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Energy-saving distillation designs in ethanol production

Journal Article · · Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie00081a021· OSTI ID:6309957
A thorough study is made of energy-saving options for the distillation of a dilute, aqueous ethanol solution to produce a distillate close to the azeotrope composition. Although presented in the context of a fermentation ethanol plant, the system may be taken as a generic example of a dilute solution with highly nonideal vapor-liquid equilibrium behavior. Conventional energy-saving techniques, such as multiple heat-integrated columns, vapor recompression, and heat integration with the evaporation section are analyzed and compared. The most economical alternatives and conditions are identified. Sensitivity of the designs and costs to changes in design parameters and utility costs is studied. For a 95 vol % ethanol distillate, the most economical designs included vapor recompression or a two-column design with split feed for distillation and vapor recompression for the evaporation section. For higher purity distillate, vapor recompression and a two-column design with heavy split proved most attractive.
Research Organization:
Dept. of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Univ. of New Haven, West Haven, CT (US); Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (US)
OSTI ID:
6309957
Journal Information:
Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.; (United States) Vol. 27:9; ISSN IECRE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English