Hi David,
Most of the modern synthetic glycerine plants seem to be based
on technology similar to the original Shell process based on propylene.
Woollatt in his book says: "Considerable problems were experienced
initially, particularly as regards purification, but the quality of modern
synthetic glycerine is very high. Indeed, refiners of natural glycerine have
sometimes found it difficult to match". Perhaps this opens up another avenue
of research and there may be aspects of the modern technology that could be
easily applied to the refining of natural glycerine in small quantities.
One of the other comments that Woollatt makes in talking about the
manufacture of synthetic glycerine being outside the scope of this book is:
...."but it can be said that the natural material should always be able to
compete". He points out because glycerol must be released when fats are
saponified, or split, the marginal cost of recovering it is likely to be
below the cost of making the synthetic equivalent". In this respect I
believe the rapidly emerging and expanding Biodiesel industry has a golden
opportunity in its hands which can do nothing but make the product more
viable.
Perhaps one ot two of you English guys should try tracking Edgar Woollatt
(Consultant, British Executive Service Overseas and formerly Development
Manager, Lever Bros Ltd, Cheshire) down. He is probably in his 70s I imagine
and may no longer be up with the play but would be a goldmine of
information. How about you Simon Wells?
B.r., David
> Distillation does seem to be the way, the
> Gen. Mgr. at OAE says that`s the way they use,
> and they have a million gals. a yr. !
>
> David Cruse
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Reid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <biofuel@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Sunday, May 06, 2001 5:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [biofuel] Re: Enzymes
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