Process for the removal of alkalinity in the manufacture of polyether polyols and the reuse of this alkalinity in the manufacture of polyether polyols

A process for purifying a polyether monool and/or a polyether polyol produced with a Group IA alkaline metal catalyst, comprising:

• a) adding glycerine to a polyether monool and/or a polyether polyol that contains Group IA alkaline metal catalyst at a temperature of from about 60 to about 190.degree. C. in an amount such that there are from about 0.1 to about 5 parts by weight of glycerine per 100 parts by weight of polyether monool and/or polyether polyol, and the molar ratio of glycerine to Group IA alkaline metal catalyst is from about 0.5:1 to about 1.5:1, to form a precipitate, wherein said polyether monool and/or polyether polyol has a hydroxyl number of from about 25 to about 155, a molecular weight of from about 360 to about 9,000, a functionality of from about 1 to 4, and contains from about 15% to 100% by weight propylene oxide (based on 100% by weight of total epoxide content) and from about 0% to about 85% by weight of ethylene oxide (based on 100% by weight of total epoxide content), and said polyether monool and/or polyether polyol being started from an initiator selected from the group consisting of:
• butyl carbitol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, glycerine, trimethylol propane, pentaerythritol, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylene diamine, ammonia, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• b) separating said precipitate formed in a), thereby leaving a purified polyether monool and/or polyether polyol.