Weir Plate Stripping Column for Alcohol Production. Final Report

摘要

This project consisted of the design, construction and test of a new concept for an alcohol stripping column. The concept involved the use of a series of dams and weirs in an inclined tube to produce the effects of plates in a conventional column. A secondary objective was to test the use of plastic as a construction material. It was felt that the concept would lead to a low cost system that would have application in small farm systems for the production of alcohol fuel. It was also felt that the stability of the system would be ideal for systems that would use solar power for a heat source. A plastic stripping tower containing 25 plates was tested on a beer from fermented corn meal. The column produced 140 proof alcohol, and in general, worked as expected. The relative low proof of the output and the lack of a steep gradient along the tube, indicated that the column is not as efficient as conventional columns. The test indicated that CPVC plastic could be used in the construction of a column; however, sealing problems and its cost make it questionable that the use of this type material would lead to a lower cost column. 7 figures. (ERA citation 10:000366)