other grains, other agricultural residues or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A thermally efficient process for recovering ethanol present in dilute aqueous solution is disclosed which comprises contacting said dilute aqueous ethanol solution with at least one inert extractant which is liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, said extractant being selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted cyclic secondary amines and unsubstituted and substituted aromatic cyclic amines having a distribution coefficient of at least about 0.70 or a separation factor of at least about 1.0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for producing substantially anhydrous alcohols from aqueous solutions thereof by distilling a mixture of aqueous alcohol and an entrainer to a drying column withdrawing an azeotrope as a distillate and continuously recovering anhydrous alcohol with less than 0.1% by weight of water from the base of the drying column. The improvement resides in feeding the distillate to a condenser and introducing (a) the condensate therefrom in a substantially non-turbulent state into a decanter at a point close to the interface between the aqueous and organic phases present therein and (b) a specified amount of water, which is less than 0.25 volumes per volume of the anhydrous alcohol recovered, into the drying column at a point adjacent to that at which the organic hydrocarbon phase is returned as reflux.

Abstract: An adsorptive separation process for separating water from a feed mixture comprising ethanol and water, which process comprises contacting the feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising corn meal, selectively adsorbing substantially all of the water to be separated to the substantial exclusion of the ethanol and thereafter recovering high purity ethanol. The used corn meal may be fermented to provide a source of ethanol. The process may employ a countercurrent moving bed or simulated moving bed countercurrent flow system.

Abstract: Molecular sieves used for dehydration are regenerated with methanol or acetone.

Abstract: Ethanol may be separated from a feed mixture comprising ethanol and water by contacting said feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising a shaped replication of particle aggregates comprising carbonaceous pyropolymers containing recurring units of at least carbon and hydrogen atoms at a temperature in the range of from about 20.degree. to about 230.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of from about atmospheric to about 500 psig, selectively adsorbing substantially all of the ethanol to the substantial exclusion of water and thereafter recovering high purity ethanol by passing a desorbing material over the adsorbent.

Abstract: An improved distillation method and apparatus are provided for recovering hydrous ethanol from fermentation or synthetic feedstocks. Substantial energy savings are realized by utilizing a pair of stripper-rectifier towers in which overhead vapors from one tower operating at a higher pressure supply the heat required for the other tower operating at a lower pressure and by preheating the feedstock in multiple heat exchange steps. The feedstock is split into two portions of unequal size, the larger portion being supplied to the higher pressure tower and the smaller portion to the lower pressure tower.

Abstract: A novel process for purifying an alkaline solution of a lower alkyl alcohol containing as an impurity an alkali metal alkoxide, an alkali metal hydroxide, and water is disclosed. The process comprises treating the alkaline solution of a lower alkyl alcohol with an anhydrous hydrogen halide to react with the alkali metal alkoxide and the alkali metal hydroxide to provide a neutral solution comprised of the lower alkyl alcohol, an alkali metal halide and water. The alkali metal halide is removed from the neutral solution to obtain a substantially salt-free solution comprised of the lower alkyl alcohol and water. A zeolite molecular sieve is contacted with the solution to remove the water and to recover a substantially anhydrous solution of a lower alkyl alcohol. The process produces purified substantially anhydrous alcohol solutions suitable for the use in the production of alkali metal alkoxides such as sodium methoxide without introducing undesired amounts of alkaline impurities into the product.

Abstract: Relatively dilute aqueous solutions of ethanol are concentrated by passage through a bed of a crystalline silica polymorph, such as silicalite, to adsorb the ethanol with residual dilute feed in contact with the bed, which is displaced by passing concentrated aqueous ethanol through the bed without displacing the adsorbed ethanol. A product concentrate is then obtained by removing the adsorbed ethanol from the bed together with at least a portion of the concentrated aqueous ethanol used as the displacer liquid. This process permits ethanol to be concentrated from dilute fermentation beers, which may contain from 6 to 10% ethanol, to obtain a concentrate product at very low energy cost having an ethanol concentration in excess of 95%, such as a concentration of from 98 to 99.5%.

Abstract: Process for dehydrating aqueous ethanol, utilizing a high-pressure distillation (with a single distillation column) of an aqueous ethanol admixture (preferably one derived from a conventional ethanol fermentation process), to achieve a vapor phase ethanol-water admixture containing about 90 percent, by weight, of ethanol, and then drying the vaporous admixture, in the presence of CO.sub.2, with a crystalline zeolite type 3A, utilizing the "pressure energy" derived from the distillation to allow the product ethanol to condense at ambient temperatures, and then, if desired, employing the resultant dried ethanol product in the production of gasohol.

Abstract: Primary alcohol containing impurities which have internal hydroxyl groups is purified to cause removal of such internal hydroxyl groups with reduced formation of ethers by treating the impure alcohol with an alumina catalyst which has been contacted with a hydroxide of a Group 1-A element. Preferably the alcohol treatment is concurrent with or followed by a hydrogenation treatment the purpose of which is to improve the iodine number of the treated alcohol.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a method for the separation and recovery of furfural and organic volatile acids from a vapor mixture obtained in the process of preparation of furfural. According to the method, from a vapor mixture containing water vapor, furfural and organic acids and escaping from a reaction vessel operating on the counter flow principle, wherein the reaction to form furfural takes place, organic acids are separated and recovered before the vapor mixture is condensed and conducted to the furfural concentration process. The separation is performed by absorbing the organic acids from the vapor mixture into the concentrated furfural solution in an absorption tower operating on the counter flow principle and by subsequently separating the furfural and organic acids from each other by means of vacuum distillation.