My supply of Iso-Propyl Alcohol has ran out, and I need something as a fuel and disinfectant for random experiments I do all the time, and I'm not willing to take a whole day to go to the center of the city and find a chemical shop. Can I make Ethanol at home? I got pure glucose powder with me, yeast, beakers, graduated cylinders, mini incubator, and the kitchen. Anyone know whats the best ratios for glucose:yeast:water and how I can distill it at home with simple "labware". I don't have any tubing, only straws, but I might be able to get some tubing for distillation. Or any alternative to distillation for getting a reasonable amount of ethanol, only about 12% of solution after 48 hours is ethanol, I want to get it up to a concentration where I can ignite it.

There isn't a liquor store near you? You should be able to order pure ethanol from them.

I don't really think I want to go to a liquor store, I don't want the type used for consumption, and also I really don't think I want to go to one of those.

In the US, that's where you can get pure ethanol. Of course you can't drink it, but they have a license to order it for you. It would take far longer to make it yourself.

Why not just order it over the internet? Here's a link that you can buy it from and the shipping is free.

http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=CZnBaetPwSduaCpyntgel-NGVBqzo9iLG8KiUCtKDrSoIABABKANQq6OOvP______AWDJ7rC H3KPEEMgBAaoEG0_QZGfG5b0h7XIU7Hm7839aV0hRZ-e5C36gxw&sig=AGiWqtyZj4MyE0sCH5qmn17hJO5vUYF53g&q=http://www.ultrapure-usa.com/pages/hospital.html

I live in India, and shipping won't work out :(

I live in India, and shipping won't work out :(

Why not? Did you contact them and did they tell you they won't ship it?:shrug:

Why don't you buy some cheap vodka and distill yourself?

Naturelles, can't you get it at the drugstore ?

Nope, pharmacy didn't have anything, only place i can get it is the center of the city which takes hours to get to, and then after that have to hunt for a store, and then hours to come back. India's not such a developed country.

I'd have to go hunting over there in a place like this :(

http://image20.webshots.com/20/7/36/23/210773623kqhimu_ph.jpg

Maybe I could buy antiseptics and distill?

Nope, pharmacy didn't have anything, only place i can get it is the center of the city which takes hours to get to, and then after that have to hunt for a store, and then hours to come back. India's not such a developed country.

I'd have to go hunting over there in a place like this :(

http://image20.webshots.com/20/7/36/23/210773623kqhimu_ph.jpg

Maybe I could buy antiseptics and distill?

Ask SAM, perhaps she lives nearby ;)

It's unlikely that you would have enough random things laying about to make pure ethanol quickly. It requires specific equipment to maximize the feedstock: output ratio

It should be easy, though, to slap together a traditional style pot still in which you could get a fairly pure substance by cooking the same batch multiple times. Unfortunately it would be a very inefficient and slow process. Not sure about that though. Please keep us informed if you give it a try.

Ask SAM, perhaps she lives nearby ;)

Does she live in Bangalore? If she knows a store, it would be easier.

It's unlikely that you would have enough random things laying about to make pure ethanol quickly. It requires specific equipment to maximize the feedstock:output ratio

It should be easy, though, to slap together a traditional style pot still in which you could get a fairly pure substance by cooking the same batch multiple times. Unfortunately it would be a very inefficient and slow process. Not sure about that though. Please keep us informed if you give it a try.

I did infact try it out twice, but I didn't get a high enough concentration for ignition.

Does she live in Bangalore? If she knows a store, it would be easier.

I don't know where she lives to be honest, but she does live in India.
She might know where you can get it. Why don't you PM her ?

I am a little busy at this moment (doh >.>), but happens to open this thread:



Maybe I could buy antiseptics and distill?

DON'T. If you're going to make alcohol at home without proper apparatus, don't try to distill any alcohol sources, you'd be at risk at becoming blind!



Nope, pharmacy didn't have anything, only place i can get it is the center of the city which takes hours to get to, and then after that have to hunt for a store, and then hours to come back. India's not such a developed country.



What are you going to use the alcohol for? You mentioned "fuel and disinfectant for random experiments", what exactly?:confused: If the pharmacy doesn't have, maybe you could try cosmetic shop. gtg, ciao

Or your school lab. Chemical or bio lab must have some. Or doctor. argh gtggggg :-P

I noticed everyone telling him to go to a liquor store. I was under the impression isopropyl alcohol was different than grain alcohol (ethanol). I don't imagine anyone using ethanol to sanitize anything LOL

DON'T. If you're going to make alcohol at home without proper apparatus, don't try to distill any alcohol sources, you'd be at risk at becoming blind!
Why would you go blind? I could see some risk of fire etc, but blinding?

Nope, pharmacy didn't have anything...
That's really surprising...virtually every pharmacy here has 70% or 90% isopropanol on sale very cheaply...I think it's around a few dollars/liter.

That's really surprising...virtually every pharmacy here has 70% or 90% isopropanol on sale very cheaply...I think it's around a few dollars/liter.

Yea, I used to beable to get it easily in the US for like a dollar, but here don't get many things :( I remember once when I went to get it at the center of the city, even there they questioned me why I want it, I told them about my science etc. interests etc. and that I'm a student, and they even gave me a discount :D

http://image20.webshots.com/20/7/36/23/210773623kqhimu_ph.jpg


You have a fantastic and beautiful country.

Why would you go blind? I could see some risk of fire etc, but blinding?

I think that's only if you drink it. I heard of stories about people making their own booze during prohibition and not getting it quite right, and drinking it would cause you to lose your sight.

Well, I wont' be drinking it at all

The cost of ethanol in US (and most places) is mainly the tax, but still it is not economical to make it in small batches, except in dilute water solutions such as beer and wine.

Some is available tax free with special permits (or was years ago in US) for chemical use etc. I once stole about half a liter of reagent grade ETOH (bottle was already open and in use) for spiking punch at a party from an industrial chemical company's research lab where I was working as a summer student.

I think they can get it at industrial grade (lower purity) in 55 gallon drums but it is tightly controlled. Perhaps it has something else in it in small concentration to "prevent misuse."

I don't know where she lives to be honest, but she does live in India.
She might know where you can get it. Why don't you PM her ?

Afaik, she lives in USA.


Why would you go blind? I could see some risk of fire etc, but blinding?

My bad, I though he was just going to distill alcohol, and not ethanol, specifically. Methanol is also alcohol and distilling it could cause inhalation which then cause blindness. Material safety data sheet of methanol:

http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/methanol.htm

On that link, section 3:

Inhalation: Harmful if inhaled. May cause adverse central nervous system effects including headache, convulsions, and possible death. May cause visual impairment and possible permanent blindness. Causes irritation of the mucous membrane.

When I firstly read this thread, as the OP is from India, it reminds me to an article I read some time ago about people in India who practice wood burning to make their own alcohol at home, and as a result, they are suffering from blindness (I suppose it's the methanol which is also known as wood alcohol). I can't find the original article, but these ones are still related:



http://www.expats.org.uk/features/alcohol/whitelightning.html

05 - DISTILLATION METHODS
Rudimentary stills are extremely simple and consists of such construction as bamboo, wood or clay (items generally available to uncivilized peoples) - they are also quite dangerous. The sketch below is an example of a simple, very ancient still which is used in India to this day.
http://www.expats.org.uk/images/lightning1.gif
The India method is very simple, but another more modern still, incorporating more safety factors and a more efficient condensing system, was discovered by a German named Liebig.



Other article:


http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1806-37132004000200015&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en

India has the largest number of blind people as compared to any other country in the world. Aside from this fact, one out of every three cases of cataract in the world takes place in India. Cataract is responsible for 80% of the cases of blindness in that country. Eye irritation, conjunctival hyperemia, eye watering are some signs and symptoms universally associated with exposure to smoke, but they may also be a preliminary evidence leading to future blindness (64). Approximately 170 thousand individuals were observed in India and showed an OR of 1.32 (CI 95%; 1.16-1.50) when a complete or partial blindness evaluation was conducted comparing patients that mainly used biomass and patients who used other types of fuel-after taking geographic variation, housing and socio-economic conditions under consideration. However, cigarette smoking and nutritional state were not evaluated (65).

Main point is, the OP should take precaution before making alcohol at home through distillation:



http://www.expats.org.uk/features/alcohol/whitelightning.html#06

06 - DANGERS AND PRECAUTIONS IN DISTILLATION

If you have read up to this point, you are probably all fired up-to start making your own booze right now! However, before we get into the actual process, it is time to point out a number of the very dangerous hazards involved in distillation, aside from being caught by the "Revenoors". You must learn these dangers and the safety practices to prevent them before you attempt to distill your ferment. You have roughly two weeks to wait for your mash to be ready so use this time to learn what not to do.

The home distillation of alcohol can be either very hazardous or reasonably safe depending upon the degree of care taken. Unfortunately, accidents have occurred resulting in death, burns to people and destruction of property.

In this discussion the unsafe practices which produce the majority of all distilling accidents are described and the proper method of operation to eliminate the hazards is set forth for your safety.

First, we must recognize and accept the fact that for all practical purposes when distilling alcohol we might just as well be distilling gasoline. Take a look at the comparable properties:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc247/x_inzomnia/table_alcohol.jpg

(Although there is a tendency for rich alcohol vapors to settle, it should be noted that alcohol / air mixtures in the flammable range have a specific gravity only very little greater than that of air (1.02 - 11); therefore, air currents will distribute such mixtures widely.)

It should be obvious from the above data that, from the fire point of view, alcohol is almost as hazardous as gasoline, and what nut would cook gasoline on his stove?

(1) IF YOU USE GLASS BOTTLES FOR MASH, BE SURE THAT THE BOTTLES ARE TAPED WITH MASKING TAPE TO AVOID THE HAZARD OF CUTS FROM BROKEN GLASS. Should, the bottle break, there is no fire hazard from mash because the alcohol content of mash is too low to create a flammable mixture at ordinary room temperatures. Never attempt to carry heavy 10 gallon bottles; their structural strength may be insufficient and they have been known to fail upon the slightest impact. Also the strength of your back is inadequate in an awkward position. Use a dolly to transport the bottle or better yet, siphon into the still. The best bet is to get metal or plastic containers from one of the many mail order houses such as Sears Roebuck or Montgomery Ward or use bottle covered with wicker work.

(2) NEVER FILL A STILL ON THE STOVE. Of all the dangerous things to do, the second most hazardous is to fill a still with second or subsequent runs when the still is_ on the stove. Even though the fire is out, the pilot light of the oven may be lit. Any spillage of alcohol at this time can get you into serious trouble. If the vapor flashes, you will probably drop the dispensing container, with the likelihood of splashing flaming alcohol on yourself or others, as well as starting a large fire.

ALWAYS FILL THE STILL ON THE FLOOR AWAY FROM THE OVEN . . . and, if it is too heavy for one man to lift, get help. Any of your friends will help in this important and rewarding endeavor. To form correct habits, this practice should be followed even to filling the still with mash.

(3) NEVER LEAVE THE STILL UNATTENDED. This is the MOST hazardous action of any and is ABSOLUTELY INEXCUSABLE. First: Condenser water can fail due to:

1. Failure of hose lines
2. Low water pressure
3. Shutdown of utilities
4. Failure of condenser shell

Without adequate condensing means, alcohol vapors will rapidly spread within the room until a source of ignition is reached. The degree of flash fire will depend upon the accumulation of vapors, but in most cases the fire is immediately beyond control. If the concentration of vapor is sufficiently widespread, an explosion can occur. Second, the receiver can overflow. This will create a large area from which the alcohol can vaporize. Usually, under these conditions the flash point is reached. Flash point is defined as the lowest temperature at which a liquid will give off flammable vapor at or near its surface. This vapor forms an intimate mixture which ignites.

(4) LOCATE THE DISTILLED ALCOHOL RECEIVER AT AS LOW A LEVEL AS POSSIBLE . . . and extend the run down tube from the condenser to the bottom of the receiver. First, placing the receiver at a low level will tend to keep any alcohol vapor away from the flames at the top of the stove. Note that any flames (main burners or pilots) in the oven or broiler units are usually lower and tend to draw the air for combustion from a low level; therefore, all flames, including the pilots, in ovens or broilers should be turned off. In a few (older models) all pilots are controlled from a single safety shutoff valve that shuts down the entire stove if an oven pilot goes out - on these stoves it is impossible to cut off the oven pilot and keep the top burners operating. In such cases the receiver should be located at least 3 feet away from the bottom of the stove, and the . recommendation is "Place the receiver in an auxiliary container," paragraph 6, must be followed. Second, when the run down tube extends to the bottom of the receiver and becomes submerged in the liquid, there are several safety features created: (a) The alcohol liquid that contacts air is reduced to only the stilled surface in the receiver; (b) If any alcohol vapor remains uncondensed it will bubble in the liquid of the receiver and serve as a warning of insufficient condensing capacity; (c) If there is abundant condensing capacity, the condenser will establish a partial vacuum in the system and draw up a liquid head that will stand in the run down tube. This will be proof of adequate condensing capacity. Note: When the still is first started it contains air above the liquid. As this air must be displaced, the end of the run down tube may bubble at first.

(5) USE A RECEIVER WITH A SMALL FILLING OPENING. A small opening cuts down on the quantity of vapors escaping into the room and it also saves you alcohol. If a fire does occur at the receiver, it will burn at the small opening and be easily controlled. With a large opening the fire will be much larger; a lot more heat will be rapidly given off and the fire will be more difficult to control. If-such should occur, extinguish all-sources of flame, and follow the suggestions in paragraph1, "In case of accident, immediately call the Fire Department."

(6) PLACE THE RECEIVER IN AN AUXILIARY CONTAINER. If the receiver is placed in a dishpan or other type of. auxiliary container, an accidental overflow will be restricted much more than would be the case if it should run out on the floor.

(7) BE SURE EXHAUST FANS OR OTHER MEANS OF VENTILATION ARE USED TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF ALCOHOL VAPOR ACCUMULATION -

Hill Billy Still

NEVER LEAVE A STILL UNATTENDED!

(8) NEVER USE A STILL IF YOU DO NOT HAVE COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN THE EQUIPMENT. Stills should be of welded or brazed metal construction with metal tubing and tight-fitting slip joints or bolted gasketed heads. All joints should be carefully made up to avoid leaks of either vapor or liquid alcohol. Condenser capacity should be adequate for the maximum rate of distillation. If you are not qualified to appraise the condition of your equipment or its method of operation, get a qualified friend to make the inspection for you.

(9) DO NOT STORE UNCUT ALCOHOL. If a fire should involve this highly flammable liquid, the situation could rapidly become very serious. Cut your alcohol BEFORE you store it. Alcohol cut to 90 proof has a flash point of 77 °F, whereas 160 proof alcohol has a flash point of only 68°F

(10) IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT IMMEDIATELY CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. DO NOT DELAY OTHER THAN TO GET ALL OCCUPANTS OUT OF THE HOUSE. It is good practice to have your garden hose attached to the outside faucet and readily available. An alcohol fire can be extinguished with water if the alcohol is sufficiently diluted. However the heat release is so rapid that except for very small fires you will need trained help in handling the situation. Don't delay in evacuating the house and calling the Fire Department; then do the best you can in controlling the situation.

(11) ABOVE ALL ELSE:

1. DON'T LEAVE A STILL UNATTENDED!
2. DON'T DRINK AND RUN THE STILL!!!
3. DON'T RUN THE STILL IF YOU ARE SLEEPY!!!!

Distillation can be interesting and it can be reasonably safe, but don't spoil it through stupid operation or plain carelessness. Though you may be a brave soul with lots of luck, don't expose yourself and other people to serious injury OR yourself to liability for serious property damages. Remember, if am accident occurs, you are the cause and the one legally responsible.

(12) ONE SPECIAL WORD OF CAUTION FOR THOSE USING IMMERSION HEATERS. These heaters must be completely immersed in liquid. If they are not, they will overheat and be destroyed. If this happens while a flammable mixture of alcohol vapor and air is in the top portion of the still, an explosion will occur. Such an explosion would be extremely dangerous both from the standpoint of flying parts of the still and a very rapid spread of fire.

Note: At the end of this text you will find a Safety Check list provided for your safety. Post this where you will see it constantly when " running a batch" - it may save your life and your home.

I'd strangle somebody if they tried to clean my vinyl collection with ethanol :bugeye: