Patent ID: 7728182
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: C01B,C07C,C10J,C10K,Y02C,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for producing an ethanol product from a primary feedstock containing hydrocarbons comprising the steps of: subjecting the primary feedstock with a water content of not greater than 25% to indirect heating, substantially in the absence of oxygen, by a secondary feedstock to create a primary synthesis gas stream comprising CO and H cleaning the gas stream by removing CO determining the amount of CO and H comparing the percentage of CO and H calculating the amount of the secondary feedstock required for indirect heating of the primary feedstock; depending on additional components required to produce the ethanol product, determining an additional quantity of CO and H partially oxidizing the calculated amount of secondary feedstock to produce heat required for the indirect heating of the primary feedstock; combining the determined additional quantity of CO and H adding a catalyst to the mixed cleaned gas stream and reacting the CO and H converting the methanol into methyl acetate; converting the methyl acetate into ethanol and methanol; and distilling the ethanol and methanol to produce the ethanol product.