Reutilization of glycerol derived from biodiesel production using HPW-based catalysts supported on niobium for obtention of additives

Abstract

This review proposes the use of residual glycerol, generated in biodiesel production, as raw material for production of oxygenate additive to biofuel. Oxygenated additives, such as glycerol ethers, increase the value of fuel mixture and engine performance. This represents a new methodology in line with the green chemistry principles. The etherification reaction, responsible for the additives production (glycerol ethers), can be effected by the heterogeneous acid catalysts application due to their specificities, like the possibility of reusing, greater strength and higher acidity. It was found that the Keggin heteropolyacids (HPW) supported on niobia have a potential that can be exploited for further industrial application.