An improved process for making bioderived propylene glycol from a feed composition including at least one of lactic acid, glycerol, a five carbon sugar, a five carbon sugar alcohol, a six carbon sugar and a six carbon sugar alcohol, wherein production of four carbon and higher diols is reduced by adding base after the initiation of the reaction. In preferred embodiments, the process pH and other process conditions are initially established at targeted values for obtaining the highest conversion for a given catalyst consistent with the production of substantially no pentanediol byproducts in the product mixture, and base is added thereafter to control the process pH proximate to the initially targeted value.

An improved process for making bioderived propylene glycol from a feed composition including at least one of lactic acid, glycerol, a five carbon sugar, a five carbon sugar alcohol, a six carbon sugar and a six carbon sugar alcohol, wherein production of four carbon and higher diols is reduced by adding base after the initiation of the reaction. In preferred embodiments, the process pH and other process conditions are initially established at targeted values for obtaining the highest conversion for a given catalyst consistent with the production of substantially no pentanediol byproducts in the product mixture, and base is added thereafter to control the process pH proximate to the initially targeted value.

A method for synthesis of methanol from a gas that contains carbon dioxide comprises generating nonthermal plasma in a chamber; inducing dissociation of CO2 from the gas to CO and O by introducing the gas into the chamber while sustaining the nonthermal plasma in the chamber; and introducing water into the chamber, thereby inducing hydrogenation of CO to methanol.

The present disclosure relates generally to compositions and processes for producing Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. In particular, the disclosure provides for a process for producing a product composition comprising alcohols and liquid hydrocarbons via a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction, the process comprising: contacting a mixture of hydrogen and a gaseous carbon oxide that is carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide or a combination thereof and an olefin co-feed with a supported cobalt-manganese Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst to provide the product composition; wherein the olefin co-feed comprises at least one C.sub.2-C.sub.14 olefin and is present in an amount in the range of 0.001 wt % to 40 wt % relative to the total amount of hydrogen, the gaseous carbon oxide and olefin; wherein a weight ratio of manganese to cobalt in the catalyst is at least 0.05 on an elemental basis.

A biomethanol production system and method is provided. The system comprises (a) a feed stream comprising methane, water, and carbon dioxide; (b) a reformer reactor capable of reacting the feed stream to form a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide; (c) a methanol reactor capable of reacting the syngas mixture to form biomethanol product; (d) a wash column comprising the syngas mixture and the biomethanol product, wherein the biomethanol product is capable of absorbing carbon dioxide from the syngas mixture; and (e) a flash column comprising a vent capable of venting the absorbed carbon dioxide. A method for removing carbon dioxide from a biomethanol production system is also provided.

A method for the control of pressure in a loop for the preparation of ammonia or methanol by using an anti-surge control valve of a compressor and/or a compressor flow regulation valve for the recirculation of loop recirculation gas at variating flow supply of fresh synthesis gas.

A method for the control of pressure in a loop for the preparation of ammonia or methanol by using an anti-surge control valve of a compressor and/or a compressor flow regulation valve for the recirculation of loop recirculation gas at variating flow supply of fresh synthesis gas.