Glycerol

Molecular Structure

Molecular Details

Molecular Formula	HOCH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH
Molecular Weight	92.09 g/mol
State	Liquid at standard conditions

Olefinverbund Integration

Chemistry & Engineering

Reaction Equation	Hydrolysis of Epichlorohydrin
Thermodynamics	Exothermic hydrolysis
Catalyst System	NaOH (Stoichiometric or catalytic depending on route)
Reactor Class	Stirred tank reactors in series
Process Considerations	Synthetic route preferred if fats/oils are scarce.

Extraterrestrial Production Pattern

1. Epichlorohydrin + NaOH → glycerol (synthetic)
2. Biodiesel byproduct (transesterification of fats)
3. Propylene → allyl alcohol → glycerol route
4. Purification by distillation and ion exchange

Applications

• Food and pharmaceutical humectant
• Personal care products
• Nitroglycerin production
• Polyols for polyurethanes

Reaction Diagram

Overall Reaction: Triglyceride + 3NaOH -> 3 Soap + Glycerol

Unit Operations

Process steps following chemical engineering unit operation principles:

Step	Operation	Description
1	Fat Saponification	React fats with NaOH at 100°C
2	Soap Separation	Separate soap from glycerol water
3	Evaporation	Concentrate crude glycerol
4	Distillation	Vacuum distillation for purification
5	Decolorization	Activated carbon treatment
6	Ion Exchange	Final polishing for USP grade

S88 Batch Control Model

This module follows the ISA-88 (S88) batch control standard. Below is a simplified BatchML schema for educational purposes:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!-- ISA-88 Batch Control Model for Glycerol -->
<!-- Educational schema - simplified for demonstration -->
<BatchML xmlns="http://www.wbf.org/xml/B2MML-V0600">
  
  <ProcessCell ID="GLYCEROL_PLANT_CELL">
    <Description>Process cell for Glycerol production</Description>
    
    <Unit ID="GLYCEROL_PLANT">
      <Description>Main synthesis unit</Description>
      
      <!-- Equipment Modules -->
      <EquipmentModule ID="SAPONIFIER">
        <Description>Saponifier</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="SEPARATOR">
        <Description>Separator</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="EVAPORATOR">
        <Description>Evaporator</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="VACUUM_STILL">
        <Description>Vacuum Still</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="CARBON_FILTER">
        <Description>Carbon Filter</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="ION_EXCHANGE">
        <Description>Ion Exchange</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
    </Unit>
  </ProcessCell>
  
  <MasterRecipe ID="GLYCEROL_PLANT_RECIPE">
    <Description>Master recipe for Glycerol</Description>
    <ProductID>GLYCEROL</ProductID>
    
    <UnitProcedure ID="GLYCEROL_PLANT_UP">
      <Description>Unit procedure for synthesis</Description>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_01">
        <Description>Operation 1</Description>
        <Phase ID="SAPONIFY">
          <Description>Saponify phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_02">
        <Description>Operation 2</Description>
        <Phase ID="SEPARATE">
          <Description>Separate phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_03">
        <Description>Operation 3</Description>
        <Phase ID="EVAPORATE">
          <Description>Evaporate phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_04">
        <Description>Operation 4</Description>
        <Phase ID="DISTILL">
          <Description>Distill phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_05">
        <Description>Operation 5</Description>
        <Phase ID="DECOLORIZE">
          <Description>Decolorize phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_06">
        <Description>Operation 6</Description>
        <Phase ID="POLISH">
          <Description>Polish phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
    </UnitProcedure>
  </MasterRecipe>
  
</BatchML>

**Key S88 Concepts:**
- **Process Cell**: The physical grouping containing all equipment for this process
- **Unit**: The major equipment that performs the synthesis
- **Equipment Modules**: Individual pieces of equipment (reactors, columns, etc.)
- **Unit Procedure**: The sequence of operations to produce the product
- **Phases**: The lowest level of procedural control (e.g., REACT, SEPARATE, PURIFY)

Key S88 Concepts:
• Process Cell: Physical grouping containing all equipment
• Unit: Major equipment performing synthesis
• Equipment Modules: Individual pieces (reactors, columns, etc.)
• Phases: Lowest level of procedural control (REACT, SEPARATE, etc.)

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This Synthesis Module is part of the 100chemicals Olefinverbund — an integrated chemical production network designed for extraterrestrial civilization on Moon and Mars.