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Ethanol Production Process and Applications

May. 18, 2022

Ethanol is one of the most used organic chemicals in industry and consumer products. The main industrial use of this fatty alcohol is as an intermediate and solvent in the production of other chemicals. Ethanol is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, plastics, paints, polishes, plasticizers and cosmetics. Let's see where ethanol is used in our lives.


Production processes

Ethanol is produced by two main processes: the fermentation of carbohydrates and the hydration of _ethylene. Fermentation involves the conversion of carbohydrates into ethanol by culturing yeast cells. The main raw materials used in fermentation to produce industrial alcohol are sugar crops such as sugar beets and sugar cane and grain crops such as corn. Hydration of ethylene is achieved by passing a mixture of ethylene and a large amount of excess steam through an acidic catalyst at high temperature and pressure.

The ethanol produced by fermentation or synthesis is obtained as a dilute aqueous solution that must be distilled by graded concentration. Direct distillation gives a constant boiling point mixture containing up to 95.6% by weight of ethanol. Dehydration of the constant boiling point mixture yields anhydrous or anhydrous alcohol. Ethanol used for industrial purposes is usually denatured, usually with methanol, benzene or kerosene.

Ethanol, also known as alcohol, ethyl alcohol and grain alcohol, is a clear, colorless liquid that is a major component of alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine or brandy. Because it is readily soluble in water and other organic compounds, ethanol is also an ingredient in a range of products, from personal care and beauty products to paints and varnishes to fuels.


Ethanol Production Process and Applications


Life Applications

Personal Care

Ethanol is a common ingredient in many cosmetic and beauty products. It acts as an astringent, helps cleanse the skin, acts as a preservative in lotions, helps ensure that lotion ingredients do not separate, and helps hairspray adhere to hair.

Because ethanol is effective in killing microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, it is a common ingredient in many hand sanitizers. Maintaining hand hygiene is also an important part of helping to stop the spread of COVID-19. Using hand sanitizer or hand sanitizer containing alcohol helps inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19.


Household products

Ethanol mixes readily with water and many organic compounds and is an effective solvent for use in paints, varnishes and lacquers, as well as personal care and household cleaning products. As an additive to cleaning products, ethanol is also used as a preservative because it is effective in removing organisms that may pose a risk to consumers.


Food Additive

As a food additive, ethanol can help evenly distribute food coloring and enhance the flavor of food extracts. For example, vanilla extract is a common food flavoring agent that is made by marinating and processing vanilla beans in a solution of ethanol and water. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only allows vanilla to be called an "extract" when it contains an alcohol or ethanol base.


Fuel

More than 98% of U.S. gasoline contains ethanol, usually in a blend called E10, which consists of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, to oxidize the fuel and reduce air pollution. Compared to gasoline, ethanol use reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 44-52% - even including hypothetical land use change emissions. By replacing hydrocarbons such as aromatics in gasoline, ethanol also helps reduce airborne emissions of toxics, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and exhaust hydrocarbons.


Producing food

Ethanol biorefineries produce more than just fuel; they also produce highly nutritious animal feed, such as wine lees. The residuals from the plants are also used to make animal feed. The low cost and nutritional properties of wine lees have made them one of the most popular feed ingredients in the world.


Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with a slight characteristic odor. It is a psychoactive substance and is the principal active ingredient found in alcoholic drinks. Please contact XINLONGWEI to buy the ethanol, and we offer great price for you.