An Overview of Recent Research in the Conversion of Glycerol into Biofuels, Fuel Additives and other Bio-Based Chemicals

The depletion of fossil fuels has heightened research and utilization of renewable energy such as biodiesel. However, this has thrown up another challenge of significant increase in its byproduct, glycerol. In view of the characteristics and potentials of glycerol, efforts are on the increase to con...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Catalysts 2019-01, Vol.9 (1), p.15
Main Authors: Nda-Umar, Usman, Ramli, Irmawati, Taufiq-Yap, Yun, Muhamad, Ernee
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alkenes
Alternative energy sources
biodiesel
Biodiesel fuels
Biofuels
Biomass
Catalysis
Catalysts
Chemical reactions
Chemicals
Conversion
Cosmetics
Depletion
Diesel fuels
Ethanol
Ethers
Fatty acids
Fossil fuels
Fuel additives
Glycerol
oxygenated fuel additives
Personal grooming
Polyglycerols
Prepolymers
Vacuum distillation
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Summary:The depletion of fossil fuels has heightened research and utilization of renewable energy such as biodiesel. However, this has thrown up another challenge of significant increase in its byproduct, glycerol. In view of the characteristics and potentials of glycerol, efforts are on the increase to convert it to higher-value products, which will in turn improve the overall economics of biodiesel production. These high-value products include biofuels, oxygenated fuel additives, polymer precursors and other industrial bio-based chemicals. This review gives up-to-date research findings in the conversion of glycerol to the above high-value products, with a special focus on the performance of the catalysts used and their challenges. The specific products reviewed in this paper include hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, acetin, glycerol ethers, solketal, acetal, acrolein, glycerol carbonate, 1,3-propanediol, polyglycerol and olefins.
ISSN:2073-4344
2073-4344
DOI:10.3390/catal9010015