文摘
The conversion of glycerol, a byproduct in biodiesel production, to valuable products will improve the economic feasibility of a biodiesel plant. Conversion of glycerol and sodium bicarbonate to glycerol carbonate over natural clinoptilolite was studied in a 500 mL batch reactor for 30–60 min. The optimum condition for better conversion of glycerol was investigated by altering the ratio of reactant, water content, ratio of catalyst-to-glycerol (wt%), diameter of zeolite particles, treatment of natural clinoptilolite, and temperature. The conversion of glycerol has been improved by increasing temperature, concentration of catalyst and decreasing catalyst diameter. Nevertheless, the conversion decreased with increasing of sodium bicarbonate concentration and with higher amount of water. The highest conversion of glycerol was obtained over treated clinoptilolite with diameter catalyst of 0.46 mm, catalyst-to-glycerol ratio of 9 wt%, sodium bicarbonate/glycerol ratio of 3, and water/glycerol of 3 at temperature of 100 °C for 30 min. Applications of sodium bicarbonate as a reactant and water as solvent and natural clinoptilolite as solid catalyst are potential to reduce cost of production and environmental footprint.
