Listerine Drinker Arrested for DUI

C. E. White wrote:
> Matthew Russotto wrote:
>
> > There IS 200 proof (ethyl) alcohol, it's often called absolute
alcohol
> > and can be bought from chemical supply houses.
>
> I won't stay 200 proof for long. Once you open the bottle,
> it will suck moisture from the air and turn itself into 190
> proof (or less) just like Harry said.

No; the reason that ethanol is generally sold for consumption at no
higher concentration than 95% (190 proof) is that it is all *distilled*
spirits. When you distill alcohol from any of the usual plant sources
(grapes, potatoes, whatever), the purest concentration is a 95%
azeotrope with 5% other organic impurities. There's no reason you
couldn't drink 100% (200 proof) alcohol. It's just that it's that 5%
impurity that imparts whatever flavor there is in it.

While I'm not sure how *fast* pure alcohol absorbs water, I doubt it's
anywhere near as fast as you suppose.
--
C.R. Krieger
(Too many years in chemlabs)

Motorhead Lawyer wrote:
> C. E. White wrote:
> > Matthew Russotto wrote:
> >
> > > There IS 200 proof (ethyl) alcohol, it's often called absolute
> alcohol
> > > and can be bought from chemical supply houses.
> >
> > I won't stay 200 proof for long. Once you open the bottle,
> > it will suck moisture from the air and turn itself into 190
> > proof (or less) just like Harry said.
>
> No

Yes.

A cursory search of the web turns up thousands of hits on the
ethanol/water azeotrope, and the method of manufacture of absolute
alcohol, and how drinking liquors get their characteristic flavors.

IIRC, a bottle of opened, lid-off abs. EtOH takes about 3-5 days to
become 190 proof.

HAND,

E.P. (chemistry's my job, mon.)

Motorhead Lawyer wrote:
> C. E. White wrote:
> > Matthew Russotto wrote:
> >
> > > There IS 200 proof (ethyl) alcohol, it's often called absolute
> alcohol
> > > and can be bought from chemical supply houses.
> >
> > I won't stay 200 proof for long. Once you open the bottle,
> > it will suck moisture from the air and turn itself into 190
> > proof (or less) just like Harry said.
>
> No

Yes.

A cursory search of the web turns up thousands of hits on the
ethanol/water azeotrope, and the method of manufacture of absolute
alcohol, and how drinking liquors get their characteristic flavors.

IIRC, a bottle of opened, lid-off abs. EtOH takes about 3-5 days to
become 190 proof.

HAND,

E.P. (chemistry's my job, mon.)

On 18 Jan 2005 12:50:06 -0800, "Motorhead Lawyer"
> wrote:

>
>C. E. White wrote:
>> Matthew Russotto wrote:
>>
>> > There IS 200 proof (ethyl) alcohol, it's often called absolute
>alcohol
>> > and can be bought from chemical supply houses.
>>
>> I won't stay 200 proof for long. Once you open the bottle,
>> it will suck moisture from the air and turn itself into 190
>> proof (or less) just like Harry said.
>
>No; the reason that ethanol is generally sold for consumption at no
>higher concentration than 95% (190 proof) is that it is all *distilled*
>spirits. When you distill alcohol from any of the usual plant sources
>(grapes, potatoes, whatever), the purest concentration is a 95%
>azeotrope with 5% other organic impurities. There's no reason you
>couldn't drink 100% (200 proof) alcohol. It's just that it's that 5%
>impurity that imparts whatever flavor there is in it.
>

There's flavor in grain alcohol?

>While I'm not sure how *fast* pure alcohol absorbs water, I doubt it's
>anywhere near as fast as you suppose.

On 18 Jan 2005 12:50:06 -0800, "Motorhead Lawyer"
> wrote:

>
>C. E. White wrote:
>> Matthew Russotto wrote:
>>
>> > There IS 200 proof (ethyl) alcohol, it's often called absolute
>alcohol
>> > and can be bought from chemical supply houses.
>>
>> I won't stay 200 proof for long. Once you open the bottle,
>> it will suck moisture from the air and turn itself into 190
>> proof (or less) just like Harry said.
>
>No; the reason that ethanol is generally sold for consumption at no
>higher concentration than 95% (190 proof) is that it is all *distilled*
>spirits. When you distill alcohol from any of the usual plant sources
>(grapes, potatoes, whatever), the purest concentration is a 95%
>azeotrope with 5% other organic impurities. There's no reason you
>couldn't drink 100% (200 proof) alcohol. It's just that it's that 5%
>impurity that imparts whatever flavor there is in it.
>

There's flavor in grain alcohol?

>While I'm not sure how *fast* pure alcohol absorbs water, I doubt it's
>anywhere near as fast as you suppose.

"Matthew Russotto" > wrote in message
...
> In article ich.edu>,
> Daniel J. Stern > wrote:
>>
>>No, de-watered is "anhydrous". Denatured alcohol ("Methylated Spirit",
>>"Methyl Hydrate") is ethanol to which some methanol has been added.
>
> Methanol is one adulterant, but acetone is also used.
>
So is Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Av Gas.
The point is to make it undrinkable so it doesn't come under the Alcoholic
Beverages Taxes.

My understanding is that there are several hundred formulas for "denaturing"
alcohol. You're
free to invent your own so that the chemistry you need isn't screwed up. So
long as it's posonous, it's OK.

Paul R

"Matthew Russotto" > wrote in message
...
> In article ich.edu>,
> Daniel J. Stern > wrote:
>>
>>No, de-watered is "anhydrous". Denatured alcohol ("Methylated Spirit",
>>"Methyl Hydrate") is ethanol to which some methanol has been added.
>
> Methanol is one adulterant, but acetone is also used.
>
So is Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Av Gas.
The point is to make it undrinkable so it doesn't come under the Alcoholic
Beverages Taxes.

My understanding is that there are several hundred formulas for "denaturing"
alcohol. You're
free to invent your own so that the chemistry you need isn't screwed up. So
long as it's posonous, it's OK.

Paul R

Then why aren't you jumping and shouting for the same treatment for
your hero Tubby Kennedy, hypocrite?

Then why aren't you jumping and shouting for the same treatment for
your hero Tubby Kennedy, hypocrite?

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Denatured alcohol is alcohol which has been adulterated with additives
which will make you sick if you drink it, and/or make it unpalatable.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Damn, I -knew- that. I don't know where the H* I got the water bit.
Spent some time in a analytic lab.

Harry K