Patent ID: 8927788
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: C07C,C10L

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 product; separating a portion of the crude ethanol product in a first distillation column to yield a first distillate comprising acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water; separating a portion of the first residue in a second distillation column to yield a second residue comprising acetic acid and an vapor overhead comprising ethanol, ethyl acetate and water; removing water from at least a portion of the vapor overhead to yield an ethanol mixture stream having a lower water content than the at least a portion of the vapor overhead; and separating at least a portion of the ethanol mixture stream in a third distillation column to yield a third distillate comprising ethyl acetate and a third residue comprising ethanol and less than 8 wt. % water.