Apparatus and method for the removal of water from ethanol
US7504546B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC01B2203/1229
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus and method for drying ethanol includes a first reaction chamber for carrying out the removal of water from wet ethanol, a feed inlet for introducing the wet ethanol into the reaction chamber, a product outlet for removing dry ethanol from the reaction chamber, an optional fuel inlet for introducing a fuel into the reaction chamber, and a particulate bed, including sorbent particles, that is disposed within the reaction chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the bed is divided into first and second zones each provided with different size sorbent particles. In another preferred embodiment, the bed contains a mixture of sorbent particles and catalyst particles. The sorbent particles operate to remove water from the wet ethanol and form hydrated-sorbent particles. The catalyst particles operate to promote chemical reaction of the fuel, generating heat that causes removal of water from the hydrated-sorbent particles and regenerating the sorbent particles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.