How to make ethanol

Ethyl alcohol, or more commonly known as ethanol is a transparent liquid which could be used for many purposes including as an antiseptic and when used as a fuel, gives an extreme performance and the exhaust emissions are surprisingly clean, even more than diesel or gas.

Henry Ford, who designed the first Model T, made it run on ethanol. Although he believed that this fuel would be our future, this has not been the case. For many years now, ethanol has been made from the fermentation and distillation of plants that contain carbohydrates such as starch. The plants include sugar cane, wheat, potatoes, corns and the peelings of fruits and vegetables. You can learn how to make ethanol at home in five easy steps. The first and foremost thing you need is any one of the items from the above stated crops. The five steps include Conversion, followed by Fermentation, Distillation, Filtration and finally Dehydration.

n the fist step, Conversion, carbohydrates are broken down into smaller monomers. This may be done by either grounding them, crushing them or add a biological catalyst, also called enzyme, to speed up the process of breaking down. Yeast, a microorganism, is added in the Fermentation stage after the feedstock has been ground. This microorganism reacts anaerobically further breaking down the sugars, and as a result alcohol is produced. With the help of a still, alcohol is separated from the rest of the solution. This process is called the distillation. Filtration is an essential part of this experiment, although sometimes people may seem to overlook it. It removes the water which is in excess and also any other unwanted substances.

The items you need for this experiment to work out are a vegetable or fruit (a potato), yeast, a plastic barrel with a cover and a hydrometer. Always make sure that the fruit, or vegetable you’re using is not overripe because this may result in unusual complications. Grind only as much potato extremely well so when you put it inside the barrel it is a little less than half full. This is to prevent spilling over during the second step.
Your choice of yeast will affect in the formation of your product. You may use off-the-counter yeast, but if it is possible then you may want to buy yeast which is resistant to ethanol from a supply store that makes wine. Add two packets of yeast to the potato, and using a hydrometer, check the sugar content of the mixture. Note down your readings and cover the lid of the barrel.

You may leave this mixture and barrel for a few days, but remember to note the readings of sugar content every day. You will note that each day the sugar level of the mixture is decreasing, and once when the entire sugar has been broken down, which may take around two weeks; you have to follow distillation readily. Once you have achieved that, all you’re left with is drying. You can small quantities of ethanol using a vacuum filter. And your ethanol is ready to use.

source: biofuelswatch