Gas Used in the Manufacture of Vanaspati Ghee

The gas that is used in the manufacture of vanaspati ghee is hydrogen. This gas is used to carry out the process of hydrogenation, which is the process of converting liquid vegetable oil into a solid form, i.e., vanaspati ghee.

Process of Hydrogenation

Hydrogenation is the process of adding hydrogen gas to liquid vegetable oil in the presence of a catalyst. This process converts the liquid oil into a solid or semi-solid form, which is more stable and has a longer shelf life. The process of hydrogenation involves the following steps:

1. Mixing the liquid vegetable oil with a catalyst, such as nickel or palladium.

2. Heating the mixture to a high temperature and pressure.

3. Adding hydrogen gas to the mixture under pressure.

4. The hydrogen gas reacts with the unsaturated fatty acids in the oil, converting them into saturated fatty acids.

5. The saturated fatty acids then combine to form a solid or semi-solid product, which is vanaspati ghee.

Advantages of Hydrogenation

Hydrogenation has several advantages in the manufacture of vanaspati ghee, such as:

1. It increases the shelf life of the product.

2. It makes the product more stable at high temperatures.

3. It improves the texture and taste of the product.

4. It increases the melting point of the product, making it easier to use in cooking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hydrogen gas is used in the manufacture of vanaspati ghee to carry out the process of hydrogenation. This process converts liquid vegetable oil into a solid or semi-solid form, which is more stable and has a longer shelf life. The process of hydrogenation is carried out by mixing the liquid oil with a catalyst, heating it to a high temperature and pressure, and adding hydrogen gas under pressure.