New Process for the Production of Glycerol <i>tert</i>-Butyl Ethers

Abstract

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.