The aim of this study was to combine a simulation study with an experimental in the investigation of intermediate heat exchange as a method to change the distribution of the driving forces in the column where the number of trays is kept constant. It was applied to a pilot plant sieve tray distillation column for a binary separation of ethanol from n-propanol. Intermediate heat exchange has been accomplished experimentally, both in the stripping section and in the rectifying section. When comparing experimental results to simulation results the inclusion of the tray efficiency is of interest. The results show that intermediate heat exchange can be used to improve the recovery, the separation capacity and to decrease the entropy production if the points of sidestream withdrawal and sidestream return are chosen properly. It is important that the heat exchanged liquid stream returned as vapour enters at a position in the column where the vapour phase has the same composition.