Ethanol, also known as alcohol, plays a significant role in the global economy as a crucial raw material for various chemicals and a substantial revenue source for governments through excise duties. Industrial alcohol, primarily derived from sugarcane molasses, is particularly important.
Sugarcane, a renewable energy source, makes alcohol production from molasses a preferred option as a substitute feedstock for the chemical industry. It can also help bridge energy gaps and meet the increasing demand for potable alcohol. Ethanol can also be produced directly from sugarcane.
**Alcohol-Based Chemicals**
Ethyl alcohol is a vital feedstock in manufacturing chemicals like acetic acid, acetone, butanol, butadiene, acetic anhydride, vinyl acetate, styrene, MEG, and PVC. The synthetic rubber industry also requires significant amounts of alcohol. Key alcohol-based chemicals derived from industrial alcohol include:
* **Acetaldehyde:** Used in industrial chemical derivatives, pharmaceutical applications, synthetic resins, and acetic acid production.
* **Acetic Acid:** Used in pharmaceuticals, textiles, dyestuffs, ethyl acetate, and as a base chemical for alcohol-based chemicals via the acetaldehyde route.
* **Acetic Anhydride:** Used in bulk drug manufacturing.
* **Ethyl Acetate:** Used in paints, dyestuffs, and pharmaceuticals.
* **Substitute to Petroleum Based Chemicals:** Used in the manufacture of HDPE, LDPE, Ethylene Glycol and other petroleum-based chemicals.
**Potable Alcohol**
The production of alcoholic beverages is another attractive avenue for ethanol. There is a considerable demand for beverages like brandy, whisky, rum, gin, vodka, and wine, making the potable alcohol market as significant as the industrial alcohol sector.
**Ethanol as Fuel: Ethanol-Blended Petrol**
The global trend, particularly in Brazil and the USA, leans toward using ethanol as an alternative fuel. During World War II, ethanol, in the form of power alcohol, was blended with petrol (80% petrol, 20% power alcohol). Brazil has pioneered technology allowing for large-scale substitution of petroleum-derived fuels. Anhydrous alcohol is now used as a primary fuel for automobiles. Alcohol-powered vehicles account for a substantial portion of vehicle sales in Brazil.
Anhydrous alcohol (99.5% v/v) is blended with petrol to create gasohol. In Brazil, millions of vehicles run on gasohol, with alcohol content varying from 10% to 85%. Alcohol functions as an oxygenate in petrol combustion, outperforming other oxygenates like MTBE and ETBE. It reduces carbon monoxide (CO) emissions and causes less pollution compared to petrol.
The demand for ethanol is expected to continue growing, ensuring a stable market for distilleries producing alcohol for both industrial and potable purposes. However, the use of corn or other food grains for ethanol production remains a subject of debate.