Purification of glycerin as a by-produet from biodiesel process

Abstract

Glycerin produced from biodiesel was purified using a series of methods. Crude glycerin was separated from biodiesel by gravity settling and by centrifugaiton. Methanol and catalyst used in the production of biodiesel was removed by distillation and acidulation using HCl respectively. The colour and odour of glycerin was reduced using Bacterial cellulose(BC) synthesized by Acetobacter xylinum. The purity of glycerin was seen to increase after each treatment, glycerin from biodiesel had 5.18% glycerin, after methanol removal the glycerin content was, 13 -1%. after the removal of catalyst and FF. I the glycerin content was 20. 7%, after the reduction of colour and odour by adsorption using BC. the glycerin content was 33%.