Ethanol production

Question 1

how is alcohol produced if you have an alkene

Answer 1

HYDRATION of Alkene
using steam
in the presence of an acid catalyst

Question 2

conditions of a hydration reaction

Answer 2

steam
at 300 degrees
60atm
catalyst: Phosphoric(V) acid catalyst

Question 3

Industrial production of ethanol by fermentation of glucose

Answer 3

fermentation is exothermic

carried out by yeast in ANaerobic conditions ( without O2)

Question 4

what does yeast do in fermentation

Answer 4

yeast produces an enzyme which converts glucose into ethanol AND carbon dioxide

Question 5

what is the enzyme produced by yeast optimum temp

Answer 5

30-40 degrees

Question 6

how is ethanol separated from the mixture once formed in the fermentation reaction

Answer 6

fractional distillation

Question 7

is fermentation expensive or inexpensive

Answer 7

inexpensive

as it uses cheap equipment AND renewable resources.

Question 8

is fractional distillation expensive

Answer 8

yes and it is quite time consuming

Question 9

what is a biofuel

Answer 9

A fuel thats made from biological material thats recently died

Question 10

advantages and disadvantages of biofuels

Answer 10

A: renewable energy resource- more sustainable
D: produce CO2 when burnt
however, its the CO2 plants absorb whilst growing- so biofuels are classed as carbon neutral

Question 11

what is the problem with switching biofuels for fossil fuels to fuel cars

Answer 11

petrol car engines would have to be modified to use fuel with higher ethanol concentrations

Question 12

a big disadvantage of biofuel(to do with food)

Answer 12

using land to grow crops for fuel CANNOT be used to grow food
so countries may not be able to feed everyone.

Question 13

reasons why biofuel production is not COMPLETELY carbon neutral

Answer 13

Fossil fuels need to be burned in order to power the machinery
fossil fuels need to be burned to be able to transport the bio fuels in vehicles
which produces CO2- so not COMPLETELY carbon neutral

Question 14

reasons to support why biofuels ARE carbon neutral

Answer 14

plants absorb Co2 during photosnythesis
Also
if you combine:
1) photosynthesis equation - 6 moles taken in
2) fermentation equation- 2 moles given out
3) combustion of ethanol- 4 moles given out
you find that exactly 6 moles of CO2 is TAKEN IN
and 6 moles of CO2 is GIVEN OUT