The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 03, 2012
Filed:
Apr. 14, 2009
Robert C. Schucker, The Woodlands, TX (US);
Robert C. Schucker, The Woodlands, TX (US);
Trans Ionics Corporation, The Woodlands, TX (US);
Abstract
Methods for recovery of at least one alcohol from dilute aqueous alcohol feed streams are described. The methods include steps of a) providing a source of a dilute aqueous alcohol feed stream including at least one alcohol; b) substantially removing any solids from the dilute aqueous alcohol feed stream to form a feed stream substantially devoid of solids; c) circulating the feed stream substantially devoid of solids through a liquid-liquid extraction system having multiple equilibrium stages; d) recovering a raffinate phase substantially depleted in the at least one alcohol and an extract phase substantially enriched in the at least one alcohol; e) passing the extract phase to a recovery system wherein the extract phase is subjected to microwave radiation; f) recovering the volatilized product; and g) recycling the solvent to the liquid-liquid extraction system. The microwave radiation substantially heats the alcohol but not the solvent to form a volatilized product of substantially pure alcohol. The methods further include optional steps of removing any residual water from the substantially pure alcohol product to form a fuel-grade alcohol. The liquid-liquid extraction system can be a hydrophobic, microporous membrane extraction system having a plurality of hollow fibers.