Process and Energy Intensification of Glycerol Carbonate Production from Glycerol and Dimethyl Carbonate in the Presence of Eggshell-Derived CaO Heterogeneous Catalyst

Abstract

The process and energy intensifications for the synthesis of glycerol carbonate (GC) from glycerol and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) using an eggshell-derived CaO heterogeneous catalyst were investigated. The transesterification reaction between glycerol and DMC was typically limited by mass transfer because of the immiscible nature of the reactants. By varying the stirring speed, it was observed that the mass transfer limitation could be neglected at 800 rpm. The presence of the CaO solid catalyst made the mass transport-limited reaction process more prominent. Mass transfer intensification using a simple kitchen countertop blender as an alternative to overcome the external mass transfer limitation of a typical magnetic stirrer was demonstrated. A lower amount of the catalyst and a shorter reaction time were required to achieve 93% glycerol conversion or 91% GC yield, and the turnover frequency (TOF) increased almost 5 times from 1.5 to 7.2 min−1 when using a conventional magnetic stirrer and countertop blender, respectively. In addition, using a simple kitchen countertop blender with 7200 rpm, the reaction temperature of 60 °C could be reached within approximately 3 min without the need of a heating unit. This was the result of the self-frictional heat generated by the high-shear blender. This was considered to be heat transfer intensification, as heat was generated locally (in situ), offering a higher homogeneity distribution. Meanwhile, the trend toward energy intensification was promising as the yield efficiency increased from 0.064 to 2.391 g/kJ. A comparison among other process intensification techniques, e.g., microwave reactor, ultrasonic reactor, and reactive distillation was also rationalized.

An Overview of the Latest Advances in the Catalytic Synthesis of Glycerol Carbonate

“…As the solid base catalyst was easily recovered under magnetic action, the process is in line with the concept of sustainable chemistry. Recently, Praikaew et al [103] used natural waste egg shell-derived CaO catalyst as raw material. A glycerol conversion and GC yield of 93% and 91%, respectively, could be achieved within 15 min of reaction time.…”

“…Therefore, enzymatic reactions have attracted more and more attention in recent years [106]. Recently, Praikaew et al [103] used natural waste egg shell-derived CaO catalyst as raw material. A glycerol conversion and GC yield of 93% and 91%, respectively, could be achieved within 15 min of reaction time.…”

Carbon‐SO3Na Catalysed Synthesis of Glycerol Carbonate via Transesterification of Glycerol and Dimethyl Carbonate

“…In this context, several heterogeneous base catalysts developed from waste materials as feedstock have also been reported for GC synthesis. [36][37][38][39][40] In recent years, carbon-based materials have gained lot of attention in the area of heterogeneous catalysis due to their thermal stability along with ease of separation, recyclability, and lack of corrosion and toxicity issues. [41,42] In order to minimize bio-waste i. e. bio-glycerol/glycerol-pitch produced from biodiesel and fat splitting industries, we have reported a sustainable methodology for the development of a cost effective heterogeneous novel carbon-based sulfonated acid catalysts (carbon-SO 3 H) bearing À SO 3 H, À COOH and phenolic À OH groups.…”

Pressure Swing-Based Reactive Distillation and Dividing Wall Column for Improving Manufacture of Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Acetate

“…Among various methods that have been developed for improving distillation column performance, PI and heat integration (HI) are considered as proven methods in academia and the industrial sector [8][9][10][11][12]. Interestingly, PI has been extensively used to improve the energy efficiency and cost reduction of chemical and distillation processes [2,4,[13][14][15][16][17] and can achieve a sustainable chemical process of the reactive-pressure swing with inherent Among various methods that have been developed for improving distillation column performance, PI and heat integration (HI) are considered as proven methods in academia and the industrial sector [8][9][10][11][12]. Interestingly, PI has been extensively used to improve the energy efficiency and cost reduction of chemical and distillation processes [2,4,[13][14][15][16][17] and can achieve a sustainable chemical process of the reactive-pressure swing with inherent advantages of safety, environment, and economics [18].…”

“…Interestingly, PI has been extensively used to improve the energy efficiency and cost reduction of chemical and distillation processes [2,4,[13][14][15][16][17] and can achieve a sustainable chemical process of the reactive-pressure swing with inherent Among various methods that have been developed for improving distillation column performance, PI and heat integration (HI) are considered as proven methods in academia and the industrial sector [8][9][10][11][12]. Interestingly, PI has been extensively used to improve the energy efficiency and cost reduction of chemical and distillation processes [2,4,[13][14][15][16][17] and can achieve a sustainable chemical process of the reactive-pressure swing with inherent advantages of safety, environment, and economics [18]. A dividing wall column (DWC) [19,20], which allows compacting two-column and avoiding unnecessary energy waste due to remixing in the split, is one of the best examples of PI.…”