Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: Dave Glossop on 11/03/2011 14:30:02

Title: Can ethanol be purified by reverse osmosis?
Post by: Dave Glossop on 11/03/2011 14:30:02

Dave Glossop  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi guys, great show (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/).
 
Question for you all regarding reverse osmosis water purifiers.
 
I am making my own home brew spirits with dextrose and yeast, then it got me wondering if I could get rid of the water by putting it through the RO plant.
 
Before I boil off the fusels, ethanol and methanol.
 
So when using a RO water plant, if you where to use a 10% alcohol solution would you get any alcohol (ethanol&methanol) through the membrane when processed.
 
Look forward to your answer.
 
Dave Glossop

What do you think?

Title: Can ethanol be purified by reverse osmosis?
Post by: imatfaal on 11/03/2011 15:23:56

Dave - just a word to the wise, I think it is still illegal to distil spirit in the UK even for personal consumption.  I don't know if the law refers only to distillation or is wider and encompasses any form of concentration of alcoholic content (over and above the legal practice of brewing beer and making wine). 

Chances of HMRC caring are pretty slight - but you never know.  But the chances are that if you had an accident any insurance co.s would run a mile screaming that illegal practices render coverage null. 

Title: Can ethanol be purified by reverse osmosis?
Post by: syhprum on 24/03/2011 19:12:58

Freezing is quite a good way to separate the water from the alcohol.

Title: Can ethanol be purified by reverse osmosis?
Post by: Geezer on 24/03/2011 19:34:51

Quote from: syhprum on 24/03/2011 19:12:58

Freezing is quite a good way to separate the water from the alcohol.

I knew a "scientist" in the UK who made his own liqueurs that way. He claimed it was not distillation.

Title: Can ethanol be purified by reverse osmosis?
Post by: Bored chemist on 24/03/2011 20:32:30

He might claim that, but the Customs and Excise people don't agree.

Title: Can ethanol be purified by reverse osmosis?
Post by: Geezer on 24/03/2011 22:55:18

That's what I told him  [:D]