Glycerin and Wash Water

In the biodiesel reaction, oil is converted to biodiesel and glycerin in the presence of methanol and other chemicals. Glycerin is about 10 percent of the final product. When you drain off the glycerin, it contains the excess methanol not used by the reaction. Please use caution, because fumes from this mixture are very flammable and dangerous to your health.

Wash water is used to flush salts and impurities from the finished biodiesel. This water also contains unreacted oil and some methanol and biodiesel.

Glycerin and wash water are high-strength wastes and much more concentrated than the usual wastewater discharged to a sewer system. In addition, glycerin will gel at lower temperatures and can clog up plumbing. Never discharge glycerin or wash water to a septic system. This will overload the process and could lead to clogging of the laterals.

In large quantities, these wastes can damage the treatment process at a municipal wastewater plant, but the amounts of glycerin and wash water created by a small producer should not effect the operation of a public treatment works. Glycerin can gel and clog pipes, but it is water soluble. Therefore, if you flush the pipes with water as you pour out the glycerin, you may avoid gelling. Again, use caution around sources of ignition. You can put wash water down the drain without causing problems.

Because of the possibility of clogging pipes, it might be better to talk to the local treatment plant operators and bring the raw glycerin directly to the treatment facility.

Never put waste glycerin or wash water into a storm sewer or ditch. This would send the waste directly into a stream. The high biochemical oxygen demand from the glycerin will greatly lower oxygen levels in the stream and cause a fish kill. Direct discharge of these wastes to waters of the United States is a criminal violation!

When the household hazardous waste exemption applies, landfills can accept glycerin, but most landfills are not eager to accept a liquid waste.

Industrial biodiesel operations often refine crude glycerin to create value-added products. This is beyond the capabilities of most non-commercial and home biodiesel producers, but some small-scale producers use the glycerin to make soap after removing the methanol.

Crude Glycerin from Biofuel Production has Great Unexpected Uses

It seems biodiesel manufacturing process is responsible for the creation of a large quantity of crude glycerin. Only in U.S. about 340,000 tons of unrefined glycerin went to market, and the thing is we don’t see yet a solution to use it. So right now most of it is simply incinerated. Well that doesn’t make biodiesel a clean alternative energy anymore, does it? Now, half of the world’s crude glycerin is made only by biodiesel production.

Glycerin in its pure form is used to manufacture soap, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and many other products, but the crude glycerin is an impure form that is unsuitable for these products. But what if we could use it putting back biodiesel in its correct position of green alternative power source?

Pure glycerin is colorless, odorless, non toxic and it’s made of 3 carbon atoms, 8 hydrogen atoms and 3 oxygen atoms. Using steam and absorbent filters, Dr. Valerie Dupont from the University of Leeds UK, has separated the 3 atoms resulting a rich hydrogen gas. The hydrogen-rich molecule is separated through the process called Unmixed and Sorption-Enhanced Steam Reforming and could be used in the alternative energy field for large power generating systems but as well for portable fuel cells.

But researchers do not stop here. Truman State University are investigating a way to use glycerin as a base food for cattle and as well to develop a nontoxic antifreeze liquid (propylene glycol). Crude glycerin is used at Virginia Tech to grow microalgae that produce omega 3 fat acids, an important nutrient. Besides this the algae can be used as animal food afterwards. Other researchers are focused to produce ethanol and methanol, including a new low-impact methanol production process that yields methanol without releasing hydrocarbon gasses as a byproduct.

Looking at current developments, crude glycerin could be the next gold mine of the future. It just depends un us if we learn to use it well or keep burning it.

Deodorization and decolorization of distilled glycerol

Distilled glycerol contains volatile substances, a special odor, which directly affects the quality of glycerol. This odor can be removed by vacuum extraction. That is to say, under the condition of decompression, heating and introducing a small amount of steam to make volatile substances evaporate together with water vapor. This process is called deodorization. In deodorization operation, it is better to use superheated steam and carry out in a higher vacuum. The deodorization effect can be improved by prolonging the deodorization time properly.



The deodorization operation is usually carried out in a pressure-resistant deodorizer with material controlled at 2/3 of the volume of the reactor, temperature controlled at 115-125 C: pressure at 0.096 MPa (730 mmHg), direct steam pressure at 0.08MPa and time at 2 h.

Distilled glycerol often contains a small amount of colored substances, usually light yellow, so it must be decolorized. Activated carbon is the most commonly used adsorbent for decolorization. The quality of activated carbon has a great influence on the decolorization of glycerol. First of all, it must have a strong decolorization effect on glycerol. Secondly, the impurities of activated carbon such as chloride, ash, acid and alkaline, etc., have no adverse effect on the quality of glycerol.

The amount of activated carbon is determined by the color of distilled glycerol. The general dosage is 0.1%~0.3% of glycerol, which should not be excessive. When decolorizing with activated carbon, glycerol is heated to 80~90℃ and activated carbon is added. After fully stirring for a certain period of time, sampling and filtering, comparing the filtrate with glycerol product standard, adding a little activated carbon when necessary, and then filtering after meeting the product requirements. Decolorization operation is generally controlled at: temperature 80~90℃; decolorization time 1.5 h; pressure filtration temperature 80~90℃; filtration pressure less than 0.4 MPa.

Activated carbon particles are often found in the initial filtrate, which should be returned to the decolorization tank. The filtrate can be collected and stored only after the activated carbon has formed a certain thickness of filter cake. The filtered activated carbon residue contains a large amount of glycerol, which should be recovered. The operation method is that the residual glycerol in the activated carbon is pressed into the decolorization tank with compressed air, then the activated carbon is washed with hot water, and the washing liquid is mixed with the activated carbon cylinder. The discharged activated carbon filter cake is put into the activated carbon mixing cylinder, diluted and mixed, and then transported to the ferric chloride treatment tank for treatment. It can also be washed with heated water, and the washing liquid can be evaporated and distilled to recover glycerin. Waste activated carbon can also be regenerated, but it is not economical to regenerate activated carbon in general use units, most of which are mixed with coal and burned.

Crude glycerin for chemical products and fuel cells

Crude glycerol used in chemical products

In industrial microorganisms, glycerol can also be used as a carbon source to produce other valuable chemical products, such as succinic acid, propionic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, acrolein, dyes and so on. Among them, acrolein is a multifunctional chemical intermediate, which can be used to produce acrylates, super absorbent polymers and detergents. Acrylic aldehyde can be obtained from glycerol by catalytic dehydration in liquid or gas phase. The key of this technology is to select suitable catalysts.OTT uses crude glycerol as raw material, subcritical or supercritical water as medium, through dehydration, acrylic acid can be obtained, but the yield of acrylic acid is not high; through adding inorganic acid or inorganic salt, the yield of acrylic acid can be increased. In the experiment, the highest conversion can reach 50% under the conditions of 300-390 C and 25-34 MPa by adding zinc sulfate, which is mainly due to the reduction of activation energy of the reaction by adding zinc sulfate.ZHOU used HZSN-5 as catalyst to catalyze the dehydration of glycerol to acrolein in gas phase. The reaction was carried out at 320 C. The conversion of glycerol was 98.27%, and the selectivity of acrolein was 74.94%. The research shows that the production of acrolein from glycerol is an active field in the research and application of glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel, in recent years, and the key technology lies in the selection and preparation of catalysts. Thus, various chemical products with high added value can be obtained from crude glycerol as raw materials or substrates through microbial technology or chemical catalytic hydrogenation, oxidation, hydrogenation and other processes.

Crude glycerol as fuel cell

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a new device which can generate electricity with microorganism as catalyst, and crude glycerol as substrate can be used to produce MFC. Yang Qiao added biodiesel by-products as substrates to microbial fuel cells, and studied their power generation performance. The effects of by-products composition on the performance of fuel cells were investigated. It was found that using biodiesel by-products as substrates had better power generation effect. However, there are many problems in dynamics, internal resistance and transmission of this process, which lead to unstable power generation process and low efficiency of power generation. However, with the development of microbial sensing, nanomaterials, bioelectrochemistry and other technologies, it is believed that this technology will be continuously developed and improved, which is also a prospective application of crude glycerol.

Refining methods and characteristics of crude glycerol

High purity glycerol is an important industrial raw material and one of the ways of large-scale utilization of glycerol. Taking crude glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel, as an example, its quality is greatly affected by the raw materials and process of biodiesel. Crude glycerol generally contains residual impurities such as methanol, methyl ester, oil, water, catalyst, salt, soap, free fatty acid and pigment.The presence of impurities has a great influence on the subsequent utilization of glycerol. Therefore, the refinement of crude glycerol is the prerequisite for the conversion and utilization of glycerol. Industrial grade crude glycerol containing 80%-85% can be obtained by simple neutralization, dealcoholization, degreasing, dehydration, decolorization and decolorization of crude glycerol.There are two main methods for refinement of industrial crude glycerol. One is vacuum distillation, which has the disadvantages of high energy consumption and high cost of glycerol purification. The other is ion exchange method, which is low energy consumption and easy to operate, but for crude glycerol with too many harmful impurities, it is easy to cause resin deactivation. At present, the cost of crude glycerol purification in China is higher. The reason is that the raw materials of domestic biodiesel are poor, especially waste oils, such as ditch oils, which are generally treated at high temperature. The internal structure of oils has changed, and the quality of by-product glycerol is poor.The raw materials for biodiesel production abroad are relatively pure and the cost of purification is low. The purification cost of glycerol can reach more than 90% of the production cost of essential glycerol, and the lowest production cost is US$150 per ton.

With the rapid development and large-scale production of biodiesel industry, the output of crude glycerol is excessive. At present, the purity of crude glycerol is high in medicine, food, cosmetics and other industries. Therefore, crude glycerol usually needs to be purified by separation or distillation. The refining process is relatively complex, and the current market price of glycerol is low, the economic feasibility of refining process is still insufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the application space of crude glycerol and improve the added value of crude glycerol.

What is Vegetable Glycerine and How is it Used?

Vegetable glycerine (also spelled glycerin) evokes pleasant thoughts in some and feelings of disgust in others. Yes, vegetable glycerine is commonly used in soap-making and biodiesel industries, but not all glycerine is the same. Here at Bulk Herb Store, our vegetable glycerine is pure USP grade. This grade of purity meets or exceeds the quality standards of the United States Pharmacopeia and is acceptable for food and cosmetic use. It's thick, clear, tasteless and yet... super sweet. Dribble a little bit on your tongue and you will instantly begin to salivate. Vegetable glycerine is one of the most versatile products when it comes to making herbal preparations for the whole family.

What is Vegetable Glycerine?

Vegetable glycerine is colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting, and non-toxic. It's made from vegetable fats such as soy, coconut, and palm oils. Glycerine is extracted from the fats through a solvent-free process called hydrolysis. The fats are heated with water and put under pressure until the glycerol breaks free from the fatty acid chain and enters the water. The glycerol is then vacuum-distilled until it is more than 99% pure glycerine. The final product has uses throughout many industries including the food industry. Glycerine is sweet, yet metabolizes differently than sugar; and unlike sugar it does not contribute to tooth decay. Glycerine makes an ideal solvent for herbal extracts, and can be substituted for the alcohol in traditional tinctures allowing people of all ages to take them.

How is it used?

Herbal Extracts:

Vegetable glycerine is a great solvent of herbal constituents and a preservative. Tinctures made with glycerine (also known as glycerites) instead of alcohol allow children and those avoiding alcohol to enjoy the benefits of herbal extracts. Its sweet taste can also help mask the taste of unpleasant herbs.

Easy Glycerite:

1. Fill a mason jar 1/3-1/2 full of herbs (1/2 full makes the brew stronger).


2. In a separate jar, mix 3 parts Vegetable Glycerine and 1 part distilled water. Shake to combine.


3. Pour liquid mixture over the herbs and completely cover to fill the jar 1/2 inch from the top.


4. After closing the jar tightly, place it in a crock-pot with a small towel underneath to keep the jar from breaking.


5. Fill the crock-pot with water up to the top of the jar (not touching the lid), and leave it on the lowest setting for 3 days, keeping the glycerin hot but NOT boiling, and add water as necessary.


6. Strain herbs through cheesecloth, squeezing out excess glycerine. Store in a tightly-sealed jar or tincture bottle, and label thoroughly.*

Natural Skin Care:

Vegetable glycerine is also an emollient, meaning that it softens and moisturizes the skin. This makes it a great addition to skin care products such as lotions and body creams. One of our favorite ways to use glycerine in skin care products is in our herbal shaving cream. Organic, soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients make for happy, healthy skin that glistens and glows while giving you the close shave possible. Curious?

Culinary:

Vegetable glycerine is wonderful for creating herbal extracts, but not all of them have to be medicinal. You can create simple heat-free glycerites to add fun flavors to ice cream and baked goods. Experiment with flavors like lavender, rose, peppermint, and lemon! Our favorite way to use them is drizzled over ice cream or fruit salads.

Easy Heat-free Glycerite: 

1. Fill a mason jar ½ way with dried herb (2/3 way full with fresh herb). Chop dried herb well before adding to jar.


2. In a separate jar, mix 3 parts Vegetable Glycerine and 1 part distilled water. Shake to combine.


3. Pour liquid mixture over the herb and completely cover to fill the jar.


4. Label container with date, ratio of glycerine to water, and herbs used.


5. Shake jar daily for 4-6 weeks.


6. Strain with cheesecloth, bottle, label!*

What Makes A Natural Soap Good For Dry & Sensitive Skin

No one wants to feel like a lizard that’s been left out in the sun. No one we know, anyway. But dry skin is a rough reality for a lot of women. Whether the cause is harsh winter weather, genetics, or simply the unfair side-effects of graceful aging, dry skin is uncomfortable and can rob you of your natural glow.

Fortunately, if you know how to protect and preserve your skin, those itchy patches and that tight feeling can be problems of the past.

You likely know that soap is a common culprit when you find your skin drained of its natural moisture. The good news is that staying clean doesn’t have to mean stripping your epidermis of the water and oil (sebum) that keeps it soft and bright. The right soap can both cleanse effectively and lock in moisture.

But in a beauty aisle packed with bottles promising to moisturize, how do you know what the “right soap” actually is? And if you have sensitive skin, how do you know which ingredients will help you without causing new problems?

To put it simply, you’re looking for these natural elements:

Emollients to Soften Skin

Do you know how dry skin can start to feel rough and rugged? It tightens, cracks, and can even flake. That’s where emollients come in. Emollients do their job at the cellular level. When your skin starts to crack, oil-rich emollients fill the cracks with lipids, making the surface smooth again. As is the case with most things in life, the gentlest and most effective emollients are found in natural substances like coconut oil and argan oil.

Occlusive Oils to Lock in Moisture

Emollients are rockstars when it comes to returning moisture to your skin, but it’s the occlusive agents that prevent those cold winds or hot showers from drying you out all over again. Occlusive agents trap moisture against the surface and appear frequently in heavier oils like sesame or olive oil. Because they don’t typically add moisture to skin on their own, they work best as a partner to emollients, creating a barrier to lock in all that hard-earned moisture. Hence, our Organic French Olive & Coconut Oil Body Wash, combining the emollient properties of coconut oil with the occlusive oils in olive.

Glycerin to Draw Moisture to the Surface

Glycerin is remarkably attractive . . . and we mean that literally. This ingredient is a humectant, which means it draws water to itself like some kind of hydration magnet. So, when glycerin comes in contact with your skin, it draws water from the deeper layers up to the surface. The result is a smooth, healthy complexion.

It’s important to note that these three ingredients—emollients, occlusive agents, and glycerin—do their best work when they operate as a team. The perfect soap will contain all three. That said, there is one more essential element when it comes to the ultimate formula for addressing dry skin.

Natural Ingredients to Moisturize and Protect Your Skin

As we’ve established, the wrong soap can be the whole reason for dry skin in the first place. This is because so many cleansing products contain harsh chemicals that strip skin of its natural oils. Even synthetic fragrances can be hard on sensitive skin. Organic and natural products, on the other hand, work with your skin to keep it healthy and radiant.

Your struggle with dry, sensitive skin ends today. You now know how to avoid the harsh substances that rob your skin of its radiance and how to recognize the ingredients that will transform you from a lizard back to the moisture-rich mermaid you are meant to be.

 

Advantages of vegetable glycerin

Everything you need to know about this surprisingly versatile plant-based ingredient.

 What exactly is Vegetable Glycerin

A natural triglyceride that is produced by various plant oils like sustainable palm or coconut oil.  It can be found in many different products and helps to attract and retain moisture.  It can also be found in food products and acts as a sweetener or sugar substitute that does not cause too decay.  That’s to all — this versatile triglyceride can also be found in pharmaceutical substances like laxatives and suppositories to relieve constipation.

Why is Vegetable Glycerin Important?

Glycerin is a substance that can seal in moisture on the top layer of your skin which leaves your skin hydrated. It has a smoothing and softening effect on the skin when used in skincare and is known to help shield the skin from irritants.  And, has anti-aging properties as well!

Key Benefits

• Soothes and nourishes your skin, leaving it soft, hydrated and healthy


• A natural healer and skin protectant


• Encourages the growth of new skin cells and creates a natural barrier to help keep irritants from harming your skin.


• Helps to keep pores unclogged and reduces acne and acne scars


• Can soothe sunburned skin


• Beneficial to skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.


• When used in hair, can help to moisturize hair follicles and produce your hair with lustrous shine.

How to Use Glycerin on the Face

If you suffer from dry skin on your face, glycerin may be your new must-have product. This clear liquid is derived from either animal fat or vegetable oils, is odorless, and has the consistency of thick syrup. When applied topically to the face, glycerin works to increase moisture on the skin and lock it in to curb the dryness. Work glycerin into your skin-care routine, and say sayonara to scales and hello to soothed, supple skin.

Step 1

Wash your face as usual. Pat it dry with a soft towel to soak up excess moisture, but leave the skin slightly damp. Moisten a cotton ball with glycerin. Rub the glycerin onto your face, avoiding your lips, eyes and inside of your nose and mouth. Leave the glycerin on your face to absorb into your skin without rinsing or wiping it off.

Step 2

Apply a glycerin mask to your face. Mix 3 teaspoons of white kaolin clay and 1/2 teaspoon of bentonite clay into a bowl. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of glycerin, 5 teaspoons of water and 2 drops of rose-geranium essential oil. Spread the mask onto your dry face using circular motions. Let the mask dry completely before rinsing it off with warm water.

Step 3

Wash your face with a homemade glycerin facial cleanser. Mix 1/2 cup of water and 1 1/2 tablespoons each of glycerin and cornstarch into a heatproof glass jar. Put the lid on the jar and place it into a pot of water on the stove. Bring the water to a boil. Continue heating the jar until the mixture inside has turned clear. Remove the jar with a potholder and let it cool completely. Scoop about a teaspoon of the mixture from the jar and massage it onto damp skin. Rinse well with warm water.

 Things You'll Need

• Soft towel


• Cotton ball


• 3 teaspoons white kaolin clay


• 1/2 teaspoon bentonite clay


• Bowl


• Spoon


• 2 drops rose-geranium essential oil


• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch


• Heatproof glass jar with lid


• Pot

 Tip

You can buy glycerin at most drugstores and pharmacies.

You can store the homemade glycerin facial cleanser at room temperature for up to 10 days.

 Warning

Consult your doctor before using glycerin if you are allergic to lactic acid, urea or any other inactive ingredients listed on the bottle of glycerin.

Glycerin can make your skin sensitive to the sun. Be sure to wear sunscreen on your face when using glycerin topically.

Ask your doctor before using glycerin on your face if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Stop using glycerin and call your doctor if you notice side effects such as blistering, swelling, peeling or other unusual changes to the skin. Side effects are rare, but it’s important to discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention if you exhibit these symptoms.

Crude glycerol for hydrogen production

Hydrogen is a clean and efficient secondary energy source. With the continuous expansion of the application of hydrogen and the increasing prominence of energy and environment problems in the world, biohydrogen production technology has received extensive attention.Among them, hydrogen production from crude glycerol is also an important comprehensive utilization of by-products of biodiesel, which has attracted more and more attention. The main processes of hydrogen production from glycerol include steam reforming, partial oxidation, autothermal reforming, water phase reforming and supercritical water reforming. Steam reforming is the most widely used technology in chemical industry.ADHIKARI used steam reforming process to prepare hydrogen and catalyzed high endothermic reaction of glycerol and water to produce hydrogen. The catalytic reforming performance of Ni/MgO, Ni/Ti2 and Ni/CeO2 catalysts was investigated. It was found that Ni/MgO had the highest hydrogen production activity at 650℃ and the hydrogen yield could reach 56.5%. SLINN investigated the feasibility of hydrogen production from glycerol steam reforming, a byproduct of biodiesel. Pt-Al2O3 was used as catalyst. It was found that the higher the reaction temperature, the higher the gas phase yield, the highest yield was close to 100%, and the selectivity was 70%. Under the optimal conditions of hydrogen production from glycerol steam reforming, the carbon deposition of glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel, was slightly higher than that of pure glycerol, but the catalytic activity of the two catalysts was similar.BYRD uses supercritical water reforming process, using glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel, as raw material and Au/Al2O3 as catalyst to produce hydrogen. The reaction is carried out in a tubular fixed-bed reactor. The reaction temperature is 700-800 C, the glycerol concentration (mass fraction) in the feed is 40%. The maximum yield is close to the theoretical yield, and 7 mol hydrogen can be obtained per mol glycerol. These processes all have certain requirements for the purity of glycerol, because excessive impurities in crude glycerol will have a certain impact on the activity and service life of catalysts. In order to accelerate the efficiency of hydrogen production from crude glycerol and reduce production costs, it is necessary to develop catalysts with strong environmental adaptability, resistance to impurity corrosion and high activity.

Crude glycerol can also be converted into hydrogen by microbial catalytic transformation. GUILLAUME utilizes photosynthetic bacteria to convert crude glycerol into hydrogen by light fermentation. The yield of this process is high, producing 6 mol hydrogen per mol of glycerol (75% of the theoretical value and 8 mol hydrogen per mol of glycerol in theory). At the same time, it is found that impurities in crude glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel, have no inhibition or toxicity to the whole fermentation process. Based on the above analysis, hydrogen can be prepared from crude glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel, by various chemical catalytic processes or microbial transformation technologies. The process has the advantages of renewable raw materials, clean and pollution-free. It is one of the efficient ways of hydrogen production and has a good development space.

 

Use Crude Glycerol To Make Hydrogen

Biodiesel, as a renewable energy, has got fast development and large-scale production, resulting in the significant overcapacity of its by-product glycerol. Crude glycerin can be obtained by treating biodiesel through a simple process. Besides glycerol, there are other impurities in crude glycerol. In order to apply it to food, cosmetics, medicine and other industries, crude glycerin must be refined. But at present, the refining process of crude glycerol is rather complicated, with high cost and low economic feasibility. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the application space of crude glycerol and improve the added value of crude glycerol, such as using crude glycerol to make hydrogen.

Hydrogen is a kind of clean and efficient secondary energy. With the continuous expansion of hydrogen application and the increasingly prominent world's energy and environmental problems, biological hydrogen production technology has received extensive attention. Among them, hydrogen production from crude glycerol is also an important comprehensive utilization of the by-products of biodiesel, which has attracted more and more attention. The main processes of making hydrogen from glycerol include steam reforming, partial oxidation, autothermic reforming, water phase reforming and supercritical water reforming. And steam reforming technology is widely used in chemical industry.

ADHIKARI et al. prepared hydrogen by steam reforming process and catalyzed the hyper endothermic reaction between glycerol and water to produce hydrogen. They've  investigated the catalytic reforming properties of Ni/ MgO, Ni/TiO2 and Ni/CeO2, finding that the activity of hydrogen production is the most high for Ni/MgO, the yield of hydrogen can reach 56.5%, when the reforming temperature is 650 ℃. SLINN et al. investigated the feasibility of steam reforming of glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel, to produce hydrogen. They used Pt-al2o3 as the catalyst, and found that the higher reaction temperature is, the higher gas phase yield will be. And the highest yield is close to 100%, the selectivity is 70%. Under the optimum conditions for hydrogen production by steam reforming of glycerol, the carbon deposition of glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel, was slightly higher than that of pure glycerol. However their catalyst activity is similar.

BYRD et al. adopt supercritical water reforming process, used glycerin, the by-product of biodiesel, as raw material to produce hydrogen, with Au/Al2O3 catalyst.  The reaction was carried out in a tubular fixed bed reactor, reaction temperature is 700 ~ 800 ℃, and the glycerin concentration (mass fraction) in the feed is 40%. The highest yield was close to the theoretical yield, with 7 moles of hydrogen for every 1 mole of glycerol. As the excessive impurities in crude glycerol will affect the activity and service life of the catalyst, the purity of glycerol is required during the process. Therefore, in order to increase the efficiency of making hydrogen from crude glycerol and reduce the production costs, it is also necessary to develop catalysts with strong environmental adaptability, corrosion resistance to impurities and high activity.

Glycerol can also be converted to hydrogen in the form of microbial catalytic conversion. GUILLAUME et al. utilizes photosynthetic bacteria Rhodopseudomonas palustris to convert crude glycerol to hydrogen. The yield is high during this process, producing 6 mol of hydrogen per 1 mol of glycerol (75% of theory, theoretically 8 mol of hydrogen per 1 mol of glycerol). It was also found that impurities in crude glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel, had no inhibitory or toxic effects during the whole fermentation process.

According to the above analysis, hydrogen can be prepared from crude glycerol, the by-product of biodiesel, through various chemical catalysis technology or microbial transformation technology, with high hydrogen production efficiency. This process has the advantages of renewable raw materials, clean and pollution-free, and is one of the efficient ways of hydrogen production, with great development space.

Benefits of Glycerin Soap

Soaps vary a great deal in terms of their ingredients. For example, while some soaps make your skin dry, other soaps are very moisturizing. Glycerin soaps are considered to be one of the most moisturizing types of soap. The unique quality of this type of soap allows it to be both moisturizing and effective for all different kinds of skin. The benefits of glycerin soap help your skin become healthy and moisturized.

All Natural

One of the benefits of using glycerin soap is that it can be completely natural, with no synthetic ingredients added to it during the manufacturing process. All soap manufacturers differ, however. While glycerin soap can be totally natural, some glycerin soap manufacturers do add a small amount of synthetic ingredients.

Sensitive Skin

Because glycerin soaps can be completely natural, they are particularly beneficial for people who have sensitive skin. Synthetic ingredients can create skin complications or irritate dormant skin problems. Glycerin soap, on the other hand, can be used for even the most sensitive skin. It can even be used with skin problems like eczema or psoriasis. Glycerin soaps do not irritate the skin or create negative reactions like normal soap does.

Moisturizing

Glycerin is thought to be a humectant, which means that it can attract moisture. Due to this quality, glycerin soaps attract moisture to your skin and keep it locked in. This provides your skin constant hydration. Unlike some soaps that dry your skin out and make it feel tight and even flaky, glycerin soap keeps your skin feeling more hydrated for several hours after you use it. Using glycerin soap on a regular basis can help your skin become softer and suppler.

Healthy Skin

(Image: Avesun/iStock/Getty Images)

By keeping your skin well moisturized, you can create the foundation for healthy skin. Completely moisturized and healthy skin prevents you from developing wrinkles, stretch marks and tears in your skin. Although glycerin is a great soap to clean your whole body, using it to wash your face can offer you additional benefits. Using harsh soap that dries out the skin of your face often causes your skin to make up for its dryness by creating extra oil, which clogs your skin and creates skin problems. Glycerin soap can help decrease or completely rid you of acne when you use it as a face wash.

Ingredients in CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

CeraVe cream is formulated for areas of very dry skin. Thicker than lotion, the manufacturers claim it provides moisture; protects the skin; and is noncomedogenic, nonirritating and fragrance free. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream has 23 ingredients and is touted as preventing moisture loss and helping the skin regenerate.

Moisturizers

Purified water is the first ingredient in CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. It adds moisture to the skin instantly for immediate relief. Glycerin, a fat-based emollient, draws moisture from the air and imparts it into the skin, as outlined in “Milady's Dictionary of Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients.” Capric/caprylic stearic triglyceride moisturizes and conditions the skin. Capric/caprylic stearic trigylceride is a chemical compound synthesized from coconut oil. Cholesterol, a thickening agent and moisturizer, draws moisture to the skin and keeps it there. Petrolatum is listed as an ingredient and is also known as petroleum jelly or soft paraffin. A byproduct of gasoline refinement, petrolatum forms a protective barrier on the skin to keep moisture sealed inside. Dimethicone is a silicone-based emollient. Potassium phosphate works to ease the irritation of dry skin. It acidifies the skin and allows the moisturizers to easily penetrate the skin. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream lists xanthan gum as another moisturizer. In addition to providing moisture, xanthan gum keeps the oils and water-based substances in CeraVe Moisturizing Cream from separating during its shelf life.

Emulsifiers and Preservatives

Preservatives keep potentially harmful microorganisms from forming in the product. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream uses methylparaben and propylparaben to keep bacteria, fungi and other organisms from taking up residence in their product. Phenoxyethanol is a bactericide, killing bacteria as they form, according to “A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients.” Emulsifiers used in CeraVe Moisturizing Cream include behentrimonium methosulfate/cetearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, dipotassium phosphate, carbomer and sodium lauroyl lactylate.

Penetration Enhancers and Cell Regeneration

True to the manufacturer's claims, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream includes ingredients purported to help skin cells regenerate to form a healthy barrier. Ceramides 6 11, 3 and 1 are included in the ingredients listing for CeraVe cream. Phytosphingosine is an ingredient included to help activate the ceramides and coerce them to replenish damaged skin cells as outlined in “Cosmetics Unmasked.” Ceteareth-20 and disodium EDTA serve to help the cream penetrate the skin, while hyaluronic acid plumps and irritates the skin to give it a firm, soft feeling and appearance.

The Benefits of Glycerin

Glycerin, also called glycerol, is a thick, colorless and odorless liquid derived from fats and oils used in making soap. It’s used in various industries and products, such as antifreeze, sweeteners, dynamite, cosmetics, inks and lubricants. Glycerin is frequently found in skin care products, although there are prescription formulations for specialized health procedures and diseases. Although over-the-counter products containing glycerin are generally safe, prescription glycerin products shouldn’t be used if you have difficulty passing urine or are dehydrated, or have fluid in the lungs or congestive heart failure.

Cerebral Edema

Glycerin is given to patients intravenously to relieve pressure in the brain due to conditions such as stroke, meningitis, encephalitis, Reye’s syndrome and tumors. The treatment has been well studied through the years; a report in the March 1982 Journal of Neurosurgery found glycerol to be effective and safe when used to treat intracranial hypertension, without the dehydrating effects of other methods.

Constipation

Glycerin suppositories are often prescribed for the short-term treatment of constipation. They work by lubricating and mildly irritating the lining of the intestines, causing the muscles to contract, while pulling water from the intestines into the stool to make it easier for the stools to pass. Side effects from this treatment can include nausea, vomiting, fecal impaction, intestinal obstruction and abdominal pain.

Glaucoma

Glycerin has been used since the 1960s as an oral supplement to treat glaucoma and other eye conditions where there is increased pressure. One of the first studies, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology in 1965, discovered that oral glycerol brought the tension of acute glaucomatous eyes down to normal levels within an hour. Hyper glycemia has been reported after treatment by oral glycerol and it should therefore be used with caution in treating diabetics. Other side effects may include nausea, diarrhea and headaches.

Humectant

Glycerin is a natural humectant, meaning it easily absorbs water from other sources, particularly useful in treating dry skin. However, when used in its pure form, glycerin can actually increase water loss by attracting water from the lower layers of skin to the surface, where the water is easily be lost into the environment. This is why glycerin and humectants are combined with other ingredients to soften skin,

Physical Endurance

A study at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Albuquerque in 1996 found that glycerol supplements given to athletes prior to exercise prolonged endurance time and lowered heart rates during exercise activity. A separate, earlier study at the University of New Mexico had already established that giving glycerol to athletes in high-heat conditions reduced urine volume and rectal temperature and increased the sweat rate. This led the researchers to conclude that giving athletes glycerol prior to exercise increases hydration within cells, allowing tissues to remain hydrated during prolonged endurance.

Skin Disease

The same humectant qualities glycerin possesses may have a therapeutic benefit for skin diseases. Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia showed that glycerol helps skin cells mature properly, allowing the youngest cells to move up from the deepest layer and eventually grow to mature surface cells that emit lipids to protect the skin. The research, published in the December, 2003 issue of The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, concluded that glycerin may be able to help patients with conditions such as psoriasis and non-melanoma skin cancers that result from the abnormal proliferation and maturation of skin cells.

What Are Braggs Amino Acids?

Bragg Amino Acids, also known as Bragg's Liquid Aminos, is a non-fermented soy sauce used to season foods. Bragg, the manufacturer of this product, has trademarked this seasoning. Further, Bragg claims that this product is a good source of amino acids, containing 16 of the 20 amino acids found in nature.

Nutrition Facts

Half a teaspoon serving of Bragg Liquid Aminos has zero calories, 160 mg of sodium representing 6 percent of your daily value and 100 mg of carbohydrates. Additionally, this product contains 310 mg of protein and 16 amino acids, alanine, methionine, arginine, phenylalanine, aspartic acid, proline, glutamic acid, serine, glycine, threonine, histidine, tyrosine, isoleucine, valine, leucine and lysine. Bragg Liquid Aminos contain no chemicals, no artificial coloring, no gluten, no alcohol or preservatives. Additionally, the product has a non-genetically modified organism certification.

Uses

Bragg advertises this product as a seasoning for salads, soups, dressings, vegetables, tofu, rice, beans, stir-fries, potatoes, poultry, casseroles, meats, jerky, macrobiotics, fish, popcorn, gravies and sauces. The manufacturer also claims that the production process for this product uses non-genetically modified, or non-GMO, soybeans with purified water and the product has received certification from the non-GMO Project. You can use Bragg Liquid Aminos as a substitute for tamari and soy sauces.

Bragg’s Amino Acids and MSG

Monosodium glutamate is a compound used to enhance the flavor of foods, and you can find MSG in many packaged and processed foods. MSG is a derivative of glutamic acid made through fermentation. Every hydrolyzed protein contains MSG as the MSG is a byproduct of the hydrolyzation process. As a hydrolyzed protein product, Bragg Amino Acids do contain MSG. MSG acts as a neurotropic drug in your body, meaning it affects your nervous system. Therefore, many individuals have an allergy to products containing MSG. If you have any allergy to MSG, you should not consume Bragg Amino Acids.

Bottom Line

Bragg Amino Acids is a processed food product containing 310 mg of protein. As a source of protein, Bragg Amino Acids has less than 1 percent of your daily recommended protein value. The product does not, however, contain many of the chemicals found in other types of condiments, making this product a reasonably good choice to add flavor to other food items. You should always pay attention to the ingredients listed on the product label, and stop using the product should you experience an allergic reaction to any of those ingredients.

Comprehensive utilization of glycerol

Pure glycerin is a colorless sweet, and sticky liquid. It is a kind of triatomic alcohols , which has the general chemical properties of triatomic alcohols and can be involved in many chemical reactions to generate various derivatives. Due to its special physical and chemical properties, glycerol is widely used as a chemical materials for the manufacture of synthetic resins, plastics, paints, nitroglycerin, oils and beeswax, etc. It is also used in industries like the pharmaceutical, spices,  cosmetics, and sanitary product.

It is used to produce ECH, modified alkyd resin and phenolic resin in chemical industry, used to make lubricants in the pharmaceutical industry, used as sweeteners, humectants, moisture absorbent for tobacco in the food industry, used as the raw material of nitroglycerin, & the antifreeze of aircraft and automobile fuel in the national defense industry, used for toothpaste and flavor production in the daily chemical industry. Furthermore, glycerol is widely used in papermaking, leather, cellophane, and textile industry, as well.

Significance of glycerol exploitation and utilization

With the rapid development of China's economy, China's oil and energy supply will keep replying  on imports for a long time because of our extremely limited oil reserves. Moreover, scientists will also make unremitting efforts to the research and development of the alternative new energy sources. As a renewable new energy, biodiesel has a very broad development prospect, and its market competitiveness is being improved. At present, the main problem of biodiesel is the high cost. Researchers have started to solve this problem from raw materials and catalysts, but haven't found a very ideal solution now. Experts and researchers are working to reduce the production cost of biodiesel from various aspects, including selecting cheap raw materials to prepare biodiesel, optimizing production process, reducing unnecessary production links and unnecessary consumption. At the same time, the production cost of biodiesel can be reduced by improving the comprehensive utilization rate of the by-product glycerol and increasing the added value of the product, and Improve the economic efficiency of biodiesel production.

Although people are actively researching and producing biodiesel, the research and development of its by-product glycerol is far from enough. A large amount of by-product glycerol has been mixed with feed to feed pigs. If a large amount of by-product glycerol was not used rationally, it would not only waste resources, but also possibly pollute the environment. So, from the perspective of research by product glycerol, the development of high-purity glycerin and various glycerin products can reduce the cost of biodiesel, and also reduce the government subsidies on biodiesel production. Furthermore, it can also relieve the pressure on the import of high purity glycerin and important pharmaceutical and chemical products. Its development momentum is irresistible, and can obviously promote our country's economic development.

Chemical Analysis of Glycerol-Sodium Periodate Method

Principle: In strong acidic medium, sodium periodate oxidizes glycerol with three hydroxyl groups into formic acid and formaldehyde. Formic acid neutralized with NaOH, Indicating endpoint with pH meter. Calculating Glycerol Content from Consumption of NaOH Standard Solution

2HCHO+HCOOH+2NalO3+H2O→CH2OH--CHOH--CH2 OH+2NalO4

 

Reagent

Distilled water: no carbon dioxide.

Ethylene glycol dilution solution: 1 volume of glycerol-free ethylene glycol, neutralized with phenolphthalein as indicator, then diluted with 1 volume of water.

Sulfuric acid solution: about 0.1 mol/L.

Sodium formate solution is about 0.1 mol/L.

Preparation of sodium periodate acidic solution:Weigh 60g(accuracy to 0.1g) sodium periodate, and dissolve it in water of about 500 mL which has been added 120 mL acid solution. Cool it while adding it and transfer it to 1000 mL capacity bottle. Dilute it with water and shake it evenly. Filter with glass filter if necessary. Acidity check of solution: the volume of NaOH solution used in the blank test should be no less than 4.5mL, which is equivalent to the acidity produced by the basic reaction.

 

NaOH solution: about 0.05 mol/L

NaOH solution: about 0.125 mol/L。

Phenolphthalein indicator: dissolve 0.5g phenolphthalein in 95% (volume ratio) ethanol, dilute to 100 mL.

Instrument

Burette: 50ml.

PH Meter: Calibration of pH meter with Two Kinds of Buffer Solutions
a.Potassium hydrogen phthalate solution: 0.05mol/L (10.12g/L), pH 4.00 at 20℃
b.Disodium tetraborate 10 water (Na2B4O. 10H2O) solution: 0.01mol/L (3.81g/L), pH value is 9.22 at 20℃.

Determination steps

(1) Experimental composition: Samples with glycerol content less than 0.5g (accuracy to 0.0002g). If the approximate content of glycerol is unknown, the sample of 0.5g should be weighed for prediction. Put it in a 500 mL volumetric bottle and dilute it to the scale with water. Shake well and take 50 mL of this solution for determination.

(2) Preparation of test solution: When tar precipitation occurs during acidification of alkaline sample or sample, the test can be divided into flasks equipped with reflux condenser, diluted to 50 mL when needed, added 2 drops of phenolphthalein indicator, and neutralized in sulphuric acid solution to just fade. Add 5ml sulphuric acid solution, boil for 5 minutes, cool, filter if necessary, and wash the filter with water. The filtrate bitch is put into a 600 mL beaker. In the absence of the above, the sample can be directly put into a beaker for determination.

(3) Titration: Dilute the sample with water to 250mL. Stir continuously, add NaOH solution, adjust the pH value to 7.9 + 0.1, add 50mL sodium periodate solution, mix and stir well, cover the surface dish, and place it in the dark place where the temperature does not exceed 35℃ for 3 minutes. Then add 10 mL ethylene glycol dilution solution, mix, and place for 20 minutes under the same conditions. Add 5.0mL sodium formate solution and titrate with NaOH standard solution to pH 7.9 +0.2.

(4) Blank test: Under the same conditions, the same amount of reagent and diluted water, 50 mL water instead of sample, were used as blank test. However, before adding sodium periodate solution, the pH value of blank solution should be adjusted to 6.5. After adding sodium periodate solution, the titration end point to the pH value is also 6.5.

Calculation

Glycerol content (mass,%)=(V1-V2)×c×0.0921×100÷m=9.21c(V1-V2)/m

V1 in the formula - Determine the volume of NaOH standard solution consumed by the sample, mL

V2——The volume of NaOH standard solution used in blank test, mL;

M——Quality of test sample,g;

C——CThe concentration of NaOH standard solution, mol/L

0.0921——Millimolar mass, g/mmol of glycerol

The allowable error of two parallel experiments is 0.2.

The Ingredients in Wright's Coal Tar Soap

Wright's Coal Tar Soap is an antiseptic soap that was first produced commercially in England in the mid-1860s. According to Grace's Guide, a site that recounts the history of prominent British industries, the original Wright's Coal Tar Soap included a byproduct from the coal distillation process and was considered an excellent treatment for skin problems such as psoriasis or eczema. Modern versions of coal tar soap no longer contain coal products--the European Union has banned them from non-prescription items. However, Wright's Coal Tar Soap retains the look and smell of the original soap, only with different ingredients.

Sodium Tallowate

One of the main active ingredients in Wright's Coal Tar Soap is sodium tallowate. Cosmetics Info.org reports that sodium tallowate is made from the fat, or tallow, from sheep or cattle adipose tissue reacted with sodium hydroxide. Sodium tallowate acts as a surfactant, a compound that allows water to combine with both the ingredients of the soap and dirt on the skin's surface so that the dirt can be washed away. Sodium tallowate also helps form and stabilize the soap's ability to foam when mixed with water.

Sodium Cocoate

Sodium cocoate is the scientific name for coconut oil. In Wright's Coal Tar Soap, sodium cocoate works with sodium tallowate as a surfactant, allowing water to remove and wash away dirt from the skin. Sodium cocoate also functions as an emulsifier, a compound that allows the different ingredients in the soap to blend and bind together smoothly.

Glycerin

Cosmetics Info.org reports that glycerin, a sugar alcohol that is a part of all organic fat and oil sources whether plant or animal, is a common ingredient in soaps. Glycerin functions as a humectant, a substance that attracts and retains water. Because of its water-attracting properties, glycerin is a powerful skin softener and moisturizer; it is included in Wright's Coal Tar Soap because it makes the skin feel smoother and more supple after use.

Coal Tar Fragrance

Modern Wright's Coal Tar Soap does not contain any of the coal byproducts that the original versions of the soap utilized as their main ingredient. The coal tar fragrance is added in, however, to preserve the traditional smell of the original 19th-century soap products.

Sodium Chloride

Sodium chloride is simply the chemical name for table salt. Cosmetics Info.org explains that in soaps such as Wright's Coal Tar Soap, sodium chloride is used as a thickening agent to increase the liquid and water portion of the soap ingredients.

EDTA

EDTA is ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, and it is added to Wright's Coal Tar Soap as a preservative. According to Cosmetics Info.org, EDTA binds to and inactivates the metal ions within mixtures that, over time, could cause the product to deteriorate and become rancid.

Pigments

Wright's Coal Tar Soap uses pigment yellow 13, also known as benzidine yellow, and pigment red 3, known as toluidine red in combination to make it a distinctive orange color.

What are Sodium Palmate & Sodium Cocoate?

Before scent or other nonessential ingredients are added, base soap is nothing more than the sodium or potassium salt of a fatty acid. The sodium or potassium comes from sodium or potassium hydroxide, both of which are strong bases. The fatty acid can be anything from beef fat to vegetable fats, found in palm oil or coconut oil or tallow. Sodium palmate and sodium cocoate are fatty acids derived palm and coconut oil.

Sodium Palmate

Sodium palmate is synthesized by reacting palm oil with sodium hydroxide. This process is called saponification. Saponification occurs when a fatty acid reacts with an alkali. Palm oil is the fatty acid and sodium hydroxide is the alkali. Glycerol and sodium palmate are the end products of this reaction.

This chemical acts as a surfactant and emulsifying agent and is a key ingredient in soap.

Sodium Cocoate

Sodium cocoate is a generic name for the mixture of fatty acid salts derived by reacting coconut oil with sodium hydroxide. Package labels refer to sodium cocoate using the names coconut oil, fatty acids, coco and sodium salts. It is a surfactant and emulsifying agent. Like sodium palmate, it is a critical ingredient in soap making.

Soaps vs. Detergents

Sodium palmate and sodium cocoate are found in soaps. Although they both have emulsifiers and surfactants, soaps are very different from detergents. Soaps are made from fat or vegetable oils that have been saponified with sodium or potassium hydroxide. Some manufacturers also add other ingredients such as scents and botanicals. Detergents use different surfactants, such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, alcohol ethoxysulfates, alkyl sulfates, alcohol ethoxylates and quaternary ammonium compounds.

Legend

According to legend, soap was first discovered by washer women who did laundry in the Tiber River at the base of Sapo Hill in Rome. Sacrifices were made on Sapo Hill, so the rainwater running down the hill was rich in potassium hydroxide derived from the potash in the ashes from the fires and animal fat from the sacrifices. The word "saponification" is derived from "Sapo" Hill.

What Is Glycerin Made From?

Glycerin is an organic compound known more formally as glycerol. Its common sources are animal fat and vegetable oil. Glycerin is a clear, odorless liquid at room temperature, and it has a sweet taste. It’s most commonly used in soap and is also a common ingredient in many pharmaceuticals.

Structure

Glycerin has the molecular formula C3H5(OH)3. It consists of a chain of three carbon atoms such that each carbon atom is bonded to a hydrogen atom (H+) and a hydroxyl group (OH-). Each of the two terminal carbon atoms has an additional hydrogen atom so that all three carbon atoms have a total of four bonds. Carbon has a valence of four, meaning that it has a tendency to form four bonds.

Fatty Acids

Fatty acids are a class of compounds that are essentially a long chain of carbon atoms attached to various combinations of oxygen and hydrogen atoms. Each fatty acid molecule ends with a carbon atom that forms a double bond to an oxygen atom and a single bond to a hydroxyl group. This group has the formula COOH- and is known as a carboxyl group.

Triglycerides

Plants and animals use glycerin and fatty acids to make triglycerides, which are the primary component of fat. The carboxyl end of each fatty acid reacts with the hydroxyl group on each carbon atom of a glycerin molecule. This results in each fatty acid molecule being bound to a carbon atom in the glycerin molecule. This process also liberates a molecule of water for each fatty acid molecule for a total of three water molecules.

Making Soap at Home

Soap is made from fats and lye. The manufacture of soap is a complex process with multiple steps, but it involves using the lye to break the fat down into sodium salts of fatty acids and glycerin. An at-home soapmaker will make the soap directly from this mixture of sodium salts of fatty acids and glycerin, and simply pour the mixture into molds.

Commercial Soapmaking

A commercial soapmaker will wish to recover the glycerin in the soap mixture so that it can be sold separately. Salt is added on top of the soap mixture, which causes the fatty acid salts to rise to the top. The fatty acid salts are then skimmed off the top and made into commercial soap. The remaining liquid is composed mostly of glycerin. This liquid is then distilled to separate the impurities from the pure glycerin. Glycerin is commonly used as a sweetener in diabetic foods since it doesn't raise blood sugar levels. It's also used in the food industry as a filler and thickening agent.

Substitutes for Castile Soap

Made from olive oil, Castile soap is an ingredient in many skincare products, including liquid soaps used to wash the face and body. Consider using a non-soap face cleanser, glycerin or other vegetable or nut oils. For example, many dermatologists recommend non-soap cleanser to clients who find olive oil irritating to their skin.

Non-Soap Cleansers

Dermatologists often recommend non-soap cleansers, such as Cetaphil, because they do not contain any kind of soap that could irritate sensitive skin. Cetaphil, or its generic counterpart, has a thick consistency. You apply it to your face and rinse it off with water or wipe it away with a clean facecloth. Fragrance-free, you can buy Cetaphil in most drugstores.

Glycerin Soap

Glycerin soaps are widely sold in grocery and specialty stores. You can buy them as unscented bars. In specialty stores, you can also purchase glycerin flakes if you want to make bars of soap at home. Glycerin is a gentle soap that will last longer if placed on a soap holder that allows it to dry completely. Otherwise, it will disintegrate in a matter of days. According to the Environmental Working Group, glycerin may be derived from animal sources and also contain petroleum products. Petroleum byproducts can cause skin irritation in sensitive users, and some consumers avoid petroleum products because of environmental or political concerns.

Olive Oil Soap

High-end, specialty skincare manufacturers produce soap-free facial cleansers made from olive, coconut and other vegetable and nut oils. Olive oil has the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol, and, like all antioxidants, it can help protect skin from free radical damage, which occurs when you expose your skin to the sun. Olive oil also has squalene, which help oxidation of the skin's natural sebum to help protect the skin. To experiment at home, you could use a small amount of sweet almond oil and use clean cotton balls to sweep it over skin to remove makeup. Continue until you have removed all makeup and splash your skin with water to cleanse it completely. Follow with an astringent and moisturizer.

Application of Crude Glycerol in Waste Treatment and Animal Feed

For co-digestion and co-gasification or waste treatment processes

Crude glycerol can also be used as raw material for co-digestion in anaerobic digestion tank to improve biogas production. ROBRA added 6% glycerol to biogas degrading tank, which could increase methane yield by about 80%. Crude glycerol can also be used as a co-matrix of industrial waste to increase the production of hydrogen and methane during waste treatment. The feasibility of syngas production by co-gasification of crude glycerol and hardwood chips was investigated by WEI. The reaction was carried out in a pilot scale fixed-bed suction gasifier. The main components of syngas were CO, CO 2, H2, CH4 and N2. The reactor could better complete the co-gasification of crude glycerol and hardwood chips and was stable.FOUNTOULAKIS  investigated the effect of crude glycerol on the performance of municipal solid waste treatment in an anaerobic reactor. Without crude glycerol, the daily production of methane was 1400 mL. After adding crude glycerol, the production of methane could reach 2094 mL. At the same time, the addition of crude glycerol in the feed would also increase the production of hydrogen. BODIK studied the denitrification process of municipal wastewater treatment plant using biodiesel by-product as organic carbon source. The experiment was initially carried out in the laboratory, and was extended to the wastewater treatment plant after obtaining good results. It was found that the denitrification efficiency of the process could be increased. The application of crude glycerol in co-digestion or waste treatment process is the simplest and extensive treatment of crude glycerol. The added value of the product is not high, and its utilization value is not high. It is not a long-term road for crude glycerol application.

Used as animal feed

Crude glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel, can be directly used as animal feed after simple treatment. DonKIN studied the feasibility of replacing part of corn with crude glycerol as feed for dairy cows. It was found that 15% crude glycerol had no effect on milk yield and composition, and alleviated the shortage of corn. Using crude glycerol, a byproduct of biodiesel, as animal feed is also economical. Reducing the cost of animal feed may also reduce the price of meat. At the same time, it can provide an additional source of product income for biodiesel refineries. But it is also a kind of crude glycerol treatment method with low added value. At the same time, it is necessary to consider whether the residual metal catalyst in crude glycerol will do harm to animal health and food safety.

Types of Glycerin

Glycerin is an organic alcohol with a sweet taste and slippery, viscous feel. Used in cosmetics, food, industry, medicine and pharmaceuticals, natural and synthetic glycerins are chemically identical. According to the 2008 Glycerin Market Analysis Report from the U.S. Soy Bean Export Council Inc., sales of natural glycerin have outpaced those of synthetic glycerin by 30 times. This is due to a glut of natural glycerin as a by-product of biodiesel, soap and fatty acid production.

Because glycerin is very hygroscopic, it is added to foods, especially baked goods like energy and protein bars, to preserve moistness. Its taste makes it a superb sweetener because it has a low glycemic index. Glycerin from vegetable oils and synthetic glycerin are kosher and halal. The viscosity of glycerin gives it an antibacterial property. In soaps and cosmetics glycerin serves as a lubricant and moisturizer.

Synthetic Glycerin

When petroleum is distilled, propylene comes off as a top fraction. Glycerin is made by adding chlorine to the molecule and then hydrolyzing the trichloropropane produced. Synthetic glycerin is used in exacting applications in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals because of its 99.7 percent purity. According to the Glycerin Market Analysis Report, prescription and over-the-counter drugs were initially formulated with synthetic glycerin and received FDA approval as such. To change to natural glycerin would entail new FDA approval processes.

Natural Glycerin from Soap Manufacture

Hydrolysis of animal or vegetable lipids with sodium hydroxide produces fatty acid soap and glycerin. Until recently, this process produced the highest volume of natural glycerin. Because of contamination with the parent compounds, the crude material is distilled at a refinery.

Natural Glycerin from Biodiesel

Recent interest in biodiesel fuel from renewable sources of vegetable oil, waste cooking oil and beef tallow has created a market glut of glycerin. Biodiesel is prepared by adding methanol to the oil/fat source. The fatty acid portion of the molecule is esterified to biodiesel, and glycerin is produced as a byproduct. Crude glycerin is distilled and purified to a possible 99.5 percent purity with ion exchange resins. Research today is focused on using lipids from algae or bacteria to produce biodiesel and glycerin.

Physicochemical properties of glycerol

Glycerol is generally stable under sunlight, but after long-term exposure or intense radiation, it will be oxidized by air, especially in the presence of metals such as iron or copper, the oxidation will accelerate, and the presence of water will also accelerate the oxidation. Intense ultraviolet radiation causes glycerol to produce carbon dioxide, aldehydes and acids. But the weaker radiation produces glycerol sugar. A small amount of hydrogen peroxide can greatly accelerate the oxidation reaction. Glycerol is exposed to ultraviolet radiation and air, and glyceraldehyde is formed in neutral solution at 25 ℃.

The apparent and true proportions of 99% glycerol at 25 ℃ are about 1.25945 and 1.25970 respectively. The proportion of glycerol increases with the increase of glycerol content and decreases with the increase of temperature.

The density of 99% glycerol is about 1.25546 at 25 ℃. The density of glycerol increases with the increase of glycerol content and decreases with the increase of temperature.

Glycerol expands when heated, and the extent of its expansion can be determined by its volume and density.

When glycerol and water are mixed, the total volume decreases slightly and the temperature rises slightly.

The boiling point of pure glycerol increases with the increase of pressure. The boiling point of pure glycerol is about 290 ℃at 760 mm mercury column pressure.

Glycerol has a strong hygroscopicity. Even if the moisture content in the air is very small, anhydrous glycerol will still absorb moisture from the air. Any concentration of glycerol exposed to the air will release or absorb moisture until the concentration is in equilibrium with the humidity of the air. Within the normal range of pressure change, if the relative humidity remains unchanged, the change of temperature has no significant effect on the equilibrium concentration. When glycerol is placed in the air or distributed on certain substances, such as colloids, the time to reach equilibrium with the relative humidity of the air may be extended to many days. If glycerol is coated in a thin film, such as fibers or paper, the equilibrium can be achieved in a few seconds. When glycerol is distributed on fiberglass to form a thin layer, it can adjust its relative humidity from 76% to 16% within 35 minutes. When it changes from low humidity to high humidity, the same result will be achieved.

The viscosity of 99% glycerol is about 775 CP at 20 ℃. The viscosity of glycerol increases with the increase of glycerol content and with the decrease of temperature. Glycerol viscosity varies in a wide range. The viscosity of 99% glycerol at 0 ℃ is about 9420 cp, while that of 235 CP at 40 ℃ is about 235 CP. Electrolyte dissolution in anhydrous glycerol and glycerol solution usually increases the viscosity of glycerol, but there are a few exceptions. The higher the concentration of these salts, the higher the glycerol concentration and the higher the temperature, the more the viscosity decreases.