Distillation Flashcards
What is the purpose of the Rectifier Column?
Purify the Beer Column overhead vapor to produce 190 proof ethanol
What are the heat sources to the Rectifier Column? (2)
Beer Column overhead vapors
Side Stripper vapors
Where do the Beer Column Bottoms flow to?
Whole Stillage Tank
What is the temperature range of the Beer Column at the top and bottom?
Top- 160-165°F
Bottom- 185-190°F
Where do the Rectifier Column vapors flow to?
190 Proof Vacuum Condenser
What are the main feeds to the Rectifier Column? (2) Where do they enter?
Beer Column overhead vapors
Side Stripper vapors
The bottom of the Rectifier Column
What are the control points of the Beer Bottoms Pump? (2)
Pressure
Flow
What general column component holds a level of liquid and uses push and non-moveable valves for the purpose of using different boiling point temperatures to separate a liquid mixture?
Column trays
What is the purpose of the Beer Column?
Separate whole stillage from ethanol
What are the main purposes of the Beer Bottoms Pump? (2)
Transfer water and whole stillage from the bottom of the Beer Column to the Whole Stillage Tank
Transfer a return stream back to the Beer Column to maintain level or recycle during upset conditions
What are the two heat sources for the Beer Column?
Beer/Mash Exchanger
Direct injection of 2nd effect vapors
What are the Beer Column control points? (5)
Pressure
Temperature
Level
Feed Flow
Base Loss
What is the purpose of the metal packing in the top section of the Rectifier Column?
To enhance the vapor-liquid contact due to increased surface area.
Where does the Beer Column vapor flow to?
Bottom of the Rectifier Column
What is located below the metal packing material in the Rectifier?
4 distillation trays
What is the importance of boiling point temperature in the distillation process?
Liquid mixtures can be separated into components according to their boiling point temperature
What components of a liquid mixture are the first to vaporize?
The lighter components (Less dense)
What is the purpose of operating the Distillation System under a vacuum?
Reduces the liquid component’s boiling point temperature and therefore requires less heating
In column trays, where is the highest percentage of ethanol found?
Higher in the column
What term describes ethanol content as twice the percentage by volume?
Proof
The Distillation System is limited to what percentage/proof of ethanol?
95% or 190 Proof
What does the Beer/Mash Exchanger use to preheat the beer feed to the Beer Column?
Liquefaction Mash
How many column trays is the Beer Column equipped with?
19
What may lead to the formation of fusel oils? (3)
Low pH
High temperatures
Low yeast activity
Why are fusel oils detrimental to the Distillation System?
May cause a fusel plug in the column trays and affect efficiency
What is the purpose of the Fusel Draw Pump?
To draw fusel oils off of the Rectifier Column trays
What is the purpose of testing the fusel oil samples?
To determine the location of the fusel oil within the column
What is the pressure range of the Rectifier Column at the top and bottom?
Top- 5.5-6 PSIA
Bottom 6-7 PSIA
What is the temperature range of the Rectifier Column at the top and bottom?
Top- 130-135°F
Bottom- ≈150°F
What are the control points of the Rectifier Column? (5)
Pressure
Temperature
Level
Flow
Base Loss (Technically not measured but may affect Side Stripper base loss)
What is Base Loss?
The amount of ethanol that is not vaporized in a column and therefore is processed with bottoms product
Why is a high percentage of base loss detrimental? (2)
High base loss is potentially detrimental to down line process streams
Loss of product