An Efficient, Selective Process for the Conversion of Glycerol to Propylene Glycol Using Fixed Bed Raney Copper Catalysts

Abstract

Propylene glycol is formed in yields of up to 95% at 100% conversion using a Raney Cu catalyst in a fixed bed reactor. The reaction uses an 80% aqueous glycerol solution and a hydrogen pressure of 600 psi. The primary byproduct is ethylene glycol formed in 1−3% yield. In a reaction run continuously for 24 d using a sample of a commercial preparation of Raney Cu, the selectivity to propylene glycol at 100% glycerol conversion was 94.6% with a space−time yield (STY) of 0.49 g of 1,2-propylene glycol/mL Raney Cu/h. Ethylene glycol was formed in 2.5% yield, while methanol, ethanol, n-propanol 1,3propylene glycol, and acetol were present in less than 1% yield.

Glycerol hydrogenolysis into useful C3 chemicals

“…K p values are not calculated for the reports. A K p value calculated from Ref [80],. however, is located above the master curve.…”

“…respectively. Open and closed squares are from those in Refs [80,117],. respectively.Cu-based catalysts show stable high activity toward 1,2-PDO formation in vapor-phase glycerol hydrogenolysis, and yields of 1,2-PDO over 96% have been achieved in some studies[74,77,117].…”

Valorisation of glycerol through catalytic hydrogenolysis routes for sustainable production of value-added C3 chemicals: current and future trends

“…In addition, vapor phase glycerol hydrogenolysis is more favourable for industrial application, which has the ability to overcome the main drawbacks of liquid phase hydrogenolysis such as low productivity, difficulty in separation, and long reaction time. 149–151 For instance, Pandey et al (2019) 141 prepared a series of acidic ( e.g. , V 2 O 5 , ZrO 2 , and TiO 2 ) and basic ( e.g.…”

Synthesis of 1,2‐Propylene Glycol in a Continuous Down‐Flow Fixed‐Bed Reactor With Cu/Al2O3Catalyst

“…Tests of the Raney copper catalyst with a particle size of 0.85-2.06 mm in a fixed-bed reactor are presented in the articles. [25,26] At a WHSV 0.44 h À 1 of 80 wt. % aqueous glycerol, a temperature of 225 °C and a pressure of 4 MPa, the glycerol conversion was 100 %, the PG and acetol selectivity were 94.6 % and 1 % respectively.…”

“…Tests of the Raney copper catalyst with a particle size of 0.85–2.06 mm in a fixed‐bed reactor are presented in the articles [25,26] . At a WHSV 0.44 h −1 of 80 wt.…”