| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20120010436 | Separation of Vapor Crude Alcohol Product - 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. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010438 | Reduced Energy Alcohol Separation Process - Recovery of alcohols, in particular ethanol, from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a reduced energy process. The crude ethanol product may be fed to a distillation column in which a substantial portion of the water is removed with the acetic acid in the residue. The ethanol product is obtained from the distillate. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010445 | Low Energy Alcohol Recovery Processes - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using various combinations of membranes and/or distillation columns. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010446 | Hydrogenolysis of Ethyl Acetate in Alcohol Separation Processes - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and by reacting a portion of the crude ethanol product or one or more derivative streams containing ethyl acetate obtained therefrom in the presence of hydrogen, via hydrogenolysis. The one or more derivative streams comprise ethyl acetate that are reacted in via hydrogenolysis form additional ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010447 | Weak Acid Recovery System for Ethanol Separation Processes - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and recovery of unreacted acetic acid from a weak acid stream. The unreacted acetic acid may be recovered as a dry acetic acid composition and may be directly or indirectly fed to the hydrogenation reactor. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120046501 | Hydrogenolysis of Ethyl Acetate in Alcohol Separation Processes - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and by reacting a portion of the crude ethanol product or one or more derivative streams containing ethyl acetate obtained therefrom in the presence of hydrogen, via hydrogenolysis. The one or more derivative streams comprise ethyl acetate that are reacted via hydrogenolysis to form additional ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120245395 | Reduced Energy Alcohol Separation Process Having Water Removal - The present invention relates to the recovery of alcohols, in particular ethanol, from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a reduced energy process. The crude ethanol product may be fed to a distillation column in which a substantial portion of the water is removed with the acetic acid in the residue. Additional water may be removed by using a pressure swing adsorption unit, molecular sieve, and/or membrane. Ethanol extraction may also be used to reduce the ethanol concentration in the recycle streams. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120245396 | Recovering Ethanol Sidedraw By Separating Crude Product From Hydrogenation Process - A process for producing ethanol is disclosed, comprising the steps of hydrogenating acetic acid in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude ethanol product, separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in a column into a first distillate comprising ethanol and a first residue comprising acetic acid and water, wherein a substantial portion of the water in the crude ethanol product that is fed to the column is removed in the first residue, and separating a portion of the ethanol mixture stream to the second distillation column to yield an ethanol product sidedraw, second residue comprising water and a second distillate comprising ethyl acetate. The water content of the ethanol product sidedraw may be further reduced to yield a stream having reduced water content. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120273338 | Process for Removing Water From Alcohol Mixtures - 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. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120273339 | Water Separation from Crude Alcohol Product - 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. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277463 | Extractive Distillation of Crude Alcohol Product - 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. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277480 | Separation Process Having an Alcohol Sidestream - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is fed to a distillation column to yield an ethanol sidestream. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277482 | Removing Water from an Acetic Acid Stream in the Production of Alcohols - A process for removing water from an acetic acid stream in the production of alcohols, such as ethanol produced by hydrogenating acetic acid. Water is removed from the acetic acid stream using an adsorption unit, membrane, molecular sieves, or a combination thereof, to form a return stream. The return stream may be recycled to the hydrogenation reactor. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277483 | Water Control In Alcohol Production From Hydrogenation - Recovery of alcohol, in particular ethanol, from a crude product obtained from the hydrogenation of a feed stream comprising a carbonylation stock selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, and acetic acid and an ester thereof. The hydrogenation reaction produces a reactor product that is dehydrated to produce a dried product stream that comprises less water than the feed stream. This controls the additional water fed to the hydrogenation unit. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277484 | Using A Dilute Acid Stream As An Extractive Agent - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using an extractive distillation column. A diluted acid stream, comprising less than 30 wt. % acetic acid, is used as the extractive agent and is fed at a point above the crude feed stream. The column yields a residue that comprises ethanol, acetic acid, and water. The diluted acid stream may be separated from the residue and returned to the extractive distillation column. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277485 | Process to Recover Alcohol From an Acidic Residue Stream - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277487 | Process for Removing Aldehydes from Ethanol Reaction Mixture - A process for purifying an ethanol stream that comprises byproduct, such as aldehyde, acetals, and/or esters, but withdrawing a sidestream comprising ethanol from a distillation column. The sidestream may have a reduced concentration of aldehyde that reduces the formation of acetals in subsequent purification of the ethanol stream. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277488 | Recovering Ethanol with Sidestreams to Regulate C3+ Alcohols Concentrations - This invention relates to purification and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of a crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In particular, the process involves one or more sidestreams to regulate C | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277490 | Process to Recover Alcohol From An Ethyl Acetate Residue Stream - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277491 | REDUCING ETHYL ACETATE CONCENTRATION IN RECYCLE STREAMS FOR ETHANOL PRODUCTION PROCESSES - Recycle streams in an ethanol production process are hydrolyzed to reduce ethyl acetate concentration. In the process, acetic acid is hydrogenated to form a crude ethanol product, which undergoes a separation or purification process. Ethyl acetate is formed as a byproduct of the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The hydrolysis of recycle steams from the separation process can reduce the concentration of ethyl acetate, converting some or all of the ethyl acetate to acetic acid and ethanol. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277492 | Reduced Energy Alcohol Separation Process Having Controlled Pressure - 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. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277493 | Process to Recover Alcohol with Secondary Reactors for Hydrolysis of Acetal - 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. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277494 | Process to Reduce Ethanol Recycled to Hydrogenation Reactor - The present invention is directed to processes for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Acetic acid is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst in a hydrogenation reactor to form a crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns to recover ethanol. In some embodiments, less than 10 wt. % ethanol is recycled to the hydrogenation reactor. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277495 | Process For Controlling A Reboiler During Alcohol Recovery and Reduced Ester Formation - 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. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277496 | Process for Producing Ethanol and Reducing Acetic Acid Concentration - 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. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277497 | Process to Recover Alcohol with Reduced Water From Overhead of Acid Column - 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. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20130032466 | ETHANOL SEPARATION PROCESS HAVING STRIPPING SECTION FOR REDUCING ACETALS - To reduce acetal concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns has a stripping section that comprises at least 40 stages to favor hydrolysis of the acetal. The crude product may comprise ethanol, acetaldehyde, water and one or more acetals, such as diethyl acetal. The acetal concentration may be reduced thus reducing the need to separate acetal from the crude product. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035516 | Process for Purifying a Crude Ethanol Product - In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying a crude ethanol product. The process comprises the step of hydrogenating acetic acid in a first reaction zone in the presence of a first catalyst to form the crude ethanol product comprising ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, water, and acetal. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product into a refined ethanol stream and a by-product stream. The refined ethanol stream comprises ethanol and acetaldehyde; and the by-product stream comprises acetic acid and a substantial portion of the water from the crude ethanol product. The process further comprises the step of hydrolyzing in a second reaction zone at least a portion of the acetal. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035518 | REDUCING ACETALS DURING ETHANOL SEPARATION PROCESS USING HIGH PRESSURE DISTILLATION COLUMN - 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. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035519 | REDUCING ACETALS AND/OR ESTERS DURING ETHANOL SEPARATION PROCESS - 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. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035521 | Process for Separating Ethanol Having Low Acid - 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. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035522 | Processes for Separating Ethanol Having Low Acid - A process for reducing ethyl acetate and/or diethyl acetal concentration of a crude ethanol product by hydrolysis is disclosed. A portion of the water is initially separated from the crude ethanol product in a first column residue. Ethyl acetate in the first column distillate is hydrolyzed to form additional ethanol and acetic acid. Product ethanol is recovered in a second distillation column preferably in a side stream and acetic acid is removed in the second column residue. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035523 | Reducing Acetals During Ethanol Separation Process - 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. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035524 | PROCESS FOR RECOVERING ALCOHOL - Recovery of an alcohol such as ethanol from a crude alcohol product, preferably obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, and water. The ethanol product is recovered in a second column as an ethanol side stream. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130109891 | Process to Recover Alcohol with Secondary Reactors for Esterification of Acid | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130116478 | Producing Ethanol Using Two Different Streams From Acetic Acid Carbonylation Process - This invention relates to processes for producing ethanol from at least two different streams obtained by carbonylating methanol. The process comprises the steps of reacting carbon monoxide with at least one reactant in a first reactor containing a reaction medium to produce a reaction solution comprising acetic acid, wherein the at least one reactant is selected from the group consisting of methanol, methyl acetate, methyl formate, dimethyl ether and mixtures thereof and wherein the reaction medium comprises water, acetic acid, methyl iodide, and a first catalyst, purifying the reaction solution to yield an acetic acid product stream and at least one derivative stream, introducing the acetic acid product stream and the at least one derivative stream into a second reactor in the presence of a second catalyst to form a crude ethanol product, and recovering ethanol from the crude ethanol product. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130116479 | Integrated Process For Producing Ethanol - In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing ethanol, the process comprising the steps of carbonylating methanol in a carbonylation system in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst under conditions effective to form acetic acid; hydrogenating the acetic acid in a hydrogenation system in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a crude ethanol product comprising ethanol and water; separating the ethanol from the water to form an ethanol stream and a water stream; and directing at least a portion of the water stream to the carbonylation system, e.g., for use as an extractant in a permanganate reducing compound removal system. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130158297 | ESTERIFYING AN ETHANOL AND ACETIC ACID MIXTURE TO PRODUCE AN ESTER FEED FOR HYDROGENOLYSIS - Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by hydrogenating acetic acid to obtain a mixture of ethanol and acetic acid, esterifying the mixture to produce an esterification product and reducing the esterification product. The mixture may provide a sufficient amount of ethanol and acetic acid for esterification and reduces the need for additional acetic acid and/or ethanol. This may reduce the recycle of ethanol in the hydrogenolysis process and improve ethanol productivity. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130172630 | PRESSURE DRIVEN DISTILLATION FOR ETHANOL PRODUCTION AND RECOVERY FROM HYDROGENATION PROCESS - Recovery of alcohols, in particular ethanol, from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using pressure driven distillation to separate the crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product may be fed to a distillations column in which a substantial portion of the water is removed with the acetic acid in the residue. A second column is at higher pressure than a first column. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130184500 | Process for Acetal Removal In the Purification of a Crude Ethanol Product - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and hydrolyze acetal impurities by the addition of an acid stream. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130245331 | Separation Process Having An Alcohol Sidestream - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is fed to a distillation column to yield an ethanol sidestream. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20150031924 | Recovering Ethanol with Sidestreams to Regulate C3+ Alcohols Concentrations - This invention relates to purification and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of a crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In particular, the process involves one or more sidestreams to regulate C | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150099904 | Process To Recover Alcohol From An Ethyl Acetate Residue Stream - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150099905 | Process to Recover Alcohol with Reduced Water From Overhead of Acid Column - 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. | 04-09-2015 |
