Bio-Process has developed a number of distillation technologies and process designs for the separation and purification of solvents (ethanol, acetone, butanol, etc.) from fermentation broths and other solutions.  Bio-Process distillation technologies & processes are designed to: 1) decrease down time & maintenance, 2) increase efficiencies, 3) improve flow rates, and 4) minimize energy requirements.  Bio-Process provides improved distillation systems, process designs, and retrofits that improve through put and minimize energy use & costs.

Background: Chemical solutions can be separated by variations in the vapor pressures of their components along a column through recursive evaporation and condensation in a continuous distillation process; producing a high boilers (distillate) stream and a low boilers (bottoms) stream.  Distillation technology implementation and process designs are based upon the compositions and concentrations of the feed and distillate solutions.  In the production of ethanol and other bio-solvents, distillation is the most energy intensive unit operation making up as much as 75% of the thermal energy requirement.

Technology Description: Bio-Process has developed a number of process designs for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of separation in distillation for whole / clear beers and fouling / non-fouling feeds.  The ‘Low Energy Distillation‘ (LEDist) process eliminates the thermal energy requirement by compressing the overhead vapors to drive the column.

Applications:   Improved distillation technologies and process designs have a wide variety of applications in the production & separation of potable alcohol, bio-products, chemicals, and biofuels.  Bio-Process’ distillation systems  simplify production, reduce energy usage, and decrease operating & maintenance costs.  The LEDist process improves profitability and reduces market risk associated with natural gas price volatility.

Low Energy Distillation Advantages:

• Elimination of Thermal / Steam Requirements,
• Processing of Both Fouling & Non-Fouling Feeds,
• Decreased Boiler Size & Water Requirements,
• Decreased Operating Costs & Volatility,
• Ability to Separate Numerous Volatile Streams,

Technology Maturity: Commercial, the Low Energy Distillation process can be used to separate a range of solvents and alcohols from various feed compositions and concentrations.  This process has been applied on the commercial scale in an ethanol production facility, successfully reducing energy usage by 20,000 Btu’s per gallon of ethanol produced.