Glycerol conversion in the presence of carbon dioxide on alumina supported nickel catalyst

• Published in: Catalysis today 2014-11, Vol.237, p.38-46
• Main Authors: Florez-Rodriguez, Pedro P., Pamphile-Adrián, Aracelis J., Passos, Fabio B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiesel; Catalysis; Chemistry; CO2 sequestration; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Glycerol conversion; Nickel; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
• ISSN: 0920-5861; 1873-4308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2013.12.026

•A potential route for glycerol valorization and CO2 sequestration was obtained.•The glycerol/nickel ratio affected the selectivity to different oxygenated compounds.•From 250°C, the liquid product composition was complex.•CO2 conversion was only observed below 200°C.•CO2 presence favored oxiranes, alcohols and esters formation. The glycerol conversion in the presence of carbon dioxide was investigated on a Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst. The catalyst was characterized by XRD, TPR, BET, XPS, H2-TPD, DRIFTS and Raman. A catalyst preparation method using ethylene glycol and a reduction passivation procedure provided an active catalyst. For the different catalytic runs in a batch reactor, a higher formation of hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, and furans was observed when the mass of catalyst was increased. For temperatures below 200°C, both glycerol and CO2 were converted, suggesting a potential route for glycerol valorization and CO2 sequestration, with the consequent production of oxirane, alcohols, ketones and carboxylic acids. For higher temperatures, there was the formation of a wide range of low yield products, with higher yields to ketones, alcohols and esters.