(334 products available)
Ethyl alcohol is known by different names and features, as discussed below. Most people know ethyl alcohol as ethanol.
Absolute Ethyl Alcohol
It is known as anhydrous ethanol, which is unwatered or distilled alcohol. Such a type contains over 99% of ethyl alcohol. It is mainly used in industries where water content would lead to negative effects. Commonly, it is used in making pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and in laboratory settings for research. It is also used in the manufacture of ethyl alcohol fuel and as a solvent in the paint and coatings industry.
Denatured Ethyl Alcohol
This type is developed for industrial use and includes additives to make it unfit for human consumption. Usually, it contains methanol, isopropyl alcohol, or other substances. These additives are aimed at avoiding taxes related to purity alcohol. Moreover, denatured alcohol is utilized in a range of applications such as cleaning agents, solvents in industrial processes, and as a fuel for alcohol burners.
Blended Ethyl Alcohol
This alcohol contains varying amounts of ethanol and other alcohols or solvents. Normal blending is done to achieve **specific economic or functional purposes**. Usually, they are used in automotive and industrial applications. Sometimes it goes together with ethyl alcohol fuels, containing a blend of gasoline and ethanol.
Industrial Grade Ethyl Alcohol
This alcohol is commonly produced and is of lower purity than pharmaceutical or food grades. It is mainly used as a solvent, preservative, or in the manufacture of other chemicals. Water is also added sometimes to lower its flammability.
Pharmaceutical Ethyl Alcohol
It is also known as alcohol puris. Ethyl alcohol is used as a solvent for drug extraction, preservation, and formulation. It meets certain purity standards suitable for medical use. Commonly it is used in tinctures, extractions, and other medical preparations.
Ethyl alcohol has diverse usage, as outlined below.
Beverage
This alcohol is mainly present in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits. It is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and carbohydrates. Ethyl alcohol is responsible for the effects of intoxication often associated with relaxation or mild euphoria. It is also used in beverages like vodka, whiskey, and wine, giving them unique flavors and the ability to preserve the drink.
Pharmaceuticals
Ethyl alcohol is popularly used in the pharmaceutical industry as a solvent. It blends medicine components and extracts herbal. Moreover, it is used to sterilize medical equipment and supplies. Ethyl alcohol is also used in the preparation of cough syrups, tinctures, and vaccines. These are some of the reasons it is regarded as a preservative that cannot be ignored in health care settings.
Industrial Solvent
Manufacturers frequently use ethyl alcohol as a solvent to dissolve resins, varnishes, and paints. It is widely used in coating formulations to mix and apply those coatings easily. In addition, its ability to mix with water and many organic substances makes it great for diversified industrial applications. In most cases, it is applied in the textile and chemical industry for cleaning and extraction purposes.
Fuel Additive
Buy Ethyl alcohol is blended with gasoline to produce *gasohol*. Typically, ethanol improves fuel octane ratings and lowers carbon emissions. Most countries add ethanol to gasoline to create a more environmentally friendly fuel alternative. This helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions.
Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Cosmetics such as lotions, perfumes, and shampoos contain *ethyl alcohol* as an ingredient. It is used as a preservative and helps dissolve other components and provides a cooling sensation upon application. Also, it functions as an antifungal and antibacterial agent, which helps in product preservation. Ethyl alcohol helps in quicker product drying, especially in moisturizers and makeup products.
Laboratory Reagent
Lab specialists use this alcohol to purify DNA and RNA or as a reagent in chemical reactions. In addition, it is commonly used in laboratories for fixation and preservation in biological samples. It is also applied in experiments and analysis because it mixes with water and various organic solvents.
Ethyl alcohol has a myriad of benefits, as listed below.
Antimicrobial Properties
One of the most important uses of ethyl alcohol is that it eliminates germs and micro-organisms. This makes it a great tool for sanitizers and disinfectants. In addition, it kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi, preventing disease transmission. This property makes it a common ingredient in medical and personal hygiene products. It also helps maintain good health and minimize disease risk.
Versatile Solvent
The ability of ethyl alcohol to dissolve diverse substances makes it valuable across many industries. It is used to manufacture paints, coatings, and pharmaceuticals. This is because it effectively mixes with water and numerous organic solvents. It makes it an essential ingredient in extraction and purification processes. Its versatility increases efficiency in industrial applications.
Fuel Alternative
Ethanol blended with gasoline is added to fuel purposively. It offers a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. Ethyl alcohol is made from crops like corn and sugarcane. This reduces carbon emissions into the atmosphere. By using ethanol in vehicles, dependence on non-renewable energy sources is reduced. Moreover, it contributes to sustainability and environmental preservation.
Preservation and Storage
Ethyl alcohol is used for preservation purposes in medical and scientific applications. It is commonly used in tinctures, vaccines, and biological specimens to extend shelf life. In addition, it prevents the degradation of substances and maintains efficacy over long periods. This property makes it useful in pharmaceuticals and research laboratories where long-term storage is crucial.
Astringent and Cooling Agent
In cosmetics and personal care products, ethyl alcohol acts as an astringent. This helps in tightening skin pores and giving a cooling effect after application. These properties make it an important component in lotions, aftershaves, and sunscreens. Its ability to evaporate quickly leaves the skin feeling fresh. This makes it especially popular in skincare products for oily and acne-prone skin.
Drug and Biochemical Applications
In biomedical research, ethyl alcohol is used as a solvent for isolating and purifying proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. It is commonly used in enzymatic assays and other analytical procedures. Also, it is a key reagent in chemical reactions. Its ability to easily form mixtures with water and organic solvents makes it a crucial component in various biochemical experiments.
The manufacturing of ethyl alcohol is dependent on the method used. Commonly, the two primary methods used to manufacture ethyl alcohol are fermentation and synthesis.
Fermentation Method
This is the most common method to produce ethyl alcohol. It is done by anaerobic respiration of yeast. This is where yeast is extracted from grains, fruits, or sugarcane. Then yeast is allowed to ferment the sugars to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide. The resultant mixture is distilled to separate ethanol from the other components.
Synthesis Method
This method involves the hydration of ethylene gas. It is done under high temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst such as sulfuric acid. The resultant product is ethyl alcohol. The mixture is purified through distillation and other separation techniques to obtain pure ethanol.
Ethyl alcohol replenishment is whereby the existing stocks are maintained or increased by a certain percentage. This is commonly done by producing or purchasing more ethyl alcohol to meet the current market demand. Followed by implementing effective strategies to reduce its consumption or loss.
Production capacity
Enhancing production capacity can be done either by using more resources. Or improving the efficiency of production processes. This is often done through advanced technologies, techniques or utilizing more raw materials.
Purchase Ethyl Alcohol
Ethyl alcohol can be obtained from other manufacturers. However, suppliers with high stocks will be targeted since it is easier to meet the supply demand.
Inventory Management
Effective inventory management is crucial for the alcohol availability. Proper monitoring of alcohol stocks can help identify when to replenish them timely. Use techniques like Just-In-Time (JIT) or Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) to minimize holding costs while ensuring that stocks are maintained at all times.
Reduce Consumption
The ethyl alcohol demand can also be reduced by enhancing the efficiency of its uses. This can be achieved by utilizing modern alcohol dispensing techniques or equipment that will control the amount used.
Loss Prevention
Losses reduce the ethyl alcohol availability and can be prevented by implementing effective strategies. For instance, use theft control measures, proper handling and training workers on the importance of ethyl alcohol.
Choosing the ethyl alcohol that meets customers' needs depends on several key factors.
Purity Level
The intended use is the primary factor that determines the ethyl alcohol purity level. Pharmaceutical and laboratory-grade alcohol requires high purity levels (95%-100%)-distilled alcohol. For industrial purposes, *denatured ethyl alcohol* is ideal. Ethanol alcohol is commonly used for food and beverages and needs lower purity than distilled alcohol. Since organic compounds don't need water to dissolve, go for alcohol with lower water content.
Source and Production Method
Most ethyl alcohol is manufactured through fermentation. This option uses renewable resources like grains or fruits. Fossil-derived ethanol is manufactured through petrochemical processes. This option is less environmentally friendly compared to the fermentation process.
Packaging and Transportation
The availability of ethyl alcohol in bulk or packaged form influences the purchase decision. Consider how it will be transported. For example, alcohol in 200-liter barrels is bulky and costly to ferry compared to alcohol in 1-liter bottles.
Environmental Impact
Production of ethanol alcohol from renewable sources like sugarcane grains, or fruits impacts the environment positively. It leads to less greenhouse gas emissions. The fossil-derived ethanol process, on the other hand, uses non-renewable resources and emits more carbon dioxide.
Price and Availability
Purchasing ethanol from a reputable supplier is vital. Get one that will offer you consistent supply at reasonable prices and quality. What matters the most is availability and price. It would be wasteful to source it at a lower price when occasionally, you can't get it. The market price will also influence the decision to purchase.
No, replenishing them requires purchasing them afresh. Ethyl alcohol created through fermentation can't be separated from water by simple distillation.
The most renewable resource is glucose. It is sourced from grains, fruits, or sugarcane. This is how most ethyl alcohol is manufactured.
The main reason is to escape the taxes imposed on alcoholic beverages. Denatured alcohol was unpurposed to make it unfit for human consumption. So it goes for a cheaper price like an industrial solvent.
The hydration of ethylene gas is done under high temperature and pressure in the presence of sulfuric acid. The glycerol by-product doesn't gain any value. But the gas is captured and reused in the process to ensure efficiency and safety.