Abstract
Production of green chemicals using a biomass derived feedstock is of current interest. Among the processes, the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD) using externally supplied molecular hydrogen has been studied quite extensively. The utilization of methanol present in crude glycerol from biodiesel production can avoid the additional cost for molecular hydrogen storage and transportation, as well as reduce the safety risks due to the high hydrogen pressure operation. Recently the hydrogenolysis of glycerol with a Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst using in situ hydrogen generated from methanol steam reforming in a liquid phase reaction has been reported. This paper focusses on the effect of added Ni on the activity of a Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst prepared by an oxalate gel-co-precipitation method for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol using methanol as a hydrogen source. It is found that Ni reduces the conversion of glycerol but improves the selectivity to 1,2-PD, while a higher conversion of methanol is observed. The promoting effect of Ni on the selectivity to 1,2-PD is attributed to the slower dehydration of glycerol to acetol coupled with a higher availability of in situ hydrogen produced from methanol steam reforming and the higher hydrogenation activity of Ni towards the intermediate acetol to produce 1,2-PD.
Highlights
Fossil based fuels such as diesel, gasoline and jetfuel have been the most important energy resources affecting human life and modern society in the past century
We have previously reported that the activity of a Cu/ZnO/Al2 O3 catalyst to produce 1,2-PD in the hydrogenolysis of glycerol using molecular hydrogen is dependent on the catalyst preparation method
The promoting effect of Ni on a Cu/ZnO/Al2 O3 -OA catalyst was investigated in a glycerol hydrogenolysis process to produce 1,2-PD using in situ hydrogen produced via methanol steam reforming
Summary
Fossil based fuels such as diesel, gasoline and jetfuel have been the most important energy resources affecting human life and modern society in the past century. Fossil fuel is a non-renewable resource and energy demand has rapidly increased. Many researchers are working on alternative sources of renewable energy to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel, especially in view of the emission of greenhouse gases and climate change. Biodiesel has been used to supplement fossil diesel [1] and has already been commercialized in the world. The major by-product from the biodiesel production process, can be utilized to produce a number of value added chemicals such as 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, acrolein, acrylic acid and some other special chemicals. Adding value to glycerol will lower the production cost of biodiesel and avoid the chemical waste and environmental
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