Process for the manufacture of ethylene by dehydration of ethanol

Abstract

To this effect, the present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of ethylene by dehydration of ethanol and preferably, of a biomass-derived ethanol also termed `bioethanol' or 'hydrous ethanol', said process comprising the steps of: a) subjecting a feedstock comprising ethanol to dehydration to produce an olefins stream comprising ethylene and water; b) drying at least part of the olefins stream; said process being characterized by the fact of adding a reducing agent to the at least part of the olefins stream prior to drying it.