I'm looking at putting together a processor with a reaction tank of say, 100-200 gallons, and two wash tanks. I feel stupid for asking this question with the research I've done, but I overheard someone ask if ethanol could be used instead of methanol... The main reason I ask this is because with another simple project(a still) I could make alcohol with roughly 85% ethyl alcohol, and 10% methyl alcohol.

 

This should be moved to the gas section. You'll get help there. You are in the diesel section at the present time. ( at least the ethinol question)

 

Are you talking about making Bio Diesel?

 

Yes, sorry, I got ahead of my self.

 

If you make Ethanol you will be getting a visit from ATF. The feds Require a permit to make more than 400 gal PER YEAR or they come and take you away!

The short answer to your question is yes, but not at home. Ethanol cannot be "distilled" past 98 percent. The remaining 2 percent is water...............and is enough to KILL the reaction. Ethanol can be made to 100 percent but it takes specialized equipment that is beyond most home-brewers.

In most cases Methanol is less costly than Ethanol and produces a better quality product with less chance of forming soaps.


There are no stupid questions.......................but I've heard some stupid answers
FABMANDELUX.

 

I know it takes alot more time to get it past 96% in one still cycle, and that there will be much more waste past that point, but you can buy reusable desicant to "dry" your alcohol fuel, and they will also poison it to make it not fit to drink.

Also I know about the ATF, I live on a farm and it is much easier to recieve a permit, along with fewer taxes because of use with off-road vehicles.

I was unsure if it could be done, that's why I was asking. Is there a web page, or a couple of paragraphs somewhere that explains the pro's, con's, and prosseses to use it?

 

The amounts are the same for Ethanol or Methanol, all you are doing is swapping one alcohol for another. Even triple distilled Alcohol will be less than 98 percent, then it has to perculate through a "molecular-sieve" to remove the remaining water. After it is refined to 100 percent, ANY EXPOSURE TO THE ATMOSPHERE WILL CAUSE IT TO DRAW MOISTURE. Just not worth it. And I am a farmer also.


FABMANDELUX.

 

That's the kind of definative answer I was looking for. Thank you fabman.

 

I was told by our local ethanol plant they have to mix 2% gas into the batch to make it denatured (not drinkable). This was to get past the ATF guys so wouldn't tax it as drinkable.