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Title: Ethanol production method and system

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7147505

Ethanol is selectively produced from the reaction of methanol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a transition metal carbonyl catalyst. Methanol serves as a solvent and may be accompanied by a less volatile co-solvent. The solution includes the transition metal carbonyl catalysts and a basic metal salt such as an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal formate, carbonate or bicarbonate. A gas containing a high carbon monoxide to hydrogen ratio, as is present in a typical gasifer product, is contacted with the solution for the preferential production of ethanol with minimal water as a byproduct. Fractionation of the reaction solution provides substantially pure ethanol product and allows return of the catalysts for reuse.

DOE Contract Number:
W-31-109-ENG-38
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
Application Number:
ON: DE84011085
OSTI ID:
7147505
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English