A process for dehydration of ethanol to produce ethylene is provided. Ethanol is dehydrated to produce ethylene and the subsequent conversion of ethylene to longer chain olefins and then their hydrogenation to produce long chain paraffins. In some embodiments, a split feed is employed to improve efficiency and a caustic wash column is eliminated. The advantages of the process include a lower requirement for steam and a reduction in the combined reactor volume of 30-40% when two reactors are used as compared to a single reactor.