IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v10y2017i11p1817-d118235.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Upgrading the Glycerol from Biodiesel Production as a Source of Energy Carriers and Chemicals—A Technological Review for Three Chemical Pathways

Author

Listed:
  • Abel Rodrigues

    (INIAV, Ministry of Agriculture, 2780-159 Oeiras, Portugal
    MARETEC—Research Center, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • João Carlos Bordado

    (CERENA—Centre for Natural Resources and the Environment, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Rui Galhano dos Santos

    (CERENA—Centre for Natural Resources and the Environment, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

Glycerol is a by-product of biodiesel obtained from biomass, accounting for 10% of the biodiesel production. In the context of a green economy, aiming for a reduction of the emission of atmospheric greenhouse gases emissions, the demand of biodiesel is expected to increase vastly, in parallel with a side glut supply of glycerol. Given the high cost of biodiesel compared with its fossil congener, upgrading of glycerol into added-value products can represent a secondary income source and turn the production of such alternative fuels economically sustainable in the long term. The glycerol obtained as by-product of biodiesel from biomass is in a crude form and must be purified. Some industrial solutions and applications were therein geared. The survey presented in this work, based on a reviewing of the existing literature, examines three routes for the valuing glycerol into energy carriers and chemicals, namely, carbonation, acylation, and steam reforming to hydrogen. The latter is embodied of great interest and importance, insofar that hydrogen by itself is considered as straighforward clean fuel for transportation uses, due to its high calorific power and to recent advances in fuel cells. We also have focused on the chain value from biomass to energies carriers through these pathways.

Suggested Citation

  • Abel Rodrigues & João Carlos Bordado & Rui Galhano dos Santos, 2017. "Upgrading the Glycerol from Biodiesel Production as a Source of Energy Carriers and Chemicals—A Technological Review for Three Chemical Pathways," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-36, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:10:y:2017:i:11:p:1817-:d:118235
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/11/1817/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/11/1817/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. He, Quan (Sophia) & McNutt, Josiah & Yang, Jie, 2017. "Utilization of the residual glycerol from biodiesel production for renewable energy generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 63-76.
    2. Silva, Joel M. & Soria, M.A. & Madeira, Luis M., 2015. "Challenges and strategies for optimization of glycerol steam reforming process," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 1187-1213.
    3. Ardi, M.S. & Aroua, M.K. & Hashim, N. Awanis, 2015. "Progress, prospect and challenges in glycerol purification process: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 1164-1173.
    4. Tan, H.W. & Abdul Aziz, A.R. & Aroua, M.K., 2013. "Glycerol production and its applications as a raw material: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 118-127.
    5. Okoye, P.U. & Hameed, B.H., 2016. "Review on recent progress in catalytic carboxylation and acetylation of glycerol as a byproduct of biodiesel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 558-574.
    6. Kiss, Anton A. & Ignat, Radu M., 2012. "Enhanced methanol recovery and glycerol separation in biodiesel production – DWC makes it happen," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 146-153.
    7. Dave, Chirag D. & Pant, K.K., 2011. "Renewable hydrogen generation by steam reforming of glycerol over zirconia promoted ceria supported catalyst," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(11), pages 3195-3202.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ramachandra, T.V. & Saranya, G., 2022. "Sustainable Bioeconomy prospects of diatom biorefineries in the Indian west coast," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    2. Is Fatimah & Imam Sahroni & Ganjar Fadillah & Muhammad Miqdam Musawwa & Teuku Meurah Indra Mahlia & Oki Muraza, 2019. "Glycerol to Solketal for Fuel Additive: Recent Progress in Heterogeneous Catalysts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-14, July.
    3. Stanislaw Szwaja & Michal Gruca & Michal Pyrc & Romualdas Juknelevičius, 2021. "Performance and Exhaust Emissions of a Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engine Fed with Butanol–Glycerol Blend," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Cédric Decarpigny & Abdulhadi Aljawish & Cédric His & Bertrand Fertin & Muriel Bigan & Pascal Dhulster & Michel Millares & Rénato Froidevaux, 2022. "Bioprocesses for the Biodiesel Production from Waste Oils and Valorization of Glycerol," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-30, May.
    5. Saifuddin Nomanbhay & Mei Yin Ong & Kit Wayne Chew & Pau-Loke Show & Man Kee Lam & Wei-Hsin Chen, 2020. "Organic Carbonate Production Utilizing Crude Glycerol Derived as By-Product of Biodiesel Production: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-23, March.
    6. Robert White & Freddy Segundo Navarro-Pineda & Timothy Cockerill & Valerie Dupont & Julio César Sacramento Rivero, 2019. "Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Impacts Analysis of Direct Methanation of Glycerol to Bio-Synthetic Natural Gas at a Biodiesel Refinery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-20, February.
    7. Michal Gruca & Michal Pyrc & Magdalena Szwaja & Stanislaw Szwaja, 2020. "Effective Combustion of Glycerol in a Compression Ignition Engine Equipped with Double Direct Fuel Injection," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-14, December.
    8. Kabir A. Mamun & F. R. Islam & R. Haque & Aneesh A. Chand & Kushal A. Prasad & Krishneel K. Goundar & Krishneel Prakash & Sidharth Maharaj, 2022. "Systematic Modeling and Analysis of On-Board Vehicle Integrated Novel Hybrid Renewable Energy System with Storage for Electric Vehicles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-33, February.
    9. Savvas L. Douvartzides & Nikolaos D. Charisiou & Kyriakos N. Papageridis & Maria A. Goula, 2019. "Green Diesel: Biomass Feedstocks, Production Technologies, Catalytic Research, Fuel Properties and Performance in Compression Ignition Internal Combustion Engines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-41, February.
    10. Gojun, Martin & Šalić, Anita & Zelić, Bruno, 2021. "Integrated microsystems for lipase-catalyzed biodiesel production and glycerol removal by extraction or ultrafiltration," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 213-221.
    11. Muhammad Harussani Moklis & Shou Cheng & Jeffrey S. Cross, 2023. "Current and Future Trends for Crude Glycerol Upgrading to High Value-Added Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-30, February.
    12. Tamošiūnas, Andrius & Gimžauskaitė, Dovilė & Uscila, Rolandas & Aikas, Mindaugas, 2019. "Thermal arc plasma gasification of waste glycerol to syngas," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    13. K. A. Viraj Miyuranga & Udara S. P. R. Arachchige & Randika A. Jayasinghe & Gamunu Samarakoon, 2022. "Purification of Residual Glycerol from Biodiesel Production as a Value-Added Raw Material for Glycerolysis of Free Fatty Acids in Waste Cooking Oil," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-20, November.
    14. Prasad, Salvin S. & Singh, Anirudh & Prasad, Surendra, 2020. "Degummed Pongamia oil – Ethanol microemulsions as novel alternative CI engine fuels for remote Small Island Developing States: Preparation, characterization, engine performance and emissions character," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 401-411.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zhang, Jianan & Wang, Yuesen & Muldoon, Valerie L. & Deng, Sili, 2022. "Crude glycerol and glycerol as fuels and fuel additives in combustion applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    2. Okoye, P.U. & Abdullah, A.Z. & Hameed, B.H., 2017. "A review on recent developments and progress in the kinetics and deactivation of catalytic acetylation of glycerol—A byproduct of biodiesel," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 387-401.
    3. Monteiro, Marcos Roberto & Kugelmeier, Cristie Luis & Pinheiro, Rafael Sanaiotte & Batalha, Mario Otávio & da Silva César, Aldara, 2018. "Glycerol from biodiesel production: Technological paths for sustainability," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 109-122.
    4. Cornejo, A. & Barrio, I. & Campoy, M. & Lázaro, J. & Navarrete, B., 2017. "Oxygenated fuel additives from glycerol valorization. Main production pathways and effects on fuel properties and engine performance: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1400-1413.
    5. Zhao, Man & Wang, Yanan & Zhou, Wenting & Zhou, Wei & Gong, Zhiwei, 2023. "Co-valorization of crude glycerol and low-cost substrates via oleaginous yeasts to micro-biodiesel: Status and outlook," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    6. Muhammad Harussani Moklis & Shou Cheng & Jeffrey S. Cross, 2023. "Current and Future Trends for Crude Glycerol Upgrading to High Value-Added Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-30, February.
    7. Mohsin Raza & Abrar Inayat & Basim Abu-Jdayil, 2021. "Crude Glycerol as a Potential Feedstock for Future Energy via Thermochemical Conversion Processes: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-27, November.
    8. Okoye, Patrick U. & Wang, Song & Khanday, Waheed Ahmad & Li, Sanxi & Tang, Tao & Zhang, Linnan, 2020. "Box-Behnken optimization of glycerol transesterification reaction to glycerol carbonate over calcined oil palm fuel ash derived catalyst," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 2676-2687.
    9. Ennaceri, Houda & Fischer, Kristina & Schulze, Agnes & Moheimani, Navid Reza, 2022. "Membrane fouling control for sustainable microalgal biodiesel production: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    10. Makarevičienė, Violeta & Kazancev, Kiril & Sendžikienė, Eglė & Gumbytė, Milda, 2024. "Application of simultaneous rapeseed oil extraction and interesterification with methyl formate using enzymatic catalyst," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    11. Kiss, Anton A. & Flores Landaeta, Servando J. & Infante Ferreira, Carlos A., 2012. "Towards energy efficient distillation technologies – Making the right choice," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 531-542.
    12. Saifuddin Nomanbhay & Mei Yin Ong & Kit Wayne Chew & Pau-Loke Show & Man Kee Lam & Wei-Hsin Chen, 2020. "Organic Carbonate Production Utilizing Crude Glycerol Derived as By-Product of Biodiesel Production: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-23, March.
    13. Marta Ramos & Ana Paula Soares Dias & Jaime Filipe Puna & João Gomes & João Carlos Bordado, 2019. "Biodiesel Production Processes and Sustainable Raw Materials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-30, November.
    14. Severo, Ihana Aguiar & Siqueira, Stefania Fortes & Deprá, Mariany Costa & Maroneze, Mariana Manzoni & Zepka, Leila Queiroz & Jacob-Lopes, Eduardo, 2019. "Biodiesel facilities: What can we address to make biorefineries commercially competitive?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 686-705.
    15. Macedo, M. Salomé & Soria, M.A. & Madeira, Luis M., 2021. "Process intensification for hydrogen production through glycerol steam reforming," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    16. Carvalho, Lara & Lundgren, Joakim & Wetterlund, Elisabeth & Wolf, Jens & Furusjö, Erik, 2018. "Methanol production via black liquor co-gasification with expanded raw material base – Techno-economic assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 570-584.
    17. Okoye, P.U. & Hameed, B.H., 2016. "Review on recent progress in catalytic carboxylation and acetylation of glycerol as a byproduct of biodiesel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 558-574.
    18. Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, Homa & Nizami, Abdul-Sattar & Kalogirou, Soteris A. & Gupta, Vijai Kumar & Park, Young-Kwon & Fallahi, Alireza & Sulaiman, Alawi & Ranjbari, Meisam & Rahnama, Hassan & Aghbashl, 2022. "Environmental life cycle assessment of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    19. Tamošiūnas, Andrius & Gimžauskaitė, Dovilė & Uscila, Rolandas & Aikas, Mindaugas, 2019. "Thermal arc plasma gasification of waste glycerol to syngas," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    20. Chen, Guanyi & Tao, Junyu & Liu, Caixia & Yan, Beibei & Li, Wanqing & Li, Xiangping, 2017. "Hydrogen production via acetic acid steam reforming: A critical review on catalysts," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 1091-1098.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:10:y:2017:i:11:p:1817-:d:118235. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.