for Drying Alcohols
(Methanol, Ethanol, Isopropyl, etc)
Most alcohol dehydration for
production is based on distillation with packed or trayed columns which
include reflux condensers and re-boilers. Depending upon the starting
concentrations and final requirements, the column design is determined
by the number of theoretical plates (column height), and the amount
of reflux and reboiling (energy input). Although there are limits
with azeotropic mixtures (ie. Ethanol/water), this has been a standard
in the processing industry for many years. Because this is a thermal
separation process, the energy consumption is a major factor in the
operation.
 As an alternate to distillation, Molecular Sieves has proven to provide
a very dry product while drastically bringing down energy with minimal
labor. Wintek’s Molecular Sieve Dehydration Units are based on adsorption
and diffusion processes to separate the alcohol from water, rather than
a thermal process, and so can be considerably more energy efficient.
Consider a vapor comprised of 95% methanol and 5% water. Because
certain molecular sieves preferentially adsorb water, as the vapor passes
thru a column, water is adsorbed on the sieve at the beginning of the
column, removing it from the vapor stream. As the vapor continues
to move through the column, more water is removed, resulting in a dryer
alcohol until it is fully dehydrated as the vapors exit the column.
Over time, the column will reach a saturation limit, at which time the
flow is diverted to a second (dry) column, and the first column is then
regenerated.
Advantages:
- Low Energy Use
- Minimal Labor
- Designed to handle
a wide variation in feed concentrations (0-10% water, 25% possible)
without operator intervention.
- High Recovery:
98% alcohol recovery
- High Purity:
99.5% dehydration as standard (99.9% optional)
- Packaged Units
- Basic process is
very simple, reducing labor and training.
Wintek’s standard design
can handle up to 10wt% water with optional design to handle up to 25wt%
water.
Recovery is 98% with a standard
99.5% dehydrated alcohol, with optional design to provide 99.9% dehydration.
Wintek’s MSDUs are packaged
units designed to process from ½ gpm to 25 gpm of wet methanol, ethanol
or isopropyl alcohols. Units are pre-piped, pre-wired, fully automated,
skid mounted systems.
For additional information, Call: (973) 252-8200, Fax: (973) 252-8233, or Email Sales at Wintek-Corp.com
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