Glycerol and spent lye clarification - Illinois Institute of Technology

Properties.
Glycerol, or "chemically pure" glycei'ine ie
a colorless, odorlesB, viecid liquid, having a
sweet taste. It ia optically inactive and is
neutral to indicators. On exposure to cold
for a prolonged time it crystallizee in rhombic
crystal B which melt at 20° centigrade. With
the aid of a few crystals large quantities of
glycerol CB,n be easily converted into a crystal-
line mass at 0*^ centigrade.
Glycerol is oily to the touch and produces
on the skin, especially the nnicuous membranes,
the sensation of heat, due to its power of
absorbing moisture from the tissues. The
water absorbing power of glycerol amounts to
50 ^ of its o^Tn weight.
At ordinary temperatures glycerol does not
volatilize; at the boiling point of water, how-
ever, appreciable quantities escape as vapor.
Glycerol boils under 760 ip.m. at 290° C with a
slight decomposition. At pressures under
12 m.m. it distills ixnchenged. The specific
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