Abstract: From a mixture containing methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isobutanol water and other high-boiling and low-boiling compounds, the claimed process enables three separate streams to be obtained, one an anhydrous stream of methanol or methanol and ethanol (I), one containing most of the n-propanol present in the feed mixture (II), and one containing most of the isobutanol present in the feed mixture (III), by using three fractionating columns.

Abstract: For separating ETBE and ethanol the following principal stages are employed:(1) Extraction of ethanol by water, the raffinate being ETBE saturated in water and the extract an ethanol/water mixture containing a small proportion of ETBE;(2) Concentration of the above mixture, the distillate being a mixture close to the ethanol/water azeotrope in composition and containing a very small proportion of ETBE;(3) Heteroazeotropic distillation of this distillate in two coupled columns with an overhead decanter, this distillation using ETBE as azeotroping agent; the residue of the first column being ethanol which is ca. 99% by mole and the residue of the second column being practically pure water, this water and the water recovered during the concentration stage being used as extraction solvent in stage (1).Stage (3) may be an ethanol dehydration unit using ETBE as dehydrating agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of absolute alcohol from aqueous alcohol, whereby saving of energy to a greater extent is rendered possible in a more simple process, as compared with the prior art azeotropic distillation method using benzene or cyclohexane. That is, aqueous alcohol is subjected to extractive distillation in a first distillation column under such a condition that a liquid and gas of a solvent simultaneously coexist using low pressure propane, propylene and butane as the solvent, absolute alcohol substantially free from water is recovered from the bottom of the distillation column and subjected to stripping of hydrocarbons in a second distillation column, during which the gaseous phases of the first and second distillation columns are mixed and compressed, utilized through recompression as a heat source of a reboiler of the first distillation column, subjected to separation of water content and recycled to the upper parts of the first and second distillation columns.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to condense and rectify alcohol, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus suitable for the energy-saving condensation and rectification of high-purity alcohol from the synthesized alcohol, the used alcohol aqueous solution in food industry and the fermented alcohol.The method makes it possible to extract and recover alcohol of 99 wt % or higher with small quantity of propane solvent, using the propane in supercritical or pseudocritical conditions in the process of condensation and recovery of alcohol from aqueous solution of alcohol. Further, the method makes it possible to condense alcohol to the concentration of 95 wt % or higher by increasing the selectivity of alcohol through the cooling of the propane to liquid state.

Abstract: A multi-stage reactor-separator for the fermentative production of volatile inhibitory products from non-volatile substrate includes a stirred tank reactor and a packed or tray-type gas-liquid contacting column separator. Each reactor and separator form a stage and a plurality of stages may be stacked into a tower, or otherwise placed to operate consecutively, forming a reactor-separator in which stages having gas flowing cocurrent to the liquid flow in the separator portion form an enriching section, and stages having gas flowing countercurrent to the liquid flow in the separator portion form a stripping section. In a method of using the reactor-separator, a volatile fermentation product is produced and simultaneously separated into a gas phase.

Abstract: A method of distillation employing a heat pump (which may be driven by a compressor) using a vapor stream from within the distillation system as a heat source and a liquid stream from within the distillation system as a heat sink. The selection of heat-source vapors and heat-sink liquid is such that at least one is withdrawn from the phase-contracting region of the distillation system. The return of streams withdrawn from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system to the distillation system is such that at least one of the streams is returned at a temperature different from that of the point from which it was withdrawn, and all withdrawn streams are returned in manner such that a stream removed as vapor is returned at a point with a temperature at most that at the point it was withdrawn, and a stream removed as liquid is returned at a point with a temperature at least that at which it was withdrawn.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the removal of ethanol from drinks produced by fermentation by direct extraction of the ethanol in countercurrent with compressed carbon dioxide as extraction agent and separation of the extracted water-ethanol mixture from the extraction agent by lowering the density of the compressed gas, wherein, after the lowering of the density, the carbon dioxide is regenerated by a treatment with water and then returned to the extraction step.

Abstract: A thermally-integrated extractive distillation process for recovering anhydrous ethanol from fermentation or synthetic feedstocks has a distillation train of four columns. Two columns are preconcentrators operated in parallel. The remaining columns are an extractive distillation dehydrating tower, and an entrainer-recovery column. The two preconcentrators and the dehydrating tower are operated at three successively increasing pressures so that the condensing vapors of the overhead product of the dehydrating tower supply the necessary heat to the reboiler of the intermediate-pressure preconcentrator. The overhead vapors of this preconcentrator are, in turn, used to supply the required heat to the reboiler of the lowest-pressure preconcentrator. The bottom product from each preconcentrator is used to preheat the dilute feed. Additional energy savings are accomplished by the appropriate heat exchange between the various feeds, overheads, and bottoms.

Abstract: An improved method for dehydration and concentration of an aqueous solution containing an organic compound is disclosed. The solution is evaporated to produce a gaseous mixture comprising an organic compound vapor and a water vapor. The water vapor is selectively removed from the gaseous mixture by permeation through an aromatic polyimide gas separation membrane while the gaseous mixture being kept in contact with a surface on one side of the gas separation membrane at a temperature of 70.degree. C. or higher to obtain a gaseous mixture comprising the organic compound vapor and a reduced amount of a water vapor.

Abstract: A process for producing low alcoholic wine includes the following steps: evaporating alcohol-containing wine in a vacuum evaporator so that a first mixture comprising water, alcohol and flavoring substance is separated from a second mixture having a low-alcoholic content, separating water from said first mixture in a multistage flavor substance apparatus and drawing off a third mixture comprising alcohol and flavoring substance, distilling alcohol from the third mixture, adding the water from the multistage flavor substance apparatus to a mixing vessel in an amount, which together with the low-alcohol second mixture and the flavoring substances produces a quantity of low-alcoholic wine having an alcoholic content below legally determined values for low-alcoholic wine, the process allowing only outputs of low-alcoholic wine, distilled alcohol and flavoring substances and inputs of essentially only the alcohol-containing wine.

Abstract: A method of distillation employing a heat pump (which may be driven by a compressor) using a vapor stream from within the distillation system as a heat source and a liquid stream from within the distillation system as a heat sink. The selection of heat-source vapors and heat-sink liquid is such that at least one is withdrawn from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system. The return of streams withdrawn from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system to the distillation system is such that at least one of the streams is returned at a temperature different from that of the point from which it was withdrawn, and all withdrawn streams are returned in manner such that a stream removed as vapor is returned at a point with a temperature at most that at the point it was withdrawn, and a stream removed as liquid is returned at a point with a temperature at least that at which it was withdrawn.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran is recovered by a two stage distillation procedure from a crude hydrogenation product resulting from vapor phase hydrogenation of diethyl maleate and containing water, ethanol and a minor amount of n-butanol, and possibly also dissolved hydrogen, in addition to butane-1,4-diol, gamma-butyrolactone and "heavies" such as diethyl ethoxysuccinate. In the first distillation stage, conveniently operated substantially at atmospheric pressure, ethanol, water, and tetrahydrofuran are recovered as overhead product, are condensed to separate the condensible components from a hydrogen stream which can be vented, and then redistilled in the presence of a molar excess of a hydroxylic solvent containing at least two hydroxyl groups, such as butane-1,4-diol, in a second distillation zone.

Abstract: A pervaporation process for separating at least one component from a mixture of liquids, for example for separating ethanol from a fermentation mass, by a series of three separation steps: separating the mixture by a first pervaporation to form a first permeate vapor enriched in the component to be separated; fractionating the first permeate vapor, for example by temperature condensation, to form a high concentration fraction twice enriched in the component to be separated; and either distilling the high concentration fraction or a second pervaporation to form a distillate or retentate liquid thrice enriched in the component to be separated.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of alcoholates from alkali metal hydroxides and aliphatic alcohol which in their molecule contain 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The alcoholates are produced in that alkali metal hydroxide is mixed with an alcohol and is reacted with said alcohol at a temperature from 80.degree. to 110.degree. C., preferably from 80.degree. to 100.degree. C., and under a pressure from 0.3 to 1.2 bars, the alcohol water mixture which evaporates during the reaction is separated into its components by at least one membrane, the alcohol vapor and the water vapor are condensed and the condensed alcohol is recycled to the reaction.

Abstract: Water is separated from a less hydrophilic fluid by contacting the mixture with one face of a membrane having an active layer which consists essentially only of polymers of an unsaturated organic acid with a ratio of carbon atoms to acid groups (not counting any carbon atoms in the acid groups) of not more than six. Water is removed as a vapor from the other side of the membrane.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing in particular alcohol-free wine in which by extraction with supercritical CO.sub.2 firstly a specific aroma fraction with limited ethanol content is separated from the starting wine. The residual wine is then subjected to a vacuum distillation in which apart from the complete separation of the ethanol from the residual wine a fraction of more difficulty extractable aromatic substances not affected by the extraction is recovered which in the end together with the extract is added to the dealcoholized residual wine again to obtain an alcohol-free wine. The method permits an almost complete removal of the alcohol content without detrimentally affecting the basic wine and with retention of all the aromatic and flavoring substances characteristic of the wine.

Abstract: A process for producing a variety of chemical products, e.g., ethanol, by fermentation in which the product is removed from the fermentation medium as it is formed by liquid-liquid extraction using an extractant for the product which is immiscible with water. The extractant employed is chosen from the following groups: (A) double bond unsaturated aliphatic alcohols having 12 or more carbon atoms; (B) saturated branched chain aliphatic alcohols having 14 or more carbon atoms or mixtures thereof; (C) double bond unsaturated aliphatic acids having 12 or more carbon atoms; (D) aliphatic and aromatic mono-, di- or tri-esters having 12 or more carbon atoms, other than dibutyl phthalate; (E) aliphatic noncyclic ketones and aliphatic aldehydes having 12 or more carbon atoms; and (F) mixtures of extractants from groups (A) to (E) above or mixtures of at least one of the above extractants and at least one other extractant.

Abstract: The improved method and apparatus treats the stack gases from a commercial bakery oven to remove and recover pollutants, specifically ethyl alcohol. The method includes the steps of cooling the stack gases and passing the cooled gases through a packed column to condense the water and ethyl alcohol and if the ethyl alcohol is to be recovered drying the ethyl alcohol by distillation and by absorption of the water therefrom by a molecular sieve. The apparatus includes blowers and controls to maintain the normal flow of gases from the oven so that the removal and recovery of the ethyl alcohol from the stack gases does not interfere or change the baking conditions of the oven. This may be accomplished by a system of dampers or by controlling the discharge rate of the blowers used.

Abstract: A process for producing vodka by distilling one aqueous solution of alcohol having a relatively low alcohol content from a potstill. The volume of the solution in the still is maintained by a flow of another aqueous solution of alcohol of relatively high alcohol content. The vapor is condensed to produce Vodka. In the process the one solution has an alcohol content of about 4.5% by volume and a mineral content. The other solution has an alcohol content of about 41% by volume. The distillate is condensed and admixed with undistilled solution from the still to provide a vodka with an alcohol content of about 40% and the minerals content from the first solution. An apparatus able to carry out the process is described.

Abstract: A method of producing a potable spirit comprises removing water from a fermented wash containing ethanol, water and congeners to produce a substantially water-free mixture of ethanol and congeners, and then fractionally distilling this water-free mixture of ethanol and congeners in the absence of water to produce a fraction containing substantially pure water-free potable ethanol. Preferably the fractional distillation is carried out in separate topping and tailing columns. This method provides an energy efficient separation of the ethanol and congeners.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing water from a liquid mixture of water and ethanol contacts it with liquid carbon dioxide so that the ethanol is preferentially transferred into solution, dries the solution using an adsorbent, and then recovers dry ethanol by distilling off the carbon dioxide. This process is particularly energy efficient especially when it includes a fermentation process to generate the ethanol and uses the carbon dioxide generated during the fermentation as the source of liquid carbon dioxide. In this case the method and apparatus provide an additional product of dry carbon dioxide.

Abstract: This document describes an improved method and apparatus for recycling energy in counterflow heat exchange and distillation. The basis of the invention is transferring heat with thin sheets of material having extensive surface area relative to the flow rate through the system. A distillation apparatus (11 and 12), a counterflow heat exchanger (11), a clothes dryer (FIG. 9), a power generator (FIG. 12), and other embodiments of the invention are described.

Abstract: A process for purifying methanol which comprises introducing crude synthetic methanol obtained by catalytic reaction of carbon oxide and hydrogen into a rectifying column either as such or after it is first introduced into a topping column and distilled with or without the addition of water to remove low-boiling components from the top of the topping column, and distilling it in the rectifying column to withdraw purified methanol from the top of the column and mainly water from the bottom of the column; wherein an auxiliary distillation column is provided side by side with the rectifying column, and the rectifying column and the auxiliary distillation column are operated under particular conditions.

Abstract: A stripping column is comprised of one or more mixing channels situated in parallel arrangement, each channel in the form of a zigzag strip through which liquid cascades in a series of falls alternating with a corresponding series of pools. Simultaneously, vapor travels upwardly in a counter-current manner, intimately mixing with the liquid when forced through each successive pool. The column is especially useful in separating alcohol from fermented mash. The column is preferably employed with three other identical columns in a parallelogram structure to make a distillation unit of greater efficiency and capacity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for separating organic compounds, particularly lower aliphatic alcohols from fermentation fluids. This is accomplished by the use of a two-step extraction process whereby said lower aliphatic alcohols are selectively extracted from said fermentation fluids by a first solvent. The fermentation fluids from which the lower aliphatic alcohols have been extracted contain some of this first solvent. Therefore, a second solvent, which substantially differs from the first solvent in polarity is employed to extract the residual amounts of first solvent from said fermentation fluids. Then, the fermentation fluids, thus purified, can be returned to the fermentation process without the danger of toxic influences on the fermentation by the presence of said first solvent.

Abstract: The present invention involves a process for removing water from mixtures of alcohols and water by contacting such a mixture with an ion exchange resin of either the cation or anion type. Prior to use for alcohol dehydration, the ion exchange resin itself is dehydrated if necessary or desired by contacting it with methanol, propanol, isopropanol, acetone or other like low molecular weight hydrophilic solvents. After use for alcohol dehydration, the ion exchange resin is regenerated by contacting it with these regenerating agents.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for simultaneously producing various forms of alcohol, including ethanol, which can likewise be withdrawn from the apparatus simultaneously. To this end, successive columns in the individual processing stages, each of which includes distillation, rectification, purification and dehydration, are connected in parallel for product flow but in series for energy flow and conservation.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for simultaneously producing various forms of alcohol, including ethanol, which can likewise be withdrawn from the apparatus simultaneously. To this end, successive columns in the individual processing stages, each of which includes distillation, rectification, purification and dehydration are connected in parallel for product flow but in series for energy flow and conservation.

Abstract: A stripping column is comprised of one or more mixing channels situated in parallel arrangement, each channel in the form of a zigzag strip through which liquid cascades in a series of falls alternating with a corresponding series of pools. Simultaneously, vapor travels upwardly in a counter-current manner, intimately mixing with the liquid when forced through each successive pool. The column is especially useful in separating alcohol from fermented mash. The column is preferably employed with three other identical columns in a parallelogram structure to make a distillation unit of greater efficiency and capacity.

Abstract: Water cannot be completely removed from ethanol by distillation because of the presence of the minimum azeotrope. Ethanol can be readily dehydrated by using extractive distillation in which the water is removed as overhead product and the ethanol and extractive agent as bottoms and subsequently separated by conventional rectification. Typical examples of suitable extractive agents are hexahydrophthalic anhydride; methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride and pentanol-1; trimellitic anhydride, ethyl salicylate and resorcinol.

Abstract: A process for producing anhydrous ethanol, using an apparatus comprising a combination of a concentration column, an azeotropic distillation column and a solvent recovery column, and capable of effectively utilizing the vapor at the tops of the concentration column and the azeotropic distillation column, is provided, which process comprises:(i) connecting an absorption type heat pump functioning as a condenser and a reboiler at the same time, to either one of the concentration column or the azeotropic distillation column;(ii) connecting a combination of a mechanical type heat pump with a heat exchanger functioning as a condenser and a reboiler at the same time to another of the columns;(iii) using a back pressure turbine as a machine for driving the mechanical type heat pump; and(iv) using the back pressure steam generated by operating the mechanical type heat pump as the heat source for the absorption type heat pump.

Abstract: Water cannot be completely removed from ethanol by distillation because of the presence of the minimum azeotrope. Ethanol can be readily dehydrated by using extractive distillation in which the water is removed as overhead product and the ethanol and extractive agent as bottoms and subsequently separated by conventional rectification. Typical examples of suitable extractive agents are methyl benzoate; trimellitic anhydride and methyl benzoate; dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, ethyl salicylate and resorcinol.

Abstract: A method of processing fermented liquid comprising(a) feeding said fermented liquid into a vacuum vaporizer, (b) heating the feed in said vaporizer to separate it into a vapor and a concentrated liquid fraction, (c) recycling said vapor to said vaporizer by compression so as to achieve heat-exchange with said feed therein thereby generating a new vapor and a condensate fraction; said condensate being discharged as a distillate, (d) supplying the remaining compressed vapor to a multistage distilling column, (e) separating said compressed vapor into two fractions, one with a higher boiling point than the other, within said distilling column, (f) condensing said distillate with the lower boiling point to yield an alcohol-rich distillate, and (g) discharging said fraction with the higher boiling point as a bottom residue, and a processor therefor, thereby discharging to the outside the low COD-liquid alone and recovering useful substances such as drinkable alcohol, livestocks feed and antibiotic substances.

Abstract: Heated distillation still for separating ethanol-water mixtures divided into an upper solar absorbent vaporization section and a lower pre-heating section by a vaporization floor, float means to automatically control the ethanol-water feed to the lower portion of the preheating section when distillation is taking place, means to evenly distribute the ethanol-water mixture on the vaporization floor, means to heat the ethanol-water mixture in the distillation chamber, and means to remove or recycle residual aqueous liquid from the lower end of the vaporization section.

Abstract: A process for producing anhydrous ethanol from an ethanol-water mixture feedstock comprising subjecting the feedstock to distillation in a first distillation zone to produce an overhead vapor of from about 80 to about 90 weight percent ethanol, subjecting the thus produced overhead vapor to extractive distillation in an extractive distillation zone to produce anhydrous ethanol vapor overhead of about 99.5 weight percent ethanol and a solvent-rich bottom stream, and stripping the solvent-rich bottom stream and recycling the thus produced lean solvent bottom stream to the extractive distillation zone and recycling the thus produced overhead vapor stream to the first distillation zone. Also disclosed is a system for performing the process.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for dewatering an ethanol-water solution is disclosed wherein a carrier gas is used to vaporize the solution and transport the vapors to a sorbent where water is sorbed in preference to ethanol. The invention is particularly suited for small-scale production of fuel-grade ethanol for blending with gasoline.

Abstract: A distillation process for the production of dehydrated ethanol from dilute aqueous solutions of ethanol characterized in that the distillation is performed in a two-column system wherein the first column--for rectification--is operated under such a pressure that the second column--for dehydration--is heated exclusively with the vapors of the first column; in the first column the concentration of the dilute aqueous ethanol is effected to an ethanol concentration below the composition of the binary ethanol-water azeotrope; the separation of water is effected from the lower layer of the condensed head product of the second column; the separation of impurities and entrainers, having a lower boiling point than ethanol, is effected at the head of the first column and that of impurities, having a higher boiling point, above the feed point of the dilute aqueous solution in the first column; and, in the second column, the dehydration is effected by means of entrainers, with the addition of a fuel component or fuel, t

Abstract: A vapor compression distillation system for distillation of any two-component liquid mixture where separation of the more volatile from the less volatile component is required. This system achieves a very high efficiency through the use of vapor compression in conjunction with three heat exchangers: a reboiler which condenses the hot vapors compressed by a vapor pump and uses the heat given up by the condensing vapor to boil bottoms liquid to produce vapor within the stripper, a distillate heat exchanger which recovers heat from the distillate stream, and a bottoms heat exchanger which recovers heat from the outgoing bottoms effluent. This particular component configuration and process results in an exceptionally stable and reliable operation requiring the continuous control of only one parameter, reboiler temperature, while fixing all other process variables.

Abstract: A flow of fermenting liquor from a fermentor is separated into a yeast concentrate flow, which is recirculated to the fermentor, and a yeast-free flow which is separated in a simple evaporator unit into a first ethanol-enriched vapor flow and a first liquid bottom flow. The first vapor flow is treated to produce the desired ethanol while a major part of the first liquid bottom flow is recirculated to the fermentor. A minor, residual part of the latter flow is fed to a stripping unit where it is separated into a second ethanol-enriched vapor flow and a second liquid bottom flow exhausted of ethanol.

Abstract: Alcohol substantially free of water is prepared by fermenting a fermentable biomass feedstock in a fermentation unit, thereby forming an aqueous fermentation liquor containing alcohol; extracting said aqueous fermentation liquor with an organic solvent containing an extractant for said alcohol, thereby forming an alcohol-organic solvent extract phase and an aqueous raffinate; contacting said alcohol-organic solvent phase with a carrier gas thereby separating said alcohol from said alcohol-organic solvent phase and forming an alcohol laden solvent vapor; and separating alcohol substantially free of water from said carrier gas.

Abstract: The method consists in subjecting a natural alcoholic liquid to three successive steps of non denaturating physical fractionation; the first step is a molecular utltrafiltration under low pressure through a semi-permeable ultra-filter the splitting threshold of which is between 30,000 and 1000 and preferably around 10,000; the second step is a reverse osmosis step applied to the ultra-filtrate resulting from the preceding operation through semi-permeable membranes the splitting threshold of which is between 500 and 100 and preferably around 250; the third step consists in evaporating and distillating under vacuum, at low temperature, the ultra-filtrate resulting from the second step. Natural beverages having a low alcohol content thus obtained. Products obtained from the filtrates or retention products of the various steps of the method.

Abstract: A process for extracting bitter principle and tannin from hops, uses ethanol as the extracting agent in a single extraction. By controlling the water content of the ethanol used, the quantity of extracted tannin can be controlled. The tannin component can be separated out of the obtained extract as desired. By treating the extract with water vapor, all the alcohol can be simultaneously expelled and recovered. Ethanol is preferably removed and recovered from the resultant draff by means of the flash desolventizing system (FDS) method.

Abstract: A solar fermentation process and distillation system for the manufacture of ethanol product suitable for blending with motor gasoline or as a substitute fuel for gasoline. Fermentation of starches or sugars is carried out in situ in solar collector tubes. The raw beer product emanating from the solar tubes is purified into a high quality ethanol fuel product by passing the beer product through a series of distillation columns whose internal reboil vapor is generated in whole or in substantial part through direct application of solar heat energy. The use of solar energy as heating source in the fermentation and distillation steps markedly reduces the need for external utilities such as steam and fuel to run the plant thereby greatly reducing the operating costs of the plant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for purifying crude ethanol, whether produced by fermentation or by the synthetic route, to produce a pure ethanol-water azeotrope. The process uses only two distillation columns for fermentation ethanol or synthetic ethanol eventhough the latter has diethyl ether as impurity. The inventive concept lies in the design and specification of the columns and the specific high pressure and low reflux ratio distillation conditions which enable each of the impurities in ethanol to be reduced below ppm. Ethanol of such purity is most desirable when used for potable or pharmaceutical purposes.

Abstract: Distilling equipment comprising input apparatus (21) including a boiling chamber (83) and means (80-82, 104-107, 110, 111) for supplying raw liquid to the boiling chamber at a predetermined level, a closed condensation chamber (22) above the predetermined level and connected to the top of the boiling chamber (96) to receive therefrom only vapor from the raw liquid, and output apparatus (20) including a liquid collection container (25) below the condensation chamber and liquid circulating structure (29-34, 44-55) for withdrawing liquid from the container, cooling the liquid, discharging it within the condensation chamber, and returning it to the container.

Abstract: Solar apparatus for producing alcohol including a frame portion, a heating portion, a slurry-forming portion, a fermentation portion, a distillation portion, a condensation portion and a drying portion; the heating portion including a plurality of solar panel members, the slurry-forming portion including a hammer mill and a frustoconical section thereunder, the frustoconical section including a tangential liquid inlet opening and a tangential slurry outlet opening, the fermentation portion including a fermentation chamber, a pump disposed adjacent the chamber, inlet and outlet conduits extending between the pump and the bottom of the chamber, the distillation portion including a base section and a face section, the face section including a conduit having a circuitous path, the condensation portion including a first chamber, a second chamber extending downwardly within the first chamber partway down from the top, a spiral conduit disposed within the first chamber, the drying portion including a solar air heati

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high volume distillation of impure liquid, particularly of binary mixtures of relatively low boiling organic substances and water, comprises fractionally distilling the impure liquid to form a vapor of a low boiling organic substance; compressing the vapor; passing at least a portion of the compressed vapor through a vapor composition adjustment zone wherein the organic substance may catalytically or otherwise react or merely stabilize following compression; compressing the vapor exiting the adjustment zone to form a recompressed vapor; cooling the recompressed vapor in heat transfer relation with the impure liquid whereby the vapor at least partially condenses, transferring sufficient heat to the impure liquid for evaporating the liquid and to form the aforementioned low boiling organic vapor; and collecting the condensed low boiling organic vapor.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon is removed from an azeotropic mixture of a hydrocarbon and an alcohol by distillation with anhydrous ammonia.

Abstract: A continuous trickle-down distillation unit for producing hydrated alcohol having a compact, elongated distillation tube through which a fluid mixture including alcohol as one of its constituents passes. Within the distillation tube only the alcohol-predominant portion of the fluid mixture is vaporized while the remaining constituents of the fluid mixture are removed. The vaporized alcohol-predominant portion is condensed within a chamber which communicates with the distillation tube and is removed therefrom by a collection plate which extends partially into the chamber.

Abstract: An improved distillation method and apparatus are provided for recovering anhydrous ethanol from fermentation or synthetic feedstocks. The system includes at least one stripper-rectifier tower, a dehydrating tower, and an azeotropic agent stripping tower. Substantial energy savings are realized by operating the dehydrating tower, and preferably also the azeotropic agent stripping tower, at a higher pressure than the stripper-rectifier tower and by condensing the overhead vapors from the dehydrating tower (or dehydrating tower and azeotropic agent stripping tower) to provide the heat required in the stripper-rectifier tower. In a preferred embodiment, two stripper-rectifier towers are used, one operating at a higher pressure than the other, in which case the higher pressure tower is heated as just described and the overhead vapors from the higher pressure tower are condensed to supply the heat required in the lower pressure tower.