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Ethanol (chemical symbol: C2H5OH) is the alcohol product of carbohydrate fermentation or petroleum distillation. It is a clear, colourless, flammable, oxygenated hydrocarbon.
Ethanol can be produced from a very wide range of biomass feedstocks, or can be produced artificially from ethylene by absorption in sulphuric acid and then hydrolysing with water. Ethanol can be used as a gasoline additive to enhance performance and improve the emissions profile of gasoline by oxygenating the fuel. Used on its own, ethanol is the most commonly used alternative fuel in the world today!
Ethanol is liquid at room temperature and can be stored safely using simple, existing technology. It can also be used as a solvent, in cleaning solutions, medicines, colognes and as rocket fuel. Ethanol is the alcohol component of alcoholic beverages that produces intoxicating effects.
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