Alcohols industrial sources

The melting point generally ascribed to the alpha form is 169.6°C, with decomposition occurring above 210°C. Upon heating, ammonium nitrate yields nitrous oxide (N20) gas and can be used as ail industrial source of that gas. Ammonium nitrate is soluble in H2O, slightly soluble in ethyl alcohol, moderately soluble in methyl alcohol, and soluble in acetic acid solutions containing NH3. 

Most of the simple alcohols and a few of the complicated ones are available from the industrial sources described in Sec. 15.5. Other alcohols must be prepared by one of the methods outlined below. 

See alcohol, denatured alcohol, industrial biomass. Note Ethanol from fermentation of biomass and hydrolysis of cellulose is a significant alternate energy source, especially as an automotive fuel. Its use in gasoline will continue to increase. 

Starch.- —While many fermented liquors obtain sugar for conversion into alcohol from sources indicated above by far the largest single source of sugar, especially for distilled liquors, is the poly-saccharide, starch. Its importance arises from the fact that by suitable treatment almost 100% conversion of starch into fermentable sugars, dextrose, maltose, etc. can be obtained. Hence the general nature, occurrence and physical and chemical properties of starch are of major interest in the fermented liquor industry. 

ORIGIN/INDUSTRY SOURCES/USES solvent for cellulose esters pesticidal sprays fixative and solvent in perfumes alcohol denaturant plasticizer in solid rocket propellants organic chemical industry wetting agent mosquito repellant food packaging application... 

ORIGIN/INDUSTRY SOURCES/USES intermediate in organic synthesis dyes drugs fungicide for leather indicator in 0.1% alcohol solution production of parathion... 

ORIGIN/INDUSTRY SOURCES/USES organic chemical industry, solvent for chlorinated rubber and other organic materials paint varnish rust remover soil fumigant cleansing and degreasing metals photo films resins and waxes extracant for oils and fats herbicide alcohol denaturant... 

For industrial use, ethanol is often denatured (rendered unfit for drinking) by adding small amounts of methanol and other denaturants that are extremely difficult to remove. Denaturing is required by the federal government to protect the beverage alcohol tax source. Special tax-free use permits are issued to scientific and industrial users who require pure ethanol for nonbeverage uses. 

Hydration of Alkenes The major industrial source of several of our most important alcohols is the hydration of alkenes obtained from cracking petroleum. Beginning with ethylene, for example, the reaction may be summarized... 

The direct conversion into furfuryl alcohol, methylfuran and furan via metal-catalyzed hydrogenation, reduction and decarbonylation positions furfural as a strategic and ultimate industrial source for the production of a wide range of derivatives. Furfuryl amine, furoic acid, alpha-methylfurfuryl alcohol can be produced in one step from furfural. Other important fine chemicals are 2-acetylfuran, 2,5-dimethoxydihydrofuran, 5-dimethylaminomethylfurfuryI alcohol, and others. 

INDUSTRIAL SOURCES OF ALCOHOLS CARBON MONOXIDE AND ETHENE... 

Among the properties sought in the solvent are low cost, avadabihty, stabiUty, low volatiUty at ambient temperature, limited miscibility in aqueous systems present in the process, no solvent capacity for the salts, good solvent capacity for the acids, and sufficient difference in distribution coefficient of the two acids to permit their separation in the solvent-extraction operation. Practical solvents are C, C, and alcohols. For industrial process, alcohols are the best choice (see Amyl alcohols). Small quantities of potassium nitrate continue to be produced from natural sources, eg, the caUche deposits in Chile. 

Fusel Oils. The original source of amyl alcohols was from fusel oil which is a by-product of the ethyl alcohol fermentation industry. Refined amyl alcohol from this source, after chemical treatment and distillation, contains about 85% 3-methyl-1-butanol and about 15% 2-methyl-1-butanol, both primary amyl alcohols. Only minor quantities of amyl alcohol are suppHed from this source today. A German patent discloses a distillative separation process for recovering 3-methyl-1-butanol from fusel oil (93). 

Monohydric Alcohols," in I. MeUan, ed.. Source Book of Industrial Solvents, Vol. 3, Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1959. 

The elemental and vitamin compositions of some representative yeasts are Hsted in Table 1. The principal carbon and energy sources for yeasts are carbohydrates (usually sugars), alcohols, and organic acids, as weU as a few other specific hydrocarbons. Nitrogen is usually suppHed as ammonia, urea, amino acids or oligopeptides. The main essential mineral elements are phosphoms (suppHed as phosphoric acid), and potassium, with smaller amounts of magnesium and trace amounts of copper, zinc, and iron. These requirements are characteristic of all yeasts. The vitamin requirements, however, differ among species. Eor laboratory and many industrial cultures, a commercial yeast extract contains all the required nutrients (see also Mineral nutrients). 

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