Patent ID: 8084626
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: C07C,C07D

Abstract:
1. A process for making a hydrogenated product comprising: a. providing a clarified fermentation broth containing an ammonium salt of succinic acid; b. distilling the broth under super atmospheric pressure at a temperature of >100° C. to about 300° C. to form an overhead that comprises water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that comprises SA, and at least about 20 wt % water; c. cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion and a solid portion that is substantially pure SA; d. separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; e. recovering the solid portion; f. hydrogenating the solid portion in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst to produce the hydrogenated product comprising at least one of THF, GBL or BDO; and g. recovering the hydrogenated product wherein the super atmosphere falls within the range of 50 psi to 367 psi.