An economic analysis was performed comparing different processes for the dehydration of isopropanol/water. Traditional azeotropic distillation was compared with a hybrid system consisting of distillation followed by pervaporation and a hybrid system consisting of distillation followed by pervaporation followed by a second distillation. In the hybrid combinations pervaporation with both polymeric (PERVAP(R) 2510, Sulzer Chemtech GmbH) and ceramic membranes (NaA type zeolite, Mitsui & Co.) was investigated. Both membranes were tested for the dehydration of isopropanol at 70 and 90degreesC. Based on these experimental results, calculations were performed with the PV design calculation program (RWTH Aachen) to obtain economic data on the pervaporation processes. For the simulations of the distillation processes, Aspen Plus 11.1 was used. It was found that the hybrid system distillation-pervaporation with ceramic membranes was the most interesting process from economic point of view and could lead to a saving in total costs of 49% compared to azeotropic distillation. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.