Ethanol Distillation

Ethanol distillation can only be discussed if we know that ethanol is a gasoline fuel additive made of domestically grown plant life such as corn and switchgrass. Plant life that is presently being grown here to feed live stock .Ethanol is thought to be better for the environment because plants absorb CO2 and the use of ethanol returns that CO2 back into the atmosphere. This exchange of CO2 leads to cleaner air and the reduction of greenhouse gasses.

Ethanol is a grain alcohol and there has been an interest in the use of alcohol as a fuel additive for a long time. The interest in alcohol as a fuel additive is especially noticeable when there is a fuel shortage or when grain prices are low. Although there are disadvantages to using alcohol as a fuel additive the argument for it is the fact that alcohol burns completely and the efficiency of combustion is increased. Alcohol as a fuel additive increases the octane and reduces carbon monoxide emission. Therefore, ethanol distillation is compared to grain alcohol distillation.

The plant life used to produce ethanol contains starch as do most plants. This starch must be converted to sugar which is then fermented in order to properly distill ethanol.  This conversion process and the cost of grain for its use is costly and the use of co products is seriously being considered. The use of certain woods is being considered since the residue of both hardwoods and softwoods contain the sugars necessary for the fermentation and eventually distillation of ethanol.

In the distillation process you will need a fifty five gallon drum, plumbing equipment (pipes, elbows, etc.) welding tools, sulfuric acid, water , sodium hydroxide,yeast and sawdust for conversion to alcohol. Begin by pouring the sawdust into the drum but do not fill the drum and pour the sulfuric acid over the sawdust. This combination will turn into a bubbling tar like product (may look like something out of sci fi movie)   Let this mixture set for a couple of days and you may then pour in the yeast. .When you add the yeast be sure to add enough water to raise the ph level in order to avoid explosions from occurring. The proper procedure is to add the mixture to the water rather than the water to the chemical mixture.  When the proper ph level is reached then add the yeast and let it stand for two or three days for the fermentation process.  When the fermentation process is complete you will have to remove all of the tar like stuff that is in the mixture. When this is removed you can then cause the distillation process to begin by pouring it through the still. The opinion here is that although most of the equipment needed for ethanol distillation is readily available in hardware stores and grocery stores the process is just too much like hard work.

In conclusion, leave it to the experts and buy the Ethanol it’s easier.