METHOD OF DEWATERING WATER/ETHANOL MIXTURE BY ADSORPTION/REGENERATION ON A MOLECULAR SIEVE AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

摘要

A process for dehydration of a water/ethanol mixt. by adsorption/regeneration on a molecular sieve, comprises (i) vaporising and superheating the water/ethanol mixt. to a temp. sufficient to maintain the mixt. in the vapour state during the process; (ii) passing the water/ethanol mixt. in the vapour state over a molecular sieve to cause adsorption of water into the molecular sieve; and (iii) concurrently and/or alternately effecting regeneration by subjecting part of the dehydrated ethanol to a supplementary stage of superheating and passing it at a pressure below atmospheric pressure over a molecular sieve that is satd. with water to desorb the adsorbed water.