Abstract: A method of producing a solid glycerol derived material includes the steps of combining glycerol with a metal oxide, the glycerol having a water content of between about 5 and 50%, and the rate of combination of the glycerol and the metal oxide and the amount of the metal oxide being selected so that at least part of the water present in the glycerol reacts with the metal oxide in an exothermic reaction and at least part is driven off by heat produced in the exothermic reaction to produce the solid glycerol derived material.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of extracting water from a composition of an organic liquid and water, using a polyol which causes a phase separation.

Abstract: A system and process for removing divalent ions from a MEG feed stream is presented. The system includes a chemical treatment tank where chemicals are mixed with the feed stream to form insoluble carbonate and hydroxide salts. The system also includes a membrane-type solid-liquid separation unit that receives the feed stream from the chemical treatment tank and separates it into a filtrate containing MEG and a retentate containing the insoluble salts. The system may also include washing the retentate to remove additional MEG, which is then recycled to a MEG regeneration or reclamation process. The system may also include a dryer that receives waste slurry from the solid-liquid separation unit and dries it to form a solid waste, thereby facilitating its handling, storage, and disposal.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel glycerol purification process that produces partially refined waste glycerol for a variety of industrial applications. The disclosure encompasses a salt-containing partially refined glycerol composition that is suitable as a fermentation grade glycerol.

Abstract: A system and process for removing divalent ions from a MEG feed stream is presented. The system includes a chemical treatment tank where chemicals are mixed with the feed stream to form insoluble carbonate and hydroxide salts. The system also includes a membrane-type solid-liquid separation unit that receives the feed stream from the chemical treatment tank and separates it into a filtrate containing MEG and a retentate containing the insoluble salts. The system may also include washing the retentate to remove additional MEG, which is then recycled to a MEG regeneration or reclamation process. The system may also include a dryer that receives waste slurry from the solid-liquid separation unit and dries it to form a solid waste, thereby facilitating its handling, storage, and disposal.

Abstract: Crude glycerol obtained from raw materials, such as the glycerol obtained during the production of biodiesel or glycerol obtained during the conversion of fats or oils, is purified by forming a dioxolane therefrom by reacting the crude glycerol with a ketone or aldehyde, separating the dioxolane thus formed, converting the dioxolane into purified glycerol and ketone/aldehyde, and recovering the glycerol thus purified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one sulfonic acid for recovering glycerol resulting from a reaction crude from transesterification of glycerides, in particular of triglycerides of vegetable and/or animal origin. The invention also relates to a process for purifying glycerol obtained as a by-product of triglyceride transesterification during the preparation of fatty acids, fatty esters and/or fatty acid salts, and also to a combined process for preparing, on the one hand, fatty acids, fatty esters and/or fatty acid salts and, on the other hand, glycerol, from triglycerides, using at least one sulfonic acid.

Abstract: This invention provides a cost-effective method for removing impurities from waste glycerin generated in the process of biodiesel production, so as to prevent a supercritical water reaction tube from clogging, when synthesizing acrolein by allowing supercritical water and acid to react with glycerin.

Abstract: Methods and systems for co-producing higher hydrocarbons and glycols from bio-based feedstocks containing carbohydrates are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of production of value-added, biobased chemicals and derivative products from bioglycerin is described herein. The present method provides methods for desalinating, decolorizing, and concentrating bioglycerin for the production of biobased chemicals, derivative products, and/or purified bioglycerin.

Abstract: Method of producing glycerol that includes mixing a peroxide stream with an olefenic alcohol stream to form a feed stream; processing the feed stream in a high shear device to produce a high shear dispersion of peroxide and olefinic alcohol, wherein the high shear device is configured with a rotor and a stator separated by a shear gap; and contacting the high shear dispersion with a catalyst in a reactor to produce glycerol.

Abstract: This invention provides a cost-effective method for removing impurities from waste glycerin generated in the process of biodiesel production, so as to prevent a supercritical water reaction tube from clogging, when synthesizing acrolein by allowing supercritical water and acid to react with glycerin.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for converting in a continuous process biomass to less complex oxygenated compounds for use in downstream processes to produce biofuels and chemicals. The invention includes methods of converting the components of biomass, such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, to water-soluble materials, including lignocellulosic derivatives, cellulosic derivatives, hemicellulosic derivatives, carbohydrates, starches, polysaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, sugars, sugar alcohols, alditols, polyols, diols, alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof, using hydrogen and a heterogeneous liquefaction catalyst.

Abstract: Methods of converting cellulose or related biorenewable carbohydrate materials into high-value chemical compounds. The methods provide a means of converting low-cost materials such as cellulose and biomass into high yields of compounds such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, methanol, hydroxyacetone, glycolaldehyde and dihydroxyacetone.

Abstract: A method and system for purifying crude glycerin is provided in which a mixture is formed by blending glycerin, water, an organic solvent, and an acid. The acid being capable of reacting with soap impurities to form lipids that are soluble in the organic solvent and ionic salts that are soluble in the glycerin and water. Liquid-liquid extraction separates and partitions the organic solvents and lipids away from the glycerin, water, and ionic salts with the organic solvent and lipids being reclaimed for future use. Any residual trace amount of organic solvent that remains in the glycerin and water is separated and removed through the use of a clarifier system, with the formation of micro-bubbles arising from a diffuser facilitating the separation. Prior to collection of the purified glycerin product, the ionic salts are removed from the mixture through the use of an ionic exchange resin, electrodialysis, or electrodeionization, followed by the water being removed by evaporation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes employing industrial streams, including glycerol-containing by-products of triglyceride processing as well as waste glycol streams recovered from several sources, to produce oil well drilling, completion and hydrofracturing fluids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing acrolein by dehydrating an aqueous glycerin phase in an acrolein reaction region, obtaining an aqueous acrolein reaction phase; at least partially separating the aqueous acrolein reaction phase into an acrolein-rich acrolein phase and an acrolein-poor residual phase comprising glycerin, water and various other residuals; and recirculating at least part of the residual phase into the acrolein reaction region. Additionally, removing at least one of the residuals, other than glycerin or water, from either of the glycerin phase or a mixture phase obtained by mixing the glycerol phase with the low-acrolein residue phase and feeding the resulting purified glycerin or mixture phase into the acrolein reaction region. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing acrylic acid, water-absorbing polymer formations, compounds and hygiene articles, and to devices for carrying out those methods.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of propylene glycol from glycerol, the transformation of purified glycerol to propylene glycol being carried out by means of a reaction of hydrogenolysis, in the liquid phase, where the two stages of the reaction take place simultaneously and in one and the same reactor (1) under specified conditions of temperature and pressure, and the effluent from the fixed-bed reactor (1) is led to subsequent process stages that comprise separation and purification.

Abstract: A process is described for purifying crude glycerol obtained from raw materials such as glycerol obtained during manufacture of biodiesel or glycerol obtained during conversions of fats or oils. Further described, is how the process dissolves glycerol in an organic solvent and forms an insoluble phase comprising the salts of the crude glycerol.

Abstract: A method of reducing odor of 1,3-butylene glycol includes contacting the 1,3-butylene glycol with an activated carbon selected from wood-based activated carbons and chemically activated carbons.

Abstract: Methods of converting cellulose or related biorenewable carbohydrate materials into high-value chemical compounds. The methods provide a means of converting low-cost materials such as cellulose and biomass into high yields of compounds such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, methanol, hydroxyacetone, glycolaldehyde and dihydroxyacetone.

Abstract: A method for producing a diol or triol, which has a step of removing impurities contained in a diol- or triol-containing solution, is provided. In the method, a diol- or triol-containing solution is filtered through a nanofiltration membrane having a polyamide-containing functional layer. The diol- or triol-containing solution is then collected from the permeate flow of the nanofiltration membrane.

Abstract: Systems and processes for dehydration of a process stream in the production of motor fuel grade ethanol (MFGE) can include temperature controlled adsorption of water in the process stream, and heat pumping to transfer heat from the process stream to a heat sink using one or more stages of heat pumping. One stage of heat pumping can be achieved during the regeneration process of a temperature controlled adsorber by desorbing the adsorbed water at a thermal condition enabling useful heat recovery. Another stage of heat pumping can be achieved during the adsorption process of a temperature controlled adsorber by transferring the heat of water adsorption to a heat sink. The heat sink with respect to each stage of heat pumping can be a solids separation unit, such as a beer column.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention relates to a vaporization method of aqueous glycerol solutions in a fluidized bed containing an inert solid. The invention provides a method for vaporizing, in a single step, an aqueous glycerol solution and simultaneously eliminating the impurities present in this solution or generated during the evaporation.

Abstract: A method and system for purifying crude glycerin is provided in which a mixture is formed by blending glycerin, water, an organic solvent, and an acid. The acid being capable of reacting with soap impurities to form lipids that are soluble in the organic solvent and ionic salts that are soluble in the glycerin and water. Liquid-liquid extraction separates and partitions the organic solvents and lipids away from the glycerin, water, and ionic salts with the organic solvent and lipids being reclaimed for future use. Any residual trace amount of organic solvent that remains in the glycerin and water is separated and removed through the use of a clarifier system, with the formation of micro-bubbles arising from a diffuser facilitating the separation. Prior to collection of the purified glycerin product, the ionic salts are removed from the mixture through the use of an ionic exchange resin, electrodialysis, or electrodeionization, followed by the water being removed by evaporation.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of glycerol comprises contacting an aqueous feed composition that comprises water, glycerol, and at least one contaminant with a solvent extractant comprising at least one C5-C8 alkanol, optionally in admixture with at least one alkane, to form a first mixture, and separating the first mixture into a first solvent phase and a first aqueous phase. The first solvent phase comprises a majority (more than 50 wt %) of the solvent extractant and a majority of the glycerol that was present in the aqueous feed composition. The weight ratio in the first solvent phase of glycerol to a contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of glycerol to the contaminant in the aqueous feed composition. The first aqueous phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed composition and at least some of the contaminant from the aqueous feed composition.

Abstract: Systems and processes for dehydration of a process stream in the production of motor fuel grade ethanol (MFGE) can include temperature controlled adsorption of water in the process stream, and heat pumping of the associated heat of adsorption. The process can include providing a process stream (110) including ethanol and water to a first temperature controlled adsorber (102) where water is removed by adsorption to produce an MFGE product stream (114) and an associated heat of adsorption. A cooling fluid can be provided to the first temperature controlled adsorber (102) to remove heat of adsorption and produce a heated cooling fluid (120). Heat from the heated cooling fluid can be provided to a heat sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing acrolein, comprising the following steps: (a) dehydrating an aqueous glycerin phase G1 in an acrolein reaction region, obtaining an aqueous acrolein reaction phase; (b) at least partially separating the aqueous acrolein reaction phase into an acrolein-rich acrolein phase and an acrolein-poor (in comparison to the acrolein phase) residual phase R1, wherein the residual phase R1 comprises glycerin, water and various remainders from glycerin and water; (c) recycling at least a part of the residual phase R2 in step (a); wherein i) from a glycerin phase G2 comprising remainders that differ from glycerin and water, at least one of said remainders is separated and the thus obtained, purified glycerin phase G2 is immediately supplied to the acrolein reaction region, or ii) at least one remainder different from glycerin and water is separated out of a mixture phase M1 obtained by mixing a glycerin phase G2 with the acrolein-poor residual phase R1, and the thus obtained,

Abstract: Methods for producing a polyols and polyurethanes are described. The polyols described herein can be produced directly from crude glycerin or through liquefaction of lignocellulosic biomass using a solvent comprising crude glycerin. The polyols produced in accordance with certain aspects may be derived from a significant proportion of renewable resources.

Abstract: A glycerol preparation method for preparation of medical grade glycerol from a by-product of a bio-diesel process includes a first stage phosphoric acid chemical reaction process and a posterior by-product centrifugal separation process to have the phosphoric acid chemical reaction by-product be separated into free fatty acid, potassium phosphoric acid, and a crude glycerol and methanol mixture. The crude glycerol and methanol mixture is further processed through a first step of thin film evaporation process where methanol is reclaimed, a second step of thin film evaporation process where the mixture is dehydrated, a third step of molecular distillation process where an industrial grade glycerol of purity over 95% is extracted, and a fourth step of molecular distillation process where a medical grade glycerol of purity in exceed of 99.75% that meets USP/BP standards is extracted.

Abstract: Methods of converting cellulose or related biorenewable carbohydrate materials into high-value chemical compounds. The methods provide a means of converting low-cost materials such as cellulose and biomass into high yields of compounds such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, methanol, hydroxyacetone, glycolaldehyde and dihydroxyacetone.

Abstract: A method to exploit the glycerin obtained as a by-product of the industrial process to produce biodiesel inside or out of the industrial production unit, providing a reduction in the environmental liability that may be caused by an excess in the production of glycerin that cannot be exploited for industrial use. The referenced method uses recycling of the glycerin obtained through industrial process to produce biodiesel, using a process basically consisting of four stages: a) extracting glycerin produced as a by-product of the industrial process for producing biodiesel; b) hydrogenation of said n-propanol glycerin, c) recycling of the n-propanol thus obtained to be added to a mixture of alcohols; and d) transesterfication of the n-propanol mixture added to the alcohol mixture, together with raw material triglycerides from renewable sources in order to obtain biodiesel.

Abstract: The invention provides palladium-catalyzed hydrogenations of bio-oils and certain organic compounds. Experimental results have shown unexpected and superior results for palladium-catalyzed hydrogenations of organic compounds typically found in bio-oils.

Abstract: Crude glycerol obtained from raw materials, such as the glycerol obtained during the production of biodiesel or glycerol obtained during the conversion of fats or oils, is purified by forming a dioxolane therefrom by reacting the crude glycerol with a ketone or aldehyde, separating the dioxolane thus formed, converting the dioxolane into purified glycerol and ketone/aldehyde, and recovering the glycerol thus purified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing citric acid from glycerol with a yield of more than 70%. The method comprises fermenting a filamentous fungus on a substrate which comprises glycerol. The advantage of the method according to the invention is that a widely available substrate, i.e. glycerol, can be used and that yields may be obtained which are much higher than the yields obtained using state of the art methods for producing citric acid from glycerol. The glycerol is used in combination with one or more other carbon sources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separation of diols from a mixture comprising diols and polyols, for example, from a reaction mixture obtained from hydrogenolysis of sorbitol. In particular, the present invention relates to separation of diols from the mixture using a combination of a wiped-film evaporator and a molecular evaporator to obtain diols in a high yield.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing 1,2-propanediol by reacting glycerol, which has a purity of at least 95 wt %, with hydrogen at a hydrogen pressure from 20 to 100 bar and a temperature from 180 to 240° C. in the presence of a catalyst, which comprises 20 to 60 wt % of copper oxide, 30 to 70 wt % of zinc oxide and 1 to 10 wt % manganese oxide in an autoclave.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described herein for the purification of glycerin. Embodiments include, but are not limited to, methods, systems, and articles of manufacture. Other embodiments may also be disclosed and claimed. Some techniques described herein include adding methyl alcohol and acid to crude glycerin to form a solution, filtering the solution to remove at least one salt of the acid from the solution, separating the solution into a first layer of free fatty acids and a second layer of at least partially purified glycerin, and distilling off the methyl alcohol from second layer of the solution. The second layer may then undergo one or more additional operations including neutralizing, further filtering to remove an excess of the neutralizing agent, passing through a plurality of ion-exchange columns, deodorizing, and dewatering.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of organopolysiloxanes involves, in a first step, reacting chlorosilanes with from 0.01 to 0.7 mol of water per mole of hydrolyzable chlorine and with from 0.2 to 1.7 mol of alcohol per mole of hydrolyzable chlorine, the molar ratio of water to alcohol being from 0.005 to 3.5; in a second step, the reaction mixture obtained in the first step is optionally mixed continuously with a water-insoluble organic solvent having a density of less than 0.9 kg/l, and water is metered in continuously in amounts of from 0.2 to 100 mol of water per mole of silicon component; and in a third step, the aqueous alcoholic phase is separated off.

Abstract: Methods for purifying glycerin contaminated with one or more lower boiling alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, straight, branched or cyclic C3-C6 alcohols, and the like. The methods are particularly useful for purifying crude glycerin phases recovered from the synthesis of biofuels. The present invention uses distillation techniques to strip alcohol contaminants from glycerin. In contrast to conventional methods that carry out distillation either under substantially anhydrous or very wet conditions, the present invention carries out distillation in the presence of a limited amount of water, e.g., from about 0.8 to about 5 parts by weight of water per 100 parts by weight of contaminated glycerin to be purified.

Abstract: A catalytic process selectively produces ethanol by contacting synthesis gas (syngas), composed primarily of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, with three catalysts within a reactor. The first catalyst is a hydrogenation promoter comprising Cu—Zn, Mo or Fe with an optional alkali metal additive and an optional support of aluminum oxide, silica, zeolite or clay. The second catalyst is a homologation promoter comprising one or more of the Group VIII metals in free or combined form with a co-catalyst metals consisting of Y or lanthanide or actinide series metals with optional additives and support. The third catalyst is a hydrogenation promoter. This series of catalysts improves the selectivity and yield for ethanol from syngas.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of glycerol comprises contacting an aqueous feed composition that comprises water, glycerol, and at least one contaminant with a solvent extractant comprising at least one C5-C8 alkanol, optionally in admixture with at least one alkane, to form a first mixture, and separating the first mixture into a first solvent phase and a first aqueous phase. The first solvent phase comprises a majority (more than 50 wt %) of the solvent extractant and a majority of the glycerol that was present in the aqueous feed composition. The weight ratio in the first solvent phase of glycerol to a contaminant present is greater than the weight ratio of glycerol to the contaminant in the aqueous feed composition. The first aqueous phase comprises a majority of the water from the aqueous feed composition and at least some of the contaminant from the aqueous feed composition.

Abstract: A method for purification of crude glycerol, especially crude glycerol derived from biodiesel production using alkaline catalysts. The method comprises combining the crude glycerol with acid, separating a glycerol layer, and treating the glycerol layer to decolorize it.

Abstract: A process for producing monoesters and glycerol from triglycerides and monohydric alcohols by transesterification in the presence of phase-transfer catalysts and base initiators, produced in a batch or continuous mode. Reaction mixtures comprising triglycerides such as vegetable triglycerides, monohydric alcohols such as methanol or ethanol, base initiators such as alkali metal hydroxides or carbonates and phase-transfer catalysts such as quaternary ammonium or quaternary phosphonium salts for performing transesterification reactions. The reaction product comprises a mixture of monoesters and glycerol. The monoesters produced are useful as fuels, cleaning solvents and other industrial applications. For example, fatty acid methyl esters are produced by the transesterification reaction between fatty vegetable triglycerides and methanol in the presence of catalytic quantities of both methyl tricaprylyl ammonium chloride and sodium hydroxide at a temperature of about 70° C.

Abstract: A process comprising contacting PO3G having color with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the PO3G, after hydrogenation, has a APHA color of less than about 50.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to asymmetric chiral labeled glycerols including at least one chiral atom, from one to two 13C atoms and from zero to four deuterium atoms bonded directly to a carbon atom, e.g., (2S) [1,2-13C2]glycerol and (2R) [1,2-13C2]glycerol, and to the use of such chiral glycerols in the preparation of labeled amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the recovery of salt from a glycerine process, allowing the salt to be used in a brine solution. A salt settling tank is positioned inline between the foots from a crude still bottom and a foot still. Salt settles to the bottom of the settling tank and into a salt receiver positioned below, while clarified liquid overflows to the foot still. Salt from the salt receiver is then semi-continuously transferred into a salt extractor where the salt is removed from the mother liquor. A condensate is then circulated into the salt extractor and the salt slurry is then stored in a brine storage tank.

Abstract: The invention discloses a hydrogenation process for removing impurities and controlling acid for use in downstream processing of biochemically-derived 1,3-propanediol. Preferably, the biochemically-derived 1,3-propanediol, before the contacting, has an initial color and, after the contracting, has a color that is lower than the initial color.

Abstract: A process is described for purifying polyalkylene glycols obtained by adding alkylene oxide to alkylene glycol, in which, after addition is complete, the resultant polyalkylene glycol is treated at a pH of >7 with a bleaching agent selected from the group consisting of peroxides, peracids, percarbonates, perborates, peroxodisulfates or oxygen, in each case with or without addition of a bleaching activator. The process is suitable in particular for preparing polyethylene glycol having molar weights from 196 to 203 g/mol which meets requirements of pharmacopeias.

Abstract: A process for purifying glycerin recovered as a byproduct of biodiesel production comprises heating a glycerin effluent stream containing a low molecular weight alcohol, water and fatty acid esters of the low molecular weight alcohol to cause transesterification of the fatty acid esters to glycerides and additional low molecular weight alcohol. The reaction mixture is sparged with nitrogen to help remove water and low molecular weight alcohol, which drives the transesterification reaction towards glyceride formation. A wash water stream may also be added to the recovered glycerin stream from biodiesel production. Either before or following the transesterification reaction, an oil layer can be separated from the recovered glycerin stream by reducing the pH of the stream to below 7. Following separation of the oil layer and transesterification the glycerin stream is flash distilled to separate glycerin from water, salts, and glycerides.