Question

Process of ethanol production flowchart and explanation

Answer 1

Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, clear, colourless liquid. Ethanol is a good sovent. It is also used as a germicide, beverage, antifreeze, fuel, depressant and chemical intermediate. It can be made by the fermentation process of material that contains sugar or from the compound which can be converted to sugar. Yeast enzyme readily ferment sucrose to ethanol. 
                Molecular formula- C2H5OH
               Molecular weight- 46.07
               Density- 0.791 at 20°C
               Boiling Point- 78.3°C


Chemical Reactions:

(a) Main Reaction                           

 

invertase

 C12H22O11 + H2O   →  2C6H12O6


           zymase
C6H12O6   →  2C2H5OH + 2CO2          ΔH= -31.2 kcal
 Glucose          Ethanol

(b) Side reaction

2 C6H12O6 + H2O  →  ROH + R’CHO
                                    Fusel oil

Ethanol is raw material for many downstream organic chemical industries in India.