This paper presents a simulation study of an ethanol-water distillation column with vapour recompression. The compression of the overhead vapour from the distillation column and the use of condensing vapours to reboil the bottom products were modelled. Predicted results were compared with those from a simulation model for an ethanol-water distillation column assisted by an external heat pump, as previously developed by the authors. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.