{"id":29761,"key":"Ethanol_production","title":"Ethanol production","latest":{"id":1208732,"timestamp":"2025-11-28T00:44:41Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"[[File:Corn vs Ethanol production.webp|thumb]]\n\nThis article deals around the production of [[ethanol]].\n\n== Fermentation ==\n\nSee [[Ethanol-based hand sanitizer]]\n+ include fermentation from other crops (ie grain, ...)\n\n== Distillation ==\n\nTo make ethanol, commercial devices are available,<ref>http://www.milehidistilling.com/mr-distiller/ \"Mr. Distiller\" priced at $230]</ref> 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.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20120210152534/http://homedistiller.org/photos-ns.htm Photos of diy stills]</ref><ref>[http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-still/ Instructables still-designs]</ref><ref>[http://journeytoforever.org/ethanol_still.html Jorneytoforever still]</ref> 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 [[worm]]s or jacketed cores as condensors.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20120126094030/http://homedistiller.org:80/designs.htm Popular diy home stills and practical building]</ref>\n\nA DIY reflux still with fractionating column (instant 94% ethanol) can be made with metal tubing and a pot still. See [http://www.geocities.com/hankmcintyre/Moonshine.html this website]\n\nThe \"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.<ref>[http://www.happymountain.net/moonshine%20still.html Crockpot still]</ref>\n\nNote that a reboiler may or may not be present in the design. Also note that some stills are heated using wood<ref>[http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/ethanol_motherearth/meCh7.html Wood-fired still]</ref> However, as ethanol tends to be best distilled at 77°C-78°C,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190718155532/https://homedistiller.org/image/mini_explained.jpg Mini still explained: making the mash]</ref> the use of gas or electricity may be preferred as it allows more accurate temperature control.\n\n== Applications ==\n\nSmall scale distillation is practiced by many for the purpose of making moonshine,<ref>[http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/ht/ethanol.htm Moonshining]</ref><ref>[http://www.geocities.com/hankmcintyre/Moonshine.html Moonshining and diy stills]</ref> although sometimes it is also practiced for creating (bio)fuel.<ref>[http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn/ESSN-Oct2005.pdf Biofuel-still design]</ref>\n\nFor 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.\n\n== See also ==\n\n* [[Alcohol fuels]]\n* [[Ethanol-based hand sanitizer]]\n* [[Amal's ethanol still]]\n* Nixon-Stone still: a popular reflux still for home use<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20190717142425/https://homedistiller.org/equip/photos-ns Nixon-Stone stills]</ref><ref>[http://moonshine-still.com/table-of-contents/ Moonshine Still: another Nixon-Stone still]</ref>\n* Adam’s still: a historically important reflux still<ref>[http://moonshine-still.com/reflux-stills/ Historical stills]</ref>\n* Corty’s still: a historically important reflux still<ref>[http://moonshine-still.com/reflux-stills/ Historical stills]</ref>\n* Cellier-Blumenthal still: a historically important reflux still<ref>[http://moonshine-still.com/reflux-stills/ Historical stills]</ref>\n\n== References ==\n\n<references />\n\n== External links ==\n\n* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractionating_column\n* http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn/ESSN-Oct2005.pdf\n* [http://www.green-trust.org/freebooks/ Free e-books on making your own ethanol]\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n}}\n\n[[Category:Energy storage]]\n[[Category:Health care]]\n[[Category:Alcohol fuels]]"}