Abstract: Process for treating an alcohol composition containing nitrogen-containing contaminants by contacting the alcohol composition with an adsorbent in an adsorption zone. The adsorbent is a transition metal-loaded solid porous material selected from aluminosilicates, silica-aluminas, silicates and aluminas, and the alcohol composition is contacted with the adsorbent either alone or in the presence of an inert carrier gas.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for pre-treating a steam reforming feed containing sulphur-containing compounds, using two desulphurization reactors: a temporary desulphurization reactor (1010) containing an active adsorbent solid; a permanent desulphurization reactor (1003) placed upstream of the steam reforming unit, which contains an adsorbent solid in the passivated state, necessitating a depassivation phase in order to be rendered active; the temporary desulphurization reactor (1010) being disconnected as soon as the adsorbent solid of the permanent desulphurization reactor (1003) has been activated, and the volume of the temporary desulphurization reactor being in the range 1/20 to 1/200 times the volume of the permanent desulphurization reactor.

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: A method of making a polybenzoxazole (PBO) membrane from a self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane is provided. These membranes are useful in the separation of gas mixtures and liquid mixtures. The PBO membrane is made by fabricating a self-cross-linkable aromatic polyimide polymer membrane comprising both hydroxyl functional groups and carboxylic acid functional groups; cross-linking the polymer to form a self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane by heating the membrane at 250° to 300° C. under an inert atmosphere; and thermal heating the self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane at a temperature from about 350° to 500° C. under an inert atmosphere to convert the self-cross-linked aromatic polyimide polymer membrane into a PBO membrane. A membrane coating step may be added by coating the selective layer surface of the PBO membrane with a thin layer of high permeability material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite material comprising a) a porous matrix of a polymer containing fluorine and having a percentage of tetrafluoroethylene monomer units of at least 95 mol % based on the total of monomer units, b) hydrophobic zeolite particles which are embedded in the matrix and around which matrix filaments extend, and c) at least one metal material. The invention further relates to the use of the composite material for adsorbing organic molecules from a gaseous or liquid mixture of substances that contains at least one organic component, and to a method for removing organic molecules from a gaseous or liquid mixture of substances.

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: 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: 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: A process for the production of a molecular sieve blend with improved performance characteristics produced by preparing or obtaining a hydrophilic zeolite, particularly a hydrophilic zeolite A with a low SiO2:Al2O3 ratio, preparing or obtaining a hydrophobic silicon based binder, particularly a hydrophobic colloidal silica or a hydrophobic siloxane based material, mixing the zeolite with the silicon based binder and, in one embodiment, a seed containing small quantities of a clay binding agent and the zeolite, to form a mixture, and forming the mixture into the molecular sieve blend.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating butanol. The method uses hydrophobic macroporous polymer adsorbent to separate butanol in a mixed solution, and the process comprises the following steps: 1) using macroporous polymer adsorbent to adsorb butanol in a mixed solution; 2) desorbing butanol from macroporous polymer adsorbent. The method is simple; the separation time is short; the efficiency of butanol recovery is high; and the separating cost is low.

Abstract: Provided are methods for storing gases on porous adsorbents, methods for optimizing the storage of gases on porous adsorbents, methods of making porous adsorbents, and methods of gas storage of optimized compositions, as in systems containing porous adsorbents and gas adsorbed on the surface of the porous adsorbent. The disclosed methods and systems feature a constant or increasing isosteric enthalpy of adsorption as a function of uptake of the gas onto the exposed surface of a porous adsorbent. Adsorbents with a porous geometry and surface dimensions suited to a particular adsorbate are exposed to the gas at elevated pressures in the specific regime where n/V (density) is larger than predicted by the ideal gas law by more than several percent.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved SMB process incorporating novel regeneration steps for the separation of ethanol associated oxygenates such as butanediol from a dilute mixture of ethanol and associated oxygenates in water in the presence of organic compounds derived from a biofermentation process. Applicant discovered that increasing the number of raffinate streams alone or in combination with a hot regeneration zone within the SMB cycle can significantly reduce the capital and operating costs associated with the incorporation of the SMB process in a complex for the production of ethanol and butanediol from biofermentation effluent. The process is useful for removing water from dilute aqueous mixtures of organic compounds comprising ethanol in dilute concentration in water and produced by fermentation, biomass extraction, biocatalytic and enzymatic processes which are not economically recoverable by conventional distillation methods.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for desulphurizing a feed comprising oxygen-containing compounds, hydrocarbon-containing compounds and organic sulphur-containing compounds, by capturing sulphur on a capture mass comprising iron oxides or zinc oxides and more than 20% by weight of zinc ferrite. The process is operated in the presence of hydrogen at a temperature in the range 200° C. to 400° C.

Abstract: A system and process for removing hydrocarbons and divalent cations from a rich MEG feed stream is presented. A hydrocarbon removal bed containing a solid adsorbent material adsorbs the hydrocarbons in the rich MEG feed stream as it passes through the hydrocarbon removal bed. After the hydrocarbons have been removed, the rich MEG feed stream flows through an ion exchange bed containing an ion exchange resin in order to remove divalent cations. The rich MEG feed stream then flows through a flash separator and a distillation column to reclaim MEG. Spent solid adsorbent material in the hydrocarbon removal beds and spent ion exchange resin in the ion exchange beds may be regenerated in place using by-products of the MEG reclamation process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and an adsorbent for the separation of ethanol associated oxygenates from a dilute mixture of ethanol and associated oxygenates in water in the presence of organic compounds derived from a biofermentation process. After pretreatment, the separation is carried out in a simulated moving bed adsorption system employing an stationary phase adsorbent comprising fluorinated carbon or modified C18 silica gel selective for the adsorption of ethanol and associated oxygenates, such as 2,3-butanediol, with a mobile phase desorbent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, and methyl tertiary butyl ether. The process is useful for removing water from dilute aqueous mixtures of organic compounds comprising ethanol in dilute concentration in water and produced by fermentation, biomass extraction, biocatalytic and enzymatic processes which are not economically recoverable by conventional distillation methods.

Abstract: A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and an adsorbent for the separation of ethanol associated oxygenates from a dilute mixture of ethanol and associated oxygenates in water in the presence of organic compounds derived from a biofermentation process. After pretreatment, the separation is carried out in a simulated moving bed adsorption system employing an stationary phase adsorbent comprising fluorinated carbon or modified C18 silica gel selective for the adsorption of ethanol and associated oxygenates, such as 2,3-butanediol, with a mobile phase desorbent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, and methyl tertiary butyl ether. The process is useful for removing water from dilute aqueous mixtures of organic compounds comprising ethanol in dilute concentration in water and produced by fermentation, biomass extraction, biocatalytic and enzymatic processes which are not economically recoverable by conventional distillation methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved SMB process incorporating novel regeneration steps for the separation of ethanol associated oxygenates such as butanediol from a dilute mixture of ethanol and associated oxygenates in water in the presence of organic compounds derived from a biofermentation process. Applicant discovered that increasing the number of raffinate streams alone or in combination with a hot regeneration zone within the SMB cycle can significantly reduce the capital and operating costs associated with the incorporation of the SMB process in a complex for the production of ethanol and butanediol from biofermentation effluent. The process is useful for removing water from dilute aqueous mixtures of organic compounds comprising ethanol in dilute concentration in water and produced by fermentation, biomass extraction, biocatalytic and enzymatic processes which are not economically recoverable by conventional distillation methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the purification and concentration of a partially water-soluble organic product from a source containing the same at concentration C0, which process comprises the steps of: (i) concentrating said product by means of a resin to form a first aqueous solution at concentration of C1; and (ii) fractionating an aqueous solution by temperature adjustment to form a second aqueous solution and a third aqueous solution with concentrations C2 and C3, respectively, wherein C2>C3 and C2>C1>C0.

Abstract: A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for pre-treating a steam reforming feed containing sulphur-containing compounds, using two desulphurization reactors: a temporary desulphurization reactor (1010) containing an active adsorbent solid; a permanent desulphurization reactor (1003) placed upstream of the steam reforming unit, which contains an adsorbent solid in the passivated state, necessitating a depassivation phase in order to be rendered active; the temporary desulphurization reactor (1010) being disconnected as soon as the adsorbent solid of the permanent desulphurization reactor (1003) has been activated, and the volume of the temporary desulphurization reactor being in the range 1/20 to 1/200 times the volume of the permanent desulphurization reactor.

Abstract: A process includes receiving a process stream including at least about 80.0% by weight propylene glycol, and contacting the process stream with an absorbent material to produce a product stream. The absorbent material is configured to preferentially absorb ethylene glycol relative to propylene glycol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating butanol. The method uses hydrophobic macroporous polymer adsorbent to separate butanol in a mixed solution, and the process comprises the following steps: 1) using macroporous polymer adsorbent to adsorb butanol in a mixed solution; 2) desorbing butanol from macroporous polymer adsorbent. The method is simple; the separation time is short; the efficiency of butanol recovery is high; and the separating cost is low.

Abstract: Chemoselective isolation of hydroxyl group-containing and carboxyl group-containing compounds is accomplished via formation of polymeric silyl ethers and polymeric siloxyl esters, respectively. Preparation of chemoselective polymeric reagents for capture of hydroxyl group containing compounds and carboxyl group containing compounds is described.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for removing contaminants, such as mineral salts, mineral acids, terpenoids, stilbenes, flavonoids, proteinaceous materials, metal impurities, ash and other organic products, from a lignocellulosic feedstock stream containing oxygenated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Processes for removing water from organic solvents, such as ethanol. The processes include distillation to form a rectified overhead vapor, compression of the rectified vapor, and treatment of the compressed vapor by two sequential membrane separation steps.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for removing water from organic compounds, especially polar compounds such as alcohols. The processes include a membrane-based dehydration step, using a membrane that has a dioxole-based polymer selective layer or the like and a hydrophilic selective layer, and can operate even when the stream to be treated has a high water content, such as 10 wt % or more. The processes are particularly useful for dehydrating ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process to dry a feed steam containing alcohol and a small quantity of water. The process includes the step of using pressure swing adsorption to produce a first alcohol stream of substantially dehydrated alcohol and a second mixed stream of water and alcohol. The second mixed stream is distilled in a distillation column to produce a relatively purified water stream and a wet alcohol stream. The wet alcohol stream is added to the feed stream. Optionally the present invention is used to recover excess methanol from a biodiesel reactor that uses one or both of the transesterification reaction and the esterification reaction. The biodiesel reactor produces a product stream comprising fatty acid esters, water and alcohol. Water and alcohol is separated from the product stream. The alcohol is dried as noted above. Dried alcohol is recycled to one or both of the transesterification reaction and the esterification reaction.

Abstract: Processes for removing water from organic solvents, such as ethanol. The processes include distillation in two columns operated at sequentially higher pressure, followed by treatment of the overhead vapor by one or two membrane separation steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of anhydrous ethanol production using circulation by multiple towers' alternation, the procedure includes the steps of heating, adsorption, internal circulation, vacuum suction, washing and resolving etc. The method can prolong the life of adsorbent, reduce the heat exchanger's surface, cooling water, the equipment investment and energy consumption, provide high ethanol recovery rate and high dehydration, and protect environment.

Abstract: Methods for extracting an organic solute from a feed source using aromatic extraction solvents are described herein. Solvent modifiers such as, for example, cetyl alcohol may also be used to alter the properties of the solvent and improve the extraction. In some embodiments, the extraction solvent can be recycled after performing the extraction. In some embodiments, the organic solute may be separated from the extraction solvent after the extraction. For example, in some embodiments, the organic solute may be adsorbed on to 5 ? molecular sieve zeolites and then removed thereafter. Removal of the organic solute can take place by heating, applying a vacuum or a combination thereof. Apparatuses for extracting an organic solute from a feed source are also described herein.

Abstract: A system and method for removing water from a liquid desiccant such as a glycol used to dry cooled air in order to restore the desiccant to a purity up to around 97% in a closed continuous flow process. Liquid desiccant can be sprayed into cooled air in a conditioner where it gains moisture. The wet or gained desiccant can be optionally preheated in an economizing heat exchanger and then routed into a concentrator. Desiccant pure to around 97% can be removed from the concentrator, passed through an economizing heat exchanger to provide the preheating and returned to the conditioner holding area. The concentrator can be heated by steam or other means such as natural gas to boil the wet desiccant causing mixed vapor to enter a vertical distillation column where most of the glycol condenses out on the column packing or plates and returns to the concentrator.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the recovery of an organic moiecule from the overhead vapor phase of aqueous media by adsorbing onto an adsorbent, wherein no additional thermal energy for said vaporization is provided, and wherein the organic molecule is recovered afterwards by desorbing from the adsorber.

Abstract: Method of reducing the concentration of sulfur and/or a sulfur-containing compound in a biochemically prepared organic compound by bringing the respective organic compound into contact with an adsorbent, wherein the adsorbent is a clay doped with silver and/or a silver compound.

Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing an alcohol which can produce a target alcohol containing a remarkably low content of the sulfur compound(s), and the present invention provides a method for producing an alcohol comprising a separation process which reduces the content of sulfur compound(s) in a crude alcohol containing at least the sulfur compound(s) through desulfurization treatment in which the crude alcohol is contacted with a separation membrane based on a pervaporation method, thereby a content of the sulfur composition in the crude alcohol is decreased.

Abstract: Processes for removing water from organic solvents, such as ethanol. The processes include distillation to form a rectified overhead vapor, compression of the rectified vapor, and treatment of the compressed vapor by two sequential membrane separation steps.

Abstract: A method for producing an alcohol of the present invention provides an alcohol having the total sulfur content of 10 ppm by weight or less, by subjecting an alcohol having the total sulfur content of 30 ppm by weight or more and the propanols content of 200 ppm to at least one desulfurization treatment selected from at least one of a desulfurization treatment by a reaction process, a desulfurization treatment with a physical adsorbent, and a desulfurization treatment with a chemical adsorbent.

Abstract: Systems and processes for dehydration of a process stream in the production of motor fuel grade ethanol (MFGE) can include temperature controlled adsorption of water in the process stream, and heat pumping to transfer heat from the process stream to a heat sink using one or more stages of heat pumping. One stage of heat pumping can be achieved during the regeneration process of a temperature controlled adsorber by desorbing the adsorbed water at a thermal condition enabling useful heat recovery. Another stage of heat pumping can be achieved during the adsorption process of a temperature controlled adsorber by transferring the heat of water adsorption to a heat sink. The heat sink with respect to each stage of heat pumping can be a solids separation unit, such as a beer column.

Abstract: Method of reducing the concentration of sulfur and/or a sulfur-containing compound in a biochemically prepared organic compound by bringing the respective organic compound into contact with an adsorbent, wherein the adsorbent is a clay doped with silver and/or a silver compound.

Abstract: This invention involves the use of a more effective adsorbent to dehydrate ethanol. The most common use for the ethanol is an additive to gasoline. The preferred adsorbent is a type 3A adsorbent that has been ion exchanged with potassium at a level of about 0.6. Surprisingly, this adsorbent has a significantly improved resistance to damage by water upset events.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying ethanol includes a first reaction chamber for carrying out the removal of water from wet ethanol, a feed inlet for introducing the wet ethanol into the reaction chamber, a product outlet for removing dry ethanol from the reaction chamber, an optional fuel inlet for introducing a fuel into the reaction chamber, and a particulate bed, including sorbent particles, that is disposed within the reaction chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the bed is divided into first and second zones each provided with different size sorbent particles. In another preferred embodiment, the bed contains a mixture of sorbent particles and catalyst particles. The sorbent particles operate to remove water from the wet ethanol and form hydrated-sorbent particles. The catalyst particles operate to promote chemical reaction of the fuel, generating heat that causes removal of water from the hydrated-sorbent particles and regenerating the sorbent particles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for producing a high purity organic solvent from a crude organic solvent comprising providing a stream of crude organic solvent comprising a first amount of at least one impurity and adsorbing at least one impurity contained in said crude organic solvent onto an adsorbent to produce a purified organic solvent comprising a second amount of impurities, the second amount of impurities being less than the first amount of impurities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying ethanol includes a first reaction chamber for carrying out the removal of water from wet ethanol, a feed inlet for introducing the wet ethanol into the reaction chamber, a product outlet for removing dry ethanol from the reaction chamber, an optional fuel inlet for introducing a fuel into the reaction chamber, and a particulate bed, including sorbent particles, that is disposed within the reaction chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the bed is divided into first and second zones each provided with different size sorbent particles. In another preferred embodiment, the bed contains a mixture of sorbent particles and catalyst particles. The sorbent particles operate to remove water from the wet ethanol and form hydrated-sorbent particles. The catalyst particles operate to promote chemical reaction of the fuel, generating heat that causes removal of water from the hydrated-sorbent particles and regenerating the sorbent particles.

Abstract: A process for preparing ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) using low-water ethanol obtained by membrane dewatering at least two streams of relatively water-rich ethanol that have a different water content. by dewatering at membranes.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of ethanol from a solution by bringing the solution into contact with a bed of salt consisting of Mg3(PO4)2, whereby the salt adsorbs ethanol from the solution, removing the solution from the salt bed, heating of the salt bed in order to release the ethanol adsorbed thereby as vapor and collecting the ethanol vapor. The use of particles of the salt for adsorption of ethanol from a solution.

Abstract: A process for preparing low-water ethanol from at least two streams of relatively water-rich ethanol that have a different water content by dewatering at membranes. The low-water ethanol can be used to prepare ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE).

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel extraction method for obtaining at least one unsaturated, optionally derivatized compound, from mixtures of said compounds with other less saturated constituents, e.g. for obtaining polyunsaturated fatty acids or the derivatives thereof from mixtures with saturated and/or less unsaturated, optionally derivatized fatty acids, by means of selective complexation with a cation exchanger which is partially or fully charged with silver ions, and subsequent decomplexation.

Abstract: E and Z isomers of alkene alcohols and/or alkene alcohol derivatives are separated by substantially continuously contacting an ion exchange medium which is ion exchanged with silver and/or copper ions with the feed stream comprising the E and Z isomers of at least one alkene alcohol and/or at least one alkene alcohol derivative, then removing a product stream having a higher concentration of the E or Z isomer of at least one alkene alcohol or derivative of the alkene alcohol relative to the concentration of the E or Z isomer of the alkene alcohol or derivative of the alkene alcohol in the feed stream.

Abstract: E and Z isomers of alkene alcohols and/or alkene alcohol derivatives are separated by substantially continuously contacting an ion exchange medium which is ion exchanged with silver and/or copper ions with the feed stream comprising the E and Z isomers of at least one alkene alcohol and/or at least one alkene alcohol derivative, then removing a product stream having a higher concentration of the E or Z isomer of at least one alkene alcohol or derivative of the alkene alcohol relative to the concentration of the E or Z isomer of the alkene alcohol or derivative of the alkene alcohol in the feed stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a saturated organic compound bearing at least one functional group from a mixture which comprises this saturated organic compound containing at least one functional group and also one or more other organic compounds, which comprises