Abstract

Glycerol in aqueous solutions was reacted with acetaldehyde and acetone to form glycerol acetals. The formed acetal was extracted using a solvent and the glycerol is recovered by hydrolysis of the extractant. The reaction equilibrium constants ranged from 1-35 for glycerol-acetaldehyde system and 2.2-5.5 for glycerol-acetone system, respectively. Phase equilibrium measurements showed that the distribution coefficient was from 1.5-8.5 for glycerol-acetaldehyde system and 2-6.5 for glycerol-acetone system. The extraction efficiency of the solvent increased with increase in temperature. Maximum efficiency achieved was 94% at the refluxing temperature of toluene. The reactive extraction route to obtain glycerol is more economical than the distillation route in pure form. The maximum conversion obtained during the acetalization reaction was 87% and the extraction efficiency achieved was 94%. The hydrolysis of the acetal recorded complete recovery of high purity glycerol. The reported study has an application for the recovery of pure glycerol from aqueous solutions generated during biodiesel processing.

Recommended Citation

Ch, Vijaya lakshmi; Ravuru, Udaybhaskar; Kotra, Viswanath; Bankupalli, Satyavathi; and R.B.N., Prasad (2009) "Novel Route for Recovery of Glycerol from Aqueous Solutions by Reversible Reactions," International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering: Vol. 7: A38.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/ijcre/vol7/A38