Ethyl Alcohol

What is Ethyl Alcohol?

Molecular Formula (Ethyl Alcohol): CH₃CH₂OH

Molecular Weight: 46.069 g/mol

Chemical Name: Ethanol, Ethyl Alcohol

CAS Number: 64-17-5

It can be described as a clear, colorless liquid that is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal system and spreads quickly throughout the human body.

It is commonly known as ethanol, and sometimes the name Ethyl alcohol is used. The form used in the production of potable alcohol is called grain alcohol.

It has bactericidal properties. Therefore, it is the most important chemical in the manufacturing of disinfectants.

Ethanol has complex effects. Because of this, it has the ability to affect multiple systems within the brain. Its most important feature is that it acts as an agonist.

Other Names Include;

• Ethanol
• Ethanol
• Ethyl Alcohol
• Methylcarbinol
• Methylcarbinol
• 64-17-5
• Ethyl Hydroxide
• Ethyl Hydrate
• EtOH
• Absolute Ethanol
• Denatured Alcohol
• Denatured Ethanol
• Grain Alcohol
• Vegetable Alcohol
• 1-Hydroxyethane
• Fermentation Alcohol

How is Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) Produced?

The production of this chemical compound involves grinding the grains of corn, wheat, barley, sugar beet, and some other plants, followed by a fermentation process.

In this production process, the sugars and starches found in the plant grains are converted into alcohol.

The alcohol obtained from starches through fermentation is packaged for use after a distillation process.

Industrially produced Ethyl alcohol is manufactured petrochemically through the hydration of Ethylene.

Depending on its purity level, if it is of high purity, it has a very strong taste and leaves a burning sensation.

This production method is biological.

What are the Differences Between Industrial Ethanol and Agricultural Ethyl Alcohol?

Ethanol produced for industry is referred to as synthetic. Its raw materials are petrochemical and fossil-based, which include oil derivatives and coal.

Agricultural Ethanol is produced by the fermentation of plants such as corn, sugar beet, wheat, potato, and rye. In Turkey, agricultural ethyl alcohol is produced from sugar beets. The reasons for using sugar beets are ease of production, high sugar content, and low cost. Additionally, sugar beets can be grown in many regions of Turkey.

Synthetic ethanol is not used in the production of any fuels or alcoholic beverages.

Due to the growing industry and increasing demand, the need for synthetic alcohol is undeniable. The synthetic form of alcohol is used in industry and manufacturing.

What are its Physical and Chemical Properties?

It is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic pleasant odor and a burning taste.

It is a highly flammable chemical substance. Therefore, it is very dangerous. Necessary packaging and safety precautions must be taken during its transport.

The most important property that makes Ethyl Alcohol indispensable in industry is its use for dissolving other substances. It has an excellent solvent effect.

It is considered a volatile chemical substance.

Melting point is -114 °C.

Boiling point is 78.5 °C.

Density is 0.8 g/cm³.

Flash point is in the range of 9-11 °C. This temperature is very low for a chemical substance to ignite.

Its vapor is heavier than air. Because its vapor is heavier than air, it settles to the ground.

It is miscible with many organic solvents.

How is Ethyl Alcohol Denatured?

Worldwide, alcohol use is divided into several categories. These include use in the Food and Pharmaceutical sectors and for Industrial applications.

All companies intending to use ethanol must obtain permission from the relevant authorities.
Ethyl alcohol used in the Food, Pharmacology, and Pharmaceutical sectors is generally produced from agricultural raw materials with a concentration of 96%. This form of alcohol is used directly without being subjected to denaturation.

Alcohol for industrial use can be either 96% or 99% alcohol. Companies that import Ethyl Alcohol or purchase it directly from domestic producers are required to denature the industrial alcohol.

The denaturation of Ethyl Alcohol is sometimes carried out by mixing it with 5% methyl alcohol or sometimes with 5% Isopropyl alcohol.

What are its Areas of Use?

• Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) is used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations.
• It is the main component in the production of alcoholic beverages.
• It is a chemical compound used as an organic solvent in the manufacture of paint remover products.
• Ethanol is often used as a solvent for substances that come into contact with humans or are produced for human consumption, including fragrances, perfumes, flavorings, colorants, and medicines.
• It is used in the chemical industry for the production of adhesives and sealant chemicals.
• In the biodiesel production process, it reacts with oil to initiate production.
• It is used as a solvent in cosmetic products designed for skin rejuvenation.
• It is used in the manufacture of non-pesticidal agricultural chemicals.
• It can be used in the manufacture of functional fluids for open and closed systems.
• It is used in the manufacture of some intermediate products in industry.
• It is used to clean hard surfaces and subsequently remove paint from them.
• As an indispensable chemical in laboratories, it is highly unlikely for an experiment to be conducted in a lab without using ethyl alcohol.
• In the healthcare sector, Ethanol is used by healthcare providers to ensure sterilization during procedures on patients. After production, the ethyl alcohol used in hospitals is supplied in 1 L packages. Ethyl alcohol used in the healthcare sector must have a purity of 96% or higher. This high-purity chemical undergoes special processing.
• It is among the main raw materials used in ink manufacturing. It is used in the production of pigments.
• Ethanol is used as a special processing aid chemical in petroleum production.
• Its solvent properties are utilized in the manufacture of surfactants.
• It is used in the production of vinegar, mustard, and alcoholic beverages.
• Ethyl alcohol is used as a viscosity adjuster in some reactions.
• It is used in the manufacture of automotive care products.
• It is used in the manufacture of antifreeze and de-icing products.
• It is used in the manufacture of industrial cleaning and maintenance products.
• It is the best solvent in the food industry.
• In perfume manufacturing, Ethyl alcohol is used as the main solvent for the essence. The essence is added to the alcohol to dissolve.
• It is used in the manufacture of antibacterial hand sanitizers.
• It is thickened with Carbomer and suspended with glycerin to produce antibacterial gel. In this field, the application of Carbomer is the most important raw material characteristic.
• Essence producers use it as a solvent. The amount of essence is increased by mixing this compound with Di Propylene Glycol.
• It is used to prepare the propolis solution used in the beekeeping industry.
• In the medical field, it is used together with Mono Propylene Glycol as a solvent in hair growth formulas.
• In beauty centers and hair salons, Isopropyl Alcohol or Ethyl Alcohol is used to clean clippers and similar tools.
• It is used as a solvent in the production of topical anesthetic creams for external use.

What Factors Affect its Price?

The price of ethanol is directly dependent on the prices of the chemical substances used in ethyl alcohol production. It is directly linked to the price of ethylene used in synthetic production. As the price of ethylene increases, the price of Ethanol will also increase.

It is directly dependent on the prices of the materials used in agricultural ethyl alcohol production. An increase in agricultural prices will increase the price of Ethanol.

The price of Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) is directly linked to its areas of use. As the use of Ethyl alcohol increases, there will be a short-term price increase because the produced Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) will not be sufficient to meet the demand.

The production method for vegetable Ethyl Alcohol is more expensive than the synthetic method (produced by the hydration of Ethylene).

An increase in industrial production will increase the use of ethyl alcohol. This may also cause a price increase.

Another factor causing price hikes is the price of petroleum. The price of ethyl alcohol shows a direct increase with the rise in petroleum prices.

At the beginning of 2020, due to the Covid-19 virus that emerged in Wuhan, China, the use of antibacterial disinfectants increased incredibly worldwide. Because of this pandemic, alcohol prices increased approximately six-fold.

Alcohol orders placed by some countries from another via tankers were sold to a different country while in transit and redirected there. This extraordinary event occurred for the first time in the world.

Note; The sale of Ethyl Alcohol is subject to control. We do not sell Ethyl Alcohol.