Multi-column distillation followed by molecular sieve adsorption is currently the standard method for producing fuel grade ethanol from dilute fermentation broths in modern corn-to-ethnol facilities.
As the liquid biofuels industry transitions to lignocellulosic feedstocks, expands the end product portfolio to include other alcohols, and encounters more dilute alcohol concerntrations, alternative separation technologies which are more energy efficient than the conventional approach will be in demand.