Membrane cartridges

Solvent recovery, recycling and dehydration

Polluted mixtures are processed for recovery, dehydration and re-use of solvents.

The pollutants are separated from the membrane feed material by distillation or a rectification column. This provides a membrane feed in perfect conditions for a reliable and long-term membrane performance.
The Recycling of permeate to the rectification provides yields near 100%.

Bio-Ethanol-, Fuel-Ethanol-, Raw-Ethanol dehydration

  • Dehydration without generation of byproducts and without addition of chemicals
  • Reduced reflux ratio in rectification
  • Membrane feed water concentration up to 50% water
  • Reduced energy consumption at reboiler and condenser
  • High energy integration
  • Reduced maintenance because of no moving parts
  • Ethanol purities up to 99,95w% in one step
Successful completion of a vapour permeation system

Molecular sieve regenerate treatment, fusel oil draw treatment

The regenerate stream from the molecular sieve normally is processed in the ethanol distillation column to recover the remaining ethanol. Rather than processing this material in the main ethanol rectification column, it is processed in a stand-alone membrane dehydration system, which provides additional processing capacity in the main ethanol plant, reduces water consumption and enables capacity expansions or energy saving as well as reduction of emissions.

The removal of fusel oil is not required. The membranes are tolerant to fusel oils.

Efficient energy recovery for improved process economy.


Solvent recovery system
Bridging the aceotrope with a vapour permeation membrane

Gas cleaning / Hydrocarbon recovery

Organophilic membranes are used to remove hydrocarbons from gases or vapours.

Typical duties are:

  • Generation of clean gases
  • Gas recycling
  • Generation of clean vent gas
  • Recovery of hydrocarbons, fragrance, aroma from gas