Investigating the Influence of Reaction Conditions and the Properties of Ceria for the Valorisation of Glycerol

Paul J. Smith, Louise Smith, Nicholas F. Dummer, Mark Douthwaite, David J. Willock, Mark Howard, David W. Knight, Stuart H. Taylor and Graham J. Hutchings
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Paul J. Smith: Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
Louise Smith: Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
Nicholas F. Dummer: Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
Mark Douthwaite: Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
David J. Willock: Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
Mark Howard: Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
David W. Knight: Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
Stuart H. Taylor: Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
Graham J. Hutchings: Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: The reaction of aqueous glycerol over a series of ceria catalysts is investigated, to produce bio-renewable methanol. Product distributions were greatly influenced by the reaction temperature and catalyst contact time. Glycerol conversion of 21% was achieved for a 50 wt.% glycerol solution, over CeO 2 (8 m 2 g −1 ) at 320 °C. The carbon mass balance was >99 % and the main product was hydroxyacetone. In contrast, at 440 °C the conversion and carbon mass balance were >99.9 % and 76 % respectively. Acetaldehyde and methanol were the major products at this higher temperature, as both can be formed from hydroxyacetone. The space-time yield (STY) of methanol at 320 °C and 440 °C was 15.2 and 145 g MeOH kg cat −1 h −1 respectively. Fresh CeO 2 was prepared and calcined at different temperatures, the textural properties were determined and their influence on the product distribution at iso -conversion and constant bed surface area was investigated. No obvious differences to the glycerol conversion or product selectivity were noted. Hence, we conclude that the surface area of the CeO 2 does not appear to influence the reaction selectivity to methanol and other products formed from the conversion of glycerol.

Keywords: ceria; glycerol; methanol; biodiesel (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: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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