Dividing Wall Column Isopropyl Alcohol Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The separation of isopropyl alcohol from its azeotropic mixture with water is challenging due to the difficulty in efficiently separating the components, which affects the energy efficiency and purity of the final product in existing manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of a dividing wall column (DWC) for distillation, where the feed containing isopropyl alcohol and water is supplied to the upper supply area, allowing for the separation of low, intermediate, and high boiling point materials through a thermally integrated structure, optimizing operating conditions such as temperature and pressure to achieve high purity isopropyl alcohol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional distillation methods are used to separate isopropyl alcohol from water, then the separation process can be performed, but the energy consumption is high and the separation efficiency is low due to the azeotropic mixture
Solution Approach 1:
The distillation column is segmented into multiple sections by introducing a side stream at an intermediate position. This divides the single separation task into two distinct sections: an upper section that enriches isopropyl alcohol and a lower section that removes water. This segmentation allows each section to operate at optimized conditions, reducing overall energy consumption while improving separation efficiency by avoiding the need to separate the entire azeotropic mixture in one stage
2Device complexity
If conventional distillation columns are used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to separate azeotropic mixtures effectively is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The column structure is segmented with a side stream extraction section, creating distinct upper and lower separation zones. This structural modification enables effective separation of the azeotropic mixture by allowing the upper section to produce high-purity isopropyl alcohol while the lower section handles water removal, achieving separation purity that conventional single-section columns cannot attain
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate boiling point substance is introduced as a separator in the side stream section. This intermediary substance acts as a mediator between the isopropyl alcohol and water components, enabling effective separation of the azeotropic mixture by preferentially associating with one component and facilitating its removal, thereby achieving high separation purity without requiring excessively complex column structures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the production of high-purity isopropyl alcohol while reducing energy consumption and investment costs by efficiently separating isopropyl alcohol from water, achieving a water content of 300 ppm or less in the final product.
Implementation Method 1
supplying a feed including isopropyl alcohol to a dividing wall column (DWC) to be refined in the dividing wall column
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present application relates to a method of manufacturing isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol with high purity is obtained from a feed including water and isopropyl alcohol. In addition, energy used in a process of obtaining the isopropyl alcohol, and investment cost for manufacturing facilities are reduced.