Making Ethanol Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 3 ways that Ethanol can be produced?

A
  1. Fermentation
  2. From Biomass
  3. From Ethane and Steam
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2
Q

How does Fermentation make ethanol?

A

By using yeast to convert sugars into ethanol

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3
Q

What is the word equation for fermentation producing ethanol?

A

Sugar –(yeast)–> ethanol + carbon dioxide

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4
Q

What acts as a catalyst for fermentation and where is it found?

A

An enzyme called Zymase, which is found in the yeast cells

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5
Q

What is the optimum temperature for fermentation?

A

30 degrees celcius

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6
Q

What can’t fermentation be colder or hotter than its optimum temperature?

A

BEcause if it’s too cold then the reaction slows down, and if its too hot then Zymase will denature

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7
Q

What is the optimum pH for Zymase and why?

A

pH 4

If it is too acidic or alkali then it will stop working

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8
Q

Why is it important to prevent oxygen getting into the fermentation process?

A

Because oxygen converts ethanol into ethanoic acid which lowers the pH and can stop the enzyme working

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9
Q

At what concentration does the fermentation reaction stop and why?

A

10-20%

Because the yeast gets killed off by the ethanol

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10
Q

How is the ethanol solution made from fermentation concentrated?

A

By distillatin

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11
Q

Describe the process of Distillation with ethanol

A
  1. Ethanol is heated in a fractioning column and made to boil so the vapour travels up the column, cooling as it goes
  2. The temperature is such that anything with a higher boiling point than ethanol cools to a liquid and condenses back to the bottom, meaning that only pure ethanol vapour reaches the top
  3. It flows into a condenser where it is collected
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12
Q

Will the raw materials for fermentation run out?

A

Sugar beet grows quickly so it won’t

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13
Q

How good is the atom economy for fermentation?

A

It has a low atom aconomy because of the waste CO2 produced and the enzyme is killed off by the ethanol, meaning it is less efficient

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14
Q

How are the waste products dealt with after fermentation?

A

CO2 is released without any processing

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15
Q

What are the energy costs for fermentation?

A

Energy is needed to maintain the optimum temperature

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16
Q

What effects does fermentation have on the environment?

A

Cabron Dioxide is a greenhouse gas so it adds to global warming

17
Q

What are the health and safety risks of fermentation?

A

There are no specific dangers

18
Q

What is fermentation’s effect upon society?

A

Drinking ethanol has an impact

19
Q

Why can’t waste biomass be fermented in the normal way to make ethanol?

A

Because it contains a lot of cellulose; yeast cannot convert cellulose into ethanol like it can to sugars

20
Q

What is used as a substitute for yeast when using biomass to make ethanol?

A

E. coli bacteria can be genetically modified to do it

21
Q

What are the optimum conditions for making ethanol using biomass?

A

35 degrees

pH 6

22
Q

What is the advantage of using Biomass to make ethanol over using fermentation?

A

You don’t have to grow crops especially for it, you can just use the waste from other crops

23
Q

Why is fermentation not used to produce ethanol on a large scale?

A

Because it is too slow

24
Q

What process is used to make ethanol on an idustrial scale?

A

Ethene reacting with steam

25
Q

Where is Ethane found?

A

It is one of the hydrocarbons in crude oil and natural gas

26
Q

What is the word equation for how Ethene is formed? How does it happen?

A

Ethane —-> Ethene + Hydrogen

Ethane is cracked (split) to form the two products

27
Q

What is the word equation for how ethanol is produced using ethene?

A

Ethene + Steam —> Ethanol

28
Q

What are the optimum conditions for using ethene to produce ethanol and what is the catalyst used?

A

Temperature: 300 degrees celcius
Pressure: 70 atmospheres
Phosphoric acid

29
Q

Will the raw materials for the process of making ethanol using ethene run out?

A

Yes; Crude oil and natural gas are non-renewable

30
Q

How good is the atom economy for making ethanol using ethene?

A

The only waste product is hydrogen

31
Q

How are the waste products dealt with after making ehtanol from ethene?

A

Hydrogen can be re-used to make ammonia in the Haber process

32
Q

What are the energy costs for making ethanol using ethene?

A

Energy is used to maintain the high temperature and pressure

33
Q

What is the effect on the environment of making ethanol from ethene?

A

No waste products produced can harm the environment, although getting crude oil can cause oil spills

34
Q

What are the health and safety risks of making ethanol from ethene?

A

The high temperature and pressure have to be carefully controlled or it would be very dangerous