Vivian Marlowe
Hand sanitizer has become a common household item, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. While its primary use is for sanitation, some people have attempted to extract alcohol from hand sanitizer for other purposes, such as cleaning, disinfecting, skincare, or even consumption. One method to separate alcohol from hand sanitizer involves adding salt, which increases the salinity of the solution and causes the alcohol to separate from the gel. However, this method may not yield pure alcohol, and consuming hand sanitizer can be dangerous and even life-threatening. This article will explore the process of extracting alcohol from hand sanitizer using salt, the potential risks, and the reasons why individuals may choose to do so.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why extract alcohol from hand sanitizer? | To use it for other purposes like cleaning, disinfecting, skincare, etc. |
| Ingredients of hand sanitizer | Alcohol Denat, Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Ammonium Polyacryloydimethyl Taurate, Active substance: Ethanol |
| Percentage of alcohol in hand sanitizer | 60-70% |
| Salt method | Adding salt to hand sanitizer causes the alcohol to separate from the gel and distil the alcohol back into its liquid form |
| Results of the salt method | Not very pure, leaves residue on surfaces after drying |
| Suggested use | Not suitable for cleaning electronics |
| Risks | Alcohol is flammable, ingestion of alcohol-based hand sanitizer can cause severe drunkenness and life-threatening effects |
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What You'll Learn
Use salt to separate the alcohol from hand sanitizer
Using Salt to Separate Alcohol from Hand Sanitizer
The process of using salt to separate alcohol from hand sanitizer is known as "salting out". This method can be used to separate isopropyl alcohol from water in an azeotropic solution, resulting in dehydrated isopropyl alcohol. Dehydrated isopropyl has various uses, such as a standalone fuel or in the production of bio-diesel fuel.
To begin the process, you will need a bottle of 50% to 70% isopropyl alcohol, a wide-mouthed glass jar with a lid or another leak-proof container, a pound of non-iodized table salt, and a turkey baster. The hand sanitizer ingredients are typically ethanol, a polymeric thickener, and perfume. Adding salt will cause the thickener to separate, resulting in a dense layer of water and gel at the bottom and mostly pure ethanol floating on top.
Place the salt and isopropyl alcohol in the jar and allow them to separate for 15 to 30 minutes. Carefully open the jar without remixing the layers. Use the turkey baster to extract the top layer, which will be the isopropyl alcohol. Transfer the contents to a receiving bottle.
It is important to note that the salted-out isopropyl may leave a salt residue when burned. While this residue can be beneficial in certain applications, such as a pocket stove, it may not be desired in others. To remove the salt residue, you can use a homemade still to separate the liquid from the dissolved solid.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the extracted alcohol may still be impure. If higher purity is required, further distillation may be necessary. However, distillation involves working with a heat source, so it is crucial to exercise extreme caution due to the flammability of alcohol.
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Distillation to further purify the extracted alcohol
Distillation is a common method used to further purify alcohol that has been extracted from hand sanitiser using salt. However, it is important to note that distillation alone will not yield completely pure alcohol.
The process of distillation involves heating the impure alcohol in a pot or reboiler, causing it to vapourise. This vapour then rises through a fractionating column and into a condenser, where it is cooled back into a liquid state. The liquid, known as the distillate, collects in a receiver.
To improve the purity of the alcohol, the distillate can be distilled again through successive vapourisation-condensation cycles. This process, known as fractional distillation, separates the components of the mixture by taking advantage of their different boiling points. As the mixture is heated, the compound with the lower boiling point will vapourise at a higher ratio, allowing for some separation.
It is important to note that distillation is an energy-intensive process, and the amount of energy required will depend on the final quality of the alcohol. Additionally, the equipment used for distillation, such as a refluxer, should be chosen carefully to minimise the risk of off-gassing alcohol fumes.
While distillation can improve the purity of alcohol extracted from hand sanitiser, it may not be the most environmentally friendly or economical method. Modern methods, such as membrane technologies like pervaporation, offer more resource-saving and ecological alternatives to traditional distillation.
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The chemistry behind adding salt to separate alcohol
The process of using salt to separate alcohol from hand sanitizer involves a combination of chemical and physical principles. Firstly, let's understand the typical composition of hand sanitizer. Most hand sanitizers contain ethanol as the primary solvent, along with other ingredients such as a polymeric thickener and preservatives or perfumes.
Now, let's delve into the chemistry behind adding salt to separate the alcohol:
The Role of Salt: Salt, being an ionic compound, is composed of electrically charged molecules called ions. When salt is introduced to the hand sanitizer mixture, its ions compete with the alcohol molecules for interaction with the water molecules. This competition is crucial to the separation process.
Competing for Water Molecules: As the concentration of salt increases, its ionic components increasingly compete with the alcohol molecules for proximity to the water molecules. Eventually, the salt outcompetes the alcohol, causing the alcohol to be pushed out of the solution. This phenomenon is often referred to as "salting out" or "salt-induced phase separation."
The Hydrophobic Nature of Alcohol: Alcohol molecules have both polar and nonpolar regions, which is a unique characteristic. This allows them to form hydrogen bonds with water, making them miscible or mixable. However, when salt is introduced, it disrupts these hydrogen bonds between alcohol and water.
The Outcome: With the addition of a significant amount of salt, all the water molecules become bonded to the salt ions, leaving none available to form hydrogen bonds with the alcohol molecules. As a result, the alcohol becomes immiscible with water and begins to form a separate layer. Meanwhile, the salt also disrupts the function of the polymeric thickener in the hand sanitizer, causing it to separate out as well.
In summary, the chemistry behind adding salt to separate alcohol from hand sanitizer involves the competitive interaction of salt ions with water molecules, disrupting the ability of alcohol to mix with water. This process results in the separation of alcohol and the thickening agent from the rest of the hand sanitizer solution. It's important to note that while this process can produce mostly pure ethanol, further distillation may be required for higher purity levels.
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The dangers of drinking hand sanitizer
Consuming hand sanitizer is extremely dangerous and can be fatal. The high concentration of alcohol in hand sanitizers is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestive system, triggering an array of dangerous physical effects.
Firstly, drinking hand sanitizer can cause alcohol poisoning, which can lead to long-term kidney and liver damage. Even a small amount of ingested hand sanitizer can cause life-threatening breathing problems and seizures, which can result in oxygen deprivation and long-term organ damage or even death.
Secondly, the various inedible and potentially toxic ingredients in hand sanitizers can cause gastrointestinal distress, irritating the delicate lining of the stomach and intestines. This can result in nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which contribute to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Thirdly, drinking hand sanitizer can have toxic effects on the central nervous system (CNS) and vital organs, possibly causing long-lasting damage or even death. Ingesting hand sanitizer disrupts normal brain function, leading to altered behavior, confusion, dizziness, impaired judgment, and in some cases, loss of consciousness.
In addition, the high alcohol content in hand sanitizers can also pose a risk of addiction if consumed regularly. The addictive nature of alcohol can lead to a dangerous cycle of tolerance, dependence, and alcohol use disorder.
It is important to note that hand sanitizers are not intended for consumption and are not formulated to be safe for internal use. The human body processes ingested alcohol differently from alcohol applied topically to the skin.
If you or someone you know has consumed hand sanitizer, do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Seek medical attention promptly and do not induce vomiting unless specifically advised to do so by medical professionals or poison control. Have the hand sanitizer product container or label available when you contact poison control so they can provide accurate guidance based on the specific ingredients and alcohol content.
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The distillation setup and process
To begin the distillation process, you will need a heat source, such as a stove or hot plate, and a distillation setup. The basic setup consists of a boiling flask, a condenser with a cooling mechanism, and a collection flask. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up the distillation process:
- Begin by preparing your work area. Clear a space on your countertop or table near an electrical outlet, if needed. Gather all the necessary equipment, including the hand sanitizer, salt, distillation setup, and any other tools you may require, such as a thermometer and heat source.
- Set up the distillation apparatus. Place the boiling flask on the heat source. Ensure that the flask is securely positioned and will not tip over during the process. Attach the condenser to the boiling flask, ensuring a tight fit to prevent any vapor leaks. Then, connect the cooling mechanism to the condenser. This can be a water bath, ice bath, or a refrigerator circulation system, depending on the type of condenser you are using. Finally, attach the collection flask to the condenser outlet.
- Prepare the hand sanitizer and salt mixture. In a separate container, mix the hand sanitizer and salt. The amount of salt added will depend on the volume of hand sanitizer you are using. The goal is to create a supersaturated solution that will cause the alcohol to separate. A general rule of thumb is to add about a teaspoon of salt per ounce of hand sanitizer, but you may need to adjust this ratio based on the specific brand of hand sanitizer and its ingredients. Stir the mixture until most of the salt has dissolved and you start to see the formation of two layers: a dense plug of water and gel at the bottom and an ethanol-rich layer floating on top.
- Carefully pour the separated ethanol-rich layer into the boiling flask, being cautious not to include the denser layer, as it may contain impurities. Ensure that the collection flask is empty and ready to receive the distilled alcohol.
- Start the heating process. Turn on the heat source and adjust the temperature to a level that will bring the mixture in the boiling flask to a gentle boil. It is important to monitor the temperature to avoid overheating, which can be dangerous and affect the quality of the distillation.
- As the mixture boils, the alcohol will vaporize and rise into the condenser. The condenser's cooling mechanism will condense the alcohol vapor back into a liquid form, and the distilled alcohol will drip into the collection flask. Ensure that the condenser is effective in condensing the vapors to avoid releasing alcohol fumes into the air.
- Continue the distillation process until most of the alcohol has been collected in the receiving flask. You may need to adjust the heat source and condenser cooling to maintain optimal distillation conditions.
- Once the distillation is complete, turn off the heat source and allow the setup to cool down. Carefully remove the collection flask and seal it to prevent evaporation. Label the flask with the contents and date of distillation.
Note: This process should be performed with caution and under expert supervision, as it involves handling flammable substances and heat.
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Frequently asked questions
Add a lot of salt to the hand sanitizer, causing the thickener to stop working and separate out. The end result will be a dense plug of water and gel at the bottom and mostly pure ethanol floating on top. Be careful as alcohol is flammable.
Salts are more soluble than alcohols in water, and as the concentration of salt increases, its ionic components compete with the alcohol for space around the water molecules. Eventually, the salt outcompetes the alcohol, causing it to separate from the solution.
The purity of the extracted alcohol depends on the initial concentration of alcohol in the hand sanitizer and the effectiveness of the separation process. While the salt method helps to separate the alcohol, it may still not be very pure, and further distillation may be required to increase its purity.
