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Effective production of the biodiesel additive STBE by a continuous flow process
Jean-Christophe M Monbaliu1, Marc Winter, Bérengère Chevalier
1SynBioC Research Group, Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
Bioresource Technology
|August 16, 2011
Summary
A novel fuel additive, solketal tert-butyl ether (STBE), was developed using renewable glycerol. Continuous flow processing in a specialized glass reactor yielded a robust, green, and safe industrial-scale production method.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Green Chemistry
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Glycerol is a readily available byproduct of biodiesel production.
- There is a need for sustainable fuel additives.
- Continuous flow chemistry offers advantages for chemical synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize a continuous flow process for producing solketal tert-butyl ether (STBE).
- To utilize glycerol, a renewable feedstock, for fuel additive synthesis.
- To establish a green, safe, and industrially scalable method for STBE production.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of STBE in a two-step process from glycerol.
- Optimization of the reaction using a Corning® Advanced-Flow™ glass reactor under continuous flow conditions.
- Evaluation of reactor performance, including mixing, heat exchange, and chemical resistance.
Main Results:
- Successful development of STBE, a new fuel additive.
- Achieved high efficiency in mixing and heat exchange within the glass reactor.
- Demonstrated chemical resistance under corrosive flow conditions.
- Established a robust, continuous, green, and safe industrial-scale process.
Conclusions:
- Solketal tert-butyl ether (STBE) can be efficiently produced from renewable glycerol.
- Continuous flow technology in advanced glass reactors is suitable for green and safe industrial-scale fuel additive manufacturing.
- The developed process offers a sustainable alternative for fuel additive production.
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