Alternative Separation Processes for Fluid Mixtures

摘要

This report is a collection of studies on the energy-saving potential of some separation technologies in the process industries. It is a compilation of preliminary information that was developed during the execution of another DOE-sponsored project. Three industrially important fluid mixtures were studied: ethanol-water, air, and ethylbenzene-styrene. Current technology for the separation of these mixtures involves distillation as the main step. The minimum energy requirements for various fluid separations are presented and applied to alternative separation schemes for the three processes under consideration. Results showed that, in the future, improving distillation and combining it with alternative separation processes will probably prove more successful than outright displacement of distillation. Results also showed that, among the alternatives studied, membrane and adsorption technologies show excellent potential for energy savings, but their application is limited by materials problems and lack of engineering design data. (ERA citation 11:040843)