Modeling of Ethylene Glycol Production from Glucose in a Semi‐Continuous Reactor

Abstract

A numerical study describes the catalytic conversion of glucose into ethylene glycol (EG) in a semi-batch reactor. This analysis couples a set of power law models (homogeneous reactions) and Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) equations (hydrogenations). For this purpose, the kinetic parameters of the LHHW expressions are estimated for the reaction conditions. Then, the kinetic model evaluates the influence of the H 2 pressure and the catalyst concentrations on the selectivity. The results indicate that the EG yield is increased by setting the temperature and the H 2 pressure. In this manner, the process reduces the hexitols and methane production and increases the EG yield. The originality of the work is based on the influence of the H 2 pressure and the catalyst concentrations in the model.