Manufacturing Ethanol - Organic

Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry

making ethanol by fermentation (conditions)

* anaerobic process
* sugars dissolved in water
* yeast
* 30-35 degrees celsius
* glucose → ethanol + carbon dioxide
* concentrated by fractional distillation

what are the advantages to fermentation?

* low energy
* cheap
* renewable

what are the disadvantages to fermentation?

* not pure
* slow process
* produces CO2

making ethanol by the hydration of ethene (conditions)

* ethene
* steam
* 70-80 atmospheres
* concentrated phosphoric acid (catalyst)
* 350-400 degrees celsius

what are the advantages to the hydration of ethene?

* quick
* 100% pure ethanol
* no waste
* doesn’t affect the food chain

what are the disadvantages to the hydration of ethene?

* high temperature - more energy needed
* non-renewable - from fossil fuels
* continuous