Glycerol hydrogenation on bifunctional catalysts

Abstract

Abstract In this work, the catalytic hydrogenation of glycerol to propanols was investigated. Glycerol is a by-product in the biodiesel production and the focus within this thesis was on the investigation of reaction kinetics, mechanistic studies and catalyst characterization. EU directive RED II stipulates a stepwise growing target for so called “advanced biofuels”, which have to be added to fuels used in the rail & road transport sector. This advanced fuel can origin from various waste materials, which are closer specified in the directive. Raw glycerol is produced in a high amount during the production of biodiesel and qualifies a feedstock. As cleaning is challenging, expensive and complicated, there is currently not much usage of crude glycerol as a feedstock, which is why it is economically interesting. The glycerol can be converted into propanol by catalytic hydrogenation and the propanol then can be added to the fuel as an additive. The kinetic studies should determine the best catalyst and the optimal conditions for the reaction so that a reaction can be achieved with the highest possible throughput and at the same time with a high yield of propanol. In addition, the clarification of the reaction mechanism was also a goal of this work. The aim of the catalyst characterization was to gain as much information as possible about the structure and functionality of the catalysts. This should provide an understanding of how the catalysts can be improved to allow the reaction to proceed at a higher conversion rate, which is very important, especially from an economic point of view.