Making

Making Ethanol

With the price of gas continuing to increase, more people are looking for substitute fuel sources. The recent introduction of ethanol-operated vehicles has created the need for people to think about making their own ethanol. Nevertheless, you will require a permit before starting. This is how you can make ethanol:

Required items:

• Alpha amylase
• Grain mill
• Corn
• Carbon
• Hydrometer
• Metal can
• Unleaded gasoline
• Screen
• Glucoamylase

Directions:

1. Permit.

Obtain a permit for legally produced ethanol from the appropriate authorities. This permit is normally free of charge only if you want to produce not more than 15,000 gallons annually.

2. Measurements.

Use a conversion calculator that is generally found on any ethanol production website to evaluate the specific measurements for all the ingredients depending on the capacity of the boiler. You will get accurate data on the amount of water, alpha amylase, and grain you need.

3. Process the grain.

Pulverize or mill the grain to obtain a powder using a hammer mill or grain mill. While corn still remains the popular option of ethanol production, soybeans and wheat also serve a similar purpose.

4. Add water.

Convert the powder into a solution through adding alpha amylase and water. Boil for 30 minutes so as to remove bacteria. After heating you can remove the solution from the heat source and then add glucoamylase.

5. Fermentation.

Ferment the solution through adding yeast to produce a wine or beer-type fluid. Proceed to remove the alcohol by running the solution across a still. Filter ethanol using carbon so as to eliminate any surplus unstable organic compounds.

6. Drying.

Dry the ethanol through mixing it together with Zeolite, which absorbs water and carbon dioxide. Give it some time to rest overnight and then run the dry ethanol across a screen to another container.

Finally, add some 15% unleaded gasoline to achieve 85% ethanol. Use the hydrometer to ensure that you have attained pure ethanol.