Whitebeach
Active Member
Is it OK to use Bio ethanol instead of Everclear for making FECO?
Bio Ethanol
- Thread starter Whitebeach
- Start date
I found this at SydneySolvents...
Bioethanol vs. Ethanol
There are common misconceptions about the differences between Bioethanol and Ethanol. We get asked all the time if Bioethanol is more environmentally friendly than Ethanol, and the answer isn’t that straightforward.
In essence, Ethanol is grain alcohol. Chemically speaking, Bioethanol and Ethanol are the exact same compound as the chemical formula is identical. The difference between the two lies with the method in which they have been made. Bioethanol is considered to be made through a more eco-friendly process using the fermentation of contemporary materials such as sugar beets, corn, straw, and wood. Ethanol, or Synthetic Ethanol, is made from petrochemical feed stocks (akin to fossil fuels), primarily by the acid-catalysed hydration of ethylene.
Despite their source materials, Bioethanol and Ethanol function identically. They are particulate-free and relatively clean-burning fuel sources as there is a lot of oxygen in its chemical compound, regardless of the production process.
The decision between the two lies solely upon the source of the ethanol and whether or not that source is sustainable. Synthetic production which relies on fossil fuels is obviously a less-clean and sustainable production method. On the other hand, Bioethanol is made from organic and food sources, most commonly corn and sugarcane. However, this may not be sustainable either as valuable crops and cropland that could be used for food to consume are instead being burned as fuel.
New non-food alternatives are emerging though as tree trimmings, sawdust and agricultural residues like wheat straw and fast-growing grasses are being used to produce Ethanol.
So while Bioethanol and Ethanol aren't exactly perfect or entirely renewables sources of fuel, they are considerably cleaner and more environmentally friendly than traditional fuel sources like gasoline. Comparing them to each other though, Bioethanol is definitely 'greener' due to its source materials, but aside from that, they are identical solvents.
...it seems the operate the same. As far as safety for ingesting goes?
I also found this...
In the purest form it is actually 100% alcohol. Since heavy duty is levied on pure alcohol, bioethanol is artificially contaminated, or "denatured". ... In short: bioethanol is not toxic (but: do not drink because of the contamination that has been added!), not even when incinerated
...looks like bioethanol has been "denatured". I am not positive what they do, but ingesting denatured alcohol is bad.
Then I found what denatured alcohol is used for...
Denatured alcohol (also called methylated spirits, in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom; wood spirit; and denatured rectified spirit)[1] is ethanol that has additives to make it poisonous, bad-tasting, foul-smelling, or nauseating to discourage its recreational consumption.
...I am not positive WHAT they add, but I would consider another source if possible.
Bioethanol vs. Ethanol
There are common misconceptions about the differences between Bioethanol and Ethanol. We get asked all the time if Bioethanol is more environmentally friendly than Ethanol, and the answer isn’t that straightforward.
In essence, Ethanol is grain alcohol. Chemically speaking, Bioethanol and Ethanol are the exact same compound as the chemical formula is identical. The difference between the two lies with the method in which they have been made. Bioethanol is considered to be made through a more eco-friendly process using the fermentation of contemporary materials such as sugar beets, corn, straw, and wood. Ethanol, or Synthetic Ethanol, is made from petrochemical feed stocks (akin to fossil fuels), primarily by the acid-catalysed hydration of ethylene.
Despite their source materials, Bioethanol and Ethanol function identically. They are particulate-free and relatively clean-burning fuel sources as there is a lot of oxygen in its chemical compound, regardless of the production process.
The decision between the two lies solely upon the source of the ethanol and whether or not that source is sustainable. Synthetic production which relies on fossil fuels is obviously a less-clean and sustainable production method. On the other hand, Bioethanol is made from organic and food sources, most commonly corn and sugarcane. However, this may not be sustainable either as valuable crops and cropland that could be used for food to consume are instead being burned as fuel.
New non-food alternatives are emerging though as tree trimmings, sawdust and agricultural residues like wheat straw and fast-growing grasses are being used to produce Ethanol.
So while Bioethanol and Ethanol aren't exactly perfect or entirely renewables sources of fuel, they are considerably cleaner and more environmentally friendly than traditional fuel sources like gasoline. Comparing them to each other though, Bioethanol is definitely 'greener' due to its source materials, but aside from that, they are identical solvents.
...it seems the operate the same. As far as safety for ingesting goes?
I also found this...
In the purest form it is actually 100% alcohol. Since heavy duty is levied on pure alcohol, bioethanol is artificially contaminated, or "denatured". ... In short: bioethanol is not toxic (but: do not drink because of the contamination that has been added!), not even when incinerated
...looks like bioethanol has been "denatured". I am not positive what they do, but ingesting denatured alcohol is bad.
Then I found what denatured alcohol is used for...
Denatured alcohol (also called methylated spirits, in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom; wood spirit; and denatured rectified spirit)[1] is ethanol that has additives to make it poisonous, bad-tasting, foul-smelling, or nauseating to discourage its recreational consumption.
...I am not positive WHAT they add, but I would consider another source if possible.
Fuzzy Duck
Well-Known Member
Mmm some good reading & good respect.
zeroday
Well-Known Member
They use lots of different denaturants, but a few examples are methanol, hexane, pentane... Not good stuff. Methanol will cause nervous system damage!
In my opinion, if you have an extremely solid evaporation process that you absolutely trust, or have even had tested, you can use 100% ethanol, or denatured ethanol to great success. However, if you don't have a process you trust, I'd stick with potable ethanol, like everclear or the usual grain based ethanols at 180 proof.
Are you certain your bioethanol is denatured or otherwise contaminated? If its greater than 95%, you can be sure it has other goodies in it.
In my opinion, if you have an extremely solid evaporation process that you absolutely trust, or have even had tested, you can use 100% ethanol, or denatured ethanol to great success. However, if you don't have a process you trust, I'd stick with potable ethanol, like everclear or the usual grain based ethanols at 180 proof.
Are you certain your bioethanol is denatured or otherwise contaminated? If its greater than 95%, you can be sure it has other goodies in it.
