C2H5OH PT 1

I stood next to the beakers and tubes which I had stuck together to form a distillation contraption.

Kernels of corn stood on the lab table as Zhang, Artemis, Quincy, and Tariq watched me. My hair was tied back along with cloth covering my clothes. I also wore oven mitts as some sort of glove protection. A set of large plastic glasses sat on the bridge of my nose. Lab safety was always the first thing a chem student is tested on no matter the level of difficulty of the class.

I used to take it for granted until now. I'm in a time period where chemistry is at its peak yet lab safety is at its lowest.

The extraction and formation of ethanol in general is not an easy process. The amount of moles(unit of measurement for chemical elements) must be precise to the thousandth of a decimal.

My right hand was busy writing down my lab report as I calculated the amount of ethanol that I would need to produce for a single bottle of alcohol. For the time being, my product is going to be under experimentation. I don't need to make that much ethanol yet. That is until I perfect the recipie to a light or "diet" alcohol which resembles beer but still has the burn of whiskey or rum. I chuckled as I performed my lab report.

In my previous life I had never drunk, smoked, or done any drugs in fear of losing my senses before I reach my goal. My father was quite fond of the the three. I had always wondered what was so good about these products. But I guess that I'm about to know soon.

Based on my slight historical knowledge the 1920's was also a high time for drugs, particularly heroine and opium.

I sighed. Now is not the time to get sidetracked. I must focus for the time being.

The first step for ethanol extraction is fermenting the corn then distilling it to form the fuel.

Due to the rise of concern with the depletion of fossil fuels, scientists have turned to natural resources such as corn for fuel. Despite its weak ergonomic factor, corn was quite sufficient in its effect as a fuel.

Tariq came up next to me as he asked.

"Miss Astrid, what are we supposed to help you with?"

I turned to Tariq and smiled. At least he was enthusiastic. I remember all of my study groups in college being to lazy to help me with my experiments. Go figure.

"Well Tariq, our first step is fermenting the corn. But before that we must form our corn mask."

I had read an article once from a winery talking about corn whiskey. A type of wine which doesn't need aging and is easy to make for mass production. And that is exactly what I need now.

I brought the sugar which Quincy and Zhang has run out to buy for me earlier. I then poured it into the pot over the burner with the mashed corn. I then begin to stir the mix.

As the solution began to bubble. I told Artemis to pass over the barley which I had then added. The solution darkened from its clear color. Becoming a sort of murky brown. All while stirring.

My eyes focused on the thermometer as it went from 165 degrees Fahrenheit to 152. Perfect it was cooling. My arm started hurting after the stirring for ten minutes. Zhang then nodded as he appeared by my side and pointed at the pot and stick. I nodded and exhaled in relief.

"Thanks Zhang!"

Zhang bowed before he took over e stirring. I then wrote down all of my calculations, as well as the measurements and materials which I had used. An hour later the thermometer finally showed 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Now was the time to add the yeast. Dr. McKinnon volunteered as he poured in the measured teaspoon which I had calculated for the reaction to produce the correct amount of moles of ethanol needed. After another ten minutes of stirring the solution was prepared.

I then wadded over used my over mitt to pour the hot solution into a metallic bucket. I then placed it in the middle of the room. I sat back on the floor in exhaustion. The first step to extracting ethanol was done. I sighed. I didn't know that this was going to be so hard. I internally cried as I remembered the perks of modern times. My team members sat on the floor next to me. They were all just as exhausted as we had taken turns stirring.

I closed my eyes as I felt my eyelids droop. I was sure that I had closed the burners. My notes were in good shape. The product to be fermented is covered to avoid mixing with the air. I think that taking a nap wouldn't be a bad idea. As I closed my eyes I heard the soft snores of my team members. I smiled as I thought.

Great minds think alike.

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Thank you so much my luvs❤️The mass release will happen tomorrow so stay tuned❤️Stay safe😷😍