Process for producing absolute alcohol by solvent extraction and vacuum distillation

A method for producing alcohol substantially free of water, comprising:

• extracting an aqueous alcohol solution with an organic solvent system comprising an organic solvent and an extractant for said alcohol selected from the group consisting of a symmetric or asymmetric alkyl or aryl phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphine oxide, a sulfoxide, a sulfone, an amine oxide or a quarternary ammonium or phosphonium salt in a ratio of 1 to 10 parts by weight solvent to one part by weight extractant, thereby forming an organic solvent-alcohol phase and an aqueous phase;
• heating said organic solvent-alcohol phase;
• vacuum distilling said heated organic solvent-alcohol phase thereby obtaining a substantially water free alcohol vapor;
• condensing and withdrawing heat from said alcohol vapor by a low pressure thermodynamic fluid;
• and
• transferring the heat in said low pressure thermodynamic fluid to the organic solvent-alcohol phase being sent to said vacuum distillation unit by means of a heat pump.