The invention provides a process for refining bio-based propylene glycol, wherein impurities having boiling points close to that of propylene glycol are separated. In this process, C.sub.5-C.sub.20 oleophilic alcohol compounds, C.sub.5-C.sub.20 alkanes and/or C.sub.4-C.sub.20 oleophilic ketone compounds are subjected to azeotropism as an azeotropic solvent together with the bio-based propylene glycol to obtain an azeotrope containing propylene glycol. Then the azeotropic solvent in the azeotrope is separated to obtain a crude propylene glycol which is further purified to obtain propylene glycol.

The invention provides a process for refining bio-based propylene glycol, wherein impurities having boiling points close to that of propylene glycol are separated. In this process, C.sub.5-C.sub.20 oleophilic alcohol compounds, C.sub.5-C.sub.20 alkanes and/or C.sub.4-C.sub.20 oleophilic ketone compounds are subjected to azeotropism as an azeotropic solvent together with the bio-based propylene glycol to obtain an azeotrope containing propylene glycol. Then the azeotropic solvent in the azeotrope is separated to obtain a crude propylene glycol which is further purified to obtain propylene glycol.

The invention relates to a process for preparing a mixture of alkylene glycols (e.g. ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol) from a carbohydrate source by catalytic conversion with hydrogen. More specifically, the catalytic hydrogenolysis process of the invention has an increased selectivity for glycerol, next to producing considerable amounts of ethyelene glycol and propylene glycol. This is achieved by ensuring the carbohydrate feed is rich in sucrose.

The invention relates to a process for preparing a mixture of alkylene glycols (e.g. ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol) from a carbohydrate source by catalytic conversion with hydrogen. More specifically, the catalytic hydrogenolysis process of the invention has an increased selectivity for glycerol, next to producing considerable amounts of ethyelene glycol and propylene glycol. This is achieved by ensuring the carbohydrate feed is rich in sucrose.

The invention relates to a process for preparing a mixture of alkylene glycols (e.g. ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol) from a carbohydrate source by catalytic conversion with hydrogen. More specifically, the catalytic hydrogenolysis process of the invention has a decreased selectivity for larger polyols like sorbitol and erythritol, which larger polyols are obtained generally as a side product in catalytic hydrogenolysis, when viewed in comparison to the selectivity for small alkylene glycols (like ethylene glycol and propylene glycol). This is achieved by ensuring the carbohydrate feed is rich in sucrose.

The invention relates to a process for preparing a mixture of alkylene glycols (e.g. ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol) from a carbohydrate source by catalytic conversion with hydrogen. More specifically, the catalytic hydrogenolysis process of the invention has a decreased selectivity for larger polyols like sorbitol and erythritol, which larger polyols are obtained generally as a side product in catalytic hydrogenolysis, when viewed in comparison to the selectivity for small alkylene glycols (like ethylene glycol and propylene glycol). This is achieved by ensuring the carbohydrate feed is rich in sucrose.

Methods and compositions comprising an emulsion or a microemulsion for use treating an oil and/or gas well are provided. In some embodiments, the emulsion or the microemulsion comprises an aqueous phase, a solvent, a surfactant comprising alkyl polyglycoside, an alcohol, and, optionally, one or more additives.

A process for the production of a high purity first diol from a product stream comprising two or more C2 to C7 diols, said process comprising the steps of: (i) providing the product stream to a first distillation column; (ii) providing an extractant selected from the group of C3 to C6 sugar alcohols and mixtures thereof to the first distillation column; (iii) operating the first distillation column to obtain a first bottoms stream comprising at least a first diol and the extractant; (iv) providing the first bottoms stream to a second distillation column operating to obtain a second top stream comprising the first diol and diols with atmospheric boiling points at least 10° C. higher than the first diol, and (v) providing the second top stream to a third distillation column to obtain a third top stream comprising the first diol; wherein the product stream comprises 0.1 to 10 wt % of diols with atmospheric boiling points at least 10° C. higher than the first diol, calculated upon the total weight of C2 to C7 diols in the product stream.

A process for the production of a high purity first diol from a product stream comprising two or more C2 to C7 diols, said process comprising the steps of: (i) providing the product stream to a first distillation column; (ii) providing an extractant selected from the group of C3 to C6 sugar alcohols and mixtures thereof to the first distillation column; (iii) operating the first distillation column to obtain a first bottoms stream comprising at least a first diol and the extractant; (iv) providing the first bottoms stream to a second distillation column operating to obtain a second top stream comprising the first diol and diols with atmospheric boiling points at least 10° C. higher than the first diol, and (v) providing the second top stream to a third distillation column to obtain a third top stream comprising the first diol; wherein the product stream comprises 0.1 to 10 wt % of diols with atmospheric boiling points at least 10° C. higher than the first diol, calculated upon the total weight of C2 to C7 diols in the product stream.

A process for preparing alkylene glycol from particulate matter comprising hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, which process comprises the steps of subjecting a reactor comprising such particulate matter to a two-stage hydrolysis in the presence of hydrochloric acid to hydrolase the hemicellulose and cellulose in the particulate matter to saccharides, followed by subjecting the obtained hydrolysates to a catalytic conversion with hydrogen and in the presence of a catalyst system to a product comprising one or more alkylene glycols.