Petrochemicals & organic chemicals

Alcohols

Alcohols are important solvents and source substances for numerous productions in the chemical industry.

Alcohols with several OH-groups are used for polymerization. Apart from natural alcohols, such as for example glycerin, alcohols are produced by fermentation of basic substances containing starch or sugar.

Short-chained alcohols such as methanol and ethanol are concentrated by way of distillation. Longer-chained alcohols with lower steam volatility can be concentrated in falling-film evaporation plants. The separators are often equipped with scrubbing columns in order to minimize product losses via the steam phase.

The mostly concentrated alcohols in distillation plants are methanol, and ethanol. 2-propanole and n-butanol are concentrated in evaporation plants.

Downloads

GEA Insights

GEA Service: The lifeline behind the world's production lines

Every fourth package of spaghetti, every second liter of beer and one-quarter of all processed milk in the world depends on GEA machinery. When production lines need attention, GEA Service steps in to fix problems or prevent...

New pump facility in Poland reshapes hygienic manufacturing

GEA’s facility in Koszalin, Poland, sets a benchmark in hygienic pump production. The multi-purpose site combines decades of German engineering expertise with advanced digitalization and scalable solutions. A bold step to meet...

Human hands brought together to form a circle

In for the better: Community engagement at GEA

To support community engagement, GEA offers employees one day of paid time off per year.

Receive news from GEA

Stay in touch with GEA innovations and stories by signing up for news from GEA.

Need assistance?

We are here to help! With just a few details we will be able to respond to your inquiry.