Process for the production of a "fuel grade" mixture of methanol and higher alcohols

Abstract

Abstract A process for the production of a "fuel grade" mixture of methanol and higher alcohols from CO and H 2 . To reduce the amount of water contained in the mixture coming from the synthesis reactor of the alcohol synthesis the reaction product is cooled and fed to a secondary reactor wherein the reaction of conversion: CO+H.sub.2 O⃡CO.sub.2 +H.sub.2 is conducted in conditions near to equilibrium. The further reaction product is cooled down further so as to obtain a liquid phase constituted by the alcohols, and in which there are still dissolved some gases, and a gaseous phase containing the carbon dioxide produced in the secondary reactor together with the non-reacted gases. The gaseous phase is sent to a section of absorption of the CO 2 wherein the absorbing liquid is constituted by the very alcoholic mixture produced; after removal of the CO 2 the gas is partly recycled and partly let off in order to avoid the accumulation of inert gases contained in the feeding mixture. Before being used in the section of absorption of the CO 2 , the alcoholic mixture is sent into a stripping column to remove the gases dissolved therein; the let off gases are used as stripping agents. In the secondary reactor of conversion operation is carried out at a temperature comprised between 150° C. and 250° C., at a pressure equal to that of the synthesis reactor and in the presence of a copper catalyst.

Inventors

• 👤 Raffaele Di Pietro
• 👤 Alberto Paggini
• 👤 Vincenzo Lagana'

Bibliographic Details