Uses of Ethanol Anhydrous
Ethanol anhydrous or absolute alcohol has very low water content, often less than 1 percent. Ethanol anhydrous is obtained by removing most water content from ethyl alcohol, through azeotropic distillation. This method differs from the standard distillation by the use of a toxic compound called benzene. Therefore, ethanol anhydrous is not intended for human consumption, but the substance is used in laboratories, as well as in the chemical industry.
Other People Are Reading
-
Antiseptic
-
Most microorganisms, such as harmful bacteria, die in the presence of an alcohol, which can coagulates the proteins in their surface, producing a crust around it. Ethanol anhydrous is used in the production of antiseptic substances, widely used to sterilize surfaces and equipment in biochemical laboratories. However, ethanol anhydrous is never used pure, as the disinfectant properties of ethanol is optimum at concentrations of 60 to 90 percent.
Solvent
-
A solvent is a liquid substance that is able to dissolve another, the solute. Alcohols are used as solvents, specially with hydrophobic materials, which are those that water can not dissolve, such as oils. Ethanol anhydrous is a potent solvent, widely used in the chemical industry to produce paints, varnishes and tinctures. It is also used in chemical laboratory solutions.
-
Fuel
-
Ethanol anhydrous is used as an addictive in gasoline, as a way of reducing the use of fossil fuels. Adding ethanol anhydrous to gasoline has substituted the use of the toxic tetraethyllead, a lead compound that had significant adverse impacts on the environment. However, ethanol anhydrous can not be used pure in vehicles, as other types of ethanol with higher water content can, such as hydrous ethanol.
Dehydration of Biologic Samples
-
Microscopic observation of cells and tissues are common in biochemical laboratories. The preparation of samples is very important to guarantee a clear observation of tissue components and cell structures. Ethanol anhydrous is largely used during sample preparation to dehydrate and fix it to the glass slides. After observation, most samples can be stored for further usage, due to their alcohol treatment.
-
