Effect of cooling rate on metastable zone width of glycerol derived from sunflower oil and compressed oil

Glycerol is a commonly utilized compound in numerous industrial and consumer products, wherein crystallization is crucial in identifying product quality. The metastable zone width (MZW) is an important parameter in crystallization and phase transformation, needed for process control. The MZW is affected by factors such as cooling rate, which directly influences crystallization behaviour and the performance of the final product. Despite its significance, research on the MZW of glycerol is limited to emphasize the necessity for additional study. Metastable zone temperature (MZT) and induction time of glycerol from sunflower oil and compressed oil were discovered throughout the studies. Simultaneously, gravity settling was used to separate glycerol from the biodiesel obtained via the transesterification process. To determine the MZW, Crystal 16 was used for the analysis. The most stable MZT for glycerol from sunflower oil was attained at 10 ℃/h, while the optimal induction time was recorded at a rate of 15 ℃/h. Meanwhile, the most stable MZT for compressed oil was obtained at a rate of 10 ℃/h and the optimal induction time was observed at a rate of 20 ℃/h. In conclusion, the study of the MZW of glycerol is important for optimizing the crystallization process and enhancing process control and product quality for industrial applications.