From wastes to profit: technology of sanitizer production

From wastes to profit: technology of sanitizer production

 11  /   Vladimir KOMAROV  /   07.08.2020  /   Economy

Personnel of the Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan have developed the technology of production of organic compound, the isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol), from the wastes of wine and sugar production. Head of the Institute’s laboratory Esker Annahanov explained that isopropyl alcohol has high antiseptic properties and is widely used as a substitute for ethyl alcohol. It is used in medicine, cosmetology, perfume production, household chemical production, as glass cleaner liquid for vehicles as well as for antifreeze production.

Imported isopropanol is used as the main component (70 %) for production of personal hygiene liquid at the facility for production of disinfecting solutions located in Byuzmeyin district of Ashgabat.

Chemical scientists proposed to use local raw materials, the fusel oils, which are received in the distillation process at wine yards of the country, for production of isopropyl alcohol.

Scientific studies and experimental production of organic substance were carried out under trilateral agreement between the Institute of Chemistry, disinfectant solution facility and wine yard located in Byuzmein etrap of the capital. Raw materials have ben provided by Mary Sugar Production Facility.

During test distillation in rectification column of the wine yard, more than 700 dekalitres of 96.65 % isopropyl alcohol have been evaporated. It was calculated that the cost of disinfectant would be several times lower using local materials.

Esker Annahanov thinks that there is a probability to receive some other chemical compounds, in particular strong disinfectants, which are able to replace chlorine, during distillation and evaporation of fusel oils. Several solutions of various concentration received during the test have been handed over to sanitary epidemiological station for testing of anti-bacterial properties.