Distillation Technology
Dehydration and Purification
GEA applies three methods to achieve concentrations above the azeotropic point.
GEA Molecular Sieve or Adsorption Technology represents a low energy process for dehydration of e.g. ethanol.
The superheated alcohol/water mixture passes a zeolite bed , that holds back the small water molecules while the bigger alcohol molecules pass the bed.
GEA supplies as standard three adsorption vessels which operate in continuous batch mode. One unit works in adsorption mode while the second is regenerated. The third vessel allows smooth switching between the two modes in order to ensure a long life service for the zeolite. Another advantage of the third vessel is a constant flow of the dehydrated ethanol vapors towards the distillation train, leading to a constant energy input on one of the reboilers, where the vapor is condensed.
But also the two-vessel-concept has proven itself within a multistage distillation plant , however not achieving as constant conditions as the three-vessel-concept.
The GEA Distillation with Entrainer represents a second technology for achieving concentrations above the azeotropic point of mixtures – or for mixtures of two very similar behaving compounds.
An example is the azeotropic distillation of IPA/ water-mixtures. Cyclohexan is added to the mixture and creates with the water a new azeotropic mixture. This new azeotrop can can be rectified and is discharged as head product. The dehydrated IPA is discharged from the column bottom. In the entrainer recovery process the water is separated from the cyclohexane. The second application of the entrainer technology is the extractive distillation – according to the compound mixtures the adequate process and entrainer must be defined.
The core of the GEA Pervaporation and Permeation Technology is the hydrophilic membrane. A vacuum is created on one side of the membrane and the differing diffusion resistances through the membrane and the differing partial pressures are the basis for the separation.
Downloads
Related Products
Reboiler for Distillation Plants
GEA uses different types of reboilers for the energy input to the distillation columns. The choice of the suitable type depends on surrounding process and product parameters.
MVR / TVR heated Distillation Plants
The thermal vapor recompression applies steam jets to raise the temperature level of vapor flows in the plant. Condensation of these boosted flows is then used for the heating or evaporating of lower temperature process flows. Thereby the steam consumption is minimized.
Process Integration
Production lines with optimized integrated process steps.
Distillation Test Facilities at Karlsruhe R&D Center
With state-of-the-art pilot plants and test benches our R & D Center is optimally equipped for testing in the fields of distillation technology.
GEA Insights
The next era of food production with GEA NEXUS
Climate change and a growing world population put increased pressure on the energy-intensive food industry to feed more people without further impacting the planet. George Shepherd, GEA’s Global Technical Sustainability Manager, explains how GEA uses its engineering know-how to help processors produce more sustainably yet increase productivity.
Making milk production more sustainable for a growing world
The world's population is growing and with it demand for milk. Dairy is an essential component of many global diets. However, its production can be resource-intensive and impact the environment. GEA’s Christian Müller, Senior Director Sustainability Farm Technologies, sheds light on how technological innovations powered by GEA make milk production more efficient and profitable.
Clean machines safe food: The power of hygienic design
Every safe beverage and bite of food is a victory against invisible microbial threats – a battle shaped by a century of hygienic process design. With more than 100 years of engineering and hygienic design know-how, GEA sets the industry standard for processing equipment that protects food and saves lives.
