Glycerol to Oxygenates and Chemicals in Supercritical Fluids

Glycerol (glycerin) is a byproduct from biodiesel production via transesterification reaction from renewable vegetable oils and animal fats.  With the increase of biodiesel production in the world, the glycerol supply to the market is beyond the need for chemical derivatives.  The economics of biodiesel production will be improved if value-added products such as fuels or oxygenated chemicals can be produced from glycerol. This paper will address supercritical process conversion of glycerol to higher value-added chemicals and fuel components under catalytic conditions.