• Clean Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2009

Solvent-free direct preparation of dichloropropanol (DCP) from glycerol (by-product of bio-diesel production) and hydrochloric acid gas was carried out over acetin catalyst in a gas-liquid batch reactor. For this purpose, acetin mixture and triacetin were used as a homogeneous acetin catalyst. Performance in the acetin-catalyzed reaction was compared to that in the non-catalytic reaction under the same reaction conditions ($110^{\circ}C$, 3 bar, 3 h). Conversion of glycerol in the acetin-catalyzed reactions was ca. 3% higher than that in the non-catalytic reaction, and selectivity for dichloropropanol in the acetin-catalyzed reactions was ca. 50% higher than that in the non-catalytic reaction. It was also revealed that the catalytic performance of triacetin was ca. 2% higher than that of acetic mixture.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.70-79
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• 2022

Biodiesel production has attracted attention as a sustainable source of fuel and is a competitive alternate to diesel engines. The glycerol that is produced as a by-product is generally discarded as waste and can be converted to green chemicals such as acetins to increase bio-diesel profitability. Acetins find application in fuel, food, pharmaceutical and leather industries. Batch experiments and analysis have been previously conducted for synthesis of acetins using glycerol esterification reaction aided by sulfated metal oxide catalysts (SO₄^2-/CeO₂-ZrO₂). The aim of this study was to optimize process parameters: effects of mole ratio of reactants (glycerol and acetic acid), catalyst concentration and reaction temperature to maximize glycerol conversion/acetin selectivity. The optimum conditions for this reaction were determined using response surface methodology (RSM) designed as per a five-level-three-factor central composite design (CCD). Statistica software 10 was used to analyze the experimental data obtained. The optimized conditions obtained were molar ratio - 1:12, catalyst concentration - 6 wt.% and temperature -90 ℃. A packed bed reactor was fabricated and column studies were performed using the optimized conditions. The breakthrough curve was analyzed.