Process for the production of alcohol from a carbonaceous feedstock
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of ethanol from a carbonaceous feedstock; wherein the carbonaceous feedstock is first converted to synthesis gas which is then converted to ethanoic acid, which is then esterified and which is then hydrogenated to produce ethanol.
1. A process for the production of ethanol comprising introducing methyl ethanoate and/or ethyl ethanoate together with H 2 , water and optionally, either or both, methanol and ethanol, into a hydrogenation unit comprising a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a stream comprising ethanol and optionally methanol.
2. A process according to claim 1 , wherein water represents between 0.5 and 20 mol % of the total liquid feed (methyl ethanoate and/or ethyl ethanoate, alcohol and water) entering the hydrogenation unit.
3. A process according to claim 2 , wherein water represents between 0.5 and 15 mol % of the total liquid feed (methyl ethanoate and/or ethyl ethanoate, alcohol and water) entering the hydrogenation unit.
4. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the catalyst(s) employed in the hydrogenation unit is a copper-based catalyst.
5. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the catalyst(s) employed in the hydrogenation unit comprises copper and zinc.
6. A process according to claim 4 , wherein the catalyst(s) employed in the hydrogenation is a copper based catalyst supported on zinc oxide.
7. A process according to claim 6 , wherein the catalyst comprises between 20 and 40 wt % of copper.
8. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the molar ratio of H 2 to [methyl ethanoate and ethyl ethanoate] that is introduced into the hydrogenation unit, is greater than 2:1; and is less than 100:1.