By Plural Liquid Phase Separation Patents (Class 568/918)
-
Patent number: 12240793Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a C3 and C4 hydrocarbon mixture have been disclosed. The C3 and C4 hydrocarbon mixture is separated to remove propane from C4 hydrocarbons. The resulting C4 hydrocarbons are then processed in an isomerization unit to produce additional isobutane. The isobutane of the isomerization unit effluent is dehydrogenated in a dehydrogenation unit to produce isobutene. The resulting isobutene is reacted with an alkanol to produce an alkyl tert-butyl ether.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: SABIC Global Technologies B.V.Inventors: Vijay Dinkar Bodas, Mohammed Bismillah Ansari
-
Patent number: 12077716Abstract: A system for recovering natural gas liquid from a gas source, comprising compression means (206) for increasing the temperature and pressure of the fluid from the gas source, cooling means (230) for cooling the fluid from the compression means, a gas/gas heat exchanger (204), fluid from the gas source flowing from a first inlet to a first outlet; at least one separator (208) for receiving the fluid from the first outlet of the gas/gas heat exchanger (204) and separating liquid from the gas, the gas from the separator being directed to expansion means (206) for reducing the temperature and pressure of the gas, the aqueous part of the liquid from the separator and/or the gas from the expansion means being directed to the gas/gas heat exchanger (204) where it flows therethrough from a second inlet to a second outlet for cooling the fluid flowing between the first inlet and first outlet, wherein injection means are provided between the cooling means and the gas/gas heat exchanger for saturating the gas with a liqType: GrantFiled: March 13, 2020Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: NGLTECH SDN. BHD.Inventors: Arul Jothy A/L Suppiah, Boon Lee Ooi, Ching Liang Chen, Ebtehal Eisa Regheb Eisa Farag, Dhanaraj A/L Turunawarasu
-
Patent number: 11919849Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to new methods of performing a hydrodealkenylation of monounsaturated alcohols, thiols, and derivatives thereof, such as terpenes and derivatives, comprising ozonolysis and quenching using a sulfinic acid or sulfinic acid salt.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: P2 SCIENCE, INCInventors: Patrick Foley, Ashoke Bhattacharjee, Yonghua Yang, Yong J. Tu
-
Patent number: 11607651Abstract: A method for making a graphene membrane includes applying a suspension of graphene platelets in a fluid onto a porous substrate, and applying a pressure differential to force the fluid through the substrate to yield a filtered fluid while retaining the graphene platelets on the substrate. The graphene platelets and the substrate form the graphene membrane.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: 2598218 ONTARIO INC.Inventors: Ian Flint, Nifemi Oguntuase
-
Patent number: 11529590Abstract: A double-layered material consisting of a cellulose nanofibrous (CNF) layer and a graphene oxide (GO) nanolayer coating, wherein the material comprises 0.5-4 wt. % of GO, preferably 1-2 wt. % of GO, in relation to the total weight of the material is disclosed, as well as methods for producing said material, membranes comprising said material, and uses of said material and membranes Thus, the present invention provides a cellulose nanofiber material with a high flux, a good separation performance and a strong mechanical and structural stability in solution.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2018Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Inventors: Aji Pallikunnel Mathew, Peng Liu
-
Patent number: 10729988Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to steam generation through the efficient harvesting of solar energy. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to bilayered structures that are cost-effective, scalable and/or biodegradable that provide high steam-generation efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Washington UniversityInventors: Srikanth Singamaneni, Qisheng Jiang, Limei Tian
-
Patent number: 9759480Abstract: Described herein is a method of removing refrigerant from a natural gas liquefaction system in which vaporized mixed refrigerant is withdrawn from the closed-loop refrigeration circuit and introduced into a distillation column so as to be separated into an overhead vapor enriched in methane and a bottoms liquid enriched in heavier components. Overhead vapor is withdrawn from the distillation column to form a methane enriched stream that is removed from the liquefaction system, and bottoms liquid is reintroduced from the distillation column into the closed-loop refrigeration circuit. Also described are methods of altering the rate of production in a natural gas liquefaction system in which refrigerant is removed as described above, and a natural gas liquefaction systems in which such methods can be carried out.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Brian Keith Johnson, Gowri Krishnamurthy, Mark Julian Roberts
-
Patent number: 9388100Abstract: Methods and systems for purifying feedstock-to-ethanol fermentation products are disclosed. The methods include the use of a solvent in the form of a supercritical fluid or liquid gas such as supercritical CO2 or liquid CO2 to dry fermentation beer solids, and/or to extract oil, ethanol, or ethanol and oil from fermentation beer or mixtures derived therefrom. Systems include a separations reactor having a first portion defined by walls that are impermeable to fermentation beer liquids joined to a second portion defined by walls that are impermeable to fermentation beer liquids by a third portion defined by walls that are permeable to fermentation beer liquids and impermeable to fermentation beer solids.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2015Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: POET RESEARCH, INC.Inventor: Steven G Redford
-
Patent number: 9139803Abstract: Methods and systems for purifying feedstock-to-ethanol fermentation products are disclosed. The methods include the use of a solvent in the form of a supercritical fluid or liquid gas such as supercritical CO2 or liquid CO2 to dry fermentation beer solids, and/or to extract oil, ethanol, or ethanol and oil from fermentation beer or mixtures derived therefrom. Systems include a separations reactor having a first portion defined by walls that are impermeable to fermentation beer liquids joined to a second portion defined by walls that are impermeable to fermentation beer liquids by a third portion defined by walls that are permeable to fermentation beer liquids and impermeable to fermentation beer solids.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: POET RESEARCH, INCInventor: Steven G Redford
-
Publication number: 20150141711Abstract: Membranes are provided for energy efficient purification of alcohol by pervaporation. Such membranes include a nanofibrous scaffold in combination with a barrier layer. The barrier layer includes a graphene oxide. The membranes may, in embodiments, also include a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Benjamin Chu, Benjamin S. Hsiao, Devinder Mahajan, Tsung-Ming Yeh
-
Patent number: 9029615Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignees: DynaSep Inc., Phasex CorporationInventors: Hans Schonemann, Brian J. Waibel, Val Krukonis
-
Patent number: 9024084Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, R. Jay Warner, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 9024088Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Heiko Weiner, Zhenhua Zhou, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 9000232Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: R. Jay Warner, Victor J. Johnston, David Lee, Adam Orosco
-
Patent number: 9000233Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, Claudio Ribeiro, R. Jay Warner, Robert Alan Deck, Emily Duff, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 8981166Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Working Bugs, LLCInventors: Kris A. Berglund, Peter K. Rossman
-
Publication number: 20150065758Abstract: Methods and systems for purifying feedstock-to-ethanol fermentation products are disclosed. The methods include the use of a solvent in the form of a supercritical fluid or liquid gas such as supercritical CO2 or liquid CO2 to dry fermentation beer solids, and/or to extract oil, ethanol, or ethanol and oil from fermentation beer or mixtures derived therefrom. Systems include a separations reactor having a first portion defined by walls that are impermeable to fermentation beer liquids joined to a second portion defined by walls that are impermeable to fermentation beer liquids by a third portion defined by walls that are permeable to fermentation beer liquids and impermeable to fermentation beer solids.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventor: Steven G. Redford
-
Patent number: 8969055Abstract: A method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed during the fermentation by extraction into a water-immiscible organic extractant in the presence of at least one electrolyte at a concentration at least sufficient to increase the butanol partition coefficient relative to that in the presence of the salt concentration of the basal fermentation medium, is provided. The electrolyte may comprise a salt which dissociates in the fermentation medium, or in the aqueous phase of a biphasic fermentation medium, to form free ions. Also provided is a method and composition for recovering butanol from a fermentation medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Michael Charles Grady, Ranjan Patnaik
-
Patent number: 8933278Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, Claudio Ribeiro, R. Jay Warner, Robert Alan Deck, Emily Duff, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 8927788Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, Claudio Ribeiro, R. Jay Warner, Robert Alan Deck, Emily Duff, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 8927787Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: R. Jay Warner, Emily Duff, Victor J. Johnston, David Lee, Adam Orosco
-
Patent number: 8894823Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Jong Ku Lee, Joon Ho Shin
-
Patent number: 8864948Abstract: Disclosed is a dividing wall column for preparing high-purity neopentyl glycol, and a method of distilling neopentyl glycol. Using only one column, the dividing wall column has the same effect as when using two columns. Thus, energy and equipment costs may be reduced in the production of the high-purity neopentyl glycol as compared to a conventional process apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Joon Ho Shin, Jong Ku Lee
-
Publication number: 20140235901Abstract: A reactive distillation method comprises introducing a feed stream to a reactive distillation column, contacting the feed stream with one or more catalysts in the reactive distillation column during a distillation, and removing one or more higher alcohols during the distillation from the reactive distillation column as a bottoms stream. The feed stream comprises one or more alpha hydrogen alcohols, and the feed stream reacts in the presence of the one or more catalysts to produce a reaction product comprising the one or more higher alcohols.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Greenyug, LLCInventors: Sagar B. GADEWAR, Brian Christopher VICENTE, Peter K. STOIMENOV, Vivek JULKA
-
Patent number: 8809597Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, Lincoln Sarager, Trinity Horton, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 8754268Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, Nathan Powell, Manuel Salado, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Trinity Horton, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 8754267Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Nathan Bower, Josefina T. Chapman, Gerald Grusendorf, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 8704015Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Radmila Wollrab, Josefina T. Chapman, Robert Cunningham, Gerald Grusendorf, Trinity Horton Hale, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan
-
Patent number: 8704014Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Celansese International CorporationInventors: Radmila Wollrab, Nathan Bower, Josefina T. Chapman, Gerald Grusendorf, Victor J. Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner
-
Publication number: 20140094630Abstract: Provided herein are processes comprising providing a fermentation medium comprising a fermentable carbon source, a recombinant microorganism comprising an engineered butanol biosynthetic pathway, and butanol; contacting said fermentation medium with an extractant composition comprising an effective amount of antioxidant or antioxidant-like compound, whereby at least a portion of the butanol in the fermentation medium partitions into the extractant; recovering at least a portion of the butanol and extractant composition from the fermentation medium; recycling the extractant composition recovered in (c) one or more times in the fermentation medium; optionally adjusting the effective amount of antioxidant or antioxidant-like compound in the extractant composition, whereby the rate of oxidation or effect of oxidized products in the recycled extractant composition is substantially reduced and/or avoided such that the extractant composition may be recycled.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: BUTAMAX(TM) ADVANCED BIOFUELS LLCInventors: DOUGLAS ROBERT ANTON, BRUCE A. DINER, STEVEN D. DOIG
-
Publication number: 20140066669Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicants: DynaSep Inc., Phasex CorporationInventors: Hans Schonemann, Brian J. Waibel, Val Krukonis
-
Patent number: 8653308Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing a water stream comprising the steps of hydrogenating acetic acid to form a crude ethanol product and separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in at least one column of a plurality of columns into a distillate comprising ethanol and a residue comprising the water stream. The water stream preferably is essentially free of organic impurities other than acetic acid and ethanol.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Trinity Horton Hale, Radmila Wollrab, Victor J. Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner
-
Patent number: 8617861Abstract: A method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed during the fermentation by extraction into a water-immiscible organic extractant in the presence of at least one electrolyte at a concentration at least sufficient to increase the butanol partition coefficient relative to that in the presence of the salt concentration of the basal fermentation medium, is provided. The electrolyte may comprise a salt which dissociates in the fermentation medium, or in the aqueous phase of a biphasic fermentation medium, to form free ions. Also provided is a method and composition for recovering butanol from a fermentation medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Michael Charles Grady, Ranjan Patnaik
-
Patent number: 8580038Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Asher Vitner Ltd.Inventor: Asher Vitner
-
Patent number: 8575405Abstract: To reduce acetal concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns is operated at a higher pressure to increase the equilibrium constant that favors 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 8569552Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. An overhead stream from a first distillation column is condensed to recover a mixed condensate. An entrainer is added to at least one appropriate process stream or vessel such that the mixed condensate comprises sufficient entrainer to provide phase separation of the organic and the aqueous phases to provide for recovery of the butanol.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D Parten, Bruce M Vrana, Yihui Tom Xu, Joseph J Zaher
-
Publication number: 20130281720Abstract: The invention provides a method to extract organic compounds from aqueous mixtures, using a specially selected organic compound as an extraction liquid. The method can be applied to remove compounds such as acetic acid or ethanol from complex aqueous mixtures, including fermentation reactions or broths, and can be used for in situ extraction of products or by-products from a fermentation reaction. Some suitable extraction liquids for use in these methods include diethylene glycol dibutyl ether, tripropionin, and di(ethylene glycol) diisobutyl ether.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicants: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Amit A. Gokhale, Sasisanker Padmanabhan, Christopher Roberge
-
Patent number: 8563788Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. The extractant comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D Parten, Bruce M Vrana, Yihui Tom Xu, Joseph J Zaher
-
Patent number: 8558037Abstract: A method of producing butanol, which has a step of removing impurities contained in a butanol-containing solution, is provided. In the method, a butanol-containing solution is filtered through a nanofiltration membrane. Then the butanol-containing solution is collected from the permeate flow of the nanofiltration membrane.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.Inventors: Izumi Morita, Masateru Ito, Hideki Sawai, Shinichi Minegishi, Katsushige Yamada, Kenji Kawamura
-
Patent number: 8558034Abstract: To reduce acetal concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns is operated at a higher pressure to increase the equilibrium constant that favors 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 8552224Abstract: 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 reactor in the presence of a catalyst to form the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in a purification zone. The purification zone preferably comprises a first column, which yields a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid. The at least a portion of the crude ethanol product has a residence time from the reactor to the purification zone from 5 minutes to 5 days.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Trinity Horton, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, Tianshu Pan, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner, Nathan Bower, Josefina T. Chapman, Gerald Grusendorf
-
Patent number: 8546622Abstract: A process for selective formation of ethanol from acetic acid by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst comprises a first metal on an acidic support. The acidic support may comprise an acidic support material or may comprise an support having an acidic support modifier. The catalyst may be used alone to produced ethanol via hydrogenation or in combination with another catalyst. In addition, the crude ethanol product is separated to obtain ethanol.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner
-
Patent number: 8481792Abstract: To reduce acetal and/or ester concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns is operated at a higher pressure to increase the equilibrium constant that favors hydrolysis of the acetal. The crude product may comprise ethanol, acetaldehyde, water, ethyl acetate and one or more acetals, such as diethyl acetal. The acetal and/or ester concentration may be reduced thus reducing the need to separate acetal and/or ester from the crude product.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, Lincoln Sarager, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 8455703Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the liquid-liquid extraction of alcohols from aqueous solutions using at least one ionic liquid containing a tetra-cyanoborate anion as solvent.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Merck Patent GmbHInventors: William-Robert Pitner, Michael Schulte, Andrzej Górak, Francesca Santangelo, Annebart Engberg Wentink
-
Patent number: 8440869Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the liquid-liquid extraction of alcohols from aqueous solutions using at least one ionic liquid containing a tricyanomethide anion as solvent.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Merck Patent GmbHInventors: William-Robert Pitner, Emil Ferdinand Aust, Michael Schulte, Uschi Schmid-Grossmann
-
Patent number: 8440866Abstract: A process for operating a distillation column to separate an ethanol mixture comprising ethanol and acetic acid where the recovered ethanol comprises less than 700 wppm acetic acid. The operating conditions for the column may vary depending on the fed composition. In particular the process provides energy efficient recovery of ethanol with low concentration acetic acid.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Adam Orosco, Manuel Salado, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Trinity Horton, Victor J. Johnston, David Lee
-
Publication number: 20130109891Abstract: 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. Unreacted acetic acid can be reduced or removed through configurations of esterification secondary reactors. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: Celanese International CorporationInventors: David Lee, Adam Orosco, Claudio Ribeiro, R. Jay Warner, Robert Alan Deck, Emily Duff, Victor J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 8399719Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing a water stream comprising the steps of hydrogenating acetic acid to form a crude ethanol product and separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in at least one column of a plurality of columns into a distillate comprising ethanol and a residue comprising the water stream. The water stream preferably is essentially free of organic impurities other than acetic acid and ethanol.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Celanese International CorporationInventors: Trinity Horton, Radmila Jevtic, Victor J. Johnston, Lincoln Sarager, R. Jay Warner, Heiko Weiner
-
Publication number: 20130041187Abstract: Highly pure butanol can be produced by a method for producing butanol, the method comprising: Step A, wherein a butanol-containing solution is filtered through a nanofiltration membrane and a butanol-containing solution is recovered from the permeate side; Step B, wherein the butanol-containing solution obtained in Step A is passed through a reverse osmosis membrane and thereby concentrated to cause two-phase separation into a butanol phase and an aqueous phase; and Step C, wherein butanol is recovered from the butanol phase obtained in Step B.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Masateru Ito, Izumi Morita, Shinichi Yamane, Katsushige Yamada
-
Patent number: 8373009Abstract: A process for recovering butanol from a mixture comprising a water-immiscible organic extractant, water, butanol, and optionally a non-condensable gas, is provided. The butanol is selected from 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, and mixtures thereof. The extractant comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Butamax (TM) Advanced Biofuels LLCInventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D. Parten, Bruce Vrana, Yihui Tom Xu, Joseph J. Zaher