It is no secret that rectified ethyl alcohol is used as the main raw material for the production of vodka products. This is a significant product in this area. More on this below.
Description of material
Rectified is a colorless transparent liquid that does not have any foreign odors or tastes. of this product at 20 °C is equal to 0.78927 g/cm3. Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, was first synthesized in 1855 from ethylene. This substance is a flammable liquid. When it burns, water and carbon dioxide are formed. Alcohol vapors are harmful to health. The maximum permissible norm for its concentration in the air is 1 mg/dm³. Its freezing point is -117 °C, and its boiling point: +78.2 °C.
Ethyl alcohol - formula
This is important to know. The general chemical formula of ethyl alcohol: C 2 -H 5 -OH. It expresses the composition of the product and was established in 1807. But only after it was possible to synthesize ethyl alcohol, the structural formula was derived. It is written as follows: CH 3 CH 2 OH.
Ethanol is a saturated alcohol and, since it contains only one OH group, is classified as monohydric. The presence of a hydroxyl group determines the chemical properties of a substance, as well as the reaction weakness of a given product.
When stored in unsealed containers, ethyl alcohol evaporates and moisture is absorbed from the air. This occurs as a result of the fact that ethanol is a hygroscopic substance. Due to the fact that this product has a structure close to water, it can be mixed with it in any ratio.
Rectified, obtained under industrial conditions, has a slightly acidic reaction. This is a reliable fact. It contains organic acids in small quantities. The reaction of chemically pure ethyl alcohol is neutral. This should be remembered.
Requirements for grain quality
The main task facing manufacturers of alcoholic beverages is to obtain ethyl alcohol of the highest quality. State standards and other regulatory documents impose high requirements on this, which affect physicochemical and organoleptic indicators. Ethyl alcohol is obtained from various natural raw materials. 
The production of this substance from agricultural raw materials is a biotechnical production that uses microorganisms to convert starch into fermentable sugars and then into the finished material - ethanol. All stages from grain acceptance to rectification contain a large number of chemical and mechanical processes. Each of them affects the organoleptic characteristics of ethyl alcohol. This will be discussed further below.
Factors influencing organoleptic characteristics
In this case it is:
- The sanitary condition of production equipment (pipelines, evaporation chamber, heat exchangers, transfer vat).
- Quality of raw materials (type of grain, storage conditions, condition, smell, etc.).
- Used preparation of raw materials (mechanical-enzymatic, traditional).
- Processing method (grinding degree, in warehouse, in production).
- Types of yeast used.
- The course of the fermentation process (duration, increase in acidity).
- Auxiliary materials used (antiseptics and disinfectants).
One of the most important factors is the quality of the raw materials used. The situation with it is quite difficult, since there is no government supply of grain. Therefore, the bulk of the raw materials used are delivered to enterprises under contracts. They are concluded with various suppliers at negotiated prices.
To date, there is no state standard or other regulatory and technical documentation that would clearly define all the requirements for grain used to manufacture the specified product. However, some of them are enshrined in the “Regulations for the production of alcohol from starch-containing raw materials.” Among them are the content of various toxic impurities (seeds, weeds, etc.), infestation of cereal pests, as well as the determination of weediness.
The use of alcohols in the production of alcoholic beverages requires high quality of the resulting product. The organoleptic properties of the specified substance obtained from it directly depend on the state of the grain used. The most significant indicator of a raw material is its smell. Due to the capillary-porous structure of the grain and the porosity of the corresponding mass, it is able to sorb (absorb) various gases and vapors from the environment. Raw materials that are infected with barn pests may also contain their waste products. If mites are present in the grain, its color and taste deteriorate, and a specific unpleasant odor is formed. Damage to the shell of this raw material creates favorable conditions for the development of microorganisms and the accumulation of mycotoxins. You can use such grain for production. However, the presence of a significant number of insects negatively affects the organoleptic characteristics of the resulting alcohol.
For the manufacture of this product, low-quality and defective grain is often used, including unripe and freshly harvested grain, damaged by drying, subjected to self-heating, affected by ergot and smut, as well as fusarium. This is a reliable fact. When processing freshly harvested grain without holding it for ripening, a violation of technology occurs, which leads to difficulty in mashing and, as a consequence, a significant decrease in the productivity of the corresponding department.
The color of this raw material, damaged by drying, may change from light brown to black. This is important to know. Black grain is classified as a trash impurity. As a result of this, it is processed only by mixing it with healthy ones. In this case, the permissible rate of burnt grains should not be more than 10%. The use of alcohols for the production of high-quality vodka products if this indicator is exceeded is unacceptable.
Raw materials contaminated with ergot and smut become toxic because they contain various alkaloids (argonine, ergotamine, cortunine, etc.). Harmful impurities are very undesirable, as they affect the organoleptic properties of alcohol and give it harshness, bitterness and pungency. However, this raw material can be processed in a mixture with healthy grain. However, its content should not be more than 8-10%.
The grain that is used to produce alcohol consists of starch (65 - 68% on an absolutely dry basis), as well as protein, fats, free sugars, mineral elements, polysaccharides, and dextrin. All of the listed compounds at different stages of the technological process participate in various biochemical reactions.
Another factor that affects the organoleptic properties of the finished product is malt and enzyme preparations of microorganism cultures (saccharifying materials). This should also be taken into account. Quite often, contaminated drugs may be used in production. It also happens that they come with insufficient enzymatic activity. In this case, an infected fermentation process occurs. As a result, the accumulation of undesirable yeast waste products occurs. Therefore, the oxidability of alcohol decreases. Because of this, its smell and taste deteriorate.
The quality of the resulting alcohol directly depends on the different types of yeast used. Their correct selection, as well as competent determination of the parameters of their fermentation, allows us to obtain the specified product with a low content of major impurities.
Water is also an important component in the production of alcohol. The quality of the product depends on its purity (the number of microorganisms present, as well as various chemicals dissolved in it). It is best to use water coming from artesian springs.
It should also be noted that after cleaning, various toxic impurities remain in this product. Higher esters, sometimes present in produced spirits, can impart a light, barely noticeable fruity odor. This is a reliable fact. But the presence of diethyl ether gives the specified product a bitterness and putrefactive odor.
The quality of this substance and its organoleptic characteristics are also affected by various atypical impurities, microbial and other toxins, pesticides, etc.
Alcohol production technology
Let's consider this point in more detail. Rectified ethyl alcohol can be produced in three ways: chemical, synthetic and biochemical (enzymatic). Their choice depends on an individual approach.
Rectified ethyl alcohol is produced exclusively from appropriate raw materials. The main ingredients used for this are grain, molasses and potatoes. Rectified technical ethyl alcohol is obtained from the same raw materials. However, it may contain various impurities that are unacceptable for the food industry.
Ethyl alcohol production is carried out in 3 stages
One of the best types of plant raw materials that is used to produce this product is potatoes. For this purpose, varieties are used that have high starchy content and are also very stable during storage. This is an important condition during production.
You should also know that grain is used not only as a raw material, but also to produce malt, which is a source of enzymes that break down starch into fermentable sugars. It depends on individual desire. Some factories use enzymatic preparations of microbial origin instead of malt. They are obtained from mold fungi. Enzyme preparations can be a complete replacement for malt or used in conjunction with it in various proportions.
The properties of alcohols determine the production technology. Raw milk contains a number of impurities that differ in boiling point. They are by-products of fermentation. Their residual quantity and composition affect the quality of the resulting alcohol and the produced liqueurs. This is an important fact.
Necessary equipment
To obtain the specified product from raw alcohol, multi-column installations are used. Their use is important. Each column of this installation performs a specific function of separating the corresponding mixture at different temperatures and pressures. The reactions of alcohols and their physicochemical properties make it possible to get rid of various impurities. This is of great importance in this case. They are unacceptable in the production of food alcohol. Currently, there are several new patented technological schemes for the purification and production of raw materials, which can significantly improve the analytical and organoleptic characteristics of the specified product. At the same time, the productivity of mash rectification increases by 15%. The yield of the final product is close to 98.5%. Today, in the production of this substance, continuous distillation plants are used, which can contain up to five columns. They are different and, in accordance with their purpose, are divided into:
Deep cleaning
Rectification is a kind of multi-stage distillation. It is carried out in columns using steam and multi-cap plates. These installations produce the specified substance, as well as highly volatile components and fusel oil, which is a mixture of higher alcohols. In accordance with the rectification process, these impurities are divided into:
- Tails. These usually include those elements whose boiling point is higher than that of ethyl alcohol. This and other substances as well. For example, furfural, acetals, etc.
- Head ones. These include impurities that boil at a temperature lower than ethyl alcohol. In this case, these are esters and aldehydes.
- Intermediate impurities and saturated alcohols. They are the most difficult to separate groups of compounds. Depending on the various distillation conditions, they can be either tail or head.
Varieties
Depending on the degree of purification, the specified product is divided into:
- 1st grade. This ethyl alcohol has found application in medicine. However, it is not used for the production of alcoholic beverages.
- "Lux".
- "Extra".
- "Basis".
- "Alpha".
To produce vodka products that meet all modern quality requirements, you need to use alcohol that is free of toxic impurities. It must meet the requirements specified in GOST R 51652-2000. 
Ethyl alcohol - application
In this regard, everything is quite simple and clear. The use of alcohols is very diverse. However, most often they are used for medical purposes, for the production of alcoholic beverages, and also in industry.
Manufacturing Features
Different types of this substance are obtained from different raw materials. Namely:
- Alcohol "Alpha" is produced from wheat or rye. Or in this case, a mixture of them is used.
- Alcohol “Lux” and “Extra” are obtained from different types of grain crops, as well as from their mixture or potatoes. This depends on the individual selection of raw materials. “Extra” alcohol is obtained exclusively from healthy grains. It is intended for the production of vodka, which is exported.
- 1st grade alcohol is produced from a mixture of potatoes and grain or simply separately. Also in this case, sugar beets and molasses can be used. The use of alcohols in industry contributes to the production of this type of alcohol.
Calculations of the specified product are carried out by determining the volume and temperature of the substance in the measuring cup. A special device (alcohol meter) is used to determine the density of a given substance. It corresponds to a certain strength. Using special tables, the strength in % (ethyl alcohol turnover) is determined based on the readings obtained and the temperature. The corresponding multiplier is also set here. It is an important indicator. When multiplying the volume of the specified substance by it, the amount of anhydrous alcohol it contains is calculated.
GOST sets out six main physical and chemical safety parameters. The establishment of limit values for concentrations of toxic elements is set out in SanPiN. The presence of furfural is not allowed at all. alcohol unlimited. However, all certain conditions must be met.
Labeling, packaging and storage
The specified product is bottled into specially equipped tanks, canisters, barrels, bottles or tanks. They must be hermetically sealed with lids or plugs. The container is sealed or sealed. Bottles are packed in specialized baskets or boxes. In this case, the use of galvanized steel containers is prohibited.
Drinking ethyl alcohol 95% is bottled in glass bottles of various sizes, which are hermetically sealed with a cork or polyethylene stopper. An aluminum cap is placed on top, onto which the manufacturer’s stamp is applied. The volume fraction of alcohol is also indicated there.
A label is affixed directly to the bottle, which contains the name of the product, the name and location of the manufacturer, trademark, country of origin of the product, strength, volume and date of bottling. Certification information must also be present here. This label also contains designations of technical or regulatory documentation, according to which the product can be identified.
The bottles are then placed in wooden boxes. The following information must be applied to them with indelible paint: name of the manufacturer, name of the alcohol, designation of the standard. The gross weight, number of bottles and their capacity are also indicated here. There should also be signs “Caution! Glass!”, “Flammable”, “Top”.
Rectified ethyl alcohol, packaged in tanks and reservoirs, is stored outside the production premises of the enterprise. This product in barrels, canisters and bottles is stored in a specialized storage facility. Ethyl alcohol is a flammable, volatile liquid. In terms of the degree of impact on humans, it belongs to class 4. Therefore, special requirements are imposed on its storage conditions. In the alcohol storage, bottles and canisters should be placed in one row, but barrels should be no more than two in height and width of the stack. In order to avoid an explosion, it is necessary to protect equipment and tanks from static electricity. The shelf life in this case is unlimited.
Bottom line
Having familiarized yourself with the above, you can fully learn about how exactly ethyl alcohol is produced, the price of which, depending on the type of product and the volume of the container in which it is located, ranges from 11 to 1500 rubles.
