Alcohol productionAQA A-Level Chemistry: Mind map

Exam questions on Alcohol production

1. Ethanol is manufactured industrially in two ways: by the hydration of ethene using steam and an acid catalyst, and by the fermentation of glucose using yeast. The ethanol from fermentation is present in a dilute mixture with water and other substances.
   Write an equation for the fermentation of glucose to ethanol.2 marks
2. Bioethanol made from sugar cane is blended with petrol in some countries. Supporters of this fuel describe it as carbon neutral, so a student investigates the processes involved.
   Write an equation for the photosynthesis that forms glucose and an equation for the complete combustion of ethanol.2 marks
3. A plant manager is comparing two routes to ethanol: fermentation of glucose by yeast, and the acid-catalysed hydration of ethene by steam. The staff must understand the conditions for the first route and the mechanism of the second.
   Justify the conditions used for the fermentation of glucose: yeast, a temperature of about 35 °C, and the absence of air.3 marks