University of Kansas

Debdut S Roy

Bala Subramaniam

Raghunath V Chaudhari

A process for producing lactic acid from glycerol using a reaction mixture comprising glycerol, a dehydrogenation catalyst (preferably a copper-based catalyst), an alkaline component, and water.

Catalyst system and process for converting glycerol to lactic acid

A catalyst composition/system can include: a platinum catalyst metal (Pt) and/or rhenium catalyst metal (Re) on a first support; and a ruthenium catalyst metal (Ru) and/or rhenium catalyst metal (Re) on a second support or a platinum catalyst metal (Pt) and a ruthenium catalyst metal (Ru) and/or a rhenium catalyst metal (Re) on the same support. The Pt:Ru, Re:Pt and/or Re:Ru weight ratio can be between about 1:4 and about 4:1. The support can be alumina, carbon, silica, a zeolite, TiO, ZrOor another suitable material. The first and second support can be on the same support structure or on different support structures. In one option, the first and second supports can be positioned such that the Pt and/or Re are capable of catalyzing a dehydrogenation and/or reforming reaction that produces hydrogen and the Ru and/or Re are capable of catalyzing a hydrogenolysis reaction.

Polyol hydrogenolysis by in-situ generated hydrogen

A catalyst composition can include: a support; a ruthenium catalyst (Ru) nanoparticle; and a linker linking the Ru nanoparticle to the support, wherein the linker is stable under hydrogenolysis conditions. In one aspect, the linker can include 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTS) or derivatives thereof, such as those with amine functionality. In another aspect, the linker can include phosphotungstic acid (PTA) or other similar solid acid agents. In another aspect, the support can be selected from alumina, carbon, silica, a zeolite, TiO, ZrO, or another suitable material. A specific example of a support includes zeolite, such as a NaY zeolite. The Ru nanoparticle can have a size range from about 1 nm to about 25 nm, and can be obtained by reduction of Ru salts.

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Lawrence, KS, United States of America

Debdut S Roy