| 摘要 |
<p>A method of increasing the concentration of alcohol, the method including the steps of: passing a first mixture comprising water and alcohol from a first vessel 20 into a cooler 60; cooling the first mixture in the cooler 60 to produce a slurry comprising water, alcohol and ice; returning the slurry to the first vessel 20; and separating at least a portion of the ice from the slurry to produce a second mixture comprising water and alcohol, such that the concentration of alcohol in the second mixture is greater than the concentration of alcohol in the first mixture. Preferably the separating step comprises a holding step involving leaving the slurry, after the cooling step, for a period of time to allow the ice to accumulate preferentially at the top of the mixture. Preferably the separating step comprises a transfer step involving transferring either the ice, or the second mixture, into a separate vessel such that a predominantly ice mixture is in one vessel or holder and the second mixture is in a separate vessel or holder. An apparatus for increasing the concentration of alcohol is also provided wherein the apparatus comprises (i) a first vessel 20; a cooler 60 and a return line 24 from a first cooler back to the first vessel.</p> |
