Arielle Cruz
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are considered hazardous waste and should be disposed of safely. However, some people may consider extracting alcohol from hand sanitizers for various purposes such as cleaning, disinfecting, or even consumption. While it is not recommended, one method to extract alcohol from hand sanitizer at home involves using salt to separate the gel and then filtering it with a coffee filter, resulting in almost pure alcohol. Nevertheless, it is important to exercise caution when handling flammable substances like alcohol near heat sources.
Characteristics and Values Table for Extracting Alcohol from Hand Sanitizer at Home
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Alcohol Denat, Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Ammonium Polyacryloydimethyl Taurate, Active substance: Ethanol |
| Equipment | Large pot, coffee filter, 5-gallon food-grade bucket, Air Still |
| Process | Boil and simmer water with sugar and citric acid, add yeast, distill, filter |
| Risks | Flammable, hazardous waste |
| Other | Not for human consumption, use for cleaning, disinfecting, skincare |
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What You'll Learn
Use salt to separate the gel
It is possible to separate the gel from hand sanitizer using salt. This method is useful for obtaining ethyl alcohol for use in a camp stove or similar. However, it is important to note that the process of extracting alcohol from hand sanitizer has been associated with underage drinking and can be dangerous, so extreme caution should be exercised.
To separate the gel from hand sanitizer using salt, follow these steps:
Step 1: Prepare the Hand Sanitizer and Salt
Firstly, you will need to gather your materials. For this process, you will require hand sanitizer gel and ordinary table salt. The specific quantities are important: for every 113 grams of hand sanitizer gel, you will need 1 teaspoon of table salt.
Step 2: Combine the Sanitizer and Salt
In a container, mix the hand sanitizer gel with the table salt. Ensure that the quantities are measured accurately, as per the recommended ratio.
Step 3: Allow the Mixture to Separate
Once the salt and sanitizer are combined, the reaction will begin. The salt disrupts the polymeric thickener in the sanitizer, causing it to separate into its components. This process will result in a dense plug of water and gel forming at the bottom of the container, while the ethanol (alcohol) will float to the top.
Step 4: Strain the Mixture
To separate the ethanol from the gel, you will need to strain the mixture. Cover a cup or bowl with several layers of cheesecloth or a similar porous material. Carefully pour the mixture onto the cheesecloth, allowing the liquid ethanol to pass through. The ethanol will permeate through the cloth, leaving the congealed salt, glycerine, and gel behind.
Important Safety Considerations
While the process of using salt to separate gel from hand sanitizer can be done at home, it is crucial to emphasize that the extracted ethanol should not be consumed. Hand sanitizer often contains additional ingredients that can be harmful if ingested. Additionally, ethanol obtained through this method may be stronger than regular alcohol, so extreme caution is advised.
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Filter with a coffee filter
To filter alcohol with a coffee filter, you will first need to separate the gel from your hand sanitizer by using salt. Once you have separated the gel, you can filter the sanitizer with a coffee filter. It is important to note that a coffee filter may not be fine enough to filter out yeast solids, and may also affect the yeast and flavour of the alcohol.
If you are filtering alcohol that is not hand sanitizer, you can use a 4-foot transparent polycarbonate tube, available for $3.57 at Home Depot. You will also need approximately 1lb of activated carbon (also known as activated charcoal), at about a 12x40 mesh size. This will be about the size of coffee grains. You can find activated carbon on eBay for around $10.
To set up your filter, first, filter out the carbon dust and wait for the water to drain out. Then, replace or place two coffee filters tightly around the bottom of the tube, securing them as near to the bottom as possible with rubber bands. Place an empty bottle and funnel below the tube and pour your alcohol into the top of the tube. After half an hour, your alcohol will be filtered.
You can add a small amount of vanilla extract to balance out the flavour and body of the alcohol.
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Distillation setup over a heat source
Distillation is a common method used to extract alcohol from hand sanitizer. It involves heating the sanitizer to evaporate the alcohol, which can then be condensed back into a liquid form. This process requires a heat source, such as a stove, and a distillation setup.
The first step is to separate the gel from the sanitizer using salt. This can be done by adding salt to the sanitizer and stirring until the gel dissolves. The mixture can then be filtered using a coffee filter to remove any remaining solids.
The next step is to set up the distillation process. This requires a large pot or boiling flask to heat the filtered sanitizer, a condenser to cool and condense the alcohol vapors, and a collection container to collect the distilled alcohol. The boiling flask should be placed on a heat source, such as a stove, and the condenser should be set up above it, with the collection container at the end of the condenser.
It is important to ensure that the setup is secure and that the seals between the components are tight to prevent the escape of vapors. The heat source should be controlled to maintain a steady temperature and avoid overheating, as alcohol is flammable.
During the distillation process, the sanitizer in the boiling flask is heated to a specific temperature, causing the alcohol to evaporate. The vapor rises into the condenser, where it is cooled and condensed back into a liquid form. The distilled alcohol then flows into the collection container, where it can be stored or used for various purposes.
It is crucial to exercise caution when performing distillation, especially when working with a heat source. Proper ventilation and safety measures should be in place to mitigate the risks associated with flammable vapors.
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Charcoal filter for better flavour
Using a charcoal filter is a great way to improve the flavour of the alcohol you extract from hand sanitiser at home.
Firstly, it's important to note that charcoal filters are commonly used by alcohol companies to improve the flavour of their products. For example, Jack Daniel's uses charcoal chips to improve the flavour of their whiskey.
To create your own charcoal filter at home, you will need the following:
- A 4-foot polycarbonate tube
- Approximately 1lb of activated carbon (also known as activated charcoal), with a 12x40 mesh size
- A round piece of fine metal mesh (optional)
- Two coffee filters
- Rubber bands
Begin by filling the tube with activated carbon. If you are using the fine metal mesh, place this inside the tube first, at the bottom, to hold the carbon in place. The metal mesh is not necessary, but it will prevent small amounts of carbon from ending up in the final product. Next, secure two coffee filters tightly around the bottom of the tube with rubber bands. These filters will need to be replaced each time you filter a batch of alcohol.
Once your filter is set up, simply pour your alcohol into the top of the tube and wait for around half an hour. The alcohol will pass through the tube, and the activated carbon will remove impurities, resulting in a smoother taste. You can also add a small amount of vanilla extract after filtering to balance out the flavour.
It is worth noting that the slower the alcohol passes through the carbon, the better the filtration. Therefore, it may be beneficial to run the alcohol through the filter multiple times.
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Reclaiming industrial ethyl alcohol
Firstly, it is important to note that hand sanitiser is considered a solid and hazardous waste. As such, it must be managed and disposed of properly. The EPA encourages recycling excess hand sanitiser when possible, but it must comply with legitimacy criteria outlined in specific regulations. Reclaiming industrial ethyl alcohol from hand sanitiser may qualify for the industrial ethyl alcohol exemption under specific regulations. To use this exemption, the reclaimer must obtain the proper Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) permits and comply with all TTB regulations for industrial ethyl alcohol. The reclaimer must also ensure that the hand sanitiser, the reclaimed alcohol, and the reclamation processes comply with the legitimacy factors outlined in the regulations.
Businesses and institutions with excess hand sanitiser can consider contacting RCRA-permitted cement kilns. These kilns can recycle the solid and hazardous waste through burning for energy recovery, as the high alcohol content of hand sanitiser makes it valuable for fuel blending. However, it is important to manage this process carefully at the generator site and manifest it to the RCRA-permitted cement kiln.
There are companies that specialise in ethanol recovery and disposal, such as Parallel Products, which offers ethanol disposal and recovery solutions for various industries, including chemical manufacturing, health and beauty, and pharmaceuticals. These companies ensure compliance with environmental regulations and maximise sustainability by repurposing ethanol for fuel or industrial applications or disposing of it safely.
Overall, reclaiming industrial ethyl alcohol from hand sanitiser requires careful adherence to regulations and safety protocols to ensure the protection of people and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not safe. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is ignitable and should be managed and disposed of safely.
One way to separate alcohol from hand sanitizer is to use salt to separate the gel, then filter it with a coffee filter. However, the alcohol obtained through this method is not very pure.
Alcohol is flammable, so be cautious while distilling it at home. Do not dispose of hand sanitizer or its byproducts down the drain as they can cause fires and explosions.
The extracted alcohol can be used for cleaning, disinfecting, skincare, or even as fuel. However, it is not suitable for consumption due to the presence of other chemicals.
In the US, the reclaimed alcohol must comply with TTB regulations and RCRA legitimacy factors. It is considered hazardous waste and should be disposed of at a household hazardous waste drop-off location.
