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Updated: May 18, 2026
14:53
Techniques for the Evolution of Robust Pentose-fermenting Yeast for Bioconversion of Lignocellulose to Ethanol
Published on: October 24, 2016
Valorization of glycerol via continuous etherification with ethanol: Thermodynamic modeling and process optimization
Carolina M Marinho1, Caroline O T Lemos1, Karen A Resende1
1Faculdade de Engenharia Química, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. João Naves de Ávila 2121, Campus Santa Mônica - Bloco 1K, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|May 16, 2026
Summary
Glycerol valorization into chemicals is key for sustainable biorefineries. Superheated vapor-phase conversion using ethanol achieved 50% ether yield and 83% glycerol conversion, reducing mass-transfer limits.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Catalysis
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Glycerol valorization is crucial for biodiesel sustainability.
- Existing methods face challenges like mass-transfer limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- Optimize superheated vapor-phase conversion of glycerol with ethanol.
- Investigate thermodynamic and experimental parameters for efficient ether production.
Main Methods:
- Integrated thermodynamic modeling (Peng-Robinson equation of state) with experimental etherification.
- Evaluated effects of temperature, catalyst loading, molar ratio, and pressure over a β-zeolite catalyst.
Main Results:
- Achieved maximum ether yield of 50% and glycerol conversion of 83% under optimized conditions.
- Identified optimal conditions: 319°C, 7.9 MPa, single-phase superheated vapor state.
- Demonstrated competitive performance compared to existing glycerol upgrading technologies.
Conclusions:
- Superheated vapor-phase processing offers an efficient route for glycerol waste valorization.
- Results provide guidance for process optimization and scale-up for sustainable chemical production.
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Overview
Ethers can be prepared from organic compounds by various methods. Some of them are discussed below,
Preparation of Ethers by Alcohol Dehydration
In this method, in the presence of protic acids, alcohol dehydrates to produce alkenes and ethers under different conditions. For example, in the presence of sulphuric acid, dehydration of ethanol at 413 K yields ethoxyethane, whereas it yields ethene at 443 K.
Ethers can be prepared from organic compounds by various methods. Some of them are discussed below,
Preparation of Ethers by Alcohol Dehydration
In this method, in the presence of protic acids, alcohol dehydrates to produce alkenes and ethers under different conditions. For example, in the presence of sulphuric acid, dehydration of ethanol at 413 K yields ethoxyethane, whereas it yields ethene at 443 K.
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Overview
Ethers can also be prepared from alkenes through acid-catalyzed addition of alcohols and alkoxymercuration–demercuration.
Preparation of Ethers by Acid-Catalyzed Addition of Alcohol to Alkenes
The acid-catalyzed addition of alcohol to an alkene involves treating the alkene with an excess of alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to form an ether under suitable conditions. The hydrogen will add to the less substituted carbon so that the nucleophile can attack the more substituted...
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Overview
The acid-catalyzed addition of water to the double bond of alkenes is a large-scale industrial method used to synthesize low-molecular-weight alcohols. An acidic atmosphere is required to allow the hydrogen in the water molecule to act as an electrophile and attack the double bond in an alkene. The addition of a proton to the double bond creates a carbocation intermediate. The proton preferentially bonds to the less substituted end of the double bond to create a more stable carbocation...
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Overview
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