Process for producing ethanol using an extractive distillation column

摘要

Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of crude ethanol product are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In addition, the process involves separating the crude ethanol product using an extractive distillation column that employs an extraction agent, such as a recycled stream comprising water.

主权项

1. A process for purifying a crude ethanol product, the process comprising the steps of:
hydrogenating an acetic acid feed stream in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude ethanol product; separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in a first column into a first distillate comprising ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, and a first residue comprising acetic acid; and recovering ethanol from the first distillate in one or more distillation columns wherein one of the one or more distillation columns is an extractive distillation column.