A method is disclosed for improving the energy efficiency of biorefinery drying operations through integration of a dryer that utilizes the heat of condensation of process vapors to dry material whose emissions are captured with energy recovery. The dryer separates clean process vapors (e.g., ethanol) and steam from vapors containing volatile organic compounds and entrained materials, to minimize the need for vapor cleanup. An indirect dryer condenses vapors in a tube dryer similar to a steam tube dryer, but utilizing compressed process vapors, transferring the heat to wet material undergoing drying. The resulting exhaust vapors are either directed to a process stage that requires heat (e.g., distillation) and minimizes the need for vapor cleanup or to an out-of-contact heat exchanger that produces vapors for process use, or to another dryer as an additional effect. Mechanical-vapor recompression or thermal-vapor recompression are employed to produce vapors that optimize overall energy recovery.

A method is disclosed for improving the energy efficiency of biorefinery drying operations through integration of a dryer that utilizes the heat of condensation of process vapors to dry material whose emissions are captured with energy recovery. The dryer separates clean process vapors (e.g., ethanol) and steam from vapors containing volatile organic compounds and entrained materials, to minimize the need for vapor cleanup. An indirect dryer condenses vapors in a tube dryer similar to a steam tube dryer, but utilizing compressed process vapors, transferring the heat to wet material undergoing drying. The resulting exhaust vapors are either directed to a process stage that requires heat (e.g., distillation) and minimizes the need for vapor cleanup or to an out-of-contact heat exchanger that produces vapors for process use, or to another dryer as an additional effect. Mechanical-vapor recompression or thermal-vapor recompression are employed to produce vapors that optimize overall energy recovery.

A method is disclosed for improving the energy efficiency of biorefinery drying operations through integration of a dryer that utilizes the heat of condensation of process vapors to dry material whose emissions are captured with energy recovery. The dryer separates clean process vapors (e.g., ethanol) and steam from vapors containing volatile organic compounds and entrained materials, to minimize the need for vapor cleanup. An indirect dryer condenses vapors in a tube dryer similar to a steam tube dryer, but utilizing compressed process vapors, transferring the heat to wet material undergoing drying. The resulting exhaust vapors are either directed to a process stage that requires heat (e.g., distillation) and minimizes the need for vapor cleanup or to an out-of-contact heat exchanger that produces vapors for process use, or to another dryer as an additional effect. Mechanical-vapor recompression or thermal-vapor recompression are employed to produce vapors that optimize overall energy recovery.

The present invention concerns a process for recovering fermentation products present in a fermentation mash produced in a bioreactor (9), comprising a step a) in which a gas stream (15) is sent into the fermentation mash under pressure in order to entrain at least a portion of the products and produce a gas stream (16) which is enriched in fermentation products. The process comprises a step h) for storage of the fermentation gases and the gas stream which is sent to the step a) is constituted by the stored fermentation gases.

The present invention concerns a process for recovering fermentation products present in a fermentation mash produced in a bioreactor (9), comprising a step a) in which a gas stream (15) is sent into the fermentation mash under pressure in order to entrain at least a portion of the products and produce a gas stream (16) which is enriched in fermentation products. The process comprises a step h) for storage of the fermentation gases and the gas stream which is sent to the step a) is constituted by the stored fermentation gases.

The purification method of isopropyl alcohol including: feeding a feed including isopropyl alcohol, water, and a byproduct comprising normal propyl alcohol to an azeotropic distillation purification tower; separating an azeotrope comprising isopropyl alcohol, normal-propyl alcohol, and water from the top of the azeotropic distillation purification tower and feeding the azeotrope to a dehydration tower; separating the isopropyl alcohol and the normal-propyl alcohol from the bottom of the dehydration tower and feeding the isopropyl alcohol and the normal-propyl alcohol to a normal-propyl alcohol purification tower; and separating the isopropyl alcohol from the top of the normal propyl alcohol purification tower.

The purification method of isopropyl alcohol including: feeding a feed including isopropyl alcohol, water, and a byproduct comprising normal propyl alcohol to an azeotropic distillation purification tower; separating an azeotrope comprising isopropyl alcohol, normal-propyl alcohol, and water from the top of the azeotropic distillation purification tower and feeding the azeotrope to a dehydration tower; separating the isopropyl alcohol and the normal-propyl alcohol from the bottom of the dehydration tower and feeding the isopropyl alcohol and the normal-propyl alcohol to a normal-propyl alcohol purification tower; and separating the isopropyl alcohol from the top of the normal propyl alcohol purification tower.

The purification method of isopropyl alcohol including: feeding a feed including isopropyl alcohol, water, and a byproduct comprising normal propyl alcohol to an azeotropic distillation purification tower; separating an azeotrope comprising isopropyl alcohol, normal-propyl alcohol, and water from the top of the azeotropic distillation purification tower and feeding the azeotrope to a dehydration tower; separating the isopropyl alcohol and the normal-propyl alcohol from the bottom of the dehydration tower and feeding the isopropyl alcohol and the normal-propyl alcohol to a normal-propyl alcohol purification tower; and separating the isopropyl alcohol from the top of the normal propyl alcohol purification tower.

A method is disclosed for improving the energy efficiency of biorefinery drying operations through integration of a dryer that utilizes the heat of condensation of process vapors to dry material whose emissions are captured with energy recovery. The dryer separates clean process vapors (e.g., ethanol) and steam from vapors containing volatile organic compounds and entrained materials, to minimize the need for vapor cleanup. An indirect dryer condenses vapors in a tube dryer similar to a steam tube dryer, but utilizing compressed process vapors, transferring the heat to wet material undergoing drying. The resulting exhaust vapors are either directed to a process stage that requires heat (e.g., distillation) and minimizes the need for vapor cleanup or to an out-of-contact heat exchanger that produces vapors for process use, or to another dryer as an additional effect. Mechanical-vapor recompression or thermal-vapor recompression are employed to produce vapors that optimize overall energy recovery.

A method is disclosed for improving the energy efficiency of biorefinery drying operations through integration of a dryer that utilizes the heat of condensation of process vapors to dry material whose emissions are captured with energy recovery. The dryer separates clean process vapors (e.g., ethanol) and steam from vapors containing volatile organic compounds and entrained materials, to minimize the need for vapor cleanup. An indirect dryer condenses vapors in a tube dryer similar to a steam tube dryer, but utilizing compressed process vapors, transferring the heat to wet material undergoing drying. The resulting exhaust vapors are either directed to a process stage that requires heat (e.g., distillation) and minimizes the need for vapor cleanup or to an out-of-contact heat exchanger that produces vapors for process use, or to another dryer as an additional effect. Mechanical-vapor recompression or thermal-vapor recompression are employed to produce vapors that optimize overall energy recovery.