Abstract
Separation of ethanol from its diluted aqueous solution by liquid–liquid extraction is modelled using ionic liquid tetradecyltrihexylphosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide as the extraction solvent. Based on the ternary phase equilibrium data, composition of the extract phase in counter-current separation equipment was computed showing a maximum in the ethanol-to-water mole ratio while the solvent-to-feed mole ratio was changing. Ethanol pre-concentration was further enhanced during the extraction solvent regeneration by ethanol (and water) stripping into inert gas. Final step of the proposed separation process was freeze-drying of the inert gas used for the extraction solvent regeneration. Temperature in the stripper was optimized for the minimum overall heat duty in the stripper and cooler/freezer. A simplified economic balance showed that operational expenditures connected with the proposed separation procedure attain only approximately 40% of those required for the ethanol separation by distillation.
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