The adsorption capability of paddy flour and maize flour for gaseous phase selective adsorption for ethanol dehydration was investigated via a bench-test fixed-bed adsorber at constant temperature. Ethanol concentration in the feed was 93.4%(mass) and each of the dried biomass was used as adsorbent

and breakthrough curves and temperature distribution in adsorptive bed were obtained for different bed depths

superficial velocities

granularities of adsorbent and temperatures. Bed pressure drop curves for different bed depths and superficial velocities were also measured. A product of ethanol purity of 99.5%(mass) could be obtained through both kinds of biomass adsorbent. When 99.5%(mass) of ethanol purity is defined as the breakthrough point

the production capacity for either adsorbent was within 0.0915—0.2256 (gram product/gram adsorbent). Tests on pure ethanol adsorption were also performed to extrapolate the selectivity of both adsorbents.