Global Information Source for Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Allied Industries
ETHYL ALCOHOL (ETHANOL).
Ethyl alcohol is a clear, coluorless, mobile volatile liquid.
Molecular formula
C2H5OH
Alternate name
Ethyl alcohol
CAS No.
64-17-5
Odour
Characteristic and spirituous
Application
Ethyl alcohol has major uses as follows
- Industrial alcohol
- Potable alcohol
- Fuel alcohol (blending with petrol)
- Miscellaneous uses including pharmaceutical sector, as antiseptic in hospital etc
Grades of ethyl alcohol
Grade | Purity |
---|---|
Rectified spirit | 95.5% |
Extra neutral alcohol | 94 to 96% |
Absolute alcohol / Anhydrous alcohol | 99.5% |
Process outline
The process adopted for ethyl alcohol production can be divided broadly into the following categories:
- The petrochemical routes, which include production by indirect or direct hydration of ethylene
- The routes that use renewable sources, including sugar cane molasses, beat sugar molasses, cane juices, liquid glucose, fruit juices, starch materials like wheat, barley, potato, tapioca cereals, paddy straw etc
Global Scenario
Global capacity
12870 millions of gallons per annum
Brazil and USA together account for 70% of the ethanol produced globally.