Ethanol production
This article deals around the production of ethanol.
Fermentation[edit | edit source]
See Ethanol-based hand sanitizer + include fermentation from other crops (ie grain, ...)
Distillation[edit | edit source]
To make ethanol, commercial devices are available,[1] ie Mr. Distiller which is a countertop appliance about the size of a large coffee machine</ref>, but diy-still designs have now also become available via the internet.[2][3][4] Popular diy stills include pot stills, and reflux stills. The latter may be equipped with a long fractionating column for optimal efficiency. Another subtype is the crockpot-type still which uses ice for cooling , and stills that use either worms or jacketed cores as condensors.[5]
A DIY reflux still with fractionating column (instant 94% ethanol) can be made with metal tubing and a pot still. See this website
The "two dollar crockpot still" is a cheap diy-still made out of a crock pot, a piece of 1/4 inch copper tubing and a plastic milk jug filled with ice.[6]
Note that a reboiler may or may not be present in the design. Also note that some stills are heated using wood[7] However, as ethanol tends to be best distilled at 77°C-78°C,[8] the use of gas or electricity may be preferred as it allows more accurate temperature control.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Small scale distillation is practiced by many for the purpose of making moonshine,[9][10] although sometimes it is also practiced for creating (bio)fuel.[11]
For AT-purposes, ethanol is also useful as it can be used in healthcare: this in the intrest of disinfection (see Ethanol-based hand sanitizer) and as an ingredient in making tinctures. Finally, ethanol is also a good preservative, hence increasing the shelf life of certain foods/beverages.
See also[edit | edit source]
- Alcohol fuels
- Ethanol-based hand sanitizer
- Amal's ethanol still
- Nixon-Stone still: a popular reflux still for home use[12][13]
- Adam’s still: a historically important reflux still[14]
- Corty’s still: a historically important reflux still[15]
- Cellier-Blumenthal still: a historically important reflux still[16]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ http://www.milehidistilling.com/mr-distiller/ "Mr. Distiller" priced at $230]
- ↑ Photos of diy stills
- ↑ Instructables still-designs
- ↑ Jorneytoforever still
- ↑ Popular diy home stills and practical building
- ↑ Crockpot still
- ↑ Wood-fired still
- ↑ Mini still explained: making the mash
- ↑ Moonshining
- ↑ Moonshining and diy stills
- ↑ Biofuel-still design
- ↑ Nixon-Stone stills
- ↑ Moonshine Still: another Nixon-Stone still
- ↑ Historical stills
- ↑ Historical stills
- ↑ Historical stills
