ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a broad background on the properties of glycerine, methods of manufacture, and some of the historical and economic aspects of this important chemical. It discusses the various processes for producing glycerine from natural fats and oils. Methods of separation from the resultant fatty residues and subsequent purification techniques are reviewed. The book deals with a review of various industrial methods for manufacturing glycerine from nonfat-based starting materials. It considers some alternatives to glycerine use in cosmetic formulations. The production of synthetic glycerine from petrochemicals had an important impact on that industry in the preoil crisis years of the 1960s. The analyses used for the detection of various impurities that can be found in glycerine are also discussed. The book describes the functions glycerine fulfills in various formulations, and evaluation techniques used to demonstrate efficacy.
