Adsorption of ethanol-water mixtures by biomass materials.

Data are presented which show that a variety of polysaccharide-type materials are capable of separating water from ethanol, and hence, are potential adsorbents for dehydrating ethanol. It appears that the capacity for cornmeal to remove water from ethanol arises from the starch and fiber components of grain while the protein component is less important. Given the adsorption properties of both starchy and cellulosic materials, grains and other biomass, they should have desirable properties for separating water from alcohol. Grains such as barley, rice, and biomass materials such as wood chips, grasses, and corncobs are likely candidates. (JMT)