A Practical Handbook on the Distillation of Alcohol from Farm ProductsWright, F. B. (Frederic B.)
Science
A Practical Handbook on the Distillation of Alcohol from Farm Products
Wright, F. B. (Frederic B.)
Alcohol; Alcohol, Denatured
The passage of this Act was alcohol's new day, and is destined to have a
wide influence upon the agricultural pursuits of the country.
In the matter of small engines and motors alone one estimate places the
farm use of these at three hundred thousand with an annual increase of
one hundred thousand. This means an economical displacing of horse and
muscle power in farm work almost beyond comprehension. If now the farmer
can make from surplus or cheaply grown crops the very alcohol which is to
furnish the cheaper fuel for his motors, he is placed in a still more
independent and commanding position in the industrial race.
As an illuminant the untaxed alcohol is bound to introduce some
interesting as well as novel conditions. The general estimate of the
value of alcohol for lighting gives it about double the power of
kerosene, a gallon of alcohol lasting as two gallons of the oil. In
Germany, where the use of alcohol in lamps is most fully developed, a
mantle is used. Thus in a short time it may be expected that an entirely
new industry will spring up to meet the demand for the illuminating lamps
embodying the latest approved form of mantle. The adapting of the
gasoline motors of automobiles to alcohol fuel will in itself create a
vast new manufacturing undertaking. When this is accomplished it is
believed that we shall no more be troubled with the malodorous gasoline
"auto" and "cycle" burners on our public streets and parkways.
De-natured alcohol is simply alcohol which has been so treated, as to
spoil it for use as a beverage or medicine, and prevent its use in any
manner except for industrial purposes.
De-naturing may be accomplished in many ways.
In England a mixture suitable for industrial purposes, but unfit for any
other use, is made by mixing 90 per cent. of ethyl alcohol (alcohol made
from grain, potatoes, beets, etc.), with 10 per cent. of methyl or "wood
alcohol." Under the new law the proportion of wood alcohol is cut to five
per cent.
In Canada "methylated spirits," as it is known, is composed of from 25
per cent. to 50 per cent. of wood alcohol mixed with ethyl alcohol. This
proportion of wood alcohol is far more than is required in any other
country.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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