171.    BEAMER, C. M.  Production of Synthetic Alcohol from Ethylene.  Chem. Eng. Progress, vol. 43, 1947, pp. 92-96.

                 Alcohol manufacture from grain, molasses, and C₂H₄ is briefly reviewed.  The properties are charted and the prewar and war uses of industrial EtOH are shown.  1 bu. of grain will yield about 2.5 gal. of alcohol.  About 2.5 gal. of molasses is required to produce 1 gal. of 190 proof alcohol, and theoretically about 3.9 lb. of C₂H₄ will make 1 gal. of alcohol.  The price of alcohol at present depends largely upon supply and demand and on the fluctuation in the cost of grain and molasses.  Expansion in the synthesis method will tend to relieve the situation.  Other possible sources of alcohol within the next few years are:  Waste sulfite liquors, sawdust, and hydrocarbon synthesis.  In the next 5-10 years, the production of industrial EtOH by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process may have to be reckoned with and will become an important producer.

                  BEAN, E. H.  See abs. 1442.

                  BEATI, E. See abs. 2401.