Zeolite Membrane (ZEBREX邃｢) Dehydration System Starts Operation at US Aemetis Bioethanol Refining Plant: New dehydration system reduces energy consumption by more than 20% compared to the conventional system
October 4, 2022
The Mitsubishi Chemical Group(the MCG Group) hereby announces that Aemetis, Inc.(Aemetis; Headquarters: California, USA) has adopted the MCG Group’s zeolite membrane (ZEBREX™) dehydration system at the bioethanol refining plant and started operation in August 2022. The system installed in the plant has produced a larger volume of bioethanol than any other zeolite membrane dehydration system in the world.
Bioethanol must be dehydrated to a concentration of 99% or higher for use as a fuel. In the dehydration process, there is great demand to reduce energy consumption. ZEBREX™ is capable of separating and removing water molecules selectively through the homogeneous pores of the zeolite membrane and of operating continuously, unlike the conventional batch dehydration system that uses the PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) method.
By switching from the PSA method to the ZEBREX™ dehydration system, Aemetis achieved more than 20% energy consumption reduction at its bioethanol refining plant. The system also contributes to lower operating costs and stable operation of the entire plant, as well as reducing CO2 emissions.
ZEBREX™ can be used for dehydration of various organic solvents in addition to ethanol. Through the energy-saving technology of ZEBREX™, the MCG Group will contribute to the promotion of efficient production and use of resources and energy.
Reference: Zeolite membrane dehydration process
Zeolite membrane
Aemetis ZEBREXTM dehydration system (at Keyes plant in California)
Aemetis Keyes plant in California
Bioethanol must be dehydrated to a concentration of 99% or higher for use as a fuel. In the dehydration process, there is great demand to reduce energy consumption. ZEBREX™ is capable of separating and removing water molecules selectively through the homogeneous pores of the zeolite membrane and of operating continuously, unlike the conventional batch dehydration system that uses the PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) method.
By switching from the PSA method to the ZEBREX™ dehydration system, Aemetis achieved more than 20% energy consumption reduction at its bioethanol refining plant. The system also contributes to lower operating costs and stable operation of the entire plant, as well as reducing CO2 emissions.
ZEBREX™ can be used for dehydration of various organic solvents in addition to ethanol. Through the energy-saving technology of ZEBREX™, the MCG Group will contribute to the promotion of efficient production and use of resources and energy.
Reference: Zeolite membrane dehydration process
Zeolite membrane
Aemetis ZEBREXTM dehydration system (at Keyes plant in California)
Aemetis Keyes plant in California
