Abstract
This last chapter discusses the opportunities and challenges of converting glycerol into different chemicals, within the biorefinery context. As most of the biodiesel plants in the world are of low to medium capacity, the surplus of glycerol is somewhat spread and available in small quantities in some regions. Therefore, logistic problems, related to the transportation, storage and purification of the glycerol must be taken into account to choose the best opportunity of investment. Specialty and fine chemicals can overcome these problems, because of the high-added value of the final products. Glycerol derivatives that are used as fuel additives may be the best choice for biodiesel producers, as they can be used in the biofuel to improve its properties. In addition, the process conditions and installations are similar to those used in the manufacture of the biodiesel itself. Finally, the use of glycerol as raw material for the production of commodities may be more suitable to traditional chemical companies. They are usually integrated companies, producing the monomers and the polymers to be used in the automotive, textile, painting and other large sectors. In addition, these companies are used to work with processes in continuous flow at high temperatures and pressures.
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Mota, C.J.A., Peres Pinto, B., de Lima, A.L. (2017). Glycerol Conversion in the Biorefinery Context. In: Glycerol. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59375-3_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59375-3_6
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