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The types of ethyl alcohol include:
Absolute Ethyl Alcohol
This is ethanol that contains at least 99.5% alcohol. This is because all the water has been removed through a process known as distillation. Under normal conditions, this type of alcohol is a clear and extremely pure liquid. It is widely used in the medical and cosmetic industries as a disinfectant and for making medicines and cosmetic products.
Denatured Ethyl Alcohol
This is ethanol that is not intended for human consumption because it is mixed with additives or chemicals that make it poisonous or unpleasant to drink. These chemicals are acetone, methanol, and isopropanol, to mention a few. People use denatured alcohol mainly for industrial purposes such as making solvents, fuels, and cleaning agents. This is available cheaply and is widely used to manufacture products that contain a high concentration of alcohol but are not meant for drinking, such as hand sanitizers and some industrial adhesives.
Hydrous Ethyl Alcohol
Hydrous ethyl alcohol contains about 95% ethanol and 5% water. It is produced by distillation, which is the process of removing excess water. It is commonly used in the beverage alcohol industry and as a solvent in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. It is also converted into ethyl alcohol fuel.
Synthetic Ethyl Alcohol
Most ethyl alcohol is produced through the fermentation of sugarcane, grain, and other organic crops. However, Ethyl alcohol can also be produced synthetically by chemical processes that involve breaking down ethylene, a petrochemical compound derived from crude oil. This synthetic ethanol is cheaper to produce and therefore widely available in many industrial applications. Nevertheless, it is less commonly used as a beverage or pharmaceutical alcohol because of concerns about purity and quality.
Mapl
Mapl, as the name suggests, is manufactured by fermenting sugarcane or sugar and distilling the product to obtain an alcohol that is 95% pure. It is mainly used in industries that require high purity alcohol. Mapl is, for example, used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, industrial solvents, and chemical manufacturing.
Ethyl alcohol is made of the following ingredients:
Natural Sources
Ethyl alcohol is made from natural plant-based sources through a process called fermentation. This involves yeast, which is a microorganism that converts sugars into alcohol through the process of fermentation. The sugars found in starch-rich plants like grains, sugarcane, and fruits are captured by yeast to make ethanol. Yeast, by the way, has been used for centuries in winemaking, brewing, and distilling. That is the fermentation process. Anaerobic fermentation involves the use of yeast to produce carbon dioxide and ethanol as by-products.
Chemical Processes
Though Ethyl alcohol is primarily made from fermentation, it can also be produced synthetically through a chemical process that involves the combination of ethylene, which is a petrochemical compound derived from crude oil, and water. This process is called hydration of ethylene and involves the use of a catalyst to combine ethylene and water to produce ethyl alcohol. This method provides a more controlled and possibly cheaper production process, especially on a large scale. However, it is often used to produce industrial-grade ethyl alcohol rather than pharmaceutical or beverage-grade alcohol, which is derived from fermentation.
Yeast
As mentioned earlier, yeast is a microorganism that plays a vital role in fermentation by converting sugars into alcohol. There are various strains of yeast used depending on the type of alcohol being produced. For instance, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the most commonly used yeast in winemaking and brewing because it is so effective at converting sugar into alcohol.
Sugars
Sugars from the natural plant-based sources mentioned above are the main ingredients used by yeast in the fermentation process. These sugars are either glucose or fructose, which are broken down by yeast to produce ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. Different plants have varying sugar concentrations. For instance, sugarcane and grapes have high sugar concentration, which is why they are used for ethanol production.
The industrial applications of ethyl alcohol include:
Pharmaceutical Industry
Ethyl alcohol is used in the pharmaceutical industry to make medications and medical tinctures due to its effectiveness in dissolving active ingredients without degrading them. Ethyl alcohol is also used for sterilizing medical instruments and surfaces since it can effectively kill microorganisms and pathogens.
Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Ethyl alcohol is a common ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products, such as lotions, creams, and perfumes. This is because it works as a solvent to dissolve other ingredients and help them penetrate the skin. Ethyl alcohol is also used in hand sanitizers and other antimicrobial products because of its ability to kill germs.
Industrial Solvents
Ethyl alcohol is used to make paints, coatings, and adhesives in the manufacturing and chemical industries. It acts as a solvent that dissolves other substances to form a mixture. Ethyl alcohol is also used as a fuel or fuel additive in some engines. Ethyl alcohol helps to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses, especially when used as a gasoline or diesel replacement.
Food and Beverage Industry
In the food industry, ethyl alcohol is used in extracting flavors, such as vanilla, by dissolving flavor compounds without destroying them. Ethyl alcohol is also used to produce vinegar and other beverages like beer, wine, and spirits through fermentation. Ethyl alcohol acts as a preservative in foods and beverages by inhibiting the growth of spoiling microorganisms.
Laboratory Use
Ethyl alcohol is used in laboratories as a cleaning agent for equipment and surfaces to remove contaminants and residue. It is used in various experiments and tests as a solvent or reagent. Ethyl alcohol is sometimes used in DNA and RNA extraction because it helps to precipitate these nucleic acids from biological samples.
Fuel Production
Ethyl alcohol is produced by fermenting starch and sugar and then purifying the resulting liquid through distillation to produce fuel ethanol. Fuel ethanol is an affordable, renewable, and environmentally friendly source of energy to mitigate the effects of climate change and the emission of greenhouse gasses.
Here are key product specifications for ethyl alcohol:
Composition
Pure ethyl alcohol is made of C2H6O molecules, which are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. The carbon concentration in this alcohol is usually around 52%, while the hydrogen concentration is about 13% and oxygen approximately 21%. Occasionally, water and other additives may be be present.
Concentration/Purity
Ethyl alcohol intended for pharmaceutical, beverage, and industrial use typically ranges from 95% to 99.9% purity. Medical-grade ethanol is usually 70%-90% concentration, while fuel ethanol is often 95% pure due to the possible loss of water during storage and transport.
Physical State
Boiling Point
The boiling point of ethanol is approximately 78.5 °C (173.1 °F). The exact boiling point depends on the purity and presence of impurities. For instance, the boiling point of hydrous ethanol is slightly higher because of the 5% water.
Flash Point
Ethanol flashpoint varies considerably with its concentration. For example, 99.9% pure ethanol has a flash point of about 13 °C (55 °F), while 70% ethanol has a flash point of 22 °C (72 °F). Lower concentration requires higher flash point and is therefore safer.
Reactivity
Ethyl alcohol is relatively stable, but it can react with certain chemicals like strong oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate and nitric acid. These reactions can produce harmful by-products and should only be done by professionals in controlled environments.
Solubility
Ethanol is highly soluble in water because of its ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. It is also soluble in organic solvents like acetone and ether.
Here are some key points to consider when choosing ethyl alcohol:
Grade
Choose the right ethyl alcohol grade that is suitable for the intended purpose. Beverage and pharmaceutical products should preferably use pharmaceutical or pure ethyl alcohol. Industrial cleaning and extraction can use denatured or industrial-grade alcohol.
Purity
Ensure the purity level is appropriate for the intended use. The purity level for beverage and pharmaceutical products should be above 99%. For medical sanitizers, it should be 60%-90%. Fuel and industrial applications can have lower purity due to other substance mixing.
Source
Choose suppliers that ethically source their raw materials for sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Check the labeling for traceable information on origin, production method, and certifications that confirm quality and safety standards compliance. Additionally, buy from suppliers renowned for consistent quality and reliable stock availability.
Storage and Handling
Get information on Ethyl alcohol safe storage and handling procedures to prevent ethyl alcohol from degrading or contaminating. This is especially true for denatured alcohol containing poisonous additives that may volatilize or degrade it over time. Such information is key to stock longevity and workforce safety.
Specifications and testing
Check product specifications such as boiling and flash points and other key information relevant to the intended application. Additionally, ask for a certificate of analysis from the manufacturer that shows the product has been sampled and tested in a laboratory for quality assurance.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensure the product and label information meets local and international regulatory requirements for the specific intended use. This can help prevent legal issues and ensure safety. Ethyl alcohol used for different purposes must comply with distinct regulations, so it is worth the energy confirming that purity and product type.
A1. Ethyl alcohol is an effective antiseptic that kills harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi on the skin
A2. They are the same because ethyl alcohol and ethanol are interchangeable names for the same chemical compound.
A3. No, rubbing alcohol is usually a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol, although some formulations contain solely isopropyl or ethyl alcohol.
A4. Ethyl alcohol denaturation makes it undrinkable by adding bitter and toxic substances like methanol and acetone. This allows it to be exempted from paying taxes as a drug when used for industrial purposes, which reduces costs.
A5. Some dangers of using ethyl alcohol include flammability, toxicity, and adverse reactions with other chemicals and medications. There is also potential for addiction when abused.
