Feasibility study and process design of a direct route from bioethanol to ethylene oxide

Ripamonti, Davide; Tripodi, Antonio; Conte, Francesco; Robbiano, Alessandro; Ramis, Gianguido; Rossetti, Ilenia

doi:10.1016/j.jece.2021.105969

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The cooled reactor is sized for air-based bioethanol oxidation, producing ethylene oxide in a single step. Then, the product is separated from the gas phase effluent through absorption in a hydro-alcoholic solution (Salusjärvi 2019;Ripamonti et al 2021). On the other hand, EO production in fossil-based industries is generally carried out in fixed-bed reactors using an ethylene oxidation mechanism in a stream of air or oxygen with the help of a silver-based catalyst in the gaseous phase (Montrasi et al 1983).…”

Section: Bio-monoethylene Glycol (Bio-meg) From Biomassmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bio-polyethylene furanoate (Bio-PEF) from lignocellulosic biomass adapted to the circular bioeconomy

Mendieta

González

Vallejos

et al. 2022

BioRes

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There is a global trend to replace the production of conventional recyclable plastics with biobased ones, allowing a sustainable alternative adapted to the current concept of a circular bioeconomy. Forest-industrial and agricultural biomass wastes (lignocellulosic biomass waste, LCBW) produce severe problems in some developing countries because they are improperly disposed of or burned in the open air. Such wastes are attractive as a raw material to produce bioplastics due to their low cost. Furthermore, low-pollution processes can complete an economical and environmentally friendly approach. This review focuses on bio-polyethylene furanoate (PEF) production from LCBW as an alternative for polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most widely used fossil-based plastic. The standpoint is based on the replacement of fossil-based monomers for the manufacture of PET, terephthalic acid (TPA), and ethylene glycol by two bio-based monomers, namely 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and bio-ethylene glycol (Bio-MEG). This study describes the processes to obtain each bio-monomer, as well as the resulting polymers’ performance aspects, biodegradability, environmental and economic considerations, and recycling.

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Section: Bio-monoethylene Glycol (Bio-meg) From Biomassmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bio-polyethylene furanoate (Bio-PEF) from lignocellulosic biomass adapted to the circular bioeconomy

Mendieta

González

Vallejos

et al. 2022

BioRes

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“…Using renewable electricity as the driving force in conjunction with a renewable substrate opens a net-zero emissions pathway for ethylene oxide synthesis . Ethanol is an attractive substrate because, as one of the most abundant sustainably produced chemicals and a less costly alternative to ethylene, it holds the promise of a more sustainable and economical route to ethylene oxide. − …”

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confidence: 99%

Electrochemical Ethylene Oxide Synthesis from Ethanol

2022

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Ethylene oxide is a crucial precursor for chemical and plastic synthesis. Its production is carbon-intensive, however, releasing 1.9 tons of CO2 per ton of product. Reducing this footprint is possible if ethylene oxide is produced using both a renewable substrate and renewable energy. Herein, we pioneer a sustainable pathway to ethylene oxide via the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol to 2-chloroethanol and its subsequent alkaline cyclization in a single electrochemical cell, using chloride ions as catalysts. This approach is enabled by the electrochlorination of ethanol to 2-chloroethanol, which requires the activation of an inert C(sp3)–H bond and is shown here for the first time. We investigate the branchpoints controlling the selectivity of this chlorination and show how they are influenced through reaction conditions and electrode material engineering. Our method is generalizable to the production of other valuable chemicals and strengthens the foundation for sustainable chemical synthesis using renewable energy.

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