Process for the preparation of ethanol from methanol, carbon monoxide and hydrogen

摘要

An integrated process for the preparation of ethanol from methanol, carbon monoxide and hydrogen feedstock is disclosed; the process featuring the steps of esterifying methanol and acetic acid to form methyl acetate; carbonylating the methyl acetate to form acetic anhydride; esterifying acetic anhydride with a lower aliphatic alcohol in an anhydrous zone to form the corresponding aliphatic acetate; hydrogenating the aliphatic acetate in a second anhydrous zone to form ethanol and the corresponding aliphatic alcohol; and separating the formed ethanol stream into an ethanol product stream and/or aliphatic alcohol recycle stream, which is recycled to react with acetic anhydride.