Process for the production of lower alcohols by direct catalytic hydration lower olefins

A continuous process for the production of an aliphatic alcohol having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms by the direct catalytic hydration of a monoolefin having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms with water, the improvement which comprises conducting said reaction in a reactor divided into an upper and lower zones, said lower zone being filled with liquid water and containing an insoluble olefin hydration catalyst therein to form a liquid phase reaction zone, and said upper zone being a vapor phase zone, introducing a monoolefin having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms into the bottom of said liquid phase reaction zone, continuously introducing feed water into said liquid phase reaction zone in a ratio of from 1 to 3 moles of feed water per mole of converted monoolefin, maintaining catalytic hydration conditions in said reactor including an amount of water in said liquid phase reaction zone ranging from 15 to 30 moles of water per mole of said monoolefin being reacted, continuously withdrawing a vaporous product stream from said vapor phase zone comprising an aliphatic alcohol having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, unreacted monoolefin having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and steam, partially condensing said vaporous product stream to liquify said alcohol and steam to form a crude liquid fraction and leave a vaporous fraction containing unreacted monoolefin, recycling said vaporous fraction containing unreacted monoolefin to the bottom of said liquid phase reaction zone and recovering an aliphatic alcohol from said crude liquid fraction.