Catalytic Conversion of Glycerol into Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Acrolein, and Glycerol Ethers on Zeolite Catalysts

Abstract

The effect of the nature of zeolite catalysts H-ZSM-5, H-BETA, and SAPO-34 on the activity and selectivity in the conversion of glycerol into aromatic hydrocarbons, acrolein, and oxygenates (various glycerol ethers) was studied. H-ZSM-5 was found to be the most effective catalyst for the conversion of glycerol into aromatic hydrocarbons and mono-, di-, and trisubstituted glycerol ethers with methanol and isobutylene. These products are effective gasoline additives increasing its octane number. Zeolite SAPO-34 shows the lowest activity in aromatization and alkylation reactions; the main product formed on this catalyst was acrolein.