Heterogeneous catalytic conversion of glycerol to oxygenated fuel additives

Abstract Glycerol alkylation with tert -butyl alcohol and ketalisation of glycerol 1-mono- tert -butyl ether with acetone, as well as the combined ketalisation–alkylation process, has been studied in a fixed-bed flow reactor. It has been shown that a continuous, one-step process for the quantitative conversion of glycerol into a mixture of ethers can be accomplished under mild conditions (atmospheric pressure and temperatures of 40–70 °C) over a zeolite BEA catalyst. Furthermore, the effects of the glycerol ether additives on the antiwear properties of low-viscosity base oil have been characterised.