Abstract
This article presents the results of the conversion of dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to lactic acid (LA) with the use of zeolite catalysts. For this purpose, synthetic zeolite beta (BEA) and natural clinoptilolite (CLI) were used as a matrix. The zeolites were modified with various metals (Sn, Fe, Cu and Zn) during ion exchange under hydrothermal conditions. The DHA conversion process with the participation of metal-functionalized zeolites allowed us to obtain intermediates, i.e., pyruvic aldehyde (PAL), which during the further reaction was transformed into a mixture of products such as ethyl lactate (EL), pyruvic aldehyde (PA), lactic acid and ethyl acetate (EA). The best selectivity towards lactic acid was achieved using Sn-CLI (100%) > Na-BEA (98.7%) > Sn-BEA (95.9%) > Cu-BEA (92.9%), ethyl lactate using Cu-CLI, and pyruvic aldehyde using the Zn-BEA catalyst. In the case of a natural zeolite, modification with Sn is promising for obtaining a pure lactic acid with a relatively good carbon balance.
Highlights
Renewable energy sources are slowly becoming a raw material for the production of fuels, energy and chemicals
The starting zeolites underwent a number of modifications, and all of the obtained X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) results confirm the presence of the crystal structure in an unchanged form
The XRD measurements were performed for control samples: Na-BEA (Figure 3a) and CLI (Figure 3b)
Summary
Renewable energy sources are slowly becoming a raw material for the production of fuels, energy and chemicals. This is related to their increasing demand and the awareness of the negative environmental impact of fossil fuel processing. To this end, intensive work is being carried out on the acquisition of alternative energy sources that contribute to a lesser extent to drastic climate change. The most energetic and potentially applicable energy carrier is the cellulose fraction For this purpose, attempts have been made to isolate it (to separate it from the other fractions surrounding it) and use it as transport fuel (biofuels) and chemicals [4,5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
