Publicación: Avances y problemas en el desarrollo de procesos de producción de derivados del glicerol: revisión crítica en el marco de las biorrefinerías de glicerol
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2022-07-11
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Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (España). Facultad de Ciencias. Departamento de Química Inorgánica y Química Técnica
Resumen
Durante la producción de biodiésel se obtiene glicerol como subproducto. En los últimos años, el glicerol se ha convertido en un residuo de escaso valor debido al crecimiento exponencial de la producción de biodiésel, generando consecuencias negativas, tanto económicas como ambientales. A raíz de este problema, muchos autores han propuesto utilizar el glicerol como materia prima para producir diferentes productos de valor añadido. En la literatura se ha acuñado el término de «biorrefinería de glicerol» para englobar al conjunto de procesos en los que se elaboran derivados del glicerol de interés comercial. En este Trabajo Fin de Máster se ha llevado a cabo una revisión sistemática de los avances realizados y de los problemas detectados en la última década (periodo 2012-2022) en la producción de derivados del glicerol. Se utilizaron diferentes bases de datos y se aplicaron distintos términos y filtros para reducir el sesgo de información. Entre los avances, se han realizado diferentes análisis tecno-económicos y ambientales que demuestran la viabilidad industrial de transformar el glicerol; se ha logrado su bioconversión utilizando distintas clases de microorganismos; y se ha estudiado una extensa variedad de catalizadores heterogéneos, incluyendo electrocatalizadores, que han demostrado ser prometedores. Si bien existe una amplia cantidad de productos que se pueden producir por rutas químicas, el carbonato de glicerol, el 1,2-propanodiol, el 1,3-propanodiol y el hidrógeno son algunos de los más estudiados. Sin embargo, se han encontrado diferentes problemas, que principalmente tienen que ver con las impurezas presentes en el glicerol crudo, la desactivación de catalizadores, y limitaciones en los procesos de separación y en la bioconversión del glicerol. También existen inconvenientes en la síntesis de hidrógeno. De acuerdo con la información recogida en la literatura, a pesar de los numerosos avances realizados, cuya contribución es de gran relevancia, la mayor parte de los trabajos han sido llevados a cabo con un escaso enfoque industrial. Además de realizar más estudios con este enfoque, para que el desarrollo a gran escala sea posible es necesario solucionar los problemas detectados. Por todo ello, no se prevé que las biorrefinerías de glicerol sean una realidad a corto plazo. En cualquier caso, aunque las rutas químicas y termoquímicas serán parte fundamental de estas industrias, la bioconversión se postula como una de las vías de síntesis más atractivas.
Glycerol is obtained as a by-product during biodiesel production. In the last decades, glycerol has become an industrial waste of scarce value due to the exponential growth of biodiesel production, giving rise to negative consequences, both economic and environmental. As a result of this problem, many authors have proposed using glycerol as a raw material to produce different added-value products. The concept "glycerol biorefinery" has been proposed in the literature to encompass those processes in which commercially valuable glycerol derivatives are produced. In this Master Thesis, a systematic review of the advances made and the problems detected in the last decade (from 2012 to 2022) during the production of glycerol derivatives has been carried out. Different databases were used and different terms and filters were applied in order to reduce information bias. Among the advances, different techno-economic and environmental analyses have been carried out that demonstrate the industrial feasibility of transforming glycerol; its bioconversion has been achieved using different kinds of microorganisms; and a wide variety of heterogeneous catalysts, including electrocatalysts, have been studied and shown to be promising. While there is a wide range of products that can be produced by chemical routes, glycerol carbonate, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol and hydrogen are some of the most studied. However, different problems have been identified, mainly related to impurities present in crude glycerol, catalyst deactivation, and limitations during separation processes and bioconversion of glycerol. There are also some drawbacks in hydrogen synthesis. According to the literature, despite the many advances that have been achieved, whose contribution is of great importance, most of the studies have been carried out with limited industrial focus. In addition, the problems identified need to be solved for large-scale development to be possible. Therefore, glycerol biorefineries are not expected to become a reality in the short term. In any case, although chemical and thermochemical routes will be a fundamental part of these industries, bioconversion is one of the most attractive synthesis routes.
Glycerol is obtained as a by-product during biodiesel production. In the last decades, glycerol has become an industrial waste of scarce value due to the exponential growth of biodiesel production, giving rise to negative consequences, both economic and environmental. As a result of this problem, many authors have proposed using glycerol as a raw material to produce different added-value products. The concept "glycerol biorefinery" has been proposed in the literature to encompass those processes in which commercially valuable glycerol derivatives are produced. In this Master Thesis, a systematic review of the advances made and the problems detected in the last decade (from 2012 to 2022) during the production of glycerol derivatives has been carried out. Different databases were used and different terms and filters were applied in order to reduce information bias. Among the advances, different techno-economic and environmental analyses have been carried out that demonstrate the industrial feasibility of transforming glycerol; its bioconversion has been achieved using different kinds of microorganisms; and a wide variety of heterogeneous catalysts, including electrocatalysts, have been studied and shown to be promising. While there is a wide range of products that can be produced by chemical routes, glycerol carbonate, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol and hydrogen are some of the most studied. However, different problems have been identified, mainly related to impurities present in crude glycerol, catalyst deactivation, and limitations during separation processes and bioconversion of glycerol. There are also some drawbacks in hydrogen synthesis. According to the literature, despite the many advances that have been achieved, whose contribution is of great importance, most of the studies have been carried out with limited industrial focus. In addition, the problems identified need to be solved for large-scale development to be possible. Therefore, glycerol biorefineries are not expected to become a reality in the short term. In any case, although chemical and thermochemical routes will be a fundamental part of these industries, bioconversion is one of the most attractive synthesis routes.
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