GB189136A - Improved continuous process and apparatus for the production of large quantities of absolute alcohol - Google Patents

Abstract

189,136. Barbet et Fils et Cie, E. Nov. 15, 1921, [Convention date]. Alcohol, dehydrating. -A continuous process for the production of absolute alcohol consists in mixing alcohol of 95-96‹ Gay- Lussac with powdered quicklime or other suitable dyhydrating agent and distilling the greater part in a continuous still, collecting the alcohol, and continuously withdrawing the remaining liquid mixture, diluting it with water and delivering it to a rectifier where it is exhausted of its alcohol which is concentrated to 96‹ and again subjected to dehydration. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 lime and alcohol are mixed in a. large stirrer A and delivered by a valve B and pump C to a heater worm JJ and thence to a continuous still E with steam-jacket F and stirrers. The alcohol is condensed in the heater D and cooler G and flows out through a testing- device H. Only about three-quarters of the alcohol are thus distilled, the remaining liquor being continuously tapped off by a pipe e, diluted with water bv a cock S and funnel T and delivered to a continuous exhauster K L, the lower part of which is provided with bubbling plates constructed so as to prevent incrustation with lime. The base M is heated by a steam-bubbler which drives the alcohol into the upper part L of the column, where by means of a reflux N it is rectified to 96‹ and may be withdrawn through a testing-device N<1>, and returned to the apparatus for further dehydration. The calcic mud collecting at the base M is passed into an extractor Q with float q operaing an exit valve R whereby a constant level is maintained in M. In the simpler form of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, the preliminary reaction between the alcohol and quicklime is dispensed with, the crude alcohol being delivered direct to the upper plate of the column K through a heater X heated by wastesteam from the exhauster K. Pasteurised alcohol is drawn off from the column L by the pipe u to a measuring device U and thence to the still E, E<2> which carries a partition E<1> dividing the unheated portion E from the portion E<2> which is heated by the steam-jacket F. Quicklime is dropped into E in measured quantities by a rotating recessed plug-tap P. It is stated that the testing-device W also serves to separate any aldehyde products. If incomplete dehydration is required the pasteurised alcohol may be drawn off at U. Instead of quicklime, fused calcium chloride, anhydrous potassium carbonate, anhydrous sodium or copper sulphate or anhydrous sodium acetate may be employed.