A review of recent developments on kinetics parameters for glycerol electrochemical conversion – A by-product of biodiesel

Siti Aqilah Nadhirah Md. Rahim (1) , Ching Shya Lee (1) , Faisal Abnisa (2) , Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua (3, 4) , Wan Ashri Wan Daud (1) , Patrick Cognet (5) , Yolande Peres-Lucchese (5)

1 UM - University of Malaya = Universiti Malaya [Kuala Lumpur, Malaisie]
2 King Abdulaziz University
3 Lancaster University
4 Sunway University [Malaysia]
5 LGC - Laboratoire de Génie Chimique

Glycerol is a by-product produced from biodiesel, fatty acid, soap and bioethanol industries. Today, the value of glycerol is decreasing in the global market due to glycerol surplus, which primarily resulted from the speedy expansion of biodiesel producers around the world. Numerous studies have proposed ways of managing and treating glycerol, as well as converting it into value-added compounds. The electrochemical conversion method is preferred for this transformation due to its simplicity and hence, it is discussed in detail. Additionally, the factors that could affect the process mechanisms and products distribution in the electrochemical process, including electrodes materials, pH of electrolyte, applied potential, current density, temperature and additives are also thoroughly explained. Value-added compounds that can be produced from the electrochemical conversion of glycerol include glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, glycolic acid, glyceric acid, lactic acid, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, tartronic acid and mesoxalic acid. These compounds are found to have broad applications in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food and polymer industries are also described. This review will be devoted to a comprehensive overview of the current scenario in the glycerol electrochemical conversion, the factors affecting the mechanism pathways, reaction rates, product selectivity and yield. Possible outcomes obtained from the process and their benefits to the industries are discussed. The utilization of solid acid catalysts as additives for future studies is also suggested.

Mots clés: Electrodes materials; pH of electrolyte; Applied potential; Current density; Additives; Temperature

Domaines: Génie chimique; Génie des procédés

Siti Aqilah Nadhirah Md. Rahim, Ching Shya Lee, Faisal Abnisa, Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua, Wan Ashri Wan Daud, et al.. A review of recent developments on kinetics parameters for glycerol electrochemical conversion – A by-product of biodiesel. Science of the Total Environment, 2020, 705, pp.135137. ⟨10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135137⟩. ⟨hal-02648655⟩