Abstract:
The feasibility of 1,2-propanediol synthesis from glycerol in acid condition by electrochemical technique was studied in an undivided electrochemical reactor at laboratory scale under ambient pressure. Effects of electrode types, current intensity (2.12-8.40 A), concentration of supporting electrolyte (0-3.5 %(w/v)), initial pH (0.5-2), concentration of additive (0-2.5 %(w/v)) and temperature (32-70℃) were explored. The preliminary results indicated that the use of Ti/RuO2 and Pt as anode and cathode, respectively, provided the higher yield of 1,2-propanediol compared with other electrodes. The increase of current intensity led to the increase of 1,2- propanediol yields while supporting electrolyte at the concentration greater than 1.5 %(w/v) provided the similar yields of 1,2-propanediol. Decreasing the initial pH of solution from pH 2 to pH 1 provided the increase of 1,2-propanediol. The presence of additive did not promote a higher yield of 1,2-propanediol compared with the condition in the absence of additive. The yield of 1,2-propanediol increased with the raising of temperature.