Ethanol

Ethanol

Ethanol, or C₂H₆O, is a volatile, colorless, flammable, and odorous liquid that is miscible with water. It is derived from converted starch and the fermentation of sugar and is contained in agricultural feed stocks. Ethanol rapidly absorbs water from the air and mixes readily with most organic liquids.

Applications

Ethanol is present in many fuels for combustion and is used as an industrial solvent for fats, oils, waxes, resins, and hydrocarbons. It is also used to produce chemical compounds, plastics, rubber, aerosols, hygiene and cleaning products, surface coatings, dyes, inks, adhesives, preservatives, pesticides, explosives, yeast growth medium, and medicines among other applications.  Ethanol is also a primary ingredient in alcoholic beverages.  

Health & Environmental Effects

The ethanol production process also generates additional VOCs and Hazardous Air Pollutants that can be emitted into the atmosphere. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) notes that if the United States continues to expand corn-based ethanol production, without implementing new environmental protection policies, water quality will diminish.

Regulatory Considerations

Many facilities operate with Best Available Control Technologies to reduce Ethanol emissions.  

Control Technologies

HEIL Series 730 Counter-Current packed tower scrubbers are the most common technology for high efficiency scrubbing of Ethanol.  It is commonly operated as a once through scrubber system rather than chemical neutralization.  HEIL has also installed our Series 740 Sieve Tray Tower Scrubbers to control Ethanol emissions.