Production of alcohols from synthesis gases

A process for manufacturing a mixture of methanol and saturated, mainly linear primary homolog alcohols, said mixture being suitable for direct use as a component of automotive gasoline, said process comprising the steps of:

• (1) passing a synthesis gas comprising carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen through a first catalytic zone, at a temperature of 230.degree.-350.degree. C., under conditions favoring the synthesis of a mixture of methanol and saturated, mainly linear primary homolog alcohols;
• (2) cooling the resultant effluent, separating the resultant liquid phase from the unconverted gas phase, and removing water from the liquid phase to produce a first liquid phase containing methanol and a mixture of saturated, mainly linear primary homolog alcohols comprising mainly ethanol and propanol;
• (3) passing at least a portion of the separated gas phase from step (2) through a second catalytic zone, at a temperature of 240.degree.-300.degree. C., under conditions favoring the synthesis of only methanol;
• (4) cooling the effluent from the second catalytic zone, separating the resultant liquid phase from the unconverted gas phase, and removing water from the liquid phase to produce a second liquid phase containing at least about 97% by weight of methanol;
• and
• (5) combining said first liquid phase with said second liquid phase to produce a product mixture containing 74-90% by weight of methanol and 10-26% by weight of saturated, mainly linear primary homolog alcohols;
• said product mixture being suitable for direct use as a component of automotive gasoline.