Synthesis of 1,2-Propylene Glycol in a Continuous Down-Flow Fixed-Bed Reactor With Cu/Al2O3 Catalyst

Glycerol hydrogenolysis to 1,2-propylene glycol in a continuous down-flow fixed-bed reactor with 60 %Cu/Al2O3 catalyst was investigated. The routes of main, intermediate and by-products formation were proposed. It is shown that an increase in the catalyst particle size from 0.1-0.16 to 1.6-2.5 mm transfers the process from the kinetic mode to an intermediate mode between the kinetic and internal diffusion controlled reaction rate. In this case, the observed activation energy decreased by 30 %. The optimal conditions for the process have been determined.

Automated summary

This study investigated the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propylene glycol using a continuous down-flow fixed-bed reactor with 60%Cu/Al2O3 catalyst. The effect of catalyst particle size on the reaction mode was examined, and the routes of product formation were proposed. The optimal conditions for the reaction were determined.