Measurement of Vapor-Liquid Equilibria for Acetaldehyde-Ethanol-Water Mixtures

Abstract

The importance of vapor-liquid equilibrium data to the distilling industry and the lack of such data for the system acetaldehyde-ethanol-water were discussed.

A discussion of the apparatus used in obtaining vapor-liquid equilibrium values pointed out the necessity of modifying the original Gillespie still for this particular system. Each of the modifications incorporated into the still design is evaluated.

The experimental results reported bear out the validity of choosing the analytical method of Flanzy, Bouziques and Bouziques for ethanol determination, and that of Jaulmes and Dieuzede for acetaldehyde determination in the present study. Both give reliable results and are well adapted to this particular set of conditions.

A brief comparison with previously reported data for the binary mixture ethanol and water shows very close agreement, giving confidence that the still and the analytical methods used are reliable.

The vapor-liquid equilibrium data for the ternary system acetaldehyde-ethanolwater are presented in tabular and graphic form. The limited data obtained for this system appear accurate and reliable. However, a wider range of compositions needs to be covered, which will probably require an improved type of still.