The Fischer-Tropsch Process
The Fischer-Tropsch Process is a synthetic production method that was founded on the idea that in the synthesis of methanol, ethanol is a major by-product. The reaction is carbon monoxide and hydrogen over iron catalysts creates Ethanol.
Surfuric Acid Hydration of Ethylene
Another synthetic production is called the Sulfuric Acid Hydration of Ethylene. In this process Ethylene is treated with concentrated sulfuric acid, which produces ethyl hydrogen sulfate and diethylsulfate.These products are hydrolyzed to ethyl alcohol and dilute sulfuric acid.
Reaction of Steam and Ethylene
Another way to produce ethanol is the reaction of Ethene (C2H4) with steam. This chemical reaction can be written as: C2H4 + H2O –> C5H5OH.
Industrial Fermentation
Industrial Fermentation is yet another process to make Ethanol. Yeast is added to a sucrose solution and is heated. The enzyme invertase, which is present in yeast, acts as a catalyst to convert the sucrose into glucose or fructose. This process can be written in the chemical equation: C12H22O11 + H2O –> invertase C6H12O6 + C6H12O6.
The glucose (C6H12O6 ) and fructose (C6H12O6) also known as hexose sugars are formed and then are converted into Ethanol and carbon dioxide by another enzyme called zymase. This chemical reaction is: C6H12O6 zymase–> 2C5H5OH +2CO2.
Fermentation of Starch Method
Simular to the industrial fermentation, the Fermentation of Starch Method also uses the microorganisms known as yeast. This fermentation process will take three days at a within the constant range of 250¾C and 300¾C. The ethanol can then be obtained through fractional distillation. This method relies on raw materials such as corn (which is predominantly used to make ethanol since it is one of the most abundant crops in the United States), oats, barley, wheat, milo, sugar beats, sugar cane, potatoes or cassava. This process requires the conservation of a starch as a sugar (hexose) which is in turn converted into alcohol by yeast. The alcohol is distilled and any water is removed until the alcohol is 200 proof.