James Silverton wrote:

> Just don't try to make denatured alcohol drinkable by distillation!
> Removing methyl alcohol from ethyl is very difficult
>

Likewise, absolute ethanol (200 proof) was a no-no for drinking because
of the use of benzene for the azeotropic removal of the 5% water present
in the azeotropic distillate of ethanol. I've wondered whether absolute
ethanol is still produced that way, or whether zeolites are now used to
remove the water. If so, I doubt that the fact is being widely
advertised, for obvious reasons.

"We never stagger
We never fall
We sober up on wood alcohol
While our loyal friends go marching
Back to the bars for more..."

(Sung to the tune of the Notre Dame fight song)

Mark (hic) Lipton

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