1. 1
   A chemical company is deciding whether to produce ethanol by reacting ethene with steam or by fermenting sugar.

   (a)

   When ethanol is produced by reacting ethene with steam, which catalyst is used?

   [1 mark]

   • AYeast
   • BPhosphoric acid
   • CSodium hydroxide
   • DCopper

   (b)

   What type of process is fermentation, as used to produce ethanol from sugar?

   [1 mark]

   • AA continuous process
   • BA distillation-only process
   • CAn electrolytic process
   • DA batch process

   (c)

   State the raw material used to make ethanol in each of the two methods being considered.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   A sustainability consultant compares the two industrial methods of producing ethanol to advise a drinks company on which process to invest in.

   (a)

   Which method of producing ethanol uses a renewable resource as its raw material?

   [1 mark]

   • AFermenting sugar
   • BReacting ethene with steam
   • CBoth methods use renewable resources equally
   • DNeither method uses a renewable resource

   (b)

   Which of these is true of the ethene/steam method of making ethanol compared with fermentation?

   [1 mark]

   • AIt is a slower process producing an impure product
   • BIt uses yeast as the catalyst
   • CIt is an efficient continuous process producing a purer product
   • DIt uses sugar as the raw material

   (c)

   Describe the conditions needed for fermentation to produce ethanol from sugar.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   A student researches how the choice of raw material and reaction conditions affects the two industrial methods of manufacturing ethanol.

   (a)

   Compare the two methods of producing ethanol in terms of the raw material used and the rate of the reaction.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Compare the two methods of producing ethanol in terms of the type of process, the purity of the product and the energy requirements.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   An energy policy advisor is preparing a briefing on whether the country should invest more heavily in biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel instead of relying on hydrocarbon fuels from crude oil.

   (a)

   Evaluate the use of biofuels, including ethanol and biodiesel, as alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels, in terms of the use of renewable resources, impacts on land use, and carbon footprint.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   Compare the two industrial methods of producing ethanol overall, and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each in terms of sustainability and industrial practicality.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions