A process for producing ethanol including a combination of biochemical and synthetic
conversions results in high yield ethanol production with concurrent production
of high value coproducts. An acetic acid intermediate is produced from carbohydrates,
such as corn, using enzymatic milling and fermentation steps, followed by conversion
of the acetic acid into ethanol using esterification and hydrogenation reactions.
Coproducts can include corn oil, and high protein animal feed containing the biomass
produced in the fermentation.
