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A simple vacuum distillation system as exemplified above can be used, whereby the vacuum is replaced with an inert gas after the distillation is complete. However, this is a less satisfactory system if one desires to collect fractions under a reduced pressure.
Distillation, widely used in petroleum refining and in purification of ethanol separates volatile liquids on the basis of their relative volatilities. There are several type of distillation: simple distillation, steam distillation etc. Water purification combines a number of methods to produce potable or drinking water.
Ethanol (also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol) is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH 3 CH 2 OH. It is an alcohol, with its formula also written as C 2 H 5 OH, C 2 H 6 O or EtOH, where Et stands for ethyl. Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with a characteristic wine-like ...
In this example, a mixture of 96% ethanol and 4% water boils at 78.2 °C (172.8 °F); the mixture is more volatile than pure ethanol. For this reason, ethanol cannot be completely purified by direct fractional distillation of ethanol–water mixtures. The apparatus is assembled as in the diagram.
Since ethanol boils at a much lower temperature than water, simple distillation can separate ethanol from water by applying heat to the mixture. Historically, a copper vessel was used for this purpose, since copper removes undesirable sulfur-based compounds from the alcohol.
For example, if the gas entering the condenser is a mixture of 25% ethanol vapor and 75% carbon dioxide (by moles) at 100 kPa (typical atmospheric pressure), the condensation surface must be kept below 48 °C, the boiling point of ethanol at 25 kPa.
The dominant ethanol feedstock in warmer regions is sugarcane. [8] In temperate regions, corn or sugar beets are used. [8] [9] In the United States, the main feedstock for the production of ethanol is currently corn. [8] Approximately 2.8 gallons of ethanol are produced from one bushel of corn (0.42 liter per kilogram).
A well-known example of a positive azeotrope is an ethanol–water mixture (obtained by fermentation of sugars) consisting of 95.63% ethanol and 4.37% water (by mass), which boils at 78.2 °C. [10] Ethanol boils at 78.4 °C, water boils at 100 °C, but the azeotrope boils at 78.2 °C, which is lower than either of its constituents. [11]