What is glycerin made?

Glycerin is made from what?

Glycerol, chemical name is glycerol (Glycerol), is a colorless, tasteless, sweet viscous liquid, widely used in chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and other industries. In this paper, the source, production process and application of glycerol are analyzed in detail.

Glycerin's main source

The sources of glycerol can be divided into two categories: natural sources and synthetic sources. Natural sources are mainly obtained by hydrolysis reactions of vegetable oils, while synthetic sources are produced by chemical synthesis processes.

1. Natural source: vegetable oil hydrolysis

glycerol is widely found in vegetable oils in nature. The main component of vegetable oil is triglyceride, and its molecular structure is composed of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acid molecules. Through the hydrolysis reaction in the chemical reaction, the triglyceride can be decomposed into glycerol and fatty acid. This process usually uses alkaline hydrolysis or enzymatic hydrolysis.

Specifically, vegetable oils (e. g., soybean oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, etc.) react with water under alkaline conditions to produce glycerol and the corresponding fatty acid salts. This method has the characteristics of simple process and low cost, and is one of the main methods for extracting glycerol in industrial production.

2. Synthetic source: propylene oxidation

in addition to extracting glycerol from vegetable oils, glycerol can also be produced by chemical synthesis. Propylene (Propylene) is an important basic chemical raw material, which can produce glycerol through the oxidation reaction of propylene. The oxidation of propylene is a typical gas phase oxidation reaction, which is usually carried out in the presence of a catalyst.

The product of propylene oxidation reaction is mainly glycerol, and a small amount of acrolein and other by-products are also produced. In order to improve the yield and purity of glycerol, efficient oxidation catalysts and strict process control are usually used in industrial production.

Glycerol production process

The production process of glycerol mainly includes three steps: extraction, refining and purification. Both natural and synthetic sources need to go through these steps to obtain high purity glycerol products.

1. Extraction and separation

in the vegetable oil hydrolysis process, glycerol and fatty acid salts are separated by density difference or phase separation. Due to the high density of glycerol, it usually settles to the lower layer of the liquid, which is separated by layering and filtration.

In the propylene oxidation process, glycerol is separated from other gaseous and liquid products by condensation and separation means. Glycerol can be separated from the mixture by processes such as cooling and absorption.

2. Refining and purification

the separated glycerol may contain small amounts of impurities such as fatty acid salts, catalyst residues or other by-products. In order to improve the purity of glycerol, further refining and purification processes are required.

The refining process typically includes the steps of decolorization, deodorization, and dehydration. Through adsorption, filtration and distillation techniques, impurities in glycerol can be effectively removed to obtain high-purity glycerol products.

Glycerin application field

As a multifunctional chemical raw material, glycerol has a wide range of industrial applications. Its main uses include:

1. Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

glycerin has an important moisturizing and moisturizing effect in cosmetics. It can combine with water to form a stable moisturizing film, which helps the skin lock moisture and prevent dryness. Therefore, glycerin is widely used in creams, lotions, hand creams and other products.

2. Food Additives

glycerol is used in the food industry as a humectant and plasticizer. It can extend the shelf life of food and improve the taste and texture of food. For example, in confectionery, bread and dairy products, glycerin can act to prevent drying and maintain softness.

3. Pharmaceutical and medical field

glycerol is used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of pharmaceutical excipients, such as tablets, capsules and injections. It is also used in the manufacture of medical devices, such as wetting fluids for contact lenses and lubricants for surgical instruments.

4. Industrial applications

glycerol is used in industrial production to make various derivatives, such as glycerides, propylene oxide and acrylic acid. These derivatives have important applications in the plastics, coatings, fiber and rubber industries.

Glycerol Production Trends

With the global attention to environmental protection and sustainable development, the production method of glycerin is constantly optimized and innovated. In the future, the production of glycerin will be more efficient, environmentally friendly and intelligent.

1. Bio-based glycerol production

the production of bio-based glycerol is one of the current research hotspots. By using renewable resources, such as vegetable oils and biomass, more environmentally friendly glycerol products can be produced. This method can not only reduce the dependence on fossil resources, but also reduce the carbon emissions in the production process.

2. Applications of Synthetic Biology

synthetic biology offers new possibilities for the production of glycerol. Through genetic engineering techniques, microorganisms can be modified to produce glycerol or other derivatives with high efficiency. This method has the advantages of low production cost and high resource utilization efficiency.

3. Research and development of new catalysts

the catalyst plays a key role in the production process of glycerol. In the future, with the development of new catalysts, the production efficiency and product quality of glycerol will be further improved. For example, the application of high-efficiency oxidation catalysts and enzyme catalysts can significantly improve the conversion and selectivity of propylene oxidation reaction.

Conclusion

As an important chemical raw material, the source and production process of glycerol directly affect its application field and market value. Whether it is through vegetable oil hydrolysis or propylene oxidation, the production of glycerol requires strict process control and quality testing to ensure product purity and performance. In the future, with the advancement of technology and the enhancement of environmental awareness, the production of glycerin will be more efficient, environmentally friendly and intelligent, providing more possibilities for the development of various industries.