Production of Ethanol

Ethanol can be produced by fermentation of organic materials such as sugar, potatoes, rice, and molasses, or it can be produced from mineral oil. The fermentation of organic matter can produce a liquor with 10-15% ethanol. The liquor is distilled to remove the water and other constituents and obtain a high grade ethanol. The exchanges associated with alcohol fermentation and distillation vary  from plant to plant depending on technology, equipment used as well as operational practices.  Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) is also called alcohol.

	Alcohol distillery		Molasses

Typical exchanges associated with ethanol production based on molasses fermentation and distillation