Extraction and purification of glycerine to develop as a by product from the diesel production process

Abstract

Glycerin produced as a byproduct from biodiesel manufacture was purified by a series of methods. Crude glycerin was separated from biodiesel by gravity and by centrifugation. Methanol and catalyst used in the production of biodiesel was removed by distillation and acidulation using HC1 respectively. The colour and odour of glycerin was reduced using Bacterial Cellulose synthesized by Acetobacter xylinum. The purity of glycerin was seen to increase after each treatment; crude glycerin separated from biodiesel had 5.18% glycerin, after methanol removal the glycerin content and catalyst glycerin content increased to 13.4% and 20.7% respectively. Finally glycerine content was 33% after the reduction of colour and odour by adsorption using Bacterial cellulose.