PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ETHANOL FROM METHANOL

摘要

carbonylation of methanol in the gas phase with CO, opt. mixed with H2 with a catalyst and a cocatalyst under mild conditions and high GHSV to produce a mixture(I) of acetic acid and methyl acetate; separating by distillation of (I) a low boiling fraction comprising methyl acetate and halide, and a high boiling fraction comprising acetic acid; separating the methyl acetate from the halide, and recycling the latter, opt. with a minor portion of methyl acetate, to the carbonylation reactor; and hydrogenating the separated methyl acetate in presence of a copper-contg. catalyst to produce ethanol in high yield. The ethanol is economically obtained in high yield. The methanol obtained together with ethanol may be recycled to the carbonylation.