Patent ID: 8809599
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for producing ethanol, the process comprising the steps of: reacting carbon monoxide with at least one reactant in a carbonylation system 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 carbonylation catalyst; purifying the reaction solution to obtain an acetic acid stream comprising acetic acid and water; hydrogenating the acetic acid in a hydrogenation system in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a crude ethanol product; separating the crude ethanol product to yield an ethanol stream and a water stream; and directing a portion of the water stream to the carbonylation system.