Catalytic etherification of bioglycerol with bioethanol over H-Beta, H-Y and H-MOR zeolites

• Published in: Fuel processing technology Vol. 159; pp. 111 - 117
• Main Authors: Mravec, Dušan, Turan, Andrej, Filková, Adriána, Mikesková, Natália, Volkovicsová, Enikö, Onyestyák, György, Harnos, Szabolcs, Lónyi, Ferenc, Valyon, Jozsef, Kaszonyi, Alexander
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.05.2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Additives; Aluminum; Carbonyl compounds; Carbonyls; Catalysis; Conversion; Esters; Ethanol; Ethers; Ethyl ethers of glycerol; Exhaust gases; Glycerol; Ion exchange; Ion exchange resins; Oxygenate additives to fuels; Renewable resources; Resins; Selectivity; Silicon; Zeolites; Glycerol; Ethyl ethers of glycerol; Zeolites; Oxygenate additives to fuels
• ISSN: 0378-3820; 1873-7188
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2017.01.012

Etherification of glycerol with ethanol, both from renewable resources, was studied over heterogeneous catalysts (zeolites of the type BEA, MOR and FAU) and ion-exchange resin Amberlyst 35. The best results were obtained with zeolite H-Beta (CP 814 Q) with the ratio Si/Al=25. The conversion of glycerol at the temperature of 200°C was 51,7% at mono-ethyl ethers selectivity of 62% and di-+tri-ethyl ether selectivity of 37,7%. The conversion of glycerol, which was obtained by purification of glycerol phase from MERO production (methyl esters of acids from rape-seed oil), at the same conditions was 50,8%, selectivity to mono-ethers was 71,8% and to di-+tri- ethers 28,1%. Ethers of glycerol have utilization as oxygenate additives to fuels and have positive effect on decreasing particulate matters and carbonyl compounds in exhaust gases. [Display omitted] •Etherification of refined bioglycerol from FAME production with ethanol over different catalysts (zeolites, Amberlyst 35)•The study of the main reaction parameters (temperature, pressure, reactants ratio, concentration of catalyst, its recycling)•The best results were obtained over zeolite H- Beta CP 814Q with Si/Al = 25 (from Zeolyst)