Patent ID: 9024085
Filing Date: 2015-05-05
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for producing ethanol comprising: hydrogenating acetic acid and/or an ester thereof in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude ethanol stream; separating a portion of the crude ethanol stream in a first distillation column to yield a first distillate comprising acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate and ethanol, and a first residue comprising ethanol, acetic acid and ethyl acetate; separating a portion of the first residue in a second distillation column to yield a second residue comprising acetic acid and a second distillate comprising ethanol and ethyl acetate; and separating at least a portion of the second distillate in a third distillation column to yield a third distillate comprising ethyl acetate and a third residue comprising ethanol, wherein the first distillate is returned to the reactor and less than 10% of the ethanol from the crude ethanol stream is returned to the reactor.