Electrochemical Hydrogenation of Acetone to Produce Isopropanol Using a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Reactor

Chen Li, Ashanti M. Sallee, Xiaoyu Zhang and Sandeep Kumar
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Chen Li: Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
Ashanti M. Sallee: Department of Chemistry, Hampton University, Hampton, VA 23668, USA
Xiaoyu Zhang: Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
Sandeep Kumar: Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: Electrochemical hydrogenation (ECH) of acetone is a relatively new method to produce isopropanol. It provides an alternative way of upgrading bio-fuels with less energy consumption and chemical waste as compared to conventional methods. In this paper, Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) hardware was used as an electrochemical reactor to hydrogenate acetone to produce isopropanol and diisopropyl ether as a byproduct. High current efficiency (59.7%) and selectivity (>90%) were achieved, while ECH was carried out in mild conditions (65 °C and atmospheric pressure). Various operating parameters were evaluated to determine their effects on the yield of acetone and the overall efficiency of ECH. The results show that an increase in humidity increased the yield of propanol and the efficiency of ECH. The operating temperature and power supply, however, have less effect. The degradation of membranes due to contamination of PEMFC and the mitigation methods were also investigated.

Keywords: acetone; electrochemical hydrogenation; isopropanol; membrane contamination; polymer electrolyte membrane; relative humidity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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