ETHANOL PRODUCER'S DATA BASE

• On    perfect day,  at  sea  level,  with a perfect atmospheric  pressure of :
• 14.7 Psi, 407.2 "H²O, 29.92 "hG, 760.0 mm hG, 1013.2 mBar, 101.32 kPa
• Water boils at 212.0°F  ( 100.0°C )
• Ethanol boils at 172.9°F  ( 78.3°C )
• Azeotrope boils at 172.6°F ( 78.1°C )
• Based on the altitude of your loction,  the atmospheric pressure varies, affectimg the boiling point. 
• The method detailled below, details the precise temperature reference.  

Whatever your altitude, and the atmospheric pressure on a specific day, this method will let you find the true boiling point, and by using reverse engineering, you will find all the other parameters thet apply to your process.   

•  Fill a pot with water, place it on a burner and bring to a full boil.
• Place the probe of a digital thermometer in the boiling water, and note the temperature.
• This referenc boiling point, is applicable to your exact location and atmospheric pressure.
• To find the boiling point of the Ethanol:  Multiply  the  reference  boiling point by: 0.81556
• To find the boiling point of the Azeotrope: Multiply the reference boiling point by: 0.81415 
  • See example below. 

• The  Picture on left shows a pot of high boiling wateron  our  electric stove, with  the  digital thermometer  Indicating 210°F, 
• ( our barometer indicates 97.5 kPa )
• ( The 253°F is the alarm set point and irrelevant here )
• Applying the above formulas, we obtain 
• 210 X 0.81556= 171.27 ( Ehanol boiling point )
• 210 X 0.81415= 170.97 ( Azeotrope boiling point )
• The temperature at which the vapors should enter the
• condenser should be precisely: 170.8 to 171.1
• See the table below for a cross reference of all the parameters that apply to distillation.