Patent ID: 8373009
Filing Date: 2013-02-12
Classification: C07C,C12P,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process comprising: a) introducing a feed comprising: wherein the first distillation column comprises a stripping section and optionally a rectifying section at an introduction point above the stripping section, the first distillation column having an operating temperature T wherein T b) introducing a water-immiscible organic entrainer to at least one process stream or vessel; c) condensing the first vaporous overhead stream to produce a gas phase and recover a first mixed condensate; wherein the first mixed condensate comprises: wherein the first mixed condensate comprises sufficient entrainer to provide phase separation of the organic and the aqueous phases; d) introducing at least a portion of the aqueous phase to the first distillation column; e) introducing a first portion of the organic phase into a second distillation column having at least a stripping section; and f) operating the second distillation column to produce a second bottoms stream comprising butanol and wherein said bottoms stream is substantially free of water and entrainer, and a second vaporous overhead stream comprising butanol, entrainer, and water.