Catalytic valorization of raw glycerol derived from biodiesel: a review

ABSTRACT

Biomass is providing a good potential raw material for generating renewable fuels, as an alternative source of energy to fossil fuel. Increased quantities of glycerol produced as a byproduct from the process of biodiesel production serve as a fuel for research about the conversion of glycerol to value-added products. The transformation of glycerol to value-added products like fuel additives, solvents, chemicals, etc. makes biodiesel production more economically viable and valuable. The main focus of this review paper is to highlight the role of various heterogeneous catalysts in converting glycerol to value-added products through various processes such as carboxylation, condensation, esterification, etherification, phase reformation, pyrolysis, selective oxidation, hydrolysis transesterification and selective reduction. The paper gives a very brief explanation of various reactions that glycerol can undergo and the developments in each of these fields. It also touches upon the reaction conditions and the methods adopted in the reaction.

KEYWORDS:

• Biodiesel
• glycerol
• heterogeneous catalyst
• value-added products

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.