PROCESS DESCRIPTION : -
A two-column Azeotropic Distillation system is proposed for dehydration of Ethanol.
Either benzene or pentane can be used as an entrainer for the purpose. The total system consists of feed Pumps, preheater, dehydration column, recovery column, condenser, re-boiler, dacanter, transfer pump, etc.
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[ Azeotropic Distillation System ] |
OPERATION WITH FRESH RECTIFIED SPIRIT : -
Fresh rectified spirit near azeotropic composition is preheated in feed preheater and
fed to the Dehydration column. A third component ( pentane or benzene ) is introduced inside the column. The non-ideality of the distilling components yields a high boiling absolute alcohol as bottoms and a low boiling ternary azeotropic as tops.
The ternary azeotropic mixture coming out of the dehydration column is condensed in the condensers and collected in the decanter.
The recovery column is run under optimum reflux and the top liquid drawn is sent to
the dehydration column. The bottom of this column is water and can be discarded off
The absolute alcohol of desired specification is drawn out from the bottom of the
dehydration column then cooled and sent for storage.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TECHNOLOGY : -
Produces 99.95% volume anhydrous alcohol from 92% volume raw alcohol for fuel
ethanol production. |
Azeotropic
Distillation