Influence of Reactor Configuration on the Selective Oxidation of Glycerol Over Supported Au Catalysts

The oxidation of glycerol by molecular oxygen in the aqueous phase over Au/TiO₂ was investigated in both a batch reactor and a continuous upflow fixed bed reactor. The effects of catalyst particle size, gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, reaction temperature, dioxygen pressure, and solution pH were examined in the fixed bed system. The unique hydrodynamics of the fixed bed system allowed for secondary oxidation products such as tartronic acid and oxalic acid to form in substantial amounts, which contrasts the product distribution observed in a batch system. These results suggest that reactor configuration can play an important role in the observed product selectivity from oxidation reactions over highly active gold catalysts.