| 摘要 |
An energy-efficient method and apparatus for the continuous production of ethanol comprises a continuous fermentation of sugars or other fermentable material (34) capable of being convened to ethanol by the enzyme action of yeast and a simultaneous low-pressure distillation to remove the ethanol and carbon dioxide formed during the fermentation. The evaporator or boiler (31) can be placed directly in the fermentation tank or it can be external to it. The pressure is adjusted in the system to cause the ethanol to boil at the fermentation temperature. Ethanol vapors, together with a portion of the carbon dioxide produced are compressed, passed through a heat exchanger (33) in the evaporator (31) where the ethanol condenses and gives up its heat to evaporate more ethanol in the fermenting liquid. Pressures and rates of flow are adjusted so that the rates of evaporation and of condensation are substantially equal. |
