New Process for the Production of Glycerol tert-Butyl Ethers

The increase in biodiesel production has enhanced the availability of its co-product, glycerol. Many researchers are therefore devoted to individuate new uses for glycerol. In this paper, the evaluation of the use of a heterogeneous acid catalyst (amberlyst 15) in the production of glycerol tert-butyl ethers (GTBEs) as a diesel additive is performed. The best experimental synthesis conditions are reported together with the proposal of a new process essentially based on the extraction of GTBE with biodiesel.