Unravelling the potential of glycerol etherification through the tert-butanol pathway: Rigorous process design, techno-economic evaluation, and life cycle assessment
Journal
Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
ISSN
1226086X
Date Issued
2025
Author(s)
Abstract
The synthesis of higher glycerol tert-butyl ethers (GTBE) is a promising strategy for valorizing surplus glycerol (GLY) from biodiesel production. This research comprehensively examines the process for producing higher GTBE through the conversion of GLY with tert-butyl alcohol (TBA). A techno-economic evaluation of the optimized process estimates the minimum selling price (for a 15% internal rate of return) at $2.05/kg GTBE, which can be reduced to $1.77/kg GTBE if GLY and TBA are available at their lowest unit costs. A life cycle assessment evaluates the sustainability of various GLY valorization processes using 18 midpoint indicators. The TBA and isobutene pathways for GTBE production are comparably sustainable. All impact indicators for GTBE production are lower than those for glycerol carbonate (GC) produced through the transesterification pathway. When compared with the production of GC (via the indirect pathway) and solketal, GTBE production demonstrates lower impact values in 10 and 12 midpoint indicators, respectively. However, GTBE production has only four lower indicators compared with the production of acrylic acid through the acrolein pathway. Overall, this study concludes that the production of higher GTBE can be considered an economically viable and sustainable option for GLY valorization.
Subjects
Environmental impact assessment
Extractive distillation
Fuel additive
Glycerol valorization
Process optimization
Process simulation
Publisher
Korean Society of Industrial Engineering Chemistry
Type
journal article