| Author | Li, Qi |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. ET-90-6 |
| Subject(s) | Energy consumption
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | In this study, several processes for permeate-removing pervaporation systems
applied to ethanol-water separation were investigated, viz, application of air
perstripping, refrigeration, and heat pump systems. The energy efficiencies of
each of these systems were also analyzed under varying conditions.
By applying the systems mentioned above, it is possible to concentrate
ethanol to a purity of 99.8%; well above its azeotropic concentration level of
95.5% by the use of highly selective membranes which would not have been
possible by simple distillation.
In the air perstripping process, air was used to "sweep" the permeate. Two
cases ware studied; natural humid air, and dehumidified air. In the latter case,
as may be expected, it was found that the air had a greater affinity for absorbing
water and hence these was a lower air consumption resulting in lower energy
input to the air pump.
Two alternative systems were also studied talking into consideration their
implications on energy saving potentials. They are the simple refrigeration systems
and the refrigeration system coupled with a heat pump to permit heat recovery.
Comparison were made of the three permeate removing systems. At low
recycling rates, both the refrigeration and the heat pump systems were found to
be equally energy efficient and superior to the air perstripping system. However,
at higher recycling rates, heat pump system appears to be the most efficient. It
also permits to dispense with preheating from an independent source.
The study was extended to multistage pervaporation systems with up to
three refrigeration stages and energy consumptions were computed. |
| Year | 1990 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Mora, Jean-Claude |
| Examination Committee(s) | Mohanty, B. ;Bo, Khin ;Vigneswaran, Saravanamuthu
|
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AFME (French Agency for Energy Management) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1990 |