Patent ID: 8975450
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for producing ethanol comprising: a) providing a mixed feed comprising from 20 to 95 wt. % acetic acid, from 5 to 80 wt. % acetic anhydride, from 10 wppm to 1000 wppm ethylidene diacetate, and from 0 to 20 wt. % ester esters selected from the group consisting of methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, or mixtures thereof; b) contacting the mixed feed with hydrogen in the vapor phase in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst having at least one metal selected from the group consisting of tin, cobalt, platinum, and combinations thereof to form a crude ethanol product comprising 30 to 90 wt. % ethanol, 0 wt. % water, 0 to 50 wt. % acetic acid, 0.01 to 10 wt. % acetic anhydride, and 0.1 to 25 wt. % ethyl acetate; and c) separating the crude ethanol product in one or more distillation columns to yield a first stream comprising ethyl acetate and a second stream comprising ethanol.