Abstract
Waste glycerol obtained as by-product of biodiesel production has been submitted to a sequential physico-chemical treatment in order to make it suitable for continuous Aqueous-Phase Reforming (APR) in a tubular reactor. Special focus was given to the impact of impurities. APR was performed using 0.3%Pt/CoAl2O4 catalyst, at 260 °C and 50 bar within WHSV range 6–55 h−1 to cover whole conversion ranges. Glycerol conversion and yield to hydrogen reached 99.7% and 45.4%, respectively at WHSV = 6 h−1. The liquid product distribution strongly varied with glycerol conversion, maximum C-yield to 1,2-propylene glycol was attained in the 60–90% glycerol conversion range. APR of methanol and acetic acid aqueous feedstreams were investigated independently. It was concluded that acetic acid exerts a negative influence on catalyst stability since glycerol conversion decreased by 41% after 5 h TOS. Extensive characterization of fresh and exhausted catalysts revealed strong Co leaching, especially for acetic acid APR, oxidation of metals, and carbonaceous deposits. The basis for the regeneration of the spent catalyst, consisting of a reductive treatment at 500 °C, has been established. This work is expected to have significant implications for the development of APR technology for crude glycerol from biodiesel industry.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
