Ethyl Ether

Ethyl ether is produced as a by-product in the direct hydration process for the production of ethyl alcohol. Ethyl ether is hydrolyzed to give ethyl alcohol which may react with further ethyl sulphate to yield diethyl ether. Gases from the top of the scrubber also pass to the fractionation column from where the ethyl ether is condensed and collected. The crude ethyl ether is purified to remove remaining impurities consisting of aldehyde, alcohols, sulphur dioxide and water. In the alum process, ethyl alcohol vapour at a temperature of 180–230°C reacts under pressure in a steel tube containing a special alum catalyst to yield ethyl ether. Ethyl ether is used as a solvent for oils, fats, dyes, gums and resins and as an extractant of colorants and natural perfumery products. The handling of ethyl ether is hazardous because of its high flammability. Little ethyl ether is absorbed through the skin, but it can cause irritation.