How to Make Ethanol

People have known how to make ethanol since the backyard stills of Prohibition, but only recently have considered the possibility of making it as an inexpensive fuel. It is possible, with some easily obtainable materials and instructions, to make ethanol at home for less than a dollar a gallon. There are disadvantages to this fuel, so it is important to do your research to help you decide if it will work in your situation.

Ethanol is also known as ethyl or grain alcohol. It is a clear, colorless liquid, and when used as a motor fuel, is a high performance fuel that produces clean burning exhaust emissions. In fact, the emissions from ethanol are significantly cleaner than gasoline or diesel.

The first Model T that was designed by Henry Ford ran on ethanol. Ford claimed that ethanol was the fuel of the future.

For decades people have known how to make ethanol from fermenting and distilling starch and sugar crops such as:

• Corn
• Wheat
• Sugar cane
• Potatoes
• Sawdust
• Compost
  • Cornstalks
  • Fruit and vegetable peelings

There are five steps involved in turning raw fuel into ethanol. The first thing that is needed is a source of feedstock. Any of the materials from the list above are potential feedstock. One hundred gallons of the feedstock will eventually yield ten gallons of fuel.

The five steps are:

• Conversion
• Fermentation
• Distillation
• Filtration
• Dehydration

During conversion the carbohydrate sugars are broken down. They may be ground, crushed or have an enzyme added to help to break down the material. In the fermentation phase, yeast is added so that alcohol will be produced, much like winemaking. After this a still is used for the distillation of the alcohol. This separates the alcohol from the rest of the liquid that has been formed. Next, filtration gets rid of impurities and also removes any excess water.

If you are ready to be a full fledged do it yourself-er then you will need a few materials to start.

• A plastic barrel with a lid
• A packet of yeast
• Fruit
• Hydrometer

You can use throwaway fruit from the local grocers, or other fruit that is overripe or unusable in some way. Mash it and put it in the barrel. Do not fill the barrel more than one-third full or it may spill over when the mixture starts fermenting.

Regular yeast can be used, however it is better to use ethanol tolerant yeast from a wine making supply store. Add a packet or two to the fruit. Check the sugar content of the fruit with a hydrometer and write down the measurement. Cover the barrel.

Allow the fruit to ferment for a few days and check the sugar content daily. The amount of sugar in the mixture should decrease until there is no sugar left at all. This should take about a week and a half. Once the sugar is all gone you should be ready distill your mixture immediately. Letting the mixture to stand at this point could introduce materials that could ruin your engine.

There are a number of plans for making a still available on the internet. One of the most unique is a solar still that requires very little in the way of materials. All of them are easily obtainable, and many are items you may have lying around the house.

In order to use your homemade ethanol you will need to either mix it with regular gasoline or convert your engines. A mix called E85 is used in California. It is eighty-five percent ethanol and fifteen percent gasoline, and has worked well since the beginning of the program.

Here are some links that have more information on using ethanol:

• Homemade Gasoline
• A Traditional Still
• The World’s Simplest Still
• Convert your engine with Flextek

Knowing how to make ethanol will allow you to save money in more ways than just your car. It can be used in lawn mowers, and other gasoline powered tools. Ethanol can also be used in gas powered generators when mixed with gasoline. Be sure to research your engine and follow manufacturer’s suggestions for best results.

Making ethanol and biodiesel at home can be a rewarding and money saving way to a more sustainable lifestyle..

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