Glycerol as precursor of ethyl ethers of glycerol in atmospheric conditions

• Grant number: 19/12056-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2019
• End date: June 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Fábio Rodolfo Miguel Batista
• Grantee: André Luiz da Silva Carvalho
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims investigate the use of glycerol, pure and from the transesterification reaction, for the production of ethyl ethers of glycerol. Given that glycerol is the main by-product of biodiesel production with an average proportion of 10 m3 of glycerol per 90 m3 of biodiesel, and that the availability of this polyol tends to increase substantially over the next few years, especially due to the greater incentive to the production and consumption of biodiesel, an economically viable destination for this glycerol is necessary, aiming to close the biodiesel production chain. Among these destinations, the production of zinc oxide nanoparticulated by the glycerol-urea (GU) route and the production of ethyl ethers of glycerol, appear as two good paths. In the second case, aim of this project, it is intended to develop a reaction route that allows the production of ethyl ethers of glycerol under moderate temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions. The study will be conducted through a factorial design 23 in which the influence of temperature, catalyst percentage and ethanol/glycerol mass ratio on the conversion of, pure (PA standard) transesterification-glycerol, will be investigated. For the catalysis, three types of acidic resin will be investigated, being two commercial ones (Amberlyst 36 and Purolite CT 275) and one developed by the research group. Finally, the transesterification-glycerol will be used as glycerol source to etherification process.