Development of a functional catalytic membrane by alkalization of PVA and green synthesis of fuel additive glycerin carbonate with high oxygen content

ABSTRACT

Glycerin carbonate with high oxygen content has the potential to be an oxygenated fuel additive that improves fuel properties and reduces harmful gas emissions. Glycerin carbonate was produced from the green solvent dimethyl carbonate and glycerin through a heterogeneous catalytic membrane under environmentally friendly and mild conditions. The PVA/NaOH catalytic membrane was prepared in film form from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer with good film-forming properties and sodium hydroxide, a strong base. The heterogeneous catalytic membrane obtained by adding sodium hydroxide to the polymer is environmentally friendly with easy recovery. The chemical structure and thermal resistance of the produced catalytic membranes were examined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric analysis. Reaction experiments were carried out in a batch reactor, and the influences of reaction parameters such as time, catalyst amount, DMC/glycerin initial molar ratio, and temperature on the reaction yield were investigated. The maximum glycerin carbonate yield of 93.03% was obtained after 2 h of reaction time, with a NaOH ratio of 7.5% a DMC/Glycerin molar ratio of 3/1, and a reaction temperature of 75°C. Additionally, the influences of reaction variables on glycerin carbonate yield were analyzed and the obtained yield data are supported by the Response surface method (RSM).

KEYWORDS:

• Glycerin carbonate
• transesterification
• catalytic membrane
• fuel additive
• heterogeneous catalysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

The project was planned by N. H. Experiments were performed by G. H. The data was analyzed by all authors.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2024.2356704

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the scientific research projects unit of Kocaeli University. Project No 2022/3041

Notes on contributors

Guler Hasirci

Guler Hasirci is a PhD student at chemical engineering department of Kocaeli University in Turkey. She received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in chemical engineering from Kocaeli University in 2016 and 2019. Her research areas are Chemical Engineering and Technology, Membrane Technology, Engineering and Technology.

Nilufer Hilmioglu

Nilufer Hilmioglu is professor at chemical engineering department of Kocaeli University in Turkey. She received a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and Doctor of Philosophy in chemical engineering from İstanbul Technical University. Her research areas are Chemical Engineering and Technology, Membrane Technology, Unit Operations and Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Separation Processes, Mass Transfer, Transport Phenomena, Engineering and Technology, Fluid Mechanics.