Light olefins from renewable resources: Selective catalytic dehydration of bioethanol to propylene over zeolite and transition metal oxide catalysts

Abstract

Propylene is an important constituent of many products that we rely upon in our daily life. This essential raw material is currently produced from fossil-derived feedstocks such as oil and natural gas. However, conversion of bioethanol to propylene represents an interesting opportunity for the utilization of renewable feedstocks such as bioethanol as one of the main biomass-derived products via dehydration process. The catalytic production of propylene from bioethanol has gained significant attention recently as a renewable alternative to conventional technologies. This review will discuss the state-of-the-art on the use of catalytic materials, such as zeolites and transition metals, in catalytic conversion of bioethanol to propylene and related reactions. The corresponding mechanisms are reviewed with emphasis on the possibilities provided by these materials to develop alternative processes for selective production of propylene and other olefins from bioethanol. Important aspects such as catalyst texture and architecture, the impact of promoters and co-feeding water on ethanol to propylene reaction and fundamental understanding of reaction mechanisms involved in ethanol dehydration reaction are discussed accordingly.