Renewable p -Xylene Production by Catalytic Conversion of Crude Bioglycerol (GTA -pX Process)

The studies report an efficient vapor-phase continuous-flow process that operates on a ZSM-5 micro–mesoporous composite catalyst system (facilitated by molecular-level interaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and Zn species) for the production of sustainable para -xylene ( p -X)-enriched alkyl-aromatics from crude bioglycerol. The process achieved 100% conversion of glycerol by coprocessing with methanol to produce industrially important liquid stock possessing ∼85% alkyl-aromatics, especially xylene isomers, which is the highest ever reported to the best of our knowledge. The xylene isomers consisting of ∼57% p -X are attractive for renewable petrochemical and polymer (poly(ethylene terephthalate)) production applications. The liquid stock consisting of xylene-rich alkyl-aromatics with minimum benzene content and possessing a high octane rating (research octane rating (RON) = 104) also has potential for gasoline blending applications.