Synthesis of Glycerol Carbonate from Glycerol, a By-Product of Biodiesel Production

Abstract

Methyl esters of fatty acids (also known as biodiesel) made from transesterification of vegetable oils and animal fats with methanol, have shown a lot of promise as alternative diesel fuels. Glycerol is the inevitable byproduct of transesterification process. While there are existing markets for glycerol, a significant increase in availability of glycerol, resulting from the expanded use of vegetable oils and animal fats, would destabilize the glycerol market. In this study, the synthesis of glycerol carbonate from glycerol and dimethyl carbonate was investigated. Glycerol carbonate is a key multifunctional compound employed as a solvent, additive, monomer and chemical intermediate. The resulting glycerol carbonate was obtained in almost quantitative yield. According to measured data a well-elaborated mathematical model of the reactor was used for experiments can be adequate to assign parameters of kinetic equations of the assumed reaction mechanism. Component mass balances were built into the reactor model and order of reactions was fixed.

Esterification of glycerol from biodiesel production to glycerol carbonate in non-catalytic supercritical dimethyl carbonate

“…When crude glycerol with impurities is used, glycerol carbonate yield decreases in the compensation of glycidol formation. Glycerol carbonate is a stable, colorless liquid currently used industrially as solvent and surfactant (Herseczki et al 2009 ), while glycidol is important in the production of epoxy resins and polyurethanes. Its high functionality, together with the versatile and well-investigated reactivity of its hydroxyl functions could supply as a basis for a variety of derivatives (Pagliaro et al 2007 ).…”

Lithium Zirconate as a Selective and Cost-Effective Mixed Metal Oxide Catalyst for Glycerol Carbonate Production

“…The transesterification reaction of GL with DMC, in the literature, has been reported to follow the second-order kinetic model . In present study, the GL conversion into GLC, at different reaction times, was calculated and fitted with zero-, first-, or second-order rate equations.…”

“…The transesterification reaction of GL with DMC, in the literature, has been reported to follow the second-order kinetic model. 28 In present study, the GL conversion into GLC, at different reaction times, was calculated and fitted with zero-, first-, or second-order rate equations. A better fitting was observed with second-order rate equation to support that the rate of the reaction depends on GL as well as DMC concentration (Section 3.6).…”

Control of the Interphases Formation Degree in Co3O4/ZnO Catalysts

“…The search for successful routes to efficiently produce glycerol carbonate from renewable raw materials has lately been a key subject in different manufacturing areas. CO 2 has been used as a carbonylating agent under supercritical conditions,6 whereas dimethyl carbonate,7, 8 dialkyl carbonates,9 or urea10 have been used for milder reaction conditions. In particular, urea is an attractive carbonylating agent; Mouloungui et al.…”