Patent ID: 8129436

Claim:
A process for selectively producing mixed alcohols, the process comprising steps as follows: A. generating a synthesis gas feedstock, said feedstock comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen; B. contacting the synthesis gas feedstock with a mixed alcohol synthesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to produce a crude product stream; C. effecting separation of the crude product stream into at least a first lights product stream and a heavy products stream; D. optionally recycling a portion of the first lights product stream to step A or to a precursor to step A where said recycle stream combines with, respectively, synthesis gas or a precursor to synthesis gas; E. separating the heavy products stream into at least two fractions, an ethanol-light fraction and an ethanol-heavy fraction; F. forming a combined stream by placing at least a portion of the first lights product stream in operative contact with at least a portion of the ethanol-light fraction whereby the ethanol-light fraction functions as an absorption medium to effect absorption of at least a portion of carbon dioxide and inert gas contained in said first lights product stream; G. optionally recycling at least a portion of the ethanol-light fraction to at least one of step A, step B or a precursor to step A, where said recycle stream combines with synthesis gas if it goes to step A or step B, or a precursor to synthesis gas if it goes to a precursor to step A; H. separating the combined stream into a second lights product stream, a heavy products recycle stream, a carbon dioxide-rich recycle stream, and a purge gas fraction, the purge gas fraction comprising at least a portion of carbon dioxide and inert gases contained in the combined stream; I. optionally recycling the second lights product stream to step B. where said second lights product stream combines with the synthesis gas feedstock; and J. recycling the heavy products recycle stream to step E; K. optionally recycling the carbon dioxide-rich recycle stream to step A or a precursor to step A where said recycle stream combines with, respectively, synthesis gas or a precursor to synthesis gas; and L. removing the purge gas fraction from the process for at least one of venting to the atmosphere, use as fuel gas or use in a separate process.