摘要

Separation of isoamyl isomers by means of internally enhanced ordinary distillation was investigated in this work. Because of very close boiling points between the target components of the mixture, a novel paralleling spiral packing of extremely low HEPT was experimentally developed with success for this purpose. A coupled scheme of pilot scale was subsequently setup separating 2-methyl-butanol and 3-methyl-butanol from fusel oil, usually low-class byproduct of fuel bioethanol manufactures. Basically, batch distillation is used to remove light ends and the continuous partner to separate 2-methyl-butanol and 3-methyl-butanol. Operating results satisfactorily suggested that the concentration of 2-methyl-butanol was over 99 wt % with the yield over 80%. Computational flowsheet simulation was also done with the outcome in good agreement with the tested onsite to facilitate industrial design.