Glycerine
Glycerol or propanotriol, better known as glycerine, C3H8O3, is a non-toxic, sweet-tasting, odourless, colourless and liquid alcohol at 25ºC.
Some properties of glycerine
- A thickener, due to its high viscosity
- Very soluble in water
- Hygroscopic liquid
- Thermal stability
- A good solvent
Today it has more than 1,500 different known applications and appears in many natural processes from fermentations of wine and beer to be part of almost all lipids, both animal and plant, along with fatty acids.
Supply formats for 99.5% distilled glycerine
- 1,000/1,200 kg IBC containers
- Tank
We also supply distilled glycerine on demand at the concentration the customer needs.
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Some applications of glycerine
SOLVENT
Its chemical composition with 3 alcohol groups (-OH), make it an excellent polar solvent. This, together with its other properties, make it a very much appreciated component in many formulations.
Some examples of where glycerine is used as a solvent or basic ingredient:
- Paints and varnishes
- Cosmetics and pharmacy
- Chemistry
DYNAMITE MANUFACTURE
This is perhaps the most popular application of glycerine. The reaction of glycerine with nitric acid results in nitro-glycerine which, when absorbed in a porous solid at a 3:1 ratio of nitro-glycerine to absorbent, makes it a more stable explosive mixture.
The use of dynamite as an explosive is still very common in mines, quarries and construction, despite being replaced by TNT or other improved explosives.
DYNAMITE MANUFACTURE
This is perhaps the most popular application of glycerine. The reaction of glycerine with nitric acid results in nitro-glycerine which, when absorbed in a porous solid at a 3:1 ratio of nitro-glycerine to absorbent, makes it a more stable explosive mixture.
The use of dynamite as an explosive is still very common in mines, quarries and construction, despite being replaced by TNT or other improved explosives.
THERMAL FLUID
The high melting point of glycerine, compared to water – 290ºC – and its high stability, make it an appropriate thermal fluid to work in higher temperature applications.
Glycerine is used in closed circuits in boilers, jacketing, heat exchangers, thermal inertia tanks, etc.
THICKENER
Due to its high viscosity, glycerine is used as a thickener by itself or in aqueous solution. This property is used in a large number of emulsions and gels. That is also why it is used as a base in:
- Paints and Inks
- Pharmacy and Cosmetics
- Food
- Chemical emulsions
- Dispersant
THICKENER
Due to its high viscosity, glycerine is used as a thickener by itself or in aqueous solution. This property is used in a large number of emulsions and gels. That is also why it is used as a base in:
- Paints and Inks
- Pharmacy and Cosmetics
- Food
- Chemical emulsions
- Dispersant
ANTI-FREEZE
Glycerine can be completely mixed in water, and at low temperature tends to overcool instead of crystallizing.
The water / glycerine mixtures have been used on a permanent basis as anti-freeze in refrigeration circuits.
Freezing temperatures (ºC) for water / glycerine mixtures in % weight
LUBRICANT
Its stability over a wide range of pressures and temperatures makes it a lubricant with many different applications.
If we add its non-toxicity to this, we find it being applied as one of the lubricants used in food and pharmaceutical machinery.
LUBRICANT
Its stability over a wide range of pressures and temperatures makes it a lubricant with many different applications.
If we add its non-toxicity to this, we find it being applied as one of the lubricants used in food and pharmaceutical machinery.