Two=stage prodn. of mixed alcohol(s) gasoline additive - from synthesis gas, with recycle of ethanol to increase butanol concn. in prod.

摘要

In a 2-stage process for prodn. of alcohols, (I) synthesis gas (plus some recycled methanol) is catalytically converted to a mixt. of C1-C6 alcohols, which are condensed; and (II) part of the remaining synthesis gas is converted over another catalyst to methanol. The two prods. are then mixed. The process is characterised by the recycling to stage (I) of some at least of the ethanol and opt. some of the isopropanol produced there. There is some conversion of ethanol to n-propanol and n-butanol, and of isopropanol to C5-C6 alcohols. The mixt. of alcohols is used, esp. at a concn. of 3-15 wt.%, as a gasoline additive. The recycle of ethanol and isopropanol gives a mixt. with reduced ethanol and increased higher alcohols. This improves solubilisation of methanol in gasoline and increases the tolerance to water.