Ethyl alcohol, produced either by fermentation or synthesis, needs to be dehydrated to very low water levels for some of its various end-uses. Applications for anhydrous ethanol include bio-fuels (direct blending and ETBE production), and industrial chemical, but also food and pharmaceutical ingredients.
Dehydration of ethanol at azeotropic conditions (93-96 % v/v) using the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) with Molecular Sieve columns offers significant economical and environmental advantages, compared to traditional ternary distillation processes, and is today the preferred technology. Thanks to various process improvements developed by Engineering & Construction companies all around the world, the energy yield (related to vapour consumption) is constantly improving.
From the late eighties, CECA was able to propose a specific SILIPORITE 3A type Molecular Sieve for this application. Over the years, two different grades, SILIPORITE® EPX 3B and EHP, were developed, each one optimised for specific uses. Both adsorbents share common characteristics :
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High mechanical strength and attrition resistance,
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Outstanding adsorption kinetics,
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Negligible ethanol co-adsorption,
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Minimized by-product formation.
SILIPORITE® EPX 3B is the preferred grade for fuel ethanol production, with high reliability and water removal performances.
SILIPORITE® EHP is recommended when very low formation of impurities must be guaranteed : food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic uses, or PSA systems operating at high temperature.
CECA continuously strives to improve its products and actively works for proposing Molecular Sieves for the Second Generation Biofuel units.
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Molecular Sieves
