Multi-stage, adsorption process for separating organic liquids from water

A two-stage adsorption process for separating alcohols from an alcohol-water solution, comprising:

• (a) passing the feedstream solution containing 5-30 W % alcohol through a bed of particulate-activated, carbon-adsorbent material, and adsorbing at least about 50 W % alcohol on the carbon;
• (b) withdrawing an unadsorbed liquid stream containing mainly water;
• (c) terminating the adsorption in the activated carbon bed, then heating said bed to temperature range of 50.degree.-100.degree. C. and preferentially desorbing the alcohol in vapor form from the carbon;
• (d) withdrawing a vapor stream from step (c) having an increased concentration of alcohol relative to the feedstream, and passing the resulting vapor containing at least about 55 W % alcohol through a second-stage bed of a zeolite-adsorbent material to substantially adsorb the remaining water vapor;
• (e) withdrawing from the second-stage adsorbent bed a product vapor stream containing at least about 95 W % purity alcohol;
• and
• (f) heating the adsorbent material in the second-stage bed to desorb the water vapor and regenerate the adsorbent for reuse.