Drying of ethanol vapors by adsorption on corn meal

Experiments have been carried out on a laboratory-scale adsorber packed with 3.3 kg cornmeal. The effects of varying particle size, feed concentrations and flow rates, and regeneration conditions on the product quality and breakthrough times were investigated. It was found that 85% (w/w) vapor feed gave the best product, and product yields of up to 99.8% (w/w) alcohol were obtained at energy costs as low as 4.0 MJ kg(-1). It is suggested how this figure could be improved.