1. ETHANOL DEHYDRATION WITH
ZEOCHEM MOLECULAR SIEVE
Z3-03

2. ETHANOL DEHYDRATION THE DUTY
Liquid phase technology - older technology.
Gas phase technology - modern technology - Use an adsorbent to get past the azeotrope.
Molecular sieves best technology due to
simplicity
low installation cost
environmentally friendly
low energy usage

3. LIQUID PHASE DEHYDRATION
Thermal Swing Technology
characterised by
Low temperature adsorption
Long cycle times - up to 8 hours
High capacity - up to 20%
Thermal Regeneration
Slower velocity, longer MTZ

4. GAS PHASE DEHYDRATION Pressure Swing Technology characterised by
Lower capacity typically 1-4%
Short cycle times (2 -30 minutes)
High temperature / pressure adsorption
Low pressure regeneration (vacuum)
Need for high strength product

5. ETHANOL DEHYDRATION with Molecular Sieves
Adsorption Process:
3A - Type molecular sieve
Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA)
Conditions:
Temp °C
Pressure Ads – 2.0 bar
Des. ca mbar
Regen. gas dry Ethanol
Cycle Times 10 – 30 min.

6. ETHANOL DEHYDRATION with Molecular Sieves
Alumino-silicate
Na2O.Al2O3.SiO2.xH2O
microcrystalline structure
A-Types :
3A (K- Form): 0.3 nm pores
4A ( Na-Form): 0.4 nm pores
5A ( Ca-Form): 0.5 nm pores
13X- Type:
0.8 nm pores (Na-form)

7. ETHANOL DEHYDRATION with Molecular Sieves
Sieving Effect based on:
molecule size or diameter
molecules with D<0.3nm can be adsorded
in a 3A Sieve : i.e. H20, NH3, H2, He
molecules with D < 0. 4 nm can be adsorbed
in a 4A Sieve: i.e. H2O, CO2, H2S, C2H4
polarity of the molecules
affinity encreasing with polarity
H20 > RSH > H2S > C2H4 > CO2

8. Ethanol Grade Molecular Sieve Zeolite Manufacturing Process
NaHSiO3
* Quality Control *
Al(OH)3
N aOH
H2O, KCl
Binding Clay * * * *
Bead Formation
Activation
Z3-03 *
3A-Pulver

9. Ethanol Dehydration Quality Control of Molecular Sieve Z3-03
Characterisation
residual water content
CO2 adsorption capacity
crystallinity ( X-ray diffraction)
SEM
bulk density: 740
elemental analysis
under- & oversize
Stability
attrition
freeze thaw test
boiling water test
crush strength
Process parameter
kinetic measurement (MTZ)

10. Ethanol Dehydration Kinetic Comparison

11. Ethanol Dehydration Key Properties of Molecular Sieve Z3-03
High water adsorption capacity
Low pressure drop (DP)
Good thermal and hydrothermal stability
Low by product formation (DEE, AcH, DEA)
High density (740 g/l)
High Crush Strength
Low Attrition
Good Kinetics

12. Ethanol Dehydration Key Properties of Molecular sieve Z3-03
Exceptional Physical Properties
High Crush Strength
Low Attrition
Low Catalytic Binder Activity and
Controlled Formulation and Production
Exceptionally Low Formation of By products
Low Coke Formation
High Lifetime
High Adsorption Performance

13. Ethanol Dehydration Physical Stability Comparison
max. 3.0
---
>90
Freeze-thaw test
Chips
Broken beads
max.50
524
Dust Index (ppm) (Heubach)
max. 0.1
0.5
Attrition (%)
Zeochem Z3-03
2.5-5 mm Beads
Competitive Type 3A
1/8" Extrudates

14. ZEOCHEM Z3-03 Ethanol Dehydration Summary
High Quality Product Zeochem Z3-03
High Reputation and Many Successful References Worldwide

15. Zeochem Z3-03 Reference Plants with Katzen Design
Jamaica Ethanol, Kingston 30'000 lbs
Laica, Costa Rica '000 lbs
Planalcool, Brazil '000 lbs
44'000 lbs
Golden Triangle, Craig, Co 40'000 lbs
Dacota Ethanol, Sioux Falls, SD 160'000 lbs
JR Simplot, Caldwell, ID, USA 15'000 lbs
Akwawit, Lesno, Poland 58'200 lbs

16. OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS
Ethanol molecule very polar - only slightly less polar than water
Need molecular sieve with controlled pore size to exclude ethanol
Need good kinetic performance
Need good strength beads for PSA system