Patent ID: 8084651
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for the recovery of glycerol from an aqueous feed composition, comprising: contacting an aqueous feed composition that comprises water, glycerol, and at least one contaminant with a solvent extractant comprising at least one C5-C8 alkanol to form a first mixture; and separating the first mixture into a first solvent phase and a first aqueous phase; wherein the first solvent phase comprises a majority of the solvent extractant and a majority of the glycerol that was present in the aqueous feed composition, and the weight ratio in the first solvent phase of glycerol to any one contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of glycerol to the same contaminant in the aqueous feed composition; and wherein the first aqueous phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed composition and at least some of the contaminant from the aqueous feed composition.