Continuous-flow process for glycerol conversion to solketal using a brönsted acid functionalized carbon-based catalyst

Abstract

The acetalization of glycerol with acetone represents a strategy for its valorization into solketal as a fuel additive component. Thus, acid carbon-based structured catalyst (SO3H-C) has been prepared, characterized and tested in this reaction. The structured catalyst (L = 5 cm, d = 1 cm) showed a high surface density of acidic sites (2.9 mmol H+ g−1) and a high surface area. This catalyst is highly active and stable in the solketal reaction production in a batch reactor system and in a continuous downflow reactor, where several parameters were studied such as the variation of time of reaction, temperature, acetone/glycerol molar ratio (A/G) and weight hourly space velocity (WHSV). A complete glycerol conversion and 100% of solketal selectivity were achieved working in the continuous flow reactor equipped with distillation equipment when WHSV is 2.9 h−1, A/G = 8 at 57◦C in a co-solvent free operation. The catalyst maintained its activity under continuous flow even after 300 min of reaction.