A process for producing a diene, preferably a conjugated diene, more preferably 1,3-butadiene, includes the steps of dehydrating at least one alkenol in the presence of at least one catalytic material having at least one acid catalyst based on silica (SiO.sub.2) and alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3), preferably a silica-alumina (SiO.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3), the catalyst having an alumina content (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) lower than or equal to 12% by weight, preferably between 0.1% by weight and 10% by weight, with respect to the catalyst total weight. The alumina content is referred to the catalyst total weight without binder, and a pore modal diameter between 9 nm and 170 nm, preferably between 10 nm and 150 nm, still more preferably between 12 nm and 120 nm. Preferably, the alkenol is obtainable directly from biosynthetic processes, or catalytic dehydration processes of at least one diol, preferably a butanediol, more preferably 1,3-butanediol, still more preferably bio-1,3-butanediol, deriving from biosynthetic processes.

A process for producing a diene, preferably a conjugated diene, more preferably 1,3-butadiene, includes the steps of dehydrating at least one alkenol in the presence of at least one catalytic material having at least one acid catalyst based on silica (SiO.sub.2) and alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3), preferably a silica-alumina (SiO.sub.2—Al.sub.2O.sub.3), the catalyst having an alumina content (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) lower than or equal to 12% by weight, preferably between 0.1% by weight and 10% by weight, with respect to the catalyst total weight. The alumina content is referred to the catalyst total weight without binder, and a pore modal diameter between 9 nm and 170 nm, preferably between 10 nm and 150 nm, still more preferably between 12 nm and 120 nm. Preferably, the alkenol is obtainable directly from biosynthetic processes, or catalytic dehydration processes of at least one diol, preferably a butanediol, more preferably 1,3-butanediol, still more preferably bio-1,3-butanediol, deriving from biosynthetic processes.

The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene.

The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene.

We provide a process for regenerating a spent acidic ionic liquid, comprising contacting the spent acidic ionic liquid with hydrogen and without an addition of a hydrogenation catalyst; wherein a conjunct polymer content is decreased in the spent acidic ionic liquid to produce regenerated acidic ionic liquid. We also provide a process for making an alkylate gasoline blending component, comprising: a) alkylating a mixture of isoparaffins and olefins using an acidic ionic liquid and an alkyl halide or a hydrogen halide, wherein a conjunct polymer accumulates in a spent acidic ionic liquid; and b) feeding the spent acidic ionic liquid and a hydrogen, and without an addition of a hydrogenation catalyst, to a regeneration reactor operated under selected hydrogenation conditions to produce a regenerated acidic ionic liquid that is used for the alkylating, wherein the conjunct polymer in the regenerated acidic ionic liquid is decreased by at least 50 wt %.

We provide a process for regenerating a spent acidic ionic liquid, comprising contacting the spent acidic ionic liquid with hydrogen and without an addition of a hydrogenation catalyst; wherein a conjunct polymer content is decreased in the spent acidic ionic liquid to produce regenerated acidic ionic liquid. We also provide a process for making an alkylate gasoline blending component, comprising: a) alkylating a mixture of isoparaffins and olefins using an acidic ionic liquid and an alkyl halide or a hydrogen halide, wherein a conjunct polymer accumulates in a spent acidic ionic liquid; and b) feeding the spent acidic ionic liquid and a hydrogen, and without an addition of a hydrogenation catalyst, to a regeneration reactor operated under selected hydrogenation conditions to produce a regenerated acidic ionic liquid that is used for the alkylating, wherein the conjunct polymer in the regenerated acidic ionic liquid is decreased by at least 50 wt %.

A method of producing a fuel additive includes passing a feed stream comprising C4 hydrocarbons through a butadiene extraction unit producing a first process stream; passing the first process stream through a methyl tertiary butyl ether unit producing a second process stream and a methyl tertiary butyl ether product; passing the second process stream through a hydration unit producing the fuel additive and a recycle stream; passing the recycle stream through a hydrogenation unit; and recycling the recycle stream to a steam cracker unit and/or to the feed stream

A method of producing a fuel additive includes passing a feed stream comprising C4 hydrocarbons through a butadiene extraction unit producing a first process stream; passing the first process stream through a methyl tertiary butyl ether unit producing a second process stream and a methyl tertiary butyl ether product; passing the second process stream through a hydration unit producing the fuel additive and a recycle stream; passing the recycle stream through a hydrogenation unit; and recycling the recycle stream to a steam cracker unit and/or to the feed stream

The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene.

The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene.