Ethanol
and its Many Uses
Ethanol has an extreme number of varying uses depending on what is added
to the chemical compound and at what stage in the process of making ethanol
that the products are used.
Water and ethylene combine to create Ethanol. Ethanol has many uses including a solvent used in after-shave lotions, perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, dyes, paints, resins. It is also used in methylated spirits such as medicated chapsticks. Plastics also have ethanol as one of there “ingredients.” Even the pharmaceutical industry uses ethanol in drugs such as Anesthesia. Fuels, beverages, textiles, fluid in thermometer and the preserving agent for biological specimens all require the use of Ethanol. Ethanol is also an environmentally friendly fuel.
Ethanol and Oxygen combine to create acetic acid. Acetic acid is used to make synthetic fibers. Ethylene and Bromine create Dibromoethane which is used as an octane booster for motor fuels . It prevents the gas from igniting too fast and causing “knocking”. “Knocking” reduces the engines performance.
Ethylene is also used to artificially ripen fruit.
Ethylene plus ethanol combines to form polyethylene
which has an assortment of uses. Polyethylene is used for packaging in
such things as cling film, carrier bags, bottles. It is also used for
molded articles such as buckets, beakers, kitchen-ware. Pipes, insulating
cables, clothing and photographic film would not be possible to make if
it were not for polyethylene.
Ethylene plus benzene equals polystyrene which is used in ceiling tiles, wall insulation, packaging, nylon. Nylon is used in clothes, carpets, tennis racket string, fishing nets. Car tires, latex paints and computer disks are also dependent upon polysterene.
Ethylene and chlorine make PVC which is used for insulating material and protective coverings for gas and water pipe, insulating cables. It is also used in roof fitting, window frame, floor tiles, wallpaper, curtains, furniture upholstery, car interior trim, rainwear, protective clothing, shoes, fumigant, degreaser, and refrigerant. Naptha, which is a chain of 8-12 carbons, and can be made into auto fuel, plastics, pesticides, and fertilizers.