Celanese International Corporation

Nathan Bower

Victor J Johnston

R Jay Warner

Heiko Weiner

Josefina T Chapman

Gerald Grusendorf

Radmila Jevtic

Tianshu Pan

Lincoln Sarager

Radmila Wollrab

Trinity Horton

Trinity Horton Hale

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.

Processes for maximizing ethanol formation in the hydrogenation of acetic acid

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.

Process for separating acetaldehyde from ethanol-containing mixtures

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.

Process for purifying ethanol

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 acetal impurities.

Process for purifying a crude ethanol product

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Nathan Bower