PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ALCOHOLS

• US 20100105118A1
• Filed: 06/12/2008
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jupeng Bio (HK) Limited
• Original Assignee: Ineos Sales (Uk) Limited (Ineos AG)
• Inventors: Bell, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,051,585 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/155
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0233 the reforming step being a steam reforming step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0238 the reforming step being a carbon dioxide reforming step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0405 Purification by membrane separation
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/06 Integration with other chemical processes
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1235 Hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/142 At least two reforming, decomposition or partial oxidation steps in series
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/382 Multi-step processes
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 3/00 Preparation of elements or inorganic compounds except carbon dioxide recovery of carbon dioxides as by-products C12F3/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/02 containing a hydroxy group
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/065 with microorganisms other than yeasts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the production of one or more C2+ alcohols. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for the production of C2+ alcohols from a methane-containing feedstock, which process comprises: a. Passing said methane-containing feedstock and carbon dioxide to a non-oxidative reforming process to produce a first product stream comprising CO, H₂ and CO₂, optionally in the presence of steam, but with the proviso that where steam is present in the feed to the reforming process the steam and CO₂ are present in a molar ratio of less than 5:1, b. Passing the first product stream comprising CO, H₂ and CO₂ to a bacterial fermentation step wherein it is converted to produce a second product stream comprising one or more C2+ alcohols in the liquid phase and a gaseous third product stream comprising CO, H₂ and CO₂, the fermentation step being operated to provide a conversion of CO of at least 60%, wherein CO, H₂ and CO₂ are recycled from the gaseous third product stream to the reforming process of step (a).

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A process for the production of C2+ alcohols from a methane-containing feedstock, which process comprises:

a. passing said methane-containing feedstock and carbon dioxide to a non-oxidative reforming process to produce a first product stream comprising CO, H₂ and CO₂, optionally in the presence of steam, but with the proviso that where steam is present in the feed to the reforming process the steam and CO₂ are present in a molar ratio of less than 5;

1,

b. passing the first product stream comprising CO, H₂ and CO₂ to a bacterial fermentation step wherein it is converted to produce a second product stream comprising one or more C2+ alcohols in the liquid phase and a gaseous third product stream comprising CO, H₂ and CO₂, the fermentation step being operated to provide a conversion of CO of at least 60%,

wherein CO, H₂ and CO₂ are recycled from the gaseous third product stream to the reforming process of step (a).

10. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the reforming process is dry-gas reforming or steam methane reforming.

11. A process as claimed in claim 10 wherein the reforming process is a sulphur passivated reforming.

12. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein no specific separation of carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide in the product stream is performed prior to recycle.

13. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least 80% of the carbon monoxide and 80% of the carbon dioxide in the gaseous third product stream are recycled.

14. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least some of the hydrogen in the gaseous third product stream is separated and utilised as a fuel gas.

15. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein, where steam is present, the preferred steam:

CO₂ molar ratio is <

1;

1.

16. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein both the reforming and fermentation steps are operated at a pressure is in the range 2 to 12 barg.