Ethanol

 

Content – Other fuels

 


 
Both ethanol and methanol may be used as substitute for or blended with gasoline (may also be used in diesel engines provided required modifications are being made). Ethanol is the most commonly used of the two.

Ethanol, ethyl alcohol or alcohol has the chemical formula C2H5OH and the structural fomula CH3CH2OH.

Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with a slight chemical odor. It is used as an antiseptic, a solvent, and a fuel.

Ethanol burns in oxygen, including open air, forming carbon dioxide and water. Chemical reaction:

C2H5OH + 3 O2 → 2 CO2 + 3 H2O

CO2 emission:
Burning 1 kg Ethanol (mol weigth – 46 g/mol) generates 1,9 kg Carbon dioxide (CO2) (mol weight – 44 g/mol) which is far less than by burning most hydrocarbons.

Production of ethanol
Ethanol is produced as a petrochemical through the hydration of ethylene and by biological processes, by fermenting sugars with yeast.

Ethanol for use as an industrial feedstock or synthetic ethanol is made from petrochemical feed stocks, primarily by the acid-catalyzed hydration of ethylene. Chemical reaction:

C2H4 + H2O → C2H5OH

The catalyst is usually phosphoric acid adsorbed onto silica gel or diatomaceous earth.

Fermentation – Ethanol in alcoholic beverages and fuel is produced by fermentation normally followed by distillation to reach desired ethanol concentration.

C6H12O6 → 2 C2H5OH + 2 CO2
C12H22O11 + H2O → 4 C2H5OH + 4 CO2