Several grades of ethanol are available.
Industrial Ethanol (96.5 vol %)– is used for industrial and technical purposes as a solvent and a fuel, and is also converted into many other products. Industrial ethanol is usually denatured with 0.5 – 1 wt % of crude pyridine and is sometimes colored with 5×104 wt % methyl violet for easy recognition.
Denatured Spirit (88 vol %)-is a term used in some countries to describe industrial 88 vol % ethanol, which has been denatured and colored, and is generally used for heating and lighting.
Fine Alcohol (96.0 – 96.5 vol %)- is a purer type of ethanol used mainly for pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations and for human consumption.
Absolute or Anhydrous Ethanol (99.7 – 99.8 vol %)– is the term given to very pure, extremely dry ethanol, which is used in the food and pharmaceutical industries and also in the manufacture of aerosols. Anhydrous denatured ethanol mixed with 70 – 80 vol % of gasoline is used as a fuel for internal combustion engines
