Abstract
The hydrogenolysis of dilute glycerol solution to 1,2-propanediol was studied in the presence of heterogeneous catalyst (FeCoL/Raney Nickel) having a heterodinuclear FeCo macrocyclic complex ionically bonded to Raney Nickel. Studies on the stability of the complex bonded to the support were carried out at different temperature as well as the effect of solvent to confirm that it was stable up to 600°C and 100 h of refluxing. In the hydrogenolysis of glycerol, the temperature has been varied from 165 to 220°C with an initial hydrogen pressure 0.35 MPa and the conversion increases from 1% to 36% with no gases evolving in this temperature range. The major product is 1,2-propanediol which is formed with 80% selectivity. The initial water content (20–60%) in the feed was also varied and it was found that the conversion and yield of 1,2-propanediol increases when the water content increases. Based on literature, a kinetic model was proposed and optimal rate constants determined using Genetic Algorithm (GA).
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