Influence of adding salt on ultrasonic atomization in an ethanol–water solution

Ethanol was enriched by ultrasonic atomization. Enrichment ratios were increased by adding salt to the ethanol solution. Different enrichment ratios were observed for different types of salts in a range of low ethanol concentrations. The enrichment ratio was significantly improved by adding K2CO3 or (NH4)2SO4. It is concluded that this is due to enhanced interfacial adsorption of the ethanol. Addition of Na2CO3 to the ethanol solution also enhanced the interfacial adsorption of the ethanol, but the effect was relatively small. Addition of NaCl to the ethanol solution did not enhance the interfacial adsorption of the ethanol.