Absorption-assisted pervaporation for solvent dehydration

A novel process configuration for pervaporation and vapor permeation is presented. In this process the permeation driving force is realized by absorbing the permeate vapor into a suitable solution with a very low vapor pressure. The refrigeration needed for condensation in the conventional process can be overcome and cost savings could be achieved. Very low-vacuum pressures can be reached without any permeate freezing limitations. Preliminary simulations and feasibility investigations for the suggested process are presented and discussed.