Butanol Purification

Abstract

Provided are methods for removing one or more components from a butanol based composition. The methods comprise providing a butanol based composition comprising one or more components, targeting at least one component or a combination thereof for reduction, and processing said butanol based composition such that the at least one targeted component is substantially removed. The butanol based composition can, for example, be bio-produced.

1 - 25 . (canceled). 
     
     
         26 . A method for removing one or more components from a butanol based composition, the method comprising:
 a) providing a butanol based composition comprising one or more of the following components or combinations thereof: an acid, water, an alcohol, an aldehyde, a salt, a ketone, and an ester;   b) targeting at least one component or a combination thereof for reduction; and   c) processing said butanol based composition such that the at least one targeted component is substantially removed,   wherein the targeted component is an acid and said processing step comprises contacting the butanol based composition with a base, a resin, or a combination thereof,   wherein the targeted component is water and said processing comprises contacting the butanol based composition with a desiccant, a molecular sieve, a base, or a combination thereof,   wherein the targeted component is an alcohol and said processing comprises contacting the butanol based composition with a base,   wherein the targeted component is an aldehyde and said processing comprises contacting the butanol based composition with a base, a resin, or a combination thereof,   wherein the targeted component is a salt and said processing comprises contacting the butanol based composition with a base, an anion exchange resin, or a combination thereof,   wherein the targeted component is a ketone and said processing comprises contacting the butanol based composition with a base, a resin, or a combination thereof,   wherein the targeted component is an ester and said processing comprises contacting the butanol based composition with a base, a resin, or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting of isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, succinic acid, levulinic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, butanol, methyl butanol, phenyl ethyl alcohol, pentanol, 2,3-butanediol, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the acetate is selected from iso-butyl acetate, iso-amyl acetate, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the aldehyde is selected from the group consisting of isobutyraldehyde, furfural, hydroxymethylfurfural, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the ketone is acetoin. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the ester is selected from the group consisting of iso-butyl iso-butyrate, iso-butyl acetate, iso-amyl acetate, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium phosphate, sodium ethoxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, potassium phosphate, magnesium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled). 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein contacting the butanol based composition with a base results in precipitation of a salt. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising a filtration step comprising passing the butanol based composition through a filtration system. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the filtration system comprises equipment selected from the group consisting of a funnel with a porous barrier, a sinter funnel, vacuum filtration unit, centrifugation unit, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising a distillation step comprising passing the filtered composition through a distillation system. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the distillation system comprises a distillation unit. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the distillation unit is a batch distillation unit or a continuous distillation unit. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the distillation unit comprises a distillation column, a heating unit, and a condenser. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein one or more fractions comprising purified butanol are removed from the distillation system. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the butanol based composition is produced by a genetically modified microorganism. 
     
     
         44 - 203 . (canceled). 
     
     
         204 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the butanol based composition is produced by a fermentation process. 
     
     
         205 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising blending the purified butanol with gasoline, one or more components of gasoline, diesel fuel, one or more components of diesel fuel, jet fuel, one or more components of jet fuel, or other hydrocarbon-based fuels to produce a fuel composition. 
     
     
         206 . The method of  claim 205 , wherein the fuel composition further comprises one or more corrosion inhibitor additives, metal deactivator additives, demulsifier additives, colorant additives, marker compound additives, intake valve deposit control additives, lubricant additives, detergent additives, dispersant additives, anti-oxidant additives, or stabilizer additives.