Glycerol is separated in soap industries by:

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Step 1: Understand the Industrial Context

In soap manufacturing, animal fats or vegetable oils are hydrolysed with concentrated NaOH (saponification). The by-product of this process is glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol), which remains mixed with spent-lye (aqueous NaOH + NaCl + water).

Step 2: Properties of Glycerol Relevant to Separation

- Glycerol (bp = 290°C) has a very high boiling point
- Glycerol is heat-sensitive — it decomposes (forms acrolein) at its normal boiling point
- Glycerol is mi

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