Glycerol Research Paper

Glycerol is an organic compound that consists of three-carbon chain with a hydroxyl group attached to each carbon and it is physiologically harmless [1]. Glycerol has the following of physical and chemical properties such as high boiling point, negligible vapor pressure, does not require special handling or storage and compatible with most organic and inorganic compounds. Glycerol is a trivalent alcohol with many commercial applications, presently finding its largest use in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and chemical industries [2]. Glycerol also can be employed as the raw material to produce variety types of chemical products such as hydrogen, ethanol, propanol, acrolein, 1,3- propanediol, lactic acid, succnic acid, citric acid, polyesters

However, it is well accepted that glycerol mass formation is currently achieved through the transesterification process due to the dramatic increase in the capacity of biodiesel production [4]. Biodiesel is a biodegradable and renewable fuel that comprises of fatty acid methyl esters produced by transesterification of glycerides with methanol. With the increasing in worldwide biodiesel production, resulting in a major concern on the by-product generated from of biodiesel produced by transesterification process. The market for the glycerol by-product of biodiesel production (transesterification process) was rapidly becoming saturated and created excess glycerol of less value as its supply exceeded its demand. Palm oil industry of Malaysia has historically made the country a major player in the biodiesel production that directly influences glycerol market. In Malaysia, 21 biodiesel plants have been commissioned since 2006 with total production capacity of 2.96 million tonnes per year [5]. The overabundance of glycerol caused by the growing biodiesel market has driven prices for glycerol to about